nor cal edition - february 13, 2009

8/14/2019 Nor Cal Edition - February 13, 2009

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winecountrythisweek.com

Insignia and Backus VineyarCabernet SauvignonPAGE 22

DUTCHER CROSSINGWINERY

PAGE 20

ARTESACABERNET SAUVIGNON

WITH ASIAN SHORT RIBPAGE 26

TASTING ROOM OF THE WEE

BALDACCI FAMILYVINEYARDS

PAGE 40

WINEMAKER PROFILE:

B.R. COHN WINERYPAGE 60

E A S Y -TO - F O L LO W W I N E R Y M A P S F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2

O U R G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A W I N E , G E T A W A Y S , T H I N G S T O D O & E V E N

PAGE


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK


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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEE


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More than 1,000 dis tr ibut ion points

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www.winecountrythisweek.com

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EDITORIAL Michelle BakerCONTRIBUTORS Jeffry Ross

Carole & Daniel Ehrler

Diana Greenwood

Richard Paul Hinkle

Charles Neave

Nan Reiley

Frances Rivetti

Sue Straight, WineWench

S A L E S

General Sales Dan Zimmerman

707-938-3734

Sonoma, Mendocino MargaretVillarreal

and Lake Counties 707-338-2894

Napa Valley RoseAnnTrzesniewski

707-938-0780, ext. 5#

Livermore, Lodi, Dave Crockett

and Sierra Foothills 707-529-7856

Monterey Bay, Central Coast, Whitney Brem

Santa Cruz Mountains 831-596-4945

Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission is prohibited.

Published Weekly Since 1981

Planning a Visit to Central Coast Wine Country?Pick up a copy ofWINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK: CENTRAL COAST

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ON THE COVERJoseph Phelps Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

WINE COUNTRY NEWSWineology by Len Napolitano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Wine Country Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

PERFECT PAIRS Artesa 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reservewith Slow Braised Asian Short Ribs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

THINGS TO DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29Whats Hot This Weekby Jeffry Burgess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

WINE COUNTRY GETAWAYSOvernight Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

NAPA VALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-47Napa Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Downtown Napa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39St. Helena Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Yountville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43Calistoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-45Art & Antiques Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

SONOMA COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48-61Sonoma County Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Russian River Area Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Santa Rosa Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Healdsburg Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Geyserville Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Sonoma Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56-61Sonoma Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Glen Ellen Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Sonoma Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

MENDOCINO & LAKE COUNTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-63Lake & Mendocino Counties Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

LIVERMORE VALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64-65Livermore Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

LODI/WOODBRIDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66-67

Lodi/Woodbridge Area Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66SIERRAS/FOOTHILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68-69

Sierra Foothills Wineries Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

NORTHERN CENTRAL COAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70-75Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz Mountains Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Carmel Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74Salinas Valley Wineries Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

PREFERRED RESTAURANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76-77

SPECIAL COUPONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

WINERY LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78-86

F E B R UA R Y 1 3 , 2 0 0 9 I S S U E 7 V O LU M E 2 8

ON

THE

COVER

22

TASTING

ROOM

OF

THE

W

EEK

40

PERFECTPAIRS

26

W

INEMAKER

PROFILE

60

Joseph Phelps VineyardsJoseph Phelps Vineyards

Dutcher CrossingWineryDutcher CrossingWinery

6

W

INE

RY

F

EATURE

20

Baldacci Family VineyardsBaldacci Family Vineyards

Tom Montgomery,

B.R. Cohn Winery

Tom Montgomery,

B.R. Cohn Winery

Artesa

2005 Cabernet

Sauvignon

Napa Valley

Reserve with

Slow Braised

Asian Short Ribs




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Seethe right sideof theNapaValley wineries map onpage36




Surprise Your Special Someone Valentines Day WeekenFEBRUARY12 & 14

Red HotValentinesDay

Wine tasting & a decadent treat from the kitchen! 10am-6pm

PejuWinery, Rutherford, 1-800-446-7358, www.peju.com

FEBRUARY 13

SimiWinemaker Dinner

Winemaker Susan Lueker at the Brasserie Restaurant, Hyatt, Santa Rosa

Multi-course dinner featuring Simi wines and delectable offerings

$113 per person (includes wine, tax & gratuity), call 707 636 -7181

FEBRUARY 13

VINOLIVOat theLodgein Sonoma

7-10pm,VinOlivo is a gala celebration and feast for the senses.

Enjoy all that SonomaValley wine country has to offer .

The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma; $75 at the Door

FEBRUARY 13

WinemakerDinner atInn atthe Tides

Ferrari-CaranoVineyards & WineryWinemaker Sarah Quider

$79 per person, plus tax & gratuity

1-800-541-7788, www.innatthetides.com

The Bay View Restaurant, Inn at the Tides, Bodega Bay

FEBRUARY13 & 14

Valentine's Dinnerwith LiveViolinist at GarrWineryEnjoy a four-course gourmet meal prepared especially for this romantic

evening by Garr's award-winning Executive Chef TyTurner, along with the

elegant sounds of a live violinist in private concert. Evening includes Cham-

pagne served with the appetizer course and a glass of Red Velvet port served

with dessert. Seatings at 6 & 8:30pm. $125 per couple, reservations required

7986Tesla Road, Livermore, www.garrewinery.com, 925 371-8200

FEBRUARY 13-15

ThreeDays toSay ILoveYoufor Valentines Dayat

JohnAsh & Co.RomanticRendezvous WineCountry Weekend

This weekend includes per couple: 2-night stay at picturesque and charming

Vintners Inn, bottle of wine upon arrival, welcome reception, breakfast each

day, spa treatments, lunch at Ferrari-CaranoVineyards and Winery, a dessert

demonstration presented by a pro, special discount coupon for Seasons of the

Vineyard and winemaker dinner for two at John Ash & Co.

ContactTeri Rolleri, [email protected] or call 707 527-7687

John Ash & Co. is located atVintners Inn on Barnes Road,River Road exit, just west of Highway 101, Santa Rosa

FEBRUARY 14

Valentines Day Concert featuringEric Symons, Flamenco Guitarist

This year's program will touch the soul with Argentine Tango, Brazilian

masterworks by Villa-Lobos, enchanting works by Barrios, Flamenco, original

compositions and even a premier composition by Eric Symons. Event includes

dessert buffet plus 2 glasses of award-winning sparkling wine.

8pm, doors open at 7:30pm, $35, $28 club members, 707 933-1999

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, 23555 Carneros Highway 121, Sonoma

FEBRUARY14 & 15

NowThats Amoreat VJBVineyards& Cellars

11am to 4pm, heart-throb reds: 2005 VEstate, Cabernet Sauvignon (new

release), 2006V Estate Cabernet, Sauvignon (straight from the barrel) and

2007V Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon (straight from the barrel) and honoring

their Italian heritage with: 2006 Mendocino, Barbera, Rosso Family Blend,

2006 SonomaValley Primitivo and 2006 Porto Barrique Barbera PortEnjoy Owner/Executive Chef Maria Belmontes famous lasagna!

$20, includes logo glass and pairings. Club Enoteca members free.

No reservations necessar y, 707 833-2300 [email protected]

VJB Vineyards & Cellars, 9077 Sonoma Hwy 12, Kenwood

FEBRUARY 14

Lover's delight: A special Chocolate,Cheese and WinePairing

and WineryTourat BlackstoneWinery,Kenwood

11:30am-1:30pm A walk into the vineyard to learn about grape viticulture,

growing seasons, pruning, trellising and the grape harvest as well as processes

such as crush pit, presses, fermentation tanks, open top fermentation,

batonnageof whites and barrel aging. After the tour sample an array of

Blackstone wines paired with artisan cheeses and chocolate.

Reservations required. $30 per person. www.blackstonewinery.com

BlackstoneWinery, 8450 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707 833-1999

FEBRUARY 14

Topel Tasting RoomCelebrates Valentines Day

with a Special Love and MeritageBlending Party

Topel winemaker MarkTopel and Christopher Sawyer, internationally known

wine journalist and sommelier to the stars,will conduct a wine blending

seminar at theTopel Tasting Room at 2pm. $75 or $100 per couple and

includes one bottle of specially blended wine, plus appetizers.Advance reservations required, 707 433-4116, email [email protected]

FEBRUARY 14

MontereysRiver RoadWine Trail Valentines Passport

11am-4pm Twelve tasting rooms along Montereys River Road WineTrail

Passport event open their doors Paraiso, Hahn, Pessagno, Marilyn Remark,

Scheid, Ventana, Chalone, Manzoni, San Saba, Blackstone, Boekenoogen and

Puma Road featuring rare vintages, music, food and celebration.

$25 incudes a souvenir glass, a gift of sweets, entry into a grand drawing

and special discounts, www.riverroadwinetrail.com

FEBRUARY 14

SweetheartsDinner at Peju

7pm, 1-800-446-7358, www.peju.com

IntimateValentines Day 3 course wine dinner

Peju Winery, Rutherford, www.peju.com

FEBRUARY 14

MerryvaleVineyardsAnnual Valentines Day

SeasonalDinnerin theCaskRoom!

A seasonal menu featuring sumptuous food and wine pairings and live music

to set the mood. Merryvale'sS easons of the Napa Valleydinners offers guests

the opportunity to experience the NapaValley at its finest. (The historic Cask

Room is normally reserved for private parties of 50 or more.) Reception 7pm.

$125 all inclusive. Reservations: 1-800-326-6069 ext 429.

FEBRUARY 14

RedWineand Chocolateat Bennett LaneWinery

Enjoy red wine blend, Maximus, and Cabernet Sauvignon paired with

different types of dark chocolate for the ultimate tasting experience.

