Spring is in the air, and it's nearly "bud break", when our sleeping grapevines awaken from their winter slumber.
While the grapevines were sleeping we've been hard at work and busier than ever. March 2012 is our busiest month on record, so thanks to all who chose to visit us during the off season!
Our new free wine tasting and discount pass is a bit hit! 122 Sonoma and Mendocino wineries are participating and guests just love it.
Now, for even better news, take advantage of this great midweek special. Stay three nights (Sunday-Thursday), and pay for two! This is a LIMITED OFFER! Only 30 of these special packages are available on a first come, first served basis, so don't wait. Book online now for the best room selection. Enter promo code threefortwo. FINE PRINT: Cannot be combined with other specials. New reservations only. May be used anytime throughout the year except September and October. No cancelation or change fee will apply with 14 days advance notice. Two nights lodging and transient occupancy tax of 9% will be charged at time of reservation.
And..... to whet your wine tasting appetite, here's but a snippet gleaned from Sonoma County's staggering calendar of events through June 2012.
April 14-- Pick of The Vine
Benefit, Auction: Thirty-five premier Sonoma County wineries pour their award winning wines, and many of the county’s finest purveyors of gourmet foods provide hors d’oeuvres and snacks, all accompanied by live music. Large live and silent auction of collectible and library wines, dinners, lodging, and much more. Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa
Fee: $60 Advance/$65 At the Door Time: 6pm-8:30pm Phone Number: 707-526-4108.
April 22-- Earth Day Fair
Festival: This event will celebrate the anniversary of Earth Day as well as inspire awareness and protection of our environment. All are invited to come downtown and enjoy food, music, eco-friendly crafts and activities for kids, volunteer opportunities, local vendors, and environmental organizations. Courthouse Square, Downtown Santa Rosa CA
Fee: Free Time: 11 p.m. - 3 p.m. Phone Number: 707-543-3200.
April 25 --Chef's of Tomorrow
The Sonoma County Lodging Association invites you to join us for the 13th Annual Wine Country Chefs of Tomorrow fundraiser at the beautiful Vintners Inn Event Center in Santa Rosa. This entertaining night of great food, local wines, silent and live auction raises funds for local high school culinary arts program. We are excited to announce this year’s guest speaker will be Chef Timothy Hollingsworth, Chef de Cuisine of French Laundry Restaurant. For info and tickets, go to
www.chefsoftomorow.org, or call 707-523-3728.
April 28 - 29-- Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Wine Education, Celebration: Passport to Dry Cry Valley is an annual event showcasing the wineries, vineyards and exceptional beauty of Dry Creek Valley. Creative entertainment, amazing food, unique wine. Fee: 2 Day Passport $120, Sunday Only $70 Time: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone Number: 707-433-3031.
May5-6 -- Hopland Passport (Mendocino event)
With sixteen participating wineries pouring their best wines, incredible food pairings at each stop, and opportunities to experience tours, art, and live music, Hopland is the place to be for wine lovers on May 5th and 6th. Fee: $45 online or $55 at the event, plus $20 for optional shuttle pass. Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets online at
www.destinationhopland.com
May6-- Historic Healdsburg Homes Tour
Historic: The Historic Healdsburg Homes Tour is a self-guided walking tour of some of the town’s most distinctive homes. Sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). All of the homes are within easy walking distance of the Central Plaza in Healdsburg.
Fee: $35 Advance/$40 Day of Tour Time: Check-in 11:30am-3pm/Tour 1pm-4:30pm Phone Number: 707-473-0313.
May 18 - 20-- Taste Alexander Valley
Celebration, Wine Education: Join us for the annual wine and food event hosted by Alexander Valley Winegrowers. The weekend kicks off Friday with an Opening Gala and Saturday and Sunday, over 35 wineries host parties throughout the Valley, each featuring wine, food, entertainment and discounts. Visit us online for tickets more information. Fee: $65 Advance/$75 Day of Event Time: 5:30pm Friday Gala/11am-4pm Sat-Sun Phone Number: 888-289-4637.
June 1 - 10 -- Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Live Music: The lineup features the stars and influences of Brazilian jazz, welcomes new names and faces, and throws the spotlight on local talent and living legends. As always, the best talent in jazz today plays in venues from winery tasting rooms to open-air greens, historic theaters to hotel lobbies. Call 707-433-4644 for tickets.
June 2 -- Beerfest - A Benefit for Face to Face
Festival: A microbrew and food tasting extravaganza! More than 45 of Northern California's finest microbreweries and lots of fantastic gourmet food. Ticket price includes all tastings and a souvenir glass! Live music! 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Fee: $45 in advance, $50 at the door Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call 707-544-1581.
June 2-3 & 9-10 -- Open Studios 2012
Art Education: The 18th annual Art at the Source Tour features 158 artists in over 75 studio locations, and the diversity includes painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, photographers, glass, wood and fiber artists. This free self-guided tour has something for everyone! To plan your tour, visit the Preview Exhibit at the Center for the Arts where each artist is represented or consult the catalog to choose artists and follow the map to their studios. 10am-5pm. For details, call 707-829-4797.
June 9 - 10 -- Russian River Passport Tasting
Wine Education: Up to 50 acclaimed wineries from the famous Russian River Valley will open their cellars for wine lovers in the Russian River Passport Tasting. Winery locations will also feature great food and/or entertainment for their guests.Fee: $65 Time: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone Number: 707-922-1096.
June 30-- All American Zin Day
Wine & Food Education: Enjoy Pizza at Amista from their new wood fired brick oven, a tradition of Tri-Tip Steak slices at Family Wineries Dry Creek, Mazzocco-Sonoma, our newest winery to AAZ day, serving Skirt Steak, Rued serving barbecued chicken wings, and how could we be without, sausages served up by Wilson Winery. Wineries of Dry Creek Valley. Fee: $25 Advance/$30 At the Door/$15 Designated Driver. Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: 888-433-6555 x1.
June 30-- Lobster Boil
Celebration: Eat, drink, and dance the afternoon away in our cellar! Watch the chefs roll all of the food onto the long tables and then put on your bibs and get crackin’! Listen to live Cajun music while eating fresh Maine lobster, shrimp, Andouille sausage and more, all while quenching your thirst with Quivira wine. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Fee: $125 Time: Noon to 3pm Phone Number: 707-431-8354 x224.
