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Contact: Gladys Horiuchi |
VISIT US AT:
www.discovercaliforniawine.com
SAN FRANCISCO – From wine festivals and meet-the-winemaker dinners to wine and food tastings, harvest parties and winery concerts, there are plenty of things to do in wine country during California Wine Month, which kicks off September 1, 2009. Throughout the month, California wineries, along with retailers and restaurants across the country, will offer wine consumers a wide variety of ways to learn about and enjoy California wines from diverse regions throughout the state. Visitors can find special winery events at Wine Institute’s consumer web site, www.discovercaliforniawine.com, where wineries can also be searched by region, variety produced and by dozens of amenities, complete with maps and driving directions.
September has been declared California Wine Month by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for the fifth consecutive year. His proclamation recognizes how the state’s 2,800 wineries and 4,600 winegrape growers contribute to tourism, provide countless jobs for Californians, serve their communities and promote socially and environmentally responsible farming practices.
In addition to winery events celebrating California Wine Month, consumers can enjoy exciting wine dinners on the evening of Tuesday, September 15 in New York City, featuring vintners and growers from eight different California wine regions presenting great wine and food at three highly-regarded Danny Meyer restaurants: The Modern restaurant will present Napa Valley, Mendocino, Amador and Lodi; Eleven Madison Park will highlight Sonoma and Santa Barbara; and Tabla restaurant will showcase Paso Robles and Monterey. This is a unique opportunity for guests to meet and mingle with vintners from Wine Institute and growers from the California Association of Winegrape Growers, which is supporting the promotion. For New York event details, see: www.discovercaliforniawine.com/learn/california-wine-month.
For consumers looking for excursions in California, touring California wine country in fall can be a great way to take a mini-vacation. Many wine regions are within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas, but the laid-back atmosphere of wine country is a world away.
Harvest in California’s wine regions, typically from mid-August through October, bursts with vibrant gold and crimson colors, mingled with aromas of ripening fruit and crushed grapes. Visitors can witness grapegrowers, winemakers and cellar workers ushering in the year’s crop. The annual California crush is a once-a-year opportunity. These fall scenes of activity occur in 48 of California’s 58 counties where winegrapes are grown.
The opportunity to watch harvesters and smell the fresh grapes as they are crushed at the winery is what draws many people to California wine country this time of year. And many of the events — both those held at individual vineyards and those that involve multiple wineries — are designed to give consumers a personal and engaging wine experience.
California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and Golden State wineries produce 90 percent of all U.S. wine. California Wine Month is an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy California wines, which lead the world in socially and environmentally responsible farming practices. Each year, nearly 20 million tourists visit wine regions throughout the state to explore and enjoy the wines, the cuisine and cultural offerings of California's signature industry.
SEPTEMBER WINE EVENTS
California Dreamin' at Groth Winery
Complimentary tasting
Napa, Everyday in September
info@grothwines.com, 707-754-4254
www.grothwines.com
Wines & Sunset in Paradise
Picnic during sunset at Paradise Ridge
Sonoma County, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
info@prwinery.com, 707-528-9463
www.prwinery.com
Edible Extravaganza 2009
Wine and food charity event with music
Livermore, Sept. 3
mcardoza@centerforhumanservices.org, 209-526-1476
www.centerforhumanservices.org
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Wine auction, food and festivities with Sonoma County wineries.
Sonoma County, Sept. 4, 5 and 6
info@sonomavalleywine.com, 707-935-0803
www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com
Endless Summer at Edna Valley Vineyard
San Luis Obispo, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25
EVVinfo@ednavalley.com, 805-544-5855
www.ednavalleyvineyard.com
38th Annual Millbrae Art & Wine Festival
San Francisco Bay Area, Sept. 5
chamber@millbrae.com, 650-697-7324
www.miramarevents.com/millbrae/about-show.html
17th Annual Sonoma Wine Country Weekend -
Harvest Wine Auction
Sonoma County, Sept. 6
info@sonomavalleywine.com, 707-935-0803
www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com
21st Annual Alpen Wine Festival
Wine tasting and live jazz with 40 Nevada County vineyards
Sept. 6. info@quadywinery.com, 800-403-0206
www.squaw.com/21st-annual-alpen-wine-festival
28th Annual Livermore Valley Harvest Wine Celebration
Forty Livermore Valley wineries, with live music, art and food.