10am-5pm, Calistoga, 707 942-6684, ww w.bennettlane.com

FEBRUARY 14

Valentines Day Dinner

6thAnnual Celebration inthe famed HudsonHouse

Enjoy a bountiful array of Napa Valley cuisine! $165 per person

Reservations required, 1-866-708-9463, 6pm, Beringer Winery, St Helena

FEBRUARY 14

Judds Hillon Valentines Day

2005Cabernetrelease+ massages+ bbq& more

12-3pm, $25, 2332 SilveradoTrail, Napa

Judds Hill wine, Pats BBQ, live music, massage therapist and special

Valentines day treats...and best of all, the first tastes of the highly anticipated

2005 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Release. All free for wine club members.

Non-members welcome with $25 entry fee. RSVP 707 255-2332

FEBRUARY14 & 15

OliveFestival Finale Celebrationat ClineCellars

Cline Cellars, 24737 Hwy 121, Sonoma, 707 940-4030, www.clinecellars.com

Part of the 8th Annual Sonoma Valley Olive Festival, the celebration of all things

olive! Visit www.olivefestival.com for more events and activities.

FEBRUARY14 & 15

A ValentineWeekendof Wine & Chocolatein Lodi Wine Country40 wineries will be hosting the 12th annual Wine & ChocolateWeekend from

11am-4pm, $35 in advance, $45 at the door at any participating winery.

www.lodiwineandchocolate.com or www.lodiwine.com or contact the

Lodi Wine &Visitor Center at 209 365-0621, 2545W. Turner Road, Lodi

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Childrens Cancer Research.

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Presidents DayWine Weekend withCalaverasWineries

25 participating winery tasting rooms offering special barrel tastings, new

wine releases and an array of delicious palate pleasing foods!Abraham

Lincolnand George Washingtonwill be out and about visiting many of the

wineries. $10 purchase of a CWA logo wine glass (available at participating

tasting rooms).The event will take place rain or shine! Designated drivers are

encouraged and will receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Participants must be at least 21 years of age. www.calaveraswines.org

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Olive and OliveOil Sampling at Family Wineries Kenwood

FamilyWineries along with Dry Creek Olive Oil Company will be featuring

oils and olives from throughout Sonoma County for sampling along with

than twenty wines. w ww.familywines.com

FamilyWineries Kenwood, 9380 Sonoma Hwy 12, Kenwood, 1-888-433-

FEBRUARY14 & 15

An Olive Odysseyat Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

10am-4pm A unique gathering of home olive curers. Olive oil experts f

The Olive Press will sample award-winning oils and tapenades and offer

of The Olive Press throughout the day. Feast your eyes on Olive inspired

artwork, and revel in everything OLIVE! www.jacuzziwines.com

Part of the 8th Annual Sonoma Valley Olive Festival, the celebration of all th

olive! Visit www.olivefestival.com for more events and activities.

Jacuzzi FamilyWinery, 24724 Arnold Dr (Hwy 121), Sonoma, 1-866-522-

FEBRUARY14 & 15

ValentineReleaseWeekendat ArrowoodWinery

10am-4:30pm CelebrateValentines weekend by enjoying the newest

releases of the very limited 2008 La Rose, Sonoma Valley along with the

2007 Cote de Lune Blanc, SaraleesVineyard & 2004 Syrah, Saralees Vine

accompanied with small bites. www.arrowoodvineyards.com

$10 guest, First in Line Wine Club complimentary

ArrowoodWinery, 14347 Sonoma Hwy 12, Glen Ellen, 707 935-2646

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Cabernet and Chocolateat Summers EstateWines

Come celebrateValentines Day weekend at Summers EstateWines. Tast

award-winning red wines Charbono, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and

Zinfandel and decide which is your favorite with a variety of chocolate

hand for this special day. All ladies receive a complimentary rose in thei

favorite shade (red, pink or yellow). Release Party for the 2007 Charbono

2006 Andriana's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon. Sales this weekend only!

$12 per person, $20 per couple,Wine Club members complimentary

Summers EstateWines, 1171 Tubbs Lane. Reservations can be made by c

(707) 942-5508 ext. 202, www.summersestatewines.com, 707 942-550

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Presidents DayOpenHouseat Chateau St.JeanWinery

"Cellar" Sale on Saturday only

9-11am club members only, 11am-5pm general public

If you are looking for extreme values from your favorite winery dont mis

great opportunity to stock up. Many great wines from past vintages and large-bottle format will be up for grabs. Be there and tell a friend!

$10 per person, $15 ReserveWine Tasting, $10 for Club St. Jean Member

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Sojourn Cellars Valentines Weekend Open House

New wine tasting salon is located in the historic district of Sonoma, just p

from the Sonoma Plaza. Featured at the open house will be the highly r

2006 Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noirs and 2005 Sojourn Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignons, along with Valentines Day chocolates.

11am-4pm, no charge for the event, 141 East Napa Street in Sonoma

707 938-7212, www.sojourncellars.com.

FEBRUARY14 & 15

Valentines Day Portand Truffles

Complimentary pairing of B.R. Cohn 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Port and

chocolate truffle. Port and chocolate pure heaven!

B.R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy 12, Glen Ellen,1-800-330-4064

Cherish Your Valentineat Chateau CoraliniRetreat & Spa

SuiteRomanceSpa Packages Wine, chocolate and rose-inspired sp

treatments at Spa Coralini from $95. Gift certificates available.

SuiteRomanceRetreat Packages One-night stay, two luxurious

60-minute spa treatments and Champagne breakfast for two. The Chatea

Cherubs will enhance your suite with delicious chocolate truffles, a bouq

of roses, a bottle of Champagne and more. Packages from $395 per nigh

Packages valid through February 28.

Divine Wine& DineRendezvous Saturday, February 14, 6:30-10:30

Treat your loved one to an elegant night to remember in the beautiful his

mansion featuring a wine tasting reception with McIntyreVineyards,

specialty for-corse dinner with wine, prepared by Chef Don Ferch and

live entertainmnent. $125 per person, 100 River Road, Salinas

831 455-2100, www.chateaucoralini.com, [email protected]


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Over 250 Quality WinesUnder $25 at Wine Garag

Hidden next to a dilapidated 40s-era former filling station on Highway 2

Calistoga lies the Wine Garage. A unique wine shop in Napa Valley that retail

wine in the store under $25. Sound crazy? Its true. And the proprietors Todd

Joy Miller, have hit on a niche in the Valley that had been very missed by the lo

there.

There are a lot of winemakers here that cant afford to drink the wine t

make says Miller. Thats crazy, yes, but who can afford to drink a $65 bottle w

dinner every night?

Many people miss The Wine Garage on the first try upvalley, but the searc

well worth it. Miller stocks wine from all of Californias wine growing reg

including fifty Napa selections and 40 from Sonoma County. When he first sou

out buying the initial inventory, I enlisted a local farmer buddy and his 15-

box van and off we went all over California hunting down the deals. I tried to s

out the small producers who didnt have distributes so I could pass the savingto my customers. And Miller did just that. His store is stocked with high-qu

juice all under $25 and all are unique. Most labels in the shop are unrecogniz

but all pass the same test; everything passes over Millers lips before he mak

buy. If I dont love it, I dont buy it, period. Sometimes I will taste over a hund

wines in one day, load up the truck and haul it up to Calistoga, unload at the s

and maybe I will crawl in bed by 3 a.m. Needless to say my buddy bowed ou

the deal after their 2nd trip. I initially recruited him on a hey lets go wine tas

in Santa Barbara until he realized how much work it entailed. Poor guy, he ha

be at the farm at 5 in the morning.

It is all worth it. Millers customers love him. He has a unique ability to he

verbal description of a customers favorite wine and translate that intoa recomm

dation for sometimes a third of the cost. I have people all over the country use me as their local wine shop. I ship right to their door and the cost of the s

ping is a drop in the bucket compared to what they save on the cost of the w

Miller gets deals on Napa wine too. I have winemakers from small win

stop in every week saying I have something that will fit into the store, if they o

have 15 or 25 cases of an end-of-vintage wine I am the perfect outlet for the

So head up to the Wine Garage and check out the best deals in the Valle

1020 Foothill Blvd (Hwy 29), Calistoga, CA 94515. For more information,

(707) 942-5332. You can also check out the website at winegarage.net.



To make a pink wine you have to start with red grapes. But because

the juice of red grapes is clear, a little time spent in contact with grape

skins gives it an attractive pinkish hue that has come to be known as

a ros wine. Another term commonly used for these wines is blush,

applied usually to the palest pink colored wines.

White wine is made by pressing grapes and immediately separating

the juice from the skins, which would impart some color. Red wine is

created when juice and skins stay together for a period of time, called

maceration. Although there are variations on how pink wine is

produced, the fundamental difference is to carefully control the time

that elapses while red grape skins are in contact with its juice. Pink

wine is not made by blending white and red wine.People of the baby-boom era should remember popular wines in

the 70s like Mateus and Lancers. These were the first ros wines that

had broad acceptance in this country. Part of their appeal was the

sweetness of the wines. Except for the invention of White Zinfandel in

the 80s, which was, and still is, made in the sweeter style of these

earlier pink wines, today most pink wines are drier, making them

more elegant and food friendly,

In Southern France, ros wine is the regional beverage. S

American-made ros wine imitates the French style in the choic

grapes that make the wine. Varietals such as Grenache, Sy

Mourvedre and Cinsaut, are most often used in ros wines but

limited to these. A pink wine can be made from any red grape, w

interesting results, too.

Ros wines are perfect when chilled nicely and served outdoor

warm weather. They can be refreshing and somewhat thirst quench

because of lower alcohol levels, compared with red and white wi

They also work well as a great starter wine for an evening, be

serving a full-bodied red wine with dinner. They are light and pairwith many appetizers.

Len Napolitano lives in Central Coast Wine Country and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educa

Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his freq

contact with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com.

Send your questions about wine to: [email protected] or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of

Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.

