Activities: February 2009 Archives

By Courtney Cochran

I've always thought Cakebread's long-running annual Photo Contest is a simple but fun and absolutely effective way to engender brand loyalty among its customers. And so when I heard that the Rutherford winery would be offering a photography workshop with standout shutterbug Andy Katz followed by lunch this weekend, it struck me as a logical - and compelling - extension of the winery's branding initiatives.

By Christopher Nevin Johnston

Looking for a good reason to hit the road and relax for a few days?  Well, look no more.  Every spring the Sonoma International Film Festival draws more than 17,000 visitors to the historic Sonoma City Plaza--located roughly 45 miles northeast of San Francisco--for an extended weekend of laid-back film, food, wine, art and music.

Akin to the more scenic film festival locations like Park City or Santa Barbara, Sonoma has all of the natural beauty of its sister fests but--and here's the kicker--is actually an affordable pleasure experience that won't leave you with a bad case of spender's remorse.  From now until February 28th all passes are on sale for 20% off the regular price.  So, if you purchased a basic Festival Pass (valued at $225) you could attend all the regular screenings and panels for only $180!  Let's see the Sundance Kid offer you a better deal....And if your pockets run a little deeper and you would like a more tailored festival experience, Platinum and Premiere Passes will ensure a hobnobbing good time without a bail-out from the Feds.

By Robert Farmer

The trip from San Francisco to California's Wine Country is a quick one. But for several months in my life it might as well have been half way around the globe. The addition to our family of a baby--our beautiful daughter--had countless positive effects. However, there was one drawback. It turned the Golden Gate Bridge, over which we previously had skipped so effortlessly into Wine Country into a Bridge Too Far.

For several months on end, not only did we not make one of our favorite day trips or easy weekend getaways, we scarcely even let the prospect enter our minds.  So recently when we had occasion to try it again--owing mostly to being forced out of our house to make way for some minor construction--we weren't quite sure what to expect.

By Robert Farmer

Like most things, romance is a matter of personal taste. One person's dozen long-stem roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates is another person's all-access pit pass to a weekend of NASCAR championships - for two, of course. So when it comes to romance in wine country--on most people's minds this time of year--you'll find as much subjectivity as achingly beautiful garden paths down which to stroll in hand-holding bliss.

By Courtney Cochran

I know it sounds clichéd: guy meets girl, guy decides he likes girl, guy decides to whisk girl away for an über romantic weekend in - surprise!! - wine country.

Ok, so jetting off to wine country isn't the most original idea to occur to love-struck gents (and lasses) with romance on the brain.

Now that we've got that out there, I'd like to remind everyone of two very important supporting pieces of information: a) wine country, no matter how many times you've been, is simply one of the most romantic places on earth, and b) there are about as many romantic spots and activities in wine country as there are wineries in Napa Valley (a lot!), which means you can make your trip - and your romance - seem new every time you go.