Courtney Cochran: April 2010 Archives

By Courtney Cochran

Situated in the self-proclaimed "Funk Zone" of downtown Santa Barbara, winery-to-watch Municipal Wineries is the eleventh winery to join the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, an eclectic affiliation of producers in possession of tasting rooms downtown.  Thanks to this new, vinous urban enclave, you can now hone your swirling and sipping skills between working on your tan and working out your MasterCard in this sun splashed tourist mecca.

By Courtney Cochran

You'll be hard pressed to find a more fitting place in Wine Country to fête Earth Day than Green Valley.  Here, at bubbly hot spot Iron Horse Vineyards, a handful of eco-abiding Russian River wineries will turn their enviro-consciousness westward come April 18 as they highlight ocean conservation. To wit, this year's event, dubbed Green Valley Goes Blue, promises a sweet lineup of ocean-inspired fare and fanfare, from Hog Island oysters to a fish taco truck to a speaker who's logged time as a National Geographic underwater explorer.

By Courtney Cochran

Another smart wine event is coming your way this weekend in the San Francisco Vintners Market, a wine-tasting-and-shopping event modeled on farmers' markets.  Offering wines from some 200 "local" wineries (think Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, as well as select imports), the tasting is being touted as the first-ever of its kind in that attendees will be able to purchase any wine they like on the spot.

By Courtney Cochran

Ever wonder what wines made just near the San Francisco Bay taste like?  If you have, your chance to find out is here:  the East Bay Vintners' Alliance - a group of 20 wineries who call San Francisco's East Bay home - will open their doors this Saturday, April 10 for the third annual "Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail" event.  Taking place in seven locations in Emeryville, Oakland and Alameda, the event promises to give attendees a broad sampling of wines made locally, and features some locations not open to the public any other time during the year.