31st Annual Barrel Tasting in Sonoma this March

Come ye, come ye! It's that time of year for the 31st Annual Barrel Tasting in Sonoma County. It's not too late to get your tickets. This event goes on for 2 weekends! The dates are March 7 & 8, and March 14 & 15. 11:00-4:00 each day. The cost is $20.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door. No children are allowed, even babies. You will receive a wine glass and a map of all the wineries that are having their barrel tasting. Barrel Tasting is not a food or themed event. It's all about the WINE...it's a great way to taste the wine that is usually already blended and is waiting for its time to be bottled. If you like what you taste then I'm sure the winery will sell you futures to pick up when they are ready. This could be as long as 12 - 18 months. Many wines are so limited; buying futures is your only chance to purchase them. This is a nice casual event, usually taking place in the cellar of the winery or just outside, so dress in layers. The winemaker and/or owners should be there, so it's a perfect time to ask all those questions you've been wondering about.

This time of year, up in Sonoma it is so beautiful it's almost indescribable. If you can imagine, beautiful rolling hills with fresh green grass, vineyards, fruit trees, cows, farms and wineries. The apple trees should have just started to blossom beautiful white flowers, sometime pink. Then you have the vineyards where the rows are intertwined with the vivid yellow mustard flower. You might see an occasional baby lamb or colt. It is just a fantastic time to go to the wineries. Go with friends, and explore the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. Check the listing as some of the wineries are only going to be tasting the first weekend and some are going to be open on Friday in addition to Saturday and Sunday.

Wine Tasting in the Winter

Yes it is February. We are in the middle of winter and as it turns out it's a perfect time to go wine tasting in California. Everywhere the hills are green, the mustard is starting to blossom and the vines are thinking of popping their buds. The temperatures vary depending on where in California you go, but in general there is only going to be a 20 degree difference, if that, from Temecula in the south to Anderson Valley in the north. The highs for the day can reach the 60's but you should plan on it being more like the 50's. The morning will be freezing, literally. Whether it's raining or a beautifully clear blue-sky day, the wineries will welcome you with open arms. Always, if you go on a weekday Monday - Thursday it will be very quiet and you might even have to call some of the wineries to ask them to open up for you. This is very nice though, you can get one-on-one with the winemaker or owner. You will learn all that you want to learn about wine and the winemaking process. Fridays - Sunday will be a bit more crowded, not too bad, but more wineries will be open. I hear that a lot of the winemakers like to come and pour on Fridays just to have a change in pace. Don't forget to try some of the regions that aren't off the beaten path such as, Temecula near San Diego, and the Gold Country which has over three different counties. In the Bay Area, try Livermore, Santa Cruz Mountains and the Anderson Valley, Mendocino Coast. All these areas are fairly touristy in the summer and fall. There all have great restaurants, bed and breakfasts and wonderful hikes in each area. Go to ViciVino.com for a listing of the regions and the resources in each region. Let me know where you went and how much fun you had.