Wine: January 2011 Archives

February

February 12 -- River Road Wine Trail: Valentine's Passport
Wine Education: This is a great opportunity for wine lovers to visit Monterey Wine Country and enjoy the vintages and ambiance of these artisan vintners. Eleven wineries will open their doors for this Valentine's Passport. They will feature rare vintages, music, food and celebration all things amour. As a Passport-carrying V.I.P., guests will receive a souvenir glass, a special gift, entry into a grand drawing, and special discounts. Monterey CA
Fee: $20 Advance/$25 After Feb 1 Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 386.0316

February 12 -- Red Wine & Chocolates at Château Julien
Celebration: The perfect pair! Enjoy a sumptuous selection of chocolates to complement Chateau Julien red wines including Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, La Conviviance & Black Nova throughout the weekend. Château Julien Wine Estate, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel CA
Fee: $7/$4 Wine Club Members Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number:(831) 624.2600

February 27 -- Steinbeck's Birthday Celebration
Celebration: Steinbeck Birthday Celebration is in recognition of John Steinbeck and the inspiration he continues to provide through his legacy. For Monterey County residents, museum admission and all of the Birthday Celebration activities are free. For all others, the activities are included in the general museum admission price. National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas CA
Fee: FreeTime: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 775.4721

Let's hope the snow has stopped long enough for visitors to attend the annual Chili Cook-Off. What better to warm up then with a big bowl of piping hot chili! Visit Central Virginia's wineries: Cooper, Grayhaven, James River and Lake Anna on January 29-30th, 2011. Sample chili at each winery and vote for your favorite one.  Passport tickets are only $10 and include a souvenir wineglass, tasting at the four Virginia wineries and a chance to win amazing prizes upon completing the trail.

BUY TICKETS

*Can't make the event in January? Virginia Wine Lover - shares their favorite chili recipe HERE.

More Upcoming Virginia Events in February:

The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance will host its January Wines of the World event Thursday, Jan. 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Murphys Historic Hotel. Guest presenter is Matt Hatcher, owner of Hatcher Winery, who will pour a number of Sierra Foothill Barbera wines. According to Hatcher, "The reputation of the Sierra Foothill Barbera is growing quickly, and guests at the event will find out what others have discovered - that Sierra Foothill Barberas are truly among our finest red wines."

Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy. It produces good yields and is known for its deep color, low tannins and robust fruit flavors of cherry, red and blackberry. Outside of Italy, Barbera is rarely found in Europe except for small plantings in Greece, Romania, and Slovenia. However, in California, Barbera is one of the most successful of the Piemontese (the area in Italy most Barbera grows) grapes to be adapted in the state with more than 8,000 acres of plantings.

Eight artistic interludes in Wine Country.

by Sarah Sung

Wine enjoyment and art appreciation have always seemed like close cousins. However, there are some wineries, tasting rooms, and galleries throughout Wine Country that are taking this connection to the next level. New exhibits are opening throughout the region, making sure your next "tasting" experience is multi-sensory.

In Living Color
Gallery Meets Tasting Room at Ma(i)sonry

This historic 1904 stone manor is one of only two buildings in Yountville listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The gallery within displays art and artifacts from as far back as the 16th century. "It's as if you have just walked into someone's home, and you are both immediately comfortable and yet immediately intrigued by all that is going on around you," owner Michael Polenske says. "Ma(i)sonry is in every way a celebration of life's aesthetics. Every collection onsite has been created by the hand of an artist, artisan, or designer, and, of course, that includes the wine."

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