Wineology I N T E L L I G E N C E F O R T H E W I N E C O N S U M E RHow is ros wine made?

by Len Napolitano


13/88

ONGOINGFum Bistro & Bar Happy HourSpirit & snack specials, wine & beer, 4-6pm

Napa, 707-257-1999, www.fumebistro.com

ONGOING WEEKENDS(EXCEPT 4TH WEEKEND)Wine Component Tasting Seminar

10:30am-12:30pm, 707-963-7777www.merryvale.com, $20, free/club membersMerryvale Vineyards, St. Helena

EVERY 4TH WEEKENDWine & Food Pairing Seminar10:30am-12:30pm, 707-963-7777www.merryvale.com, $20, free/club membersMerryvale Vineyards, St. Helena

ONGOING THURSDAYS & FRIDAYSWine & Food Pairings11am: Wine & Cheese Pairing1pm: Wine & Tapas PairingPeju Province Winery, Rutherfordwww.peju.com, 800-446-7358

ONGOINGPrivate Tours707-944-1986, RSVP, www.goosecross.com$25, Goosecross Cellars, Yountville

ONGOINGEpicurean ExplorationsRSVP, 707-944-1986, minimum 6 people$95/3-course lunch, $135/5-course lunchwww.goosecross.comGoosecross Cellars, Yountville

ONGOING WEEKENDSReserve Room at Markham VineyardsEnjoy reserve and library wines by candlelight in

an historic stone cellar. $15pp, 11am-4pmwww.markhamvineyards.com, 707-963-5292

ONGOINGNapa Valley Wine Train

Napa, 800-427-4124, www.winetrain.com Feb 13-14: Sweetheart Serenade

Feb 21: Murder Mystery

ONGOINGNapa Valley Opera House707-226-7372, www.nvoh.org1000 Main St. Ste 150, Napa Feb 13: The Art of Bellydance Feb 19: Phillip Glass Feb 22: Pacific Chamber Symphony Mar 6: Richie Havens Mar 7: Capitol Steps

ONGOINGLive at the Lincoln Theater707-944-1300, Yountvillewww.lincolntheater.com Feb 22: In the Mood Mar 1: The Smothers Brothers

ONGOINGCooking Classes at Napa Valley Culinary Centre

Take a fun class & learn easy gourmet shortcuts, favorite recipes & more & enjoy the flavorsof Napa Valley in your own home. Napa707-603-3250, www.napavalleyculinarycentre.com.

ONGOINGWine Tasting at Back Room Wines5-9pm, 707-226-1378, Napawww.backroomwines.com Feb 13: Rhne Valley Wines Feb 16: Dinner & A Tasting Feb 20: Wines from Alsace Feb 27: Pinot Noir from Around the World Mar 2: Dinner & A Tasting Winebow Imports Mar 6: Is it from California or France?

ONGOINGdi Rosa Preserve Art & Nature707-226-5991, Napa, www.dirosapreserve.orgCall for particulars Feb 21: (un)Natural Opening Reception Feb 21-June 13: (un)Natural Apr 23: Contemporary Conversations, Michael

Schwager, Ross Campbell & Kathryn Spence

ONGOINGBuon Amici Members & Guests

10am-4:30pm, Benessere Vineyards, St. Helena707-963-5853, www.benesserevineyards.com Members Only New Release Tastings Barrel Tastings by appointment Vertical Tastings by appointment Wine & Cheese Pairing by appointment

ONGOINGJefferson House Reserve Room Tasting$25 Reserve Wine SeminarReservations required, 707-253-2802 x18Monticello Vineyards, Corley Family Napa ValleyNapa, www.CorleyFamilyNapaValley.com

ONGOING FRIDAYS-MONDAYSCooking Demonstrations at DeBaun Theatre707-967-2320, www.ciachef.eduSt. Helena, [email protected], $12.50ppCulinary Institute of America at Greystone

ONGOINGTour & Taste In Hall Wines Ghost WineryFour barrel samples & four current releases, $20St. Helena, 707-967-2620, www.hallwines.com

ONGOINGCabernet Flight Tasting at A Dozen VintnersTaste & compare award-winning CabernetsSt. Helena, 707-967-0666, $5ppwww.adozenvintners.com

ONGOINGVisitor Programs at Robert Mondavi Winery888-RMONDAVI (766-6328)x2000www.robertmondavi.comCall or check website for particulars. The To Kalon Tour & Tasting A Guided Tasting Pleasure in the Glass The Taste of Wine The Harvest of Joy Tour & Lunch Celebrating California Wine & Food The Essence Tour & Tasting Artisan Cheese & Wine A Perfect Match

ONGOING THURSDAYS-SATURDAYSMade in Napa Valley Culinary CentreTaste samples of prepared demos of delicious &easy recipes for entertaing, quick weeknightsuppers, grilling techniques and more!707-603-3250, [email protected] www.madeinnapavalley.com for details.

ONGOINGAnsel Adams John Muir Trail ExhibitMumm Winery, 10am-5pm daily, Rutherford800-MUM-NAPA, www.mummnapa.com

ONGOING THURSDAYS-SUNDAYSLibrary & Barrel Sample TastingsSequoia Grove Winery8338 St. Helena Hwy, St. Helena707-944-2945, www.sequoiagrove.com 11am: Library & Barrel Sample Tasting

in the underground cellar, $20 12:30: Food and Wine Pairing Tasting

to include Barrel Sample, $40 3pm: Library & Barrel Sample Tasting

in the underground cellar, $20

ONGOINGProgressive Tasting at Sterling Vineyards800-726-6136, Calistogawww.sterlingvineyards.comTaste limited release wines at the winery.

ONGOING

Reserve Tour & Tasting at Sterling Vineyards

11am, 800-726-6136, Calistoga

www.sterlingvineyards.com, $45pp

Private tasting in the Reserve Room after tour.

ONGOING

VIP Tasting & Artisan Barrel Factory Tour

Mon-Fri by appt, Bourassa Vineyards, Napa

$15 mid-week special, mention this listing

www.bourassavineyards.com, 800-499-2366

ONGOING

Tours & Tasting at ZD Wines

800-487-7757, www.zdwines.com

ZD Wines, Rutherford

Traditional Tasting, $10, daily 10am-4pm

Premier Tasting, $15, daily 10am-4pm

Private Group Tasting, $20, by appt

Cellar Tour & Tasting, $25, 1pm weekends &

holidays, M-F by appt

Vineyard View Tasting, $40, Sat-Sun 11am,

M-F by appt

Abacus Tasting, $600 for 4-6 people, by appt

Wine Train, $180, RSVP

ONGOING

Tastings at the Popcorn Bar

10am-5pm, 707-967-8032, www.florasprings.comFlora Springs Winery, St. Helena

Its all About You Tasting, $15

Everybodys Talking Tasting, $25

ONGOING THUR-SAT

Temptastings in the Temptation Cave

11am & 2pm, 707-967-8032, $25, $15/member

www.florasprings.com, RSVP

Flora Springs Winery, St. Helena

ONGOING

Tastings at Silverado Vineyards

707-259-6611, 800-997-1770x611

www.silveradovineyards.com

Silverado Vineyards, Napa

Saddleblock Vineyard Tasting, $75

Library Tasting, $75 Daily Flights, Estate/$10, Premier/$20

Public Tours & Tasting, 10:30am & 2:30pm, $15

Private Tour and or Tasting, 15-25 guests,

$20/tour, $25/tour & tasting

ONGOING

Appellation Tastings

10:45am & 4pm by a ppt, 707-963-6067

www.elizabethspencerwines.com, $40

Elizabeth Spencer Tasting Room, Rutherford

ONGOING

Vineyard & Winery Tours at Raymond

11am (by appt), 800-525-2659x620

www.raymondvineyards.com, $15

Raymond Vineyards, St. Helena

Group tours available by appointment.

ONGOING

Wine Tasting Experiences

By appt, 707-963-5853x105

www.benesserevineyards.com

Benessere Vineyards, St. Helena

Personalized Wine Flights, daily, $10

Vineyards Walking Tour & Tasting

M-W, 10:30am, $15

Fudge Pairing Experience, Sun, 10:30am, $15

Barrel Tasting, RSVP, Tues, Sat-Sun, 11am, $20

Barrel Tasting & Current Release,

Tues, Sat-Sun, 11am, $25

Barrel Tasting & Vertical

Tues, Sat-Sun, 11am, $25

Group Tasting, Sat-Sun, 1:30pm, $15

ONGOINGTours & Tastings at Andretti877-386-5070x222, www.andrettiwinery.comAndretti Winery, Napa Individual Tastings, $12 Private Winery Tour & Tasting

$15/tour, $20/tour & tasting Food & Wine Pairing Vineyard Tour Blending Class

Wine Sensory SeminarONGOING

Wine Tasting Options10:30am-4pm, 707-944-1673www.bellwine.comBell Wine Cellars, Yountville Current Release Tasting, $15 Reserve Tasting w/cheese pairing, $25 Clonal Tasting w/cheese pairing, $75 Blending Seminar, $75, 4-10 people Cline 6 Library Tasting, $250 Sonnette Library Tasting, $75 Large Group Tastings, $20, 11+ people Grape to Glass Tour, $45, weekends, Sprin

