2006-02-27
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE AND THERE IN THE WINE COUNTRY By Millie Howie
Even without special holidays, the men and women who grow the grapes and make the wines in California’s Wine Country give visitors a lot of reasons to celebrate, and here are some of the special late winter/early spring events.
Kendall-Jackson Winery greets spring with four Saturday “Vines to Wines” sessions. In March, Saturday the 18th will be devoted to a Sensory Evaluation of Pinot Noir. Club members pay only $40 for the day, which includes lunch, printed materials and wine tasting. It’s easy to join. Just go to www.kj.com. Major attention to Pinot Noir is paid at the Sixth Annual World of Pinot Noir Festivities presented by the South Central Coast wineries and the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The celebration begins Friday, March 3rd with Pinot Noir tasting at 50 wineries, followed by a Gala Dinner and Reception. Saturday tastings will explore Burgundian wines and tips for food and wine pairing. Event tickets are priced from $80 to $225 and reservations are available at www.wopn.com. You can visit your choice of nearly 100 wineries for the Annual Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tasting, Saturday and Sunday, March 4th and 5th. There is no charge and you’re sure to taste some superb wines. Saturday the 4th is also the day that the Russian River Valley Winegrowers’ stage their third annual Crab & Fennel Fest at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Crab cracking begins at 5:30 p.m., and includes feasting on Fennel Culinary Creations with world-class Russian River Valley Wines. Call (707) 521-2535 for tickets at $45 per person. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Alexander Valley Vineyards is lighting the candles for a two-day birthday salute to Cyrus Alexander, for whom the Valley is named. Mark the dates, Friday and Saturday, March 10th and 11th for a three-course candlelit dinner designed by Chef Jeff Young and presented in the elegant setting of the wine caves. Cost for the evening is $125 per person and service starts at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are advisable and may be made by calling Lu Hughes at 1-800-888-7209. Songs in praise of love fill the air at Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves the evening of February 25th in the concert, “That’s Amore!” presented by the Sonoma Valley Chorale’s Chamber Ensemble. Doors open at 7:30, and the concert time is 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is $25. For tickets, go to www.gloriaferrer.com. - Alexander Valley Vineyards, 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg – 1-800-888-7209
- Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves, 23555 Highway 121, Sonoma – (707) 996-7256, www.gloriaferrer.com
- Kendall-Jackson Winery, 425 Aviation Boulevard, Santa Rosa – 1-800-769-3649, www.kj.com
- Russian River Valley Winegrowers, P. O. Box 16, Fulton – (707) 521-2535
- Russian River Wine Road, P. O. Box 46, Healdsburg – (707) 723-6336
- World of Pinot Noir, Cliffs Resort, Shell Beach – (805) 489-1750
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