Hot Tickets
On Saturday, February 9th, treat yourself and your sweetie to an afternoon of sumptuous indulgences during the 19th annual Wine & Chocolate Fantasy at Rodney Strong Vineyards. In addition to delicious pairings of fine chocolate from local chocolatiers and award-winning Rodney Strong red wines, this year includes live music by Earl Thomas. If you’re not familiar with the artist, Thomas has one of the most expressive voices in pop music, making history with his inimitable stage aura, soul influence and international sensibility. His direct approach and engaging personality has seen him on bills with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James and B.B. King. Tickets for this popular event are only $40 per person and include a commemorative glass. To participate, visit www.rodneystrong.com or call (707) 431-1533. FYI: Rodney Strong Vineyards is dedicated to crafting world-class wines that capture the essence of Sonoma County. Rodney Strong grows and produces wines exclusively from four of Sonoma County’s finest appellations – Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Coast. The winery was founded in 1959 by Sonoma County wine pioneer Rodney D. Strong as the 13th bonded winery in the county. Today, the winery is privately owned by the Klein family, a fourth-generation California agricultural family.
Gold Tasting
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary wine tasting experience in 2008? On February 9th and 10th, schedule a weekend and travel to the historic California gold country and join 30 Amador County wineries “Behind the Cellar Door” for a winter wine extravaganza of barrel-tasting, great food, live music, entertaining seminars and winemaking demonstrations. Seminars include discussions and tastings of hand-crafted Amador County Single Vineyard Zinfandels, Barbera, Sangiovese, Rhône varietals and Ports. The spectacular Sierra Mountains backdrop, discriminating regional cuisine and homespun artisans create a wine tasting experience that is refreshingly unique from that of other wine country venues. Advanced tickets are $50 for Saturday and Sunday and $35 for Sunday only. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event at selected wineries for $60 on Saturday and $40 on Sunday. Purchase tickets by calling 1-888-655-8614 or visit www.amadorwine.com. FYI: Don’t miss attending “Cellar Feast,” a delicious five-course gourmet dinner on Saturday night at 6 p.m. in the barrel cellar at Montevina Winery. Tickets are $75 per person and can be ordered along with Behind the Cellar Door admission tickets.
Mustard Magic
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Wine Country. Not only are the tasting rooms less crowded, the valley is radiant with vivid yellows as brilliant mustard flowers blanket barren vineyards. Winter also marks the return of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival with its “Sensational Seasons of Wine Country Events.” Now in its fifteenth season, the Mustard Festival offers a full palette of food, wine, art, entertainment and cultural activities staged throughout the world-famous, grape-growing region. Considered by many to be Napa Valley’s most creative and extravagant festival, the red carpet is rolled out for foodies and wine enthusiasts to discover world-class treats and award-winning wines in enchanting surroundings. There are several activities scheduled each week, to plan your itinerary, visit www.mustardfestival.org. FYI: One the most popular gatherings of the entire festival is The Marketplace – A Signature Event for Connoisseurs. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 15th and 16th, and celebrates the season with a palette of mustards from around the world, delicious foods and, naturally, some of the planet’s best wines. Ultimately, Marketplace provides wine and food lovers the opportunity to explore the best of Napa Valley during the most beautiful time of year in wine country. For tickets, call (707) 938-1133 or visit www.mustardfestival.org.
Olive Odyssey
Now that the grape harvest is over, winter visitors turn to Wine Country’s other bite-sized edible treasure during the Seventh Annual Olive Festival. Kicking off in December, the Olive Festival is a three-month culinary feast that concludes with an odyssey of events on the weekend of February 16th. Enjoy artisan breads and cheeses, fine wine, and succulent Sonoma Valley olives. The Olive Press [24724 Arnold Drive, (707) 939-8900], has a working press with a tasting room and gift shop devoted to all things olive. Cooking demonstrations from the valley’s finest chefs and winemaker dinners makes this fete especially popular among foodies and gourmands. For more information on Olive Festival events, call (707) 996-1090 or visit www.sonomavalley.com. FYI: In the Sonoma Valley village of Kenwood is a superb boutique winery called VJB Vineyards. Regarded for creating intense wines with amazing depth, VJB is also known for procuring some of the finest gourmet sauces, tapénades, and pestos in all of Wine Country (the Belmonte family was in the restaurant business for years). During the Olive Festival, VJB offers 20% discounts on all wine purchases, excluding Library wines. Find VJB Vineyards at 9077 Sonoma Highway; (707) 833-2300; www.vjbcellars.com.
Best Bet
Lodi Wine Country invites food and wine lovers to “Unwrap the Golden Ticket” in one of over 34 wineries at the 11th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, on February 9th and 10th. Guests will receive a commemorative dark chocolate bar upon ticket redemption. Included in the chocolate bars are over 100 prizes, including a Lodi Wine Country Getaway. Boutique wineries will pair delicious Lodi appellation wines with decadent chocolate offerings at each location. Enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including barrel tasting, new releases, wine and food pairings, special events and live music. Tickets are valid both days and are $35 in advance or $45 during the event at any participating winery. Price includes a souvenir wine glass, dark chocolate bar, and admission to all participating wineries. To attend visit, www.lodiwineandchocolate.com  or call (209) 365-0621.