Sept. 6-7 abranton@lvwin.org, 925-447-9463
www.LVwine.org
Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series – Hall & Oates
Sonoma, Sept. 7
alisa@rodneystrong.com, 707-433-0925
www.omegaevents.com/rodneystrong
Fusion Fridays at Borra Vineyards
Complimentary appetizers. Lodi, Sept. 11
christine@borravineyards.com, 209-368-2446
www.borravineyards.com
Hwy 46 West Block Party - Pomar Junction Vineyard
Wine, food and live classic rock music
Paso Robles, Sept. 11
info@pomarjunction.com, 805-238-9940
www.pomarjunction.com
Winesong! at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Wine auction and tasting, gourmet food, music
in the Botanical gardens. Mendocino, Sept. 11 and 12
winesong@msn.com, 707-961-4909
www.winesong.org
53rd Wine & Food Tasting at Paicines Ranch
Monterey, Sept. 12
donateinfo@kinshipcenter.org, 831-634-0238
www.kinshipcenter.org/about-kinship-center/news-and-events.html
2009 Grape Affair
Taste wines from 14 Nevada County wineries. Sept. 12
sierrastarr@sbcglobal.net, 866-355-WINE
www.nswinecountry.com
Rootstock: Concert in the Vines
BBQ and Wine from Scheid Vineyards Greenfield Estate Winery.
Monterey, Sept. 12, kimd@scheidvineyards.com, 831-386-0316
www.scheidvineyards.com/tastingroom/calendarframeset.htm
Alderbrook Winery Harvest BBQ
Sonoma, Sept. 12
oppermanl@alderbrook.com, 800-405-5987
www.alderbrook.com
Merryvale Vineyards ‘Oakville’ Barrel Tasting
Napa, Sept.12
profileclub@merryvale.com, 707-968-3414
www.merryvale.com
Winemaker Dinner with Randall Grahm--
Blue Moon Organica
Santa Cruz Mountains, Sept. 12
tastingroom@bonnydoonvineyard.com, 831-425-4518
www.bonnydoonvineyard.com
Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard Walk
Santa Maria, Sept. 12
info@smvwines.com, 866-480-5194
www.smvwimes.com
Thousand Flowers New Release Tasting
Food pairing with Thousand Flowers wine. Sonoma, Sept. 13
emilytaibl@comcast.net, 206-228-8611
www.hopkilnwinery.com
The Modern (Museum of Modern Art Wine Dinner, NYC)
September 15, 7:00 p.m.
The wines of Napa Valley, Mendocino, Amador County and Lodi
Four-course dinner and eight wines
$150 per person. Reservations: 212-408-6645
Eleven Madison Park (Wine Dinner, NYC)
September 15, 7:00 p.m.
The wines of Sonoma County and Santa Barbara
Three-course dinner and eight wines
$130 per person. Reservations: 646-747-2583
Tabla (Wine Dinner, NYC)
September 15, 7:30 p.m.
