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.