2005-12-30
fyi: WHAT'S HOT THIS WEEK
by Jeffry Burges E-mail content considerations to jeff@fyiwinecountry.com Olive Fare
With its landscape, agricultural heritage, historic roots, family-owned wineries and farms, artists, and artisan food producers, Sonoma Valley is the perfect setting for the 5th Annual Olive Festival. Through February 2006, sip, savor, and celebrate this secret season of harvest with an endless bounty of avant-garde festivities. Exceptional cuisine and wine plus popular events, including cooking demonstrations from Sonoma Valley’s finest chefs and winemaker dinners, makes the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival one of Wine Country’s most anticipated affairs. Log on to www.sonomavalley.com for the latest details. FYI: In the charming Sonoma Valley village of Kenwood is a winsome boutique winery called VJB Vineyards. In addition to producing wines of dynamic depth and spectacular sensuality, this intimate winery also procures some of the finest gourmet sauces, tapénades, and pestos in all of Wine Country perfectly pairing them with their wonderful, award-winning wines. During the Olive Festival, VJB is offering 20% discounts on all wine purchases, excluding library wines. Find VJB Vineyards at 9077 Sonoma Highway; 707-833-2300; www.vjbcellars.com. Restaurant Buzz
Yountville’s newest eatery, Redd, has finally opened. Initially, only dinner will be served but eventually the 90-seat restaurant and bar will serve lunch daily and brunch on Sundays. Redd takes it name from renowned chef Richard Reddington, whose experience is legendary in the trade including bringing worldwide attention to the menu at Auberge du Soleil restaurant, Masa’s in San Francisco, and Spago’s of Beverley Hills. Redd promises “contemporary Napa cuisine” with international influences and seasonal focus. There is also tasting menus ranging from five to nine courses. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. A separate bar menu will be served daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Redd’s is at 6480 Washington Street in enchanting Yountville. For reservations, call 707-944-2222 or visit www.reddnapavalley. FYI: Enjoy the local art scene before your meal. Two of Wine Country’s finest, contemporary art galleries, RASGalleries and Images (North and South), are within walking distance from Redd’s. Best Bets
Winter is the time when savvy Wine Country travelers take advantage of the smaller crowds and the lower rates offered by many area businesses. A few good deals have caught my attention, so here they are. For dining, Market (1347 Main St., St. Helena; 707-963-3799) is serving a three-course lunch for $14.95 and dinners for $24.95. On Tuesdays, corkage fees are waived. Pinot Blanc (641 Main St., St. Helena; 707-963-6191) offers a three-course dinner for under $30 each Wednesday, and no corkage. On Thursdays, Julia’s Kitchen, at COPIA (500 First St., Napa; 707-265-5700) presents “Locals Night” with a fabulous three-course menu for $29 and no corkage charge. This offer is extended through Sunday for COPIA members. For lodging, I’m seeing a lot of 20% discounts from many of the properties, but the best bet is a charming little B&B north of Calistoga called The Foothill House. In high-season, you must book months in advance just to secure a suite at this four-diamond getaway, with prices going for as much as $350 per night, however, you can now stay for as little as $135 per night. For $25 more you can taste the good life staying in The Quail’s Roost cottage, which is easily the most romantic luxury suite in the entire valley. The rock bottom prices still includes their legendary gourmet breakfast delivered to your door in a large wicker basket. Take advantage of this deal soon because it’s over on January 31, 2006. To RSVP, call 707-942-6933, or visit www.foothillhouse.com. Scene & Heard
This is the perfect pairing of wine and technology. Two savvy wine aficionados have launched an innovative new podcast show titled, a Guy, a Girl and a Bottle. The weekly program is basically about two real-life people traveling and reviewing wines and wineries throughout the Bay Area, recording their unique experiences on-site. Utilizing the latest in internet technologies, Joe Carpenter and Lori Leahy, co-creators of this hip online venture, produce an entertaining and educational show that is attractive to both novice and sophisticated wine audiences, as well as cutting-edge technophiles. Podcasts, for those not yet familiar, are simply audio files that can be easily downloaded to your computer. You can listen from your computer or, better yet, copy them to your iPod or other digital audio player and take them with you. When exploring the wines and wineries of the Bay Area these informative recording sessions provide substantial insights that are, in a word, cool. Become part of this jazzy, high-tech wine scene by signing up for a free subscription at www.gngnb.com. The programs will automatically be downloaded to your computer.
On the Radar
- Order tickets now for the 15th Anniversary Zinfandel Festival. Held in San Francisco, ZAP, as it is affectionately known, is an ultra-hip party featuring fun crowds and and festive ambiance. The January 25 - 28, 2006 event, which always sells-out, hallmarks vintage flights, great eats, perfect pairings, and a marvelous evening with winemakers. If you are a Zinfandel lover this gathering is for you. To attend, call 415-345-7575 or visit www.zinfandel.org.
- Visit Napa Valley during the months of February and March and experience the Napa Valley Mustard Festival’s thirteenth annual season of sensational events kicking off Saturday, January 28, 2006, with the awe-inspiring Mustard Magic ~ The Grand Opening Event. From 7 to 10:30 p.m., wine and food lovers can revel in sophisticated surroundings while feeding on gourmet refreshments and sipping world-class wines. Live music, visual arts, tableau scenes, plus silent and live auctions fill this elegant evening with unforgettable images and memories. Considered by many to be Napa Valley’s most creative and extravagant gathering of the year, make plans now to attend. For tickets, call 707-938-1133 or visit www.mustardfestival.org.
Jeff can be heard promoting Wine Country every Thursday on KRML 1410, in Carmel, at 5:30 p.m., or online at www.krmlradio.com
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