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by Courtney Cochran

From Major Leaguers to major religious leaders, celebrities of all stripes are catching the wine bug these days, lending their names and likenesses to bottles, participating in the promotion of the wines and sometimes even cuing up the blends themselves.  And while celebrity wines are hardly a new phenomenon, the most recent influx of offerings brings with it a surprisingly diverse mix of celebs, not to mention a fascinating blend of prices, styles and blends to boot.

Mafia Maven
Lorraine Bracco - who played psychiatrist Dr. Melfi to Tony Soprano's brooding mafia head on the hit HBO series, The Sopranos - has released her own line of Italian wines, reportedly inspired by the ten years she spent living in France during her early career as a model. Made possible by a collaboration with importer Maison Jomère, the celeb's lineup of eight wines sell under the Bracco Wines (braccowines.com) label and include a Pinot Grigio, Primitivo, Amarone, Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino.

It's a nice feeling to be welcomed in for a complimentary taste to savor a winery's best. Like fine art or local artists is for art lovers so is wine and the family winemakers for wine lovers. When we find one that resonates with our soul, it is hard not spend the money anyway. Here are some wineries who offer an open door and a free taste: 

Planning a girl's getaway or better yet a bachelorette bash? A surreal escape to wine country is the perfect answer.  Days filled with spa time, fabulous food and of course... wine tasting.  Some wineries fit the bill better for a celebration, either with their bubbly wines, large outdoor terraces or group inviting atmosphere. WineCountry.com recommends the following wine tasting rooms for your celebratory weekend:

Spring can only mean one thing in wine country, new releases!   The event schedule is heating up and there is no better way to experience most all the wines within a region than through a special tasting.   Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the road for some key tasting adventures throughout wine country this Spring.  

1. Napa Valley Mustard Festival: Celebrate the beautiful mustard season in Napa Valley. Taste artisan made mustards, specialty foods and Napa wines at The Marketplace, the Napa Valley Mustard Festival's Signature Event, at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Get tickets online now for the weekend's events, March 17-18. Need a place to stay for the weekend? Check out the luxurious Exclusive Experience package with Vintage Inn, just down the road in Yountville.

Springtime weather is sublime, grape buds breaking, gentle breezes blowing and the mild sun shining.  It's time to get outdoors to enjoy this natural setting and an afternoon of gourmet goodies on the grounds of a beautiful winery. Whether for a full picnic or a little cheese and wine, WineCountry.com recommends spending an afternoon at these wineries.  

Daydreaming of warmer weather, sunny skies and tasting the new releases of Spring? Wine releases that is! Imagine indulging in the new red and white vintages, touring through budding vineyards, driving over sun drenched hillsides, taking in coastal views and feasting on fresh seasonal menus. WineCountry.com recommends these unique limited-time escapes for your adult Spring Break.

by Courtney Cochran

Here at WineCountry.com, we heart wine country romance, no doubt about it. So whether your idea of the perfect recipe for romance among the vines involves whale watching in Mendocino, tucking into a feast of truffles in Healdsburg or taking tango lessons in Temecula, we've got you covered, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Much Ado About Matching

Master of Wine Peter Marks will conduct a tasting of Valentine's-appropriate wines paired with chocolates at San Francisco's swank wine destination, Cellar360 (cellar360.com ), on February 16th. Wines to be tasted include a pink sparkler from Down Under, a Zin and several sweet wines, all of which will be matched up with cocoa-themed nibbles prepared by Cellar360 Culinary Specialist Kasey Passen. Tickets run $45 apiece, and space is limited.

by Courtney Cochran

Given the surge of interest in so-called adventure tourism, it's no surprise that extreme activities have finally made their way to wine country. From mellow outings like deep-sea fishing and balloon rides to truly adrenaline-pumping options like skydiving and trapeze training, the options themselves are as varied as the highs they inspire.

by Courtney Cochran

As the year winds to a close, many of us find ourselves anticipating what lies ahead in '08: the election of this nation's 44th president, Beijing's hosting of the 29th Olympic Games, and - we hope - the wine world's continued waning of interest in White Zin. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's take a moment to reflect on the top wine news stories of 2007.

Golden State Sparklers Give Us Lots to Toast.

by Courtney Cochran

With all the fuss made over Champagne it's easy to overlook California's many outstanding sparkling wines.  That's right - our very own Golden State boasts numerous cool coastal microclimates ideally suited to bubbly production, enabling a handful of producers to make world-class sparklers that rival their French counterparts, right here in our own backyard. 

Read on for the 411 on some of the state's top bubbly producers, so you can enjoy the spoils of fabulous sparklers, without booking a trans-Atlantic flight..

These spots serve up unique alternatives to the typical tasting experience.

by Courtney Cochran

Why just sniff and swirl when you can stomp, tour, and take in some art, too? In an effort to offer visitors more than the run-of-the-mill tasting room experience, many wineries are serving up unique alternatives. Read on for the details on how you can take a high-altitude jeep tour, commandeer your very own bocce ball court, or even stomp some grapes during crush.

Because cookie cutter visits are so last year.