NAPA VALLEY

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ONGOING

Tasting at Grgich Hills

9:30am-4:30pm, 707-963-2784

www.grgich.com, tours at 11am & 2pm

$10, Wine Library Tasting/$30

Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford

Barrel tasting on most Fridays 2-4pm

ONGOING

Tastings & Tours at Artesa

877-224-8309, RSVP, www.artesawinery.com

Artesa Winery, Napa

Vino con Queso, A Wine & Cheese Experience, $40

Daily Guided Tours

Vines & Wines, A Vineyard Tour, $40

ONGOING

Tours & Tasting

10am-5pm, Black Stallion Winery, Napa

www.blackstallionwinery.com, 707-253-1400

Artisan cheese additional $7.50/person

Regular Tasting, $10

Reserve Tasting, $35, Sat-Sun

ONGOING

Educational Tours & Wine Tasting

707-967-6272, RSVP, www.castellodiamorosa.com

Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga

Regular Tour & Tasting, $25-$40

Reserve Tour & Tasting, $35-$50

Tasting Only, $10-$25

Young Adult Tours, $15-$20

Napa Valley Neighbor Program

Private VIP Tours

LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

Winemaker Dinners at Fum Bistro

Local favorite wineries are spotlighted in a

four-course dinner. $60pp, call for reservations

707-257-1999, Napa, www.fumebistro.com

EVERY SATURDAY

ZD Wines: Wine & Cheese Seminar

Includes visit to Wine Library & Cellar, $40

800-487-7757 x107, 11am

Rutherford, 707-963-5188, www.zdwines.com

EVERY SUNDAYSensory Component Tasting at ZD Wines

11am by appointment only, $20pp

Rutherford, 707-963-5188, www.zdwines.com

EVERY SATURDAY

Chocolate & Red Wine Saturdays

at Bennett Lane Winery

Calistoga, 707-942-6684, 10am-5pm

www.bennettlane.com

ONGOING

Friday Night Winemaker Events

5-7pm, 877-469-9463, www.jvwine.com, $2

JV Wine & Spirits, Napa

ONGOING THROUGH MARCH 15

Trees: Perspectives and Interpretations

800-MUM-NAPA, www.mummnapa.com

Mumm Napa, Rutherford


Stephen De Staebler: New Work

10am-5pm, www.napavalleymuseum.org

Napa Valley Museum, Yountville, 707-944-0500


George Hellyers Still Lifes Exhibit

10am-5pm, Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville

www.robertmondaviwinery.com, 707-968-2203

ONGOING THROUGH APRIL 27

Peju Winery Art Exhibit

Featuring Don Hatfield, Marina Golden & Betty

Jo March, 10am-6pm, Peju Winery, Rutherford

www.peju.com, 800-446-7358


Visual Art Competition Exhibit

16th Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival

707-944-1133, www.mustardfestival.org

St. Supry, Rutherford

FEBRUARY 12-14

Red Hot Valentines Day

Wine tasting & a decadent treat from the

kitchen! 10am-6pm, Peju Winery, Rutherford

800-446-7358, www.peju.com

FEBRUARY 13

Friday the 13th Winemakers Surprise

10am-4:30pm, Benessere Vineyards, St. Helena

www.benesserevineyards.com, 707-963-5853

FEBRUARY 14

Sweethearts Dinner at Peju

7pm, 800-446-7358, www.peju.com

Intimate Valentines Day 3 course wine dinner

FEBRUARY 14

Valentines Day Dinner All You Need is Love

Dinner, wine & Beatles inspired music! 7pm, $125

www.merryvale.com, 800-326-6069x429

Merryvale Vineyards, St. Helena

FEBRUARY 14

Prokofievs Romeo & Juliet by The Royal Ballet

707-963-3946, www.cameocinema.com

Cameo Cinema, St. Helena, Presented by Nimbus Arts

FEBRUARY 14


Wine Club Members Event, 6pm, 707-963-2784

$150, Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford

[email protected], www.grgich.com

FEBRUARY 14

Chocolates in the Cellar

Blending Wines With Your Sweetheart

Kirkland Ranch Winery, Napa, 2-4pm

www.kirklandwinery.com, 707-254-9100

RSVP, [email protected]

FEBRUARY 14

Hearts & Swords Winemaker Dinner

6:30-10pm, 866-963-4762, RSVPwww.elizabethspencerwines.com

Elizabeth Spencer Tasting Room, Rutherford

FEBRUARY 14

Valentines Sweetheart Soiree

Club Vivant Event, Mumm Napa, Rutherford, $60

800-MUM-NAPA, www.mummnapa.com

FEBRUARY 14

Chateau Society Valentines Day Event

7:30-10pm, 707-257-0101, Domaine Carneros, Napa

www.domainecarneros.com

FEBRUARY 14


6pm, 866-708-9463, $165, www.beringer.com,

RSVP, The Hudson House, Beringer, St. Helena

FEBRUARY 15, 22Behind the Scenes

11am-12pm, 800-231-9116, $30, St. Supry, Rutherford

www.stsupery.com, limited space

FEBRUARY 21

Le Grand Dner

16th Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival

6pm, 707-944-1133, www.mustardfestival.org

Westin Verasa, Napa

FEBRUARY 21

Cooking with Wine Series:

Sauting/Pan Sauces

2pm, 800-231-9116, $35

www.stsupery.com, limited space

St. Supry, Rutherford

FEBRUARY 21Annual H.B. Release Evening7-11pm, 800-446-7358, www.peju.comPeju Winery, Rutherford4-course dinner & release of their flagship wine!

FEBRUARY 21A Good Thing Growing Wine Tasting & Auction6-10pm, 707-968-9332, $40/adv, $60Rubicon Estate Winery, Rutherford

Benefits St. Helena Cooperative Nursery SchoolFEBRUARY 21

7th Annual Profile Club BarrelTasting ExtravaganzaMardi Gras at Merryvale Vineyards, St. Helena1-4pm, 877-887-7763, RSVP, [email protected]

FEBRUARY 21Prune Your Own VineClub Artesa Event, Artesa Winery, Napa, $97.5011am, 877-224-8309, www.artesawinery.com

FEBRUARY 28Make Our Garden GrowNapa Valley Youth Symphony, Lincoln Theater,Yountville, 7:30-9:30pm, 707-944-1300

FEBRUARY 28Tea Appreciation: Introduction to Tea10am, Oxbow Public Market, [email protected], 707-265-0200, RSVP

FEBRUARY 28Artisan Cheese & Wine Pairing: French Cheese

2pm, 800-231-9116, $35, St. Supry, Rutherfordwww.stsupery.com, limited space

MARCH 1Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon7am-12:30pm, Calistoga to Napawww.napavalleymarathon.org, 707-255-2609

MARCH 3Winery Pick-Up Party!Club Artesa Event, Artesa Winery, Napa, 6-7:30pm$97.50, 877-224-8309, www.artesawinery.com

MARCH 5Merryvale Winemaker Dinner

5-9pm, 800-8816-6877, $95www.merryvale.com, www.jolerestaurant.comJoL Restaurant, Mount View Hotel, Calistoga

MARCH 7-8Mustard, Mud & Music A Calistoga Jazz Festival16th Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival707-944-1133, www.mustardfestival.org707-6333, www.calistogavisitors.comDowntown Calistoga

ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYSWine & Food Sampling at Hop Kiln10am-5pm, 707-433-6491, www.hopkilnwinery.comVisit the historic tasting room to enjoy delicious

wine & sample over 80 food items in theirgourmet marketplace, Russian River Valley.

ONGOINGWells Fargo Center for the ArtsSanta Rosa, 707-546-3600 Feb 14-15: American Philharmonic Music for Lovers

Feb 20: Paddy Maloney with Chieftains & Guests Feb 21-23: Santa Rosa Symphony Set Five Feb 27: The Secret Life of Bees Feb 28: Cheech & Chong Mar 6: Mufaros Beautiful Daughters

ONGOINGSpreckels Performing Arts Cenr707-588-3400, Rohnert Parkwww.spreckelsonline.com Feb 14: A Valentine From Kim Nalley

Mar 14: Deborah Henson Conant

SONOMA COUNTY


CALENDAR OF EVENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK


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ONGOING

The Center for Performing Arts

707-664-2353, SonomaState University, Rohnert Park

www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park


3rd Annual Invitational Art Exhibit

10:30am-6pm, 707-829-8912

www.gratongallery.com, Graton Gallery, Graton

ONGOING

Winemaker Dinner Series

Farmhouse Restaurant, Forestville, $150

707-887-3300, www.thefarmhouseinn.com

Feb 12: Pride Mountain Vineyards

Feb 26: Copain Winery

ONGOING

Winemaker Tasting

6-8pm, $10, Wine Spectrum, Santa Rosa

www.winespectrum.com, 707-525-8466

Feb 17: Russian Hill Estate Winery

Mar 10: Calera Winery


HGTV Dream House Tours

9am-5pm, 707-537-3812, $20

Pick up tickets at Ledson Hotel, Sonoma

Benefits The Harmony Foundation for Children

ONGOING

Terroir & History Tour at Chateau St. Jean

A visit to Chateau St. Jean lifts all of your senses.

Complimentary, 11am-2pm, 707-833-4134

ONGOINGSonoma Film Institute

707-664-2606, www.sonoma.edu/sfi

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park

Feb 12-13: An Autumn Afternoon

Feb 19: Springtime in a Small Town

Feb 20: Xala

Feb 26-27: Syndromes and a Century

Mar 5-6, 8: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

and Spring

ONGOING

Cooking in the Vineyard Classes & Seminars

Rodney Strong Vineyards, 707-544-3059

Healdsburg, www.rodneystrong.com

ONGOINGWine & Food Pairing at Kendall-JacksonSpecial reserve food & wine tasting, 10am-4pm707-571-7500, www.kj.com, Fulton, $25pp

ONGOING (THURSDAY-SATURDAY)Michel-Schlumberger Winery Green Tour10:30am, 800-447-3060, $25www.michelschlumberger.com, Healdsburg

ONGOING (MONDAY-SATURDAY)Robert Young Estate Winery Vineyard Tours& Tasting in a Remodeled Grape Gondola11:30am, $10pp, box lunch provided for $20Geyserville, www.ryew.com, 707-431-4811

ONGOING FRIDAYS & SATURDAYSCome Crush With Us at Icaria Creek WineryWinemaker Jeff Smith leads a tasting of bottled &barreled wines. Call for reservations & bring alunch! 707-486-9623, www.icariawinery.com

## ONGOING WEEKENDSWine & Chocolate Pairings10:30am-4:30pm, Fritz Winery, Cloverdalewww.fritzwinery.com, 707-894-3389$5 tasting fee covers the pairing!

