2006-09-08
Hot Tickets
Saturday, September 9th, marks the 10th anniversary of the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival. Once again this highly-anticipated fete features over 170 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in every size, shape and color imaginable. They will be picked fresh from the winery’s own Culinary Gardens and sampled on a beautiful Wine Country afternoon. The festival, which raises money for the School Garden Network of Sonoma County, will be held in the walnut grove behind the Château at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center. Attendees will experience the seasonal creations of more than 50 gourmet food purveyors, the fabulous Bruschetta Boulevard, Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef’s Challenge, wine education seminars, a tomato growing contest, garden tours, an art show and live entertainment featuring Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. Of course, all courses are paired with delicious Kendall-Jackson wines. Tickets are $60 per person; $50 for Club Members. For additional details, visit www.kj.com or call 1-800- 769-3649. Seeing Stars
Under the Napa Valley stars is the setting for the best in classic film and wine with the screening of The Birds, Hitchcock’s 1963 masterpiece. On Saturday, September 9th, this film continues the summer series of outdoor screenings at Sterling Vineyards which also includes a pre-show wine tasting, a variety of concessions and festival seating, classic cartoons, and several of the most entertaining movies ever made. The grounds open at 7 p.m. and guests are encouraged to arrive early, dress in warm layers and bring a picnic dinner and a blanket or low backed beach chairs. Ticket donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children (16 and under). All proceeds from tickets donations and a percentage of concession sales benefit the nonprofit Stars & Vines Fund. More information is available online at www.sterlingvineyards.com or by calling 1-877-737-3788. FYI: Every Saturday during the summer and fall, Sterling Vineyards presents “Special Select Saturdays,” offering unique, distinctive wines throughout the winery. Selections vary from week to week, but every Saturday features rare, hard-to-find wines. Fee is $20 per person. Taste before the movie. No reservations are required. Big Deal
Napa Valley’s wine-grape harvest is just around the corner and Freemark Abbey Winery is hosting the biggest and best party of the year – the Annual Wine Club Harvest Party! On Saturday, September 9th, enjoy oysters, barbecue, great wines, games and prizes, the popular grape stomp contest, live music, dancing, and more. The winery’s retail room will be open for you to taste many fabulous wines and some new releases. This tasteful fete is situated along the beautifully landscaped grounds next to the historic Stone Winery. Recommended dress is festive and comfortable – in other words – Napa Casual. I suggest preparing for weather that varies from hot days to cooler evenings. Cost for Club Members is complimentary. Non-Club Members are welcome at only $40 per person. To participate, visit www.freemarkabbey.com or call 1-800-963-9698. FYI: Freemark Abbey began in 1886 when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California. The winery now crafts approximately 40,000 cases of wine each year, almost five times the capacity of the original Tychson Cellars.
Twilight Jazz
At the beautiful and historic Gundlach Bundschu Winery, in the breathtaking Sonoma Valley, enjoy a lively outdoor concert performed by The Sonoma Valley Chorale. Pack a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn, or stop at the nearby “Fig Pantry” to purchase a yummy box meal. Better yet, call ahead at (707) 933-3000 to place your food order and pick it up along your way. Cost for the 6 p.m. concert is only $30 per person. To attend, visit www.gunbun.com or call (707) 935-1576. FYI: In 1850, before starting “Rhinefarm,” Jacob Gundlach proved his wine-savvy after surviving a shipwreck off the west coast of Africa. He managed not only to rescue his shipmates, but enlivened them on the island where, according to his journal, he managed to craft a “very good punch.” Seven-generations later, they still craft a “very good punch.” Best Bet
The Napa Wine & Crafts Faire is extremely unique in the world of craft shows. It is the largest one-day outdoor event in Napa, attracting up to 25,000 wine and craft enthusiasts every year. Attendees of the Saturday, September 9th event, will enjoy Napa Valley wines from several area wineries and over 200 crafters. Located all along First Street in Downtown Napa, this free Wine Country event is always a crowd pleaser. For more information, visit www.napadowntown.com or call (707) 257-0322. FYI: With 10 wine tasting rooms within walking distance of each other, Downtown Napa has more wine tasting opportunities than anywhere in the world. Now, with the 2006 Taste Napa Downtown card (which is good year-round), wine lovers can sample from among thousands of incredible boutique, limited production and hard-to-find wines from Napa Valley for only 10¢ a taste! Taste Napa Downtown is available for $20 and can be purchased from the website or from any Downtown Napa winery. Great Tastes
Enjoy a cooking demonstration in the estate gardens at Pine Ridge and savor this unique opportunity to taste seasonal dishes paired with wines from Napa Valley’s best growing regions. Winery chef Eric Maczko demonstrates the preparation and cooking of three appetizers during this popular Sunday food and wine pairing seminar. Following the demonstration, you’ll sit down to enjoy the three hors d’oeuvres, each paired with a different appellation-specific Pine Ridge wine. The dishes change monthly and recipes are yours to keep. Cost for the Sunday, September 10th happening, is $40 per person. To participate, visit www.pineridgewinery.com or call (707) 257-4722. FYI: Recognizing that attention to detail is the key for producing premium Napa Valley wines, Pine Ridge grows approximately 95% of their grapes. While at the winery, be certain to ask for a tour of the demonstration vineyard where you will see a variety of clonal and rootstock comparisons.
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