Hot Tickets
Sonoma Valley wraps up three months of olive-infused feasts with the seventh annual Olive Festival Finale Weekend. Ignite your taste buds with culinary delights from more than 20 of Sonoma Valley’s finest restaurants and caterers, sample local artisan olives and olive oils at the Olive Bar, peruse the silent auction for rare large format bottles, and indulge in sweet temptations with Port and chocolate tastings. Local winemakers and grape growers will be onhand providing their insider’s perspective, allow you the opportunity to know the personalities behind the wines. Commencing Saturday, February 16th, this feast for the senses takes place at The Lodge at Sonoma. Advanced admission is $65 per person; $75 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling (707) 935-0803 or visit www.sonomavalleywine.com. FYI: Additional events continue through the 18th of February including: Cooking classes at Landmark Vineyards, Olivepalooza at the Sunflower Caffe on the Sonoma Plaza, Eric Symons elegant Flamenco performance at Gloria Ferrer, Olive Odyssey at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, the Finale Weekend Celebration at Cline Cellars, and an Open House at Rock Hill Estate. For complete details, visit www.sonomavalleywine.com.
Mustard Magic
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Napa 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 yellow carpet is rolled out for food gourmands and wine enthusiasts everywhere to discover world-class treats and award-winning wines in enchanting surroundings. There are several engaging activities scheduled each week. For details, visit www.mustardfestival.org.
Big Deal
Monterey Peninsula is home to some of California’s finest boutique wineries, yet still remains under-the-radar as a Wine Country destination. On Saturday, February 16th, the Monterey Vintners and Growers Foundation invites the public to discover the rich agricultural heritage of their beautiful seaside locale during the 2008 Monterey Wine Auction & Gala. Enjoy exquisite Monterey Peninsula wines while indulging in delicious gourmet cuisine from the newly reopened Carmel Valley Ranch. Join the names behind the labels, along with approachable, enthusiastic winemakers who will be sharing their unique perspectives from the table. Participants will have the opportunity to place bids in an extraordinary silent auction featuring wonderful items such as rare vintage wines, exclusive overnight stays, spas, getaways, golf packages, VIP winery tours, winemaker dinners, domestic and international vacations. Tickets are $165 per person and can be purchased by calling (831) 375-1116 or by visiting www.montereywines.org. FYI: For overnight accommodations, I always stay at the charming Hofsas House, in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most of the rooms have breathtaking views of the forest and Pacific Ocean, with private lanais overlooking the aromatic pines. Guestrooms are spacious, comfortable, and well appointed. Ergonomic chaise lounges surrounding a heated pool and intimate dry saunas are provided to revitalize your senses. Easy walking to downtown dining and shopping, and less than 15 minutes to most major regional attractions. World-class hospitality and attractive pricing makes Hofsas House your best bet when visiting the Monterey Peninsula. For reservations, call 1-800-221-2548 or go online at www.hofsashouse.com.
Winery Buzz
If demand was ever more vocal for the next generation of hot California winemakers, Silenus Vintners, fashionably answers the call. From the ashes of the former Koves-Newland winery emerges the phoenix, Silenus Vintners, who progressively blends trendsetting cool with high society chic. Taking its cue from the latest trend of housing multiple small-lot producers under one roof, Silenus Vintners recently opened their showroom quality tasting lounge with no less than twelve stellar winemakers, including major up-and-comers as: Ahnfeldt, Juslyn, Renard, and Robert Williamson, to name just a few. In every sense of the word, Silenus Vintners has raised the bar of aspirational wine tasting, connecting savvy consumers with cult-like winemakers in a ever-so hip wine tasting environment. Large picture windows from floor to ceiling frame the enchanting views of vineyards and production facilities, while several contemporary recliners (tastefully removed from the hordes) invite you to sprawl while visiting friends, sipping wine, and enjoying the cozy open fireplace. A 50" flat panel is positioned above the mantelpiece so you can catch your favorite programs while drinking your wines! Because they are a collective of small-lot winemakers, the wines of Silenus Vintners tend to go quickly, and can often be difficult to find, so I strongly recommend signing up with their wine club. It’s easy to find Silenus Vintners, simply head south from Yountville or north from Napa on Highway 29 and turn west onto Darms Lane. Make an immediate left and Silenus Vintners is on your right. For more information, visit www.silenusvintners.com or call (707) 299-3930. FYI: On May 9th through the 19th, join Silenus Vintners on a romantic Mediterranean cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxury ship – the Regatta. Sail to exotic ports of call including Barcelona, St. Tropez and Monte Carlo with Vintner Bob Williamson and his wife Joni. Prices begin at only $2599 per person and includes private wine education elements, winemaker dinners and  free roundtrip airfare to Europe! As an added bonus, Paul Lukacs, the new wine editor for Saveur Magazine will be onboard and will speak at two engaging wine seminars. What better way to discover Napa Valley’s hottest wine boutique than a Mediterranean cruise? Plus, your sweetie will love you for it. This cruise has been voted one of the best in the world by readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine, so cabins will book fast. For additional details, call (707) 299-3930 or book online at www.foodandwinetrails.com/?id=87.