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

Santa Rosa Original Farmers Market

Santa Rosa Veteran's Building parking lot

707-522-8629, 8:30am-noon

EVERY FRIDAY MORNING

Sonoma Valley Farmers Market

Depot Park, Sonoma, 9am-noon, 707-538-702


WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | CALENDAR OF EVENT


16/88

ONGOING FRIDAYS-MONDAYS

Hanna Winery Reserve Tasting Gallery

Taste limited-production reserve Bismark

Mountain wines paired with local artisanal

cheese selections from The Cheese Shop in

Healdsburg. Alexander Valley, 707-431-4310

www.hannawinery.com, $10pp

EVERY FRIDAY

Complimentary Wine Tasting at Flamingo Hotel

5:30-7pm in the Terrace Grille features Sonoma

County wines, 707-545-8530, 800-848-8300

Santa Rosa, www.flamingoresort.com

ONGOING

Wine Experiences at Chateau St. Jean Winery

www.chateaustjean.com

Chateau St. Jean Winery, Kenwood

Cinq Cpages Blending Seminar, by appt.

Eight person minimum, 2 hours, $75 Cinq Cpages Component Tasting, by a ppt.

Eight person minimum, 1.5 hours, $25

Private VIP Wine Tasting, by appt.

10:30am, 1 & 3pm, $25, 1 hour

Box Lunch Program with Tour, by appt.

Ten person minimum, 2 hours, $50

ONGOING

Wine Experiences at St. Francis

St. Francis Winery, Santa Rosa

888-675-WINE(9463)x255, www.stfranciswinery.com

Winery Tour & Tasting

Ten person minimum, 1.5 hours, $25

Vineyard Tour & Tasting,

Ten person minimum, 1 hour, $20

Blending Seminar

Ten person min, 24 max, 1.5 hours

Aroma Workshop

Ten person minimum, 1.5 hours, $25

Wine & Food Pairing (thru May), 11am-4pm

Wine & Charcuterie Pairing (thru October), $25

ONGOING

Guided Winery Tours

11am, 1 & 3pm, 707-996-7256

www.gloriaferrer.com, $10, Gloria Ferrer, Sonoma


Invitational #3 at Graton Gallery

707-829-8912, www.gratongallery.com, Graton


Still Exhibit

707-865-0243, www.Quercia-Gallery.com

Quercia Gallery, Duncans Mills


ArtQuest Exhibit

707-579-1500, www.sonomacountymuseum.org

Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa

ONGOING THROUGH APRIL 5

Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon & John

LeBaron Photography

707-579-1500, www.sonomacountymuseum.org

Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa

ONGOING WEEKENDS THROUGH FEBRUARY

Estate Olive Oil Tasting & Pesto

Sonoma Valley Olive Festival

707-833-2300, VJB Cellars, Kenwood

www.olivefestival.com, www.vjbcellars.com

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 28

Tour & Taste at The Olive Press


707-939-8900, www.theolivepress.com

The Olive Press, Sonoma, www.olivefestival.com


Olive Festival Martini


707-939-0713, www.amigoscantina.com

www.olivefestival.com

Amigos Grill & Cantina, Sonoma


Cellar Door Complimentary Tasting


707-938-4466, www.sonomacellardor.com


Cellar Door Tasting Room, Sonoma


Tasting Room Sampling


800-995-4740, www.viansa.com


Viansa Winery & Marketplace, Sonoma


Estate Olive Oil, Vinegar & Wine Tasting


707-938-4064x124, www.brcohn.com

www.olivefestival.com, B.R. Cohn Winery, Glen Ellen


Gord Peteran: Furniture Meets Its Maker

707-939-7862, wwwsvma.org

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma

FEBRUARY 13Dinner with the Winemaker Series:Featuring Ferrari-Carano800-541-7788, www.innatthetides.comThe Bay View RestaurantInn at the Tides, Bodega Bay

FEBRUARY 134th Annual VinolivoSonoma Valley Olive Festival7-10pm, 707-935-0803, $65/adv, $75/door

www.sonomavalleywine.com, www.olivefestival.comLodge at Sonoma, Grand finale of the festival!

FEBRUARY 13Simi Winemaker Dinner atBrasserie Restaurant707-636-7181(RSVP), 707-473-3213www.simiwinery.com, $113Hyatt Vineyard Creek, Santa Rosa

FEBRUARY 13Wine Club Chocolate & Zin Pickup Party707-431-8159, www.mazzocco.comMazzocco Winery, Healdsburg

FEBRUARY 13Valentines Day Dinner Club Member Event707-833-4134x5258, www.chateaustjean.comChateau St. Jean, Kenwood, 6:30-10pm, $150

FEBRUARY 13-14Sonoma Wine Country Valentines Dinner6-9pm, 707-283-2900Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma

FEBRUARY 13-15Romantic Rendezvous Wine Country Weekend707-433-6700, www.fcwinery.comFerrari-Carano Winery, Healdsburg

FEBRUARY 13-16Cloverdale Citrus Fair707-894-3992, www.cloverdalecitrusfair.orgCloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds, Cloverdale

FEBRUARY 14Art From the HeartFancy dress ball & silent auction. 6-9pm, $25707-664-2295, www.sonoma.edu/artgallerySonoma State University, Rohnert Park

FEBRUARY 14Valentines Day Concert with Eric Symons7:30pm, $35, $28/members, RSVP, Includes dessertbuffet & glasses of sparkling wine! Gloria FerrerSonoma, www.gloriaferrer.com, 707-933-1999

FEBRUARY 14Wine Club Valentines Day Dinner800-433-4602, www.wilsonwinery.comBarrel Club Shipment, Wilson Winery, Healdsburg

FEBRUARY 14Valentines Day Dinner Dance5pm, 707-696-4171, www.locallovefoundation.orgVilla Chanticleer, Healdsburg

FEBRUARY 14Chocolate & Cheese Event10am-4:30pm, 707-823-3040, freeGraton Ridge Cellars, Sebastopol

FEBRUARY 14Love at First Sip Valentines Day Party707-537-3823, RSVP, www.ledson.com, $250/coupleLedson Castle, Kenwood

FEBRUARY 14Valentine Food & Wine Pairing2-5pm, 707-938-8822, $70/members, $95www.nicholsonranch.comNicholson Ranch Winery, Sonoma

FEBRUARY 14Olives are for LoversSonoma Valley Olive Festival707-256-1472, www.buenavistacarneros.comwww.olivefestival.com, RSVP, $125Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma

FEBRUARY 14Valentine Winery Dinner6:30pm, $165, $132/club, St. Francis Winerywww.stfranciswinery.com, 888-675-WINEx255

FEBRUARY 14-15Don Landis Presents An Olive OdysseySonoma Valley Olive Festival866-522-8683, www.jacuzziwines.comJacuzzi Family Vineyards, Sonomawww.olivefestival.com

FEBRUARY 14-15Olive Festival Finale CelebrationSonoma Valley Olive Festival707-942-4030, www.clinecellars.comCline Cellars, Sonoma, www.olivefestival.com

FEBRUARY 14-15Olive & Olive Oil SamplingSonoma Valley Olive Festival888-433-6555, www.familywines.comwww.olivefestival.com, Family Wineries, Kenwo

FEBRUARY 14-15Now Thats Amore WeekendSonoma Valley Olive Festival707-833-2300, www.vjbcellars.comVJB Cellars, Kenwood, www.olivefestival.com

FEBRUARY 14-15

Presidents Day Open House11am-5pm, 707-833-4134x5258www.chateaustjean.com, $10, $15/reserve tastChateau St. Jean, Kenwood

FEBRUARY 14-15Valentines Weekend Open House11am-4pm, Sojourn Cellars Tasting Salon, Sonowww.sojourncellars.com, 707-933-9753, free

FEBRUARY 16Summit ET Bracket Drag Races8am-6pm, Infineon Raceway, Sonomawww.infineonraceway.com, 800-870-RACE

FEBRUARY 2010th Annual Sonoma CountyPruning Contest Championship707-522-5862, www.sonomawinegrape.org

SRJC Shone Farm, ForestvilleFEBRUARY 21

Live Music Series: Steve Lucky& The Rhumba Bums5:30pm, 707-935-9511, www.bartpark.comBartholomew Park Winery, Sonoma

FEBRUARY 21Artist Reception: Sandra Maresca, Oil & Acr

5-7pm, 888-466-7446, www.moshinvineyards.cMoshin Vineyards, Healdsburg

FEBRUARY 25Winemaker Dinner Series at SantFeaturing Robledo Family Winery6:30pm, 707-939-2467, www.fairmont.com, RSVFairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma

FEBRUARY 27-28

Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett at Hopmonk8:30pm, 707-829-7300, www.hopmonk.comHopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol

FEBRUARY 27 MARCH 118th Annual Tattoos & Blues11am-10pm, 530-842-6100The Flamingo Resort Hotel, Santa Rosa

FEBRUARY 28The Sweetheart Ball5:30pm-midnight, 707-573-3399x103, $195Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa

FEBRUARY 28Crab Cioppino Dinner707-433-3579x109, $45/members, $60/guestsSeghesio Family Vineyards, Healdsburg




17/88

MARCH 1Olive Curing Workshop11am-1pm, B.R. Cohn Winery, Glen Ellenwww.brcohn.com, RSVP, 800-330-4064 free

MARCH 4Winemaker Dinner Series at SantFeaturing Deerfield Ranch Winery6:30pm, 707-939-2467www.fairmont.com, RSVPFairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma

MARCH 5, 20Winemaker for a Day11am-4pm, 707-528-WINEwww.prwinery.com, $150, $125/membersParadise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa

MARCH 6, 13Barrel Tasting Preview for Club Members800-433-4602, www.wilsonwinery.comWilson Winery, Healdsburg

MARCH 7-8, 14-1531st Annual Barrel TastingRussian River Wine Road, $30, $20/adv11am-4pm, 800-723-6336, www.wineroad.comVisit participating wineries includingChristopher Creek Winery, Wilson Winery,Paradise Ridge Winery, Quivira Vineyards,Mazzocco Vineyards & more.