The wines of Paso Robles and Monterey
Three-course dinner and eight wines
$110 per person. Reservations: 212-889-0667
Eberle Winery Winemaker Dinner in the Caves
Paso Robles, Sept. 16
dinner@eberlewinery.com, 805-238-9607
www.eberlewinery.com
Summer Sunset Jam Session at Pear Valley Vineyard
Paso Robles, Sept. 17
kwells@pearvalley.com, 805-237-2861
www.pearvalley.com
23rd Annual Wine Country Film Festival
Sonoma and Napa County, Sept. 17-20 & Sept. 24-27
wcfilmfest@aol.com, 707-935-3456
www.winecountryfilmfest.com
23rd Annual Dinner with the Winemaker Series with
Robert Mondavi Winery
Bodega Bay, Sept. 18
reservations@innatthetides.com, 800-541-7788
www.innatthetides.com
Friday Night Wine Down with Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard
Santa Maria, Sept. 18
xlntpno@earthlink.net, 805-973-9063
www.cottonwoodcanyon.com
Chumeia Vineyards Wine and Appetizer Cruise
Paso Robles, Sept. 18
wineconcierge@chumeiavineyards.com, 805-226-0102
www.chumeiavineyards.com
1st Annual Cigar Conference West:
Wine Dinner at Robert Hall Winery
Paso Robles, Sept. 18
events@roberthallwinery.com, 805.239.1616
www.roberthallwinery.com
Eco-Tour Harvest Hike with Jeff Kunde, Kunde Vineyards
Sonoma, Sept. 19
wineinfo@kunde.com, 707-833-5501
www.kunde.com
Merryvale Vineyards Harvest Dinner Celebration
Napa, Sept. 19
profileclub@merryvale.com, 707-968-3414
www.merryvale.com
ZinTopia - Discover Harvest in Dry Creek Valley
Tasting of 50 wines, with live blues music, food,
grape stomp and artisan market. Sonoma, Sept. 19.
drycreekvalleyevents@wdcv.com, 707-433-3031
www.wdcv.com
3rd Annual Perry Creek Cobra Release Party
El Dorado, Sept. 19
wines@perrycreek.com, 530-620-5175
www.perrycreek.com
Lake County Wine Auction
Twenty Lake County wineries, 17 restaurants, Sept. 19
wshock@mchsi.com, 707-263-7575
www.winealliance.org
Taste of the Central Coast
Wine and food tasting, live jazz. San Luis Obispo, Sept. 20
jreynolds@fcni.org, 805-706-0569
www.tasteofthecentralcoast.com
Sonoma County Grape Camp
Harvest experience. Sonoma, Sept. 21-23
larry.levine@sonomawinegrape.org, 707-522-5863
www.sonomagrapecamp.com
Third Thursday at Charbay
Napa, Sept. 24
visit@charbay.com, 707-963-9327 x. 23
www.charbay.com
Release Party at Bonny Doon Vineyard
Santa Cruz Mountains, Sept. 24
esotrica@bonnydoonvineyard.com, 831-425-4518
www.bonnydoonvineyard.com
23rd Annual Dinner with the Winemaker Series with
Kosta Browne Winery
Bodega Bay, Sept. 25
reservations@innatthetides.com, 800-541-7788
www.innatthetides.com
Robert Hall Winery’s Sunset Concert with Adam Crowe
Paso Robles, Sept. 25
events@roberthallwinery.com, 805-239-1616
www.roberthallwinery.com
Chateau Julien Harvest Wine Seminar
Monterey, Sept. 25
khorton@chateaujulien.com, 831-624-2600
www.chateaujulien.com
Crush Party at Gainey Vineyard
Santa Barbara County, Sept. 26
info@gaineyvineyard.com, 805-688-0558
www.gaineyvineyard.com
4th Annual Corralitos Wine Festival --
Pleasant Valley Vineyards
Aptos, Sept. 26
chandley@pvwines.com, 831-685-6680
www.carrolitoswinetrail.com
Taste of Lodi
Wine and food with Lodi wineries, Sept. 27
info@visitlodi.com, 800-798-1810
www.tasteoflodi.com
Opera in the Vineyard at Vina Robles
Paso Robles, Sept. 27
m.laderriere@vinarobles.com, 805-227-4812
www.vinarobles.com
Lounge Anniversary Party at Scheid Vineyards
Monterey County, September 27
kimd@scheidvineyards.com, 831-455-9990
www.scheidvineyards.com/tastingroom/calendarframeset.htm
Fenestra Winery Harvest Wine Tasting
Livermore Valley, Sept. 27-28
info@fenestrawinery.com, 925-447-5246
www.fenestrawinery.com
