Hot Tickets
In 1969, Mondavi Winery debuted the Summer Music Festival to benefit the Napa Valley Symphony. Since then, this popular annual series has expanded to include some of the world’s most recognized jazz, R&B and pop artists. Now celebrating its 39th season, the Summer Music Festival returns Saturday, July 19th, with one of the hottest young tropical bands today, Tiempo Libre, known for their high-voltage Latin jazz and hard-driving Cuban rhythms. On Saturday, July 26th, certified rock ’n’ roll superstar and four-time Grammy Award-winner Pat Benatar will perform at the beautiful outdoor venue accompanied by guitarist/songwriter Neil Giraldo. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show begin at $60 and online orders may be placed at www.robertmondaviwinery.com. Telephone orders at 1-888-769-5299. FYI: You can pre-order a picnic dinner from Hurley’s Restaurant, in Yountville, to pick up on the way to the concert or dine early at Hurley’s with the Summer Concert Seasonal Three Course Prix Fixe dinner. Picnic dinners are $25 per person and include a wide selection of delicious choices plus plates, napkins, and utensils; (orders must be placed by the Thursday preceding the concert). The Seasonal Three Course Prix Fixe dinner – including soup or salad, three choices of main dish, and two dessert options – is seated at 5:00 pm. The cost is $32 per person and reservations are required. To order a basket or make a dinner reservation call (707) 944-2345. For more information including menu choices and picnic basket selections visit www.hurleysrestaurant.com. 
Stellar Sips
The Santa Cruz Appellation is ripe with farm-fresh wines, produced in wineries that vary widely - from an historic 1800s ranch to a modern chateau. On Saturday, July 19th, discover the unique terroir and special hospitality of Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley wineries via the “Summer Wine Passport.” Although a world apart from the better-known Napa Valley, the back-road wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains (home to nearly 50, mostly small, wineries that are big on quirky hospitality and award-winning wines), is definitely worth the trip. The low-key nature of the mountain appellation offers a cool alternative to the bigger wineries of the Napa Valley tourist circuit, with coastal fog and majestic redwood trees towering the small and windy roads. There is no better time to become acquainted with some of these wineries than during Passport where $30 gives wine lovers inexpensive access to over 25 wineries, many of which are not open to the public. High-quality fruit producing distinctive Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays has been grown in this under-the-radar wine destination since the 1800s, making  Santa Cruz Appellation a hidden gem. To obtain your passport, call (831) 685-8463 or visit www.scmwa.com. 
Hip Happening
If you’re in the Napa Valley, each summer the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce presents a series of free concerts at Lyman Park. This engaging community event always captures the charm and essence that is St. Helena Wine Country. Every other week features a unique musical genre: contemporary Hawaiian to American pop; rockabilly to rock and more! Be certain to pack a picnic and bring the Chardonnay. Concerts begin at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.sthelena.com or call (707) 963-4456. FYI: This concert series packs the crowds, so plan to arrive early.
Scene and Heard
Book your tickets now for Music in the Vineyards, the popular Wine Country concert series. Go to www.musicinthevineyards.org to check the schedule or purchase tickets, or call (707) 258-5559. FYI: Music in the Vineyards patrons can also receive a 20 percent discount on concert tickets to Napa Valley Festival del Sole as well as a 10 percent discount on Festival Packages that include exclusive access to gala lunches, dinners and other VIP events, and prime seating at performances. Festival del Sole concludes July 20th. To take advantage of these special offers, call 1-888-337-6272.
Upcoming
• Experience world-class chamber music in the Napa Valley during the 14th Annual “Music in the Vineyards.”  Music in
the Vineyards is a nationally acclaimed chamber music festival held each August in the Napa Valley. The three-week festival showcases emerging artists-in-residence performing new and classic chamber music repertoire in stunning winery settings. With wine tastings at each intermission and breathtaking views of the Napa Valley, this unique combination of Wine Country ambiance and world-class talent allows artists and audiences alike to experience the intimacy of chamber music as it was intended to be performed. Concerts dates are August 6th through the 24th; (707) 258-5559; www.napavalleymusic.org.
• “Grape To Glass” is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Sonoma County – the Russian River Valley. Take this opportunity to experience an amazing list of unique and educational wine tours and panel discussions, go behind-the-scenes through beautiful vineyards and wineries and meet some of the Russian River Valley’s most respected growers and winemakers. Scheduled August 15th through the 17th, Grape To Glass includes a wide variety of cool experiences like: cinema screenings, balloon rides, spa treatments, kayaking on the river, barbecue and a whole lot more. Complete weekend packages begin at $450 per person, individual events start at $35. Tickets recently went on sale and will sell out. To purchase, go to www.rrvw.org or call (707) 521-2535.
• Two of Sonoma Wine Country’s premier wine and food festivals partner to debut “Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.” This inaugural fête features more than 200 wineries and chefs over three days of fabulous winemaker lunches and dinners, a grand tasting and the most fun you’ll ever have at a wine auction. Tickets for the August 29th through 31st gathering will sell out. If interested in participating, visit www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com or call 1-800-939-7666 to receive an invitation.