EVERY SECOND SUNDAYBuford & Brown Yappy HourWine tasting with your dog! 1-3pmThe Vintage Marketplace, Hopland, 707-744-878

ONGOING THROUGH MARCH 8Legendary Prints of the Southwest707-467-2836, www.gracehudsonmuseum.orgGrace Hudson Museum, Ukiah

ONGOING THROUGH MARCH 1 (THURS-SUN)With Love From Mendocino707-937-2486, Art exhibitMendocino Arts Center, Mendocino

FEBRUARY 14

9th Annual Open House & Open Studios Tour12-4pm, free, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocinowww.MendocinoArtCenter.org, 707-937-5818

FEBRUARY 14Wine & Chocolate12-4pm, 707-262-1611, $35/adv, $40Mt. Konocti Growers, Lakeport

FEBRUARY 20Alsatian Winemaker Dinner featuringNavarro Wines6pm, 707-937-0511, $75Mendocino Hotel, Mendocino

FEBRUARY 21Ancient Astronomers8-11pm, Taylor Observatory, Kelseyville, $3www.taylorobservatory.org, 707-262-3499

FEBRUARY 212nd Annual Fabulous Mardi Gras Party7pm, 707-937-5818, $10Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino

FEBRUARY 21-222009 International Alsace Varietals Festival707-895-WINE, www.avwines.comMendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville Feb 21: Technical Conference, 8:15-11am, $45 Feb 21: Varietals Tasting, 12:30-3:30pm, $65 Feb 21: Alsace in Anderson Valley Winemakers

Dinner, 6:30pm, Scharffenberger Cellars, $125 Feb 22: Winery Open Houses, all day, free

FEBRUARY 22Mendocino Film Festivals Annual Oscar Party5-9pm, 707-937-1922

St. Anthonys Hall, Mendocino

LAKE/MENDOCINO




18/88

FEBRUARY 27Concerts with Conversations:Bob Culbertson, Chapman Stick707-275-2244, www.tallmanhotel.comTallman Hotel, Upper Lake

FEBRUARY 27 MARCH 1Aint Misbehavin707-884-1138, www.gualalaarts.orgGualala Arts, Gualala

FEBRUARY 2816th Annual Winter Music Festival707-263-0577, wwwlakecountyartscouncil.comSoper-Reese Community Theatre, Lakeport

MARIN COUNTY

ONGOINGMarin Center in San Rafael415-499-6800, www.marincenter.org Feb 13: Russian National Ballet, Swan Lake Feb 15: The Art of Bellydance Feb 19: An Evening with Greg Mortenson

& David Oliver Relin Feb 21: Estampas Porteas in Tango Fire Feb 27: Guitar Blues, Jorma Kaukonen, Robben

Ford & Ruthie Foster Mar 1, 3: Marin Symphony, Of Britain,

Bizet and Balanchine Mar 2, 5: Marin Speakers Series, Jeffrey Toobin Mar 7: The 5 B rowns

ONGOING WEEKENDS THROUGH FEBRUARY 28The Lion in Winter415-454-6422, The Belrose Theatre, San Rafael

FEBRUARY 22Academy Awards Party4:30pm, Lark Theater, Larkspurwww.larktheater.net, 415-924-4511, $75

FEBRUARY 28, MARCH 6, 8, 13, 15Jackie O!415-485-9460, [email protected] Arts Theatre, College of Marin, Kentfield

SAN FRANCISCO

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 1911th Annual SF Indie Film Fest415-820-3907, www.sfindie.comCastro Theatre, San Francisco

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 16Tulipmania415-705-5500, www.pier39.com, Pier 39

FEBRUARY 13-15California International Antiquarian Book Fair800-454-6401, www.sfbookfair.comConcourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco

FEBRUARY 14How We First Met8pm, $22-$35, Herbst Theatre, San Franciscowww.howwefirstmet.com, 415-392-4400

FEBRUARY 14

Champagne Ayala Valentines Day Pairing415-434-4204, www.bubblelounge.comThe Bubble Lounge, San Francisco, $125/couple

FEBRUARY 14Valentines Day Lunch & Dinner415-773-6198, www.ritzcarlton.comThe Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

FEBRUARY 14-15Woo at the Zoo415-753-7080, www.sfzoo.org, $75San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco

FEBRUARY 19-226th Annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival415-345-7500, www.fortmason.orgFort Mason Center, San Francisco

FEBRUARY 20-22San Francisco Rod, Custom & Motorcycle Show

415-404-4111, www.cowpalace.comCow Palace, San Francisco

FEBRUARY 28The Great San Francisco Crystal Fair415-436-6040, www.giftcenterpavilion.comThe Giftcenter Pavilion, San Francisco

MONTEREY BAY AREA

ONGOINGSunset Cultural Center-Carmel831-620-2048, Carmel Feb 16: Monterey Symphony, Concert Four Feb 21: Voices of London Feb 28: Tango First Century Mar 6-7: Smuin Ballet

ONGOINGLive at Golden State Theatre831-372-3800, Montereywww.goldenstatetheatre.com Feb 16: Joan Baez Live in Concert Feb 21: Lewis Black, Let Them Eat Cake Feb 26: Guitar Blues Feb 27: Big Night Feb 28: White Album Ensemble Mar 7: In the Mood

ONGOINGLive Music at KRML RadioThe Eastwood Building, Carmelwww.krmlradio.com, 831-624-643 Feb 14: Sony Holland Valentines Night Special

ONGOING WEEKENDS THROUGH MARCH 29Rain Forest Weekends831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.comRoaring Camp Railroads, Felton

0NGOING WEDNESDAYS THROUGH OCTOBERWinemaker WednesdaysSanta Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association5pm, 831-685-VINE ( 8463), www.scmwa.comShadowbrook Restaurant, Capitola

ONGOINGThursday Night Music Series6-8pm, 831-475-2258x11, www.bargetto.com

Bargetto Winery, SoquelEnjoy music, food & Bargetto wine!

ONGOING THIRD THURSDAYSSweet Thursdays at Cannery RowFamily fun, music, fine dining & great discounts4-8pm, 831-649-6690, Monterey

ONGOING TUESDAYSFarmers Market at the BarnyardOrganic fruit, vegetables & flowersCarmel, 11am-3pm, 831-624-8886

ONGOING THIRD THURSDAYSMonterey Museum of ArtEvening of music, wine and hors d'oeuvres5-7pm, 831-372-5477, Monterey

EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Open for Tasting11am-4pm, Martin Ranch Winery, Gilroy$10/refundable w/purchase, free/club memberswww.martinranchwinery.com, 408-842-9197

EVERY TUESDAYFocus on Monterey County WinesCepage Wine Bar, Rancho Cellars, Carmel831-625-5646, 3-8pm, www.ranchocellars.com

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 15High School Musical 2

831-622-0100, www.pacrep.orgThe Golden Bough Theatre, Carmel

ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 15AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am800-541-9091, www.pebblebeach.comVarious courses in Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach

FEBRUARY 12, 19, 26

Time for Wine

5-9pm, 800-ITS-WINE, www.clos.com

Clos LaChance, San Martin

FEBRUARY 13 MARCH 8

Waiting for Lefty

831-624-1531, www.cetstaffplayers.org

Indoor Forest Theatre, Carmel

FEBRUARY 14

Monterey Symphony831-624-8511, www.montereysymphony.org

Sherwood Hall, Salinas

FEBRUARY 14


800-ITS-WINE, www.clos.com

Clos LaChance, San Martin

FEBRUARY 14

Sweetheart Saturday

408-842-3305, www.fortinowinery.com

Fortino Winery, Gilroy

FEBRUARY 14

Valentines Passport

River Road Wine Trail

www.riverroadwinetrail.com, $25

Visit 12 vintners along Montereys River Road!

FEBRUARY 21

Clam Chowder Cook Off & Festival

10am-3:30pm, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

831-426-7433, www.beachboardwalk.com

FEBRUARY 21

Monterey Wine Auction & Gala

6:30-11pm, Jackson Family Wines, Soledad

831-375-9400, www.montereywines.org, $175

FEBRUARY 21-22

Shark Days

10am-6pm, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey

www.montereybayaquarium.org, 831-648-4800

FEBRUARY 24

The Ultimate Winemakers Dinner

Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association

831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

www.shadowbrook-capitola.com

Shadowbrook Restaurant, Capitola

FEBRUARY 27 MARCH 15

Disneys Aladdin, Jr.

831-622-0100, www.pacrep.org

Golden Bough Theatre, Carmel

SOUTH BAY

ONGOING

Concerts at Montalvo Arts Center

408-961-5858, Saratoga, www.montalvoarts.or

Mar 5: The Bad Plus

FEBRUARY 14

Wine & Chocolate Pairing

11am-4pm, Testarossa Vineyards, Los Gatos

408-354-6150x21, www.testarossa.com, $10

FEBRUARY 14


6:30pm, 408-354-6150x21, www.testarossa.com

Testarossa Vineyards, Los Gatos

FEBRUARY 18

Eco-tour

10am12-pm, 408-867-7116, www.cgv.com, RSVP

Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Saratoga

FEBRUARY 26 MARCH 1

Hidden Talents An Evening of Premieres

Ballet San Jose

408-288-2800, www.balletsanjose.org

Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose

NORTH CENTRAL COAST



Email Your Events [email protected]

For best results, send your emails at least 6 to8 weeks prior

to the date of your event. Event listings are free, and published

as space is available and at the discretion ofWine Country This Week.

For more event listings throughoutNorthern and Central California, visit

www.winecountrythisweek.com


19/88

SAN MATEO COUNTY

EVERY SATURDAYWine Tasting at BeltramosMenlo Park, www.beltramos.com650-325-2806, 2:20-5:30pm

ONGOINGENO-Versity Wine Classes650-712-7000, www.ritzcarlton.comENO Tasting Room

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Feb 21: Frias Family Vineyards

ALAMEDA COUNTY

FEBRUARY 20Dark & DeliciousP.S. I Love You6-9pm, 707-620-0788, $50/adv, $60The Rockwall Wine Company, AlamedaCelebrate Petite Sirah with food & wine!

ONGOINGSierra Railroad209-848-2100, Oakdale, www.sierrarailroad.com Feb 13, 27: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Feb 14: Valentines Dinner

Feb 15: Sunday Brunch Feb 21: Mardi Gras Feb 28: Sunset Dinner Train Mar 6, 13, 27: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Mar 7, 21, 28: Sunset Dinner Train Mar 15: Rail Fan Trip Mar 17: St. Patricks Day Mar 22: Sunday Brunch

FEBRUARY 14

Chinese New Year Parade

559-441-7915, www.fresno-chinatown.comChinatown, Fresno

FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 1Almond Blossom Festival

209-599-7519, www.riponchamber.orgMistlin Sports Park, Ripon

EVERY FRIDAYWine Dinners at Caf GarrEnjoy gourmet seasonal wine-paired cuisine withlocally grown & produced ingredients.

Garr Winery, Livermore, 6-9pm925-371-8200, www.garrewinery.com

ONGOING WEEKENDS

Wine Cave Tasting Experience

1 & 3pm, 925-456-2405, RSVP, $20

www.wentevineyards.com/caves

Wente Vineyards, Livermore

ONGOING

Bankhead Theatre

Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center

925-373-6800, Livermore

www.livermoreperformingarts.org

Feb 14: Winter La ndscape, Summer Romance Feb 15: Punch Brothers

Feb 18: Tango Fire

Feb 19: Creatures of Prometheus

Feb 21: Tribute to Glenn Miller

Feb 27: The Vagina Monologues

Feb 28: Livermores Got Talent

Mar 1: Red Grammer

Mar 5: Innovation

Mar 6-7: The Vagina Monologues

Mar 7: Alexander Ghindin, Piano

ONGOING FRIDAYS

Fridays at Fenestra

Fenestra Winery, Livermore, 12-5pm

925-447-5246, www.fenestrawinery.com

ONGOING

Thursday Night Music & Dinner

6-9pm, 925-456-2400, $125/couple

www.wentevineyards.com

The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, Livermore

ONGOING

Wine Cave Tasting Experience

1 & 3pm, 925-456-2405, Wente Vineyards

$20, $15/wine club members

www.wentevineyards.com, Livermore

EVERY SUNDAY

Sunset Suppers

4:30-5:30pm, 925-456-2450,

The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards,

www.wentevineyards.com, Livermore

FEBRUARY 13

Cabernet & Chocolate Pairing

12-5pm, 925-373-6214, $5

www.mcgrailvineyards.com

LIVERMORE

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA




20/88



WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINERY FEATUR

berry and blackberry in a style

more Bordelais than Californian:

subtle and elegant. Who knew?

Syrah 2006 Dry Creek

Valley, Proprietors Reserve

($29): Break out the picnic

basket for this strawberry and

plum-informed lovely. Its jammyand sweet, but its fruit-sweet, not

sugar-sweet. A charmer that

finishes with black currant fruit

and a spicy black pepper accent

that only adds complexity.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dry Creek Valley, Proprietors

Reserve ($29): Fresh and robust

red currant and mulberry fruit

that is oily and finely-textured

throughout, finishing with a hintof menthol to keep all that fruit

from escaping into the ether. A

bit of Syrah in the blend makes

for a notably round and amiably

accessible wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Dry Creek Valley, Taylor

Reserve ($40): This is an utter

beauty, flush with blackberry and

violet fruit that reminds of the

best of Pauillac (e.g. ChateauLatour). The texture is silky (yes,

theres a little Syrah in the blend,

a Damskey trademark), with

large, yet leanly elegant cassis in

the finish. This is a special occa-

sion wine, for certain.

Dutcher Crossing Winery is

located at 8533 Dry Creek Road

(on the road to Lake Sonoma),

Healdsburg. Telephone (707)

431-2700. The tasting room which sits on a plinth (the archi-

tectural term for natural raised

platform) offers a grand view

of the vine-carpeted valley and is

open for tasting and sales daily

11-5. The winerys website is

www.DutcherCrossingWinery.com.

Say hi to Dutchess, Debras

golden Lab greeter.


22/8822


Joseph Phelps Vineyards has two world-class award-winning

wines: Insignia and Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. These two

wines represent opposite ends of the spectrum in approaches to wine-

making: the art of blending vineyards and varietals versus the single-

vineyard approach. Insignia represents the art of the blend, the best

blend from what the estate vineyards located throughout Napa Valley

can produce and the best blend of available estate Bordeaux varietals

in any given vintage. Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon represents

the best of what a single vineyard can produce year after year, and

from a very unique terroir.

When Joe Phelps envisioned the term Insignia, it was to repre-

sent the finest lots of Bordeaux grape varietals available from each

vintage. Originally sourced from the best grower fruit, beginning with

the 1990 vintage, Insignia was produced primarily from estate-growngrapes in the Stags Leap District and Rutherford Bench two of the

most desirable sources for Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. Begin-

ning with the 2004 vintage, Insignia has been crafted entirely from

estate vineyards.

In its 30-plus years of existence, Insignia has consistently ranked

among the top wines in California, if not the world. The 2005

Insignia, released September 1, 2008, received 95 points from Robert

Parker, Jr., 92 points from Wine Spectator and 92-95 points from

Stephen Tanzers Wine Cellar. It was named Proprietary Blend of the

Year by The Wine News and Wine of the Year by the Connoisseurs

Guide to California Wine. It placed first in a tasting of 2005 Cabernet

Sauvignon and Cabernet Blends, California Grapevine October/

November 2008.

Since the release of the first Insignia the 1974 vintage in 1978,

Insignia has received 90 points or greater in every vintage but two.

And since 1990, Insignia has been rated 90 points or higher every

year by both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, Jr.s The Wine Advo-

cate. In fact, The Wine Spectator has named Insignia its #1 Wine of

the Year (2002 vintage), #3 Wine of the Year (1994 vintage), and #5

Wine of the Year (1997 vintage) and has been designated a Cellar

Selection five times in addition to the Top 100 awards.

Located on the southeastern corner of Silverado Trail and Oakville

Cross Road, the Backus Vineyard has long been known for its iron-rich, steeply terraced hillside soil and exceptional fruit. A picturesque,

copper-roofed stone smokehouse sits in the midst of the vineyard,

in case this location doesnt ring a bell, it is situated between D

Valle and Screaming Eagle!

In December of 1996, after having held a long-term lease on

property since 1977, Joseph Phelps Vineyards purchased the en

45-acre parcel. Subsequent development increased plantings to 2

acres and all of the work was done by hand. No tractors, cats, tru

or ATVs were utilized. Shovels and picks were the main instrume

employed. The soil was not mechanically ripped. Workers poun

stakes by hand. They pick-axed through rock to lay and bury irr

tion lines and all supplies (end posts, wire, irrigation tubing, e

were hand-carried to the required locations.

Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is distinctive for producflavors and aromas of dark chocolate, black fruit, graphite a

minerals, followed by lush, sweet and lengthy tannins. The 20

Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was rated 91-94 points fr

Stephen Tanzers Wine Cellar, 92 points from Wine Spectator and

points from Robert Parker, Jr.s The Wine Advocate.

Tastings and Seminars at Joseph Phelps Vineyards

The staff welcomes the opportunity to host you at the Gu

Center. A few different styles of tastings are offered and all are

appointment. All tastings include a sampling of current relea

and the flagship wine, Insignia. Call the Guest Center directly

1-800-707-5789 to make your reservation or visit www.jpvwines.cfor more information.

Insignia and Backus Vineyard Cabernet SauvignoTwo Award-Winning Flagship Wines from Joseph Phelps Vineyard

See Joseph Phelps Vineyards, pag

Backus Vineyard


24/88




Seminars are conducted daily. On weekdays, seminars are offered

at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. On the weekends, the seminars are at 11

a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost is $30 per person. The following are

descriptions of the seminar tastings:

Insignia Blending Seminar: Try your skills as a winemaker in theInsignia Blending seminar. Experiment with blending the compo-

nents that go into the award-winning, flagship wine, Insignia.

Compare your blend with the current vintage of Insignia.

Le Nez Seminar: Hone your sommelier skills on the Aroma Iden-

tity challenge, where twelve different aromas frequently found in

wine will test your olfactory senses.

Tasting Terroir: This seminar takes a look at 32-plus years of

making Insignia, how the wine has changed over the years, and what

makes the Insignia so unique and so consistently highly rated. Begin-

ning with the 2004 vintage, Insignia is now 100% estate grown.

Explore the vineyard locations used by Joseph Phelps Vineyards to

produce Insignia to help discover what makes these vineyards so

important in making this Bordeaux blend possible.

Barrel Seminar: A Focus on Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: This

seminar defines the role that the barrel plays in the overall production

of wine. Explore winemaking in general and the specific place that the

barrel holds in the development and maturation of a wine. In addi-

tion to the current release wines, three barrel samples of Napa Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon will be tasted.

Wine Appreciation Seminar: This seminar leads guests through

an exploration of wines appeal to all the senses. You can also sharpen

your skills on wine history, tradition, proper serving, storage and eval-

uation.

A casual tasting is also offered throughout the day, scheduled on

the half-hour starting at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. The lasttasting begins at 3:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, the last tasting

begins at 2:30 p.m. Terrace Tastings are conducted on the back terrace

(weather-permitting), or indoors in the Oval Room. The cost is $20

per person.

Plan your next visit to Joseph Phelps Vineyards around one of

these seminars and look forward to a memorable experience for you

and your guests. The wine education staff will be happy to discuss the

seminar and other tasting options available. All visits are by appoint-

ment only: call for schedule details and to make your reservation at

1-800-707-5789 or (707) 967-3720.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards Continued from page 22


26/88




Tours announced Proceeds to Benefit

Ledson Harmony Foundation for Children

HGTV and Steve Ledson announced the

start of public tours of the 2009 HGTV

Dream Home located in the historic wine

country town of Sonoma. Wine-

maker/developer and philanthropist Steve

Ledson, a fifth-generation Sonoman, built the

2009 Dream Home for HGTV.

Tours will be held daily from 9 a.m. to 5

p.m., through March 2, 2009. The last tour

of the day will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for

the tours are $20 per person ages four and up

and are available only by reservation. Chil-

dren under three will be admitted free, but

must be carried by an adult. To make reserva-

tions, call (707) 537-3812. All tickets are to

be picked up at the Ledson Hotel, 480 First

Street East, Sonoma at least one hour prior to

your scheduled tour time. Guests will then

ride a shuttle to the HGTV Dream Home a

few miles away. No shoes are allowed in the

home and booties will be provided. Tours

have limited handicapped accessibility and

may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

All proceeds from the HGTV Dream

Home 2009 tours benefit the Harmony Foun-

dation for Children. The Harmony Founda-

tion for Children exists to break down the

barriers between need and assistance by

providing direct financial support to at-risk or

in-need youth whose record of personal

responsibility, dedication and achievement is

imperiled by circumstances or events beyond

their control. In particular the Harmo

Foundation for Children works to enha

philanthropy and strengthen our sense

community by providing help to those und

privileged children whose own famicannot. To date, hundreds of thousands

dollars have been donated by the Harmo

Foundation to deserving individuals a

organizations.

The foundation is funded through

Ledson family direct donations, individ

public donations and Ledson family sp

sored fund-raising events. The Harmo

Foundation for Children acknowled

former San Francisco 49ers great Dwi

Clark and two of the entertainment industmost prominent artists, Michael McDon

and Jeff Bridges as inaugural benefactors.

One of the most successful consum

promotions in cable TV history, the HG

Dream Home Giveaway involves sponsors

from several national advertisers.

Come See the 2009 HGTV Dream Home in Sonom



FYI:E-mail content considerations to [email protected]

Jeffry can be heard discussing wine country every Thursday at 5:45pm on the

Monterey Peninsula's number 1 rated talk show: www.ForLocalsOnly.com; with liv

digital streaming from the legendary KRML Jazz & Blues Radio, in Carmel.

What s hot this week by Jeffry RHot Tickets

Sonoma Valley wraps up three months of

olive-infused feasts at VinOlivo. Ignite your

taste buds with culinary delights from morethan 20 of Sonoma Valleys 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

insiders perspective, allow you the opportu-

nity to know the personalities behind the

wines. This feast for the senses takes place

Friday, February 13th, at The Lodge at

Sonoma. Advanced admission is $65 perperson; $75 at the door. Tickets can be

purchased by calling (707) 935-0803 or visit

www.sonomavalleywine.com. FYI: On Presi-

dents Day weekend, February 14th and 15th,

celebrate amore and seduce your sweetheart with

a fine bouquet of wine at VJB Vineyards and

Cellars! Enjoy a pairing of two of the finest

creations on earth vino and pasta. Treat your

loved ones to 2005 V Estate Cabernet Sauvignon,

2006 Sonoma Valley Primitivo, Rosso Family

Blend and the award-winning 2005 Mendocino

Barbera paired with owner/executive chef MariaBelmontes delicious Italian olive pesto pasta. Cost

is only $20 per person which includes logo glass

and pairings, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (707) 833-2300

or www.vjbcellars.com.

Mustard Magic

Winter is a wonderful time to visit 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 Festivalwith its Sensational Season of Wine Country

Events. Now in its fifteenth year, 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

Valleys most creative and extravagant festival,

the yellow carpet is rolled out for food gour-

mands and wine enthusiasts everywhere to

discover world-class treats and award-

winning wines in enchanting surroundings.

There are several engaging activities sched-

uled each week. To plan your experience, visit

www.mustardfestival.org.

Top Tables

Though their respective settings are laid-

back, certain wine country restaurants are

serious about using premium ingredients

culled from ecologically sustainable sources:

The Grill at Silverwood [1600 Atlas Peak

Road, Napa; (707) 257-5400], is a culinary

treat at this world-famous resort offering wine

country cuisine with Asian flair for breakfast,

lunch and dinner on the edge of the North

Course at Silverado Resort & Country Club.

Naturally raised meats and organic produce

from local farms shine on the menu. Sit down

for Cantonese-style Muscovy duck in the

dining room or nosh on burgers made from

Kobe-style beef in the bar lounge. Carneros

Bistro & Wine Bar [1325 Broadway, Sonoma;

(707) 931-2042], is the resident restaurant in

The Lodge at Sonoma, making it easy to expe-

rience the flavors of Sonoma Countys

geographically diverse grape-growing regions

with an expansive selection of wines by the

glass and half-bottle. The kitchen emphasizes

wood-grilled meats, locally grown produceand artisan breads and cheeses. Located in

the Jack London shopping barn, in the

building with the big water wheel, is the

happiest place on earth (for foodies anyway).

Bluegrass Bar and Grill [14301 Arnold Drive,

Glen Ellen, (707) 935-4488] is new to the

wine country food scene but is already

gaining serious raves. St. Louis-style dry rub,

generous portions and great prices help. Case

in point: barbecue ribs for two with lots of

side dishes for just $25! Get ready town of

Sonoma yalls got some competition.

Chocolate Cravings

My daughter is not allowed to read this

story. A self-proclaimed chocolate maniac,

Kelsey, would feast on the milky sweet

concoction every morning for breakfast if

not for parental due diligence. The story?

Recently, I visited the Oak Knoll Inn, a Napa

Valley treasure renowned for its quintessential

wine country luxury vast, elegant guest

rooms, fireplaces, but no televisions s

ated smack dab in the middle of 600 acre

Chardonnay vineyard paradise. Up

entering the French-country reception romy eye caught the cover of a book that loo

particularly like a chocolate bar parti

unwrapped. Thinking of Kelsey, I insti

tively picked it up for inspection. The title

the book? Chocolate for Breakfast! Stunn

I immediately begin flipping through

glorious gloss-covered pages amazed by

breathtaking photography and, lets

honest, mouthwatering recipes. Turns

Barbara Passino, owner of the Oak Knoll

(along with her dashing husband, John)not only a legendary innkeeper, but is

one heck of a chef. World-class actually. H

opulent homemade breakfasts usually co

with a twist and are always a crowd-plea

Secretly, however, Barbaras passion is cho

late which she has lovingly incorporated i

her exquisite morning menu. Sweet, but

overwhelming, the dishes are a joy

starting the day from heaven. Beautif

bound and inventive photography, Choco

for Breakfast qualifies as a modern work

art. Great for the kitchen, awesome for coffee table. Sensual cooking with a sin

edge, (I hope Kelsey doesnt find out ab

this). Chocolate for Breakfast is available

pre-order on Amazon.com, but, you can

your signed copy now at the inn. Call (7

255-2200 or visit www.oakknollinn.com.

Upcoming

Purchase tickets now for the 31st Ann

Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tast

Weekend. More than 100 Russian Riv

Alexander Valley and Dry Creek wineriesopening their cellars, allowing wine drink

the opportunity to sample wines directly fr

the barrel and, in many cases, purch

futures if you like what youre tasti

Advance tickets are available online for

(per weekend) at www.wineroad.com or

calling 1-800-723-6336. You can a

purchase a glass and wristband for $30 at

first winery you visit.



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30/88

by Charles Neave

Mud and hot water do mix, and there is nowhere better to find this out for yourself than at

Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa & Resort in Calistoga. To get an insight into the whole affair,

we checked with general manager Barry Stern, who has been at this wine country institution

for 11 years..

1. How long does it take people to grasp the idea that

mud and hot water are actually good for you?

About a minute.

2. Do you get a lot of couples visiting?

Yes. Probably 90 percent or more of our guests are couples. That is what we specialize in.

3. Is the spa more popular in the winter or in the summer?

In the summer.

4. When youre not here, what do you do for fun?

I like to go for walks in the Palisades.

5. Do you get more men or women at the spa?

More women.

6. What is the silliest question you have gotten from a guest?

I could write a book. But I would have to say the people that ask if you go into the mud bath

fully clothed? is my favorite.

7. Does one type of music go with a mud bath?

New Age.

8. Do a lot of people spend the night here before or after their spa treatment?

Oh yes.

9. How hot is the mud in the mud bathes?About a hundred degrees, but it very dense and concentrated so it seems warmer than that.

10. One word of advice for people who come to Golden Haven.

Have a good time. Its very relaxed, friendly and fun here, so just enjoy it.

Golden Haven is located at 1713 Lake St. in Calistoga and they are open daily.

For more information or reservations call (707) 942-8000. You can also look at their website,

www.goldenhaven.com.


10 QUESTIONS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

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SBARRY STERNGOLDEN HAVEN

HOT SPRINGS

SPA & RESORT


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Jay Corley came to the Napa Valley more

than thirty years ago, with a goal both

simple-sounding and also daunting. It

was to make wines that would stand up

against any wine made anywhere in the world.

Today, Monticello Vineyards the winery he

founded produces about 15,000 cases a yearfrom their handsome facility on Big Ranch

Road north of the City of Napa, on an 80-acre

parcel of land literally surrounded by

hundreds more acres of prime vineyard land.

Using grapes from five special vineyards, the

wine they produce bears three designations:

Monticello Vineyards, Corley Proprietary Red

Wine and Corley Reserve.

Presidents Weekend is an ideal time to visit

Monticello Vineyards. Typically the winery is

featuring their latest release of their hallmarkCabernet Sauvignon, the Jefferson Cuvee. You

might also find their flagship Corley Reserve

Cabernet Sauvignon hidden under the bar.

They also typically showcase a 10-year-old

library release. And, just for fun, if they have

any of their Ros left over from the previous

summer you ca

nor cal edition - february 13, 2009

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