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Sonoma gearing up for busy six months
Posted by Paul Kandarian
December 27, 2013 09:33 AM
Sonoma County,
one of the top wine destinations in the world, is gearing up for a variety of
events through June, including a restaurant week, barrel tastings and
festivals.
The 22nd
AnnualWinter WINEland runs Jan. 18 and 19, with more than 100 wineries
throughout the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys participating.
Tickets start at $35 and for more information visit www.wineroad.com
The 36th
Annual Barrel Tasting, an event dedicated solely to wine (attendees are
encouraged to pack a picnic, there will be no food), runs Feb. 28-March 2, and
March 7-9. The event offers consumers barrel tastings, and then have them back
when the wine is bottled, typically 12 to 18 months later. Many are made in
limited quantity, so buying futures is the only way to buy them. For info,
visit www.wineroad.com/events/barrel_tasting/8
There will be
food, and plenty of it, at the Fifth Annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week March
10-16, a celebration of farm-fresh food that fuels area restaurants. Rates
start at $19 per person for a three-course dinner. Check it out at www.sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org
There will be
24 wineries at the “Savor Sonoma Valley” event March 15 and 16, which showcases
2013 vintage wines straight from the barrels, as well as new release samples
and wines paired with food from local chefs. Tickets start at $10, and for more
information visit www.heartofsonomavalley.com/products/2014-savor-sonoma-valley
From March
21-23, the Californian’s Artisan Cheese Festival runs, with cheese tastings,
chef demos, and educational sessions, all taking place in Petaluma. For info,
visit www.artisancheesefestival.com
If you like
wine with your movies, check out the Sonoma International Film Festival April
2-6, where more than 90 films will air paired with food and wine. All are
screened in venues near Sonoma’s historic plaza, with tickets starting at $130
in advance for the Cinema Pass, giving access to all screenings and panel
discussions. Visit www.sonomafilmfest.org
Out in the
Vineyards hosts the Fourth Annual Gay Wine Weekend June 13-15, with
wine-tasting excursions, music, dancing, VIP receptions, passport wine tasting,
champagne brunches, wine auctions and a twilight dance that benefits Face to
Face, Sonoma County’s AIDS network. MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa is host
hotel and offers special rates starting at $249. For information, visit www.outinthevineyard.com
Broadway Under
the Stars runs June 27 and 29, and July 2-5, with a performance of “One
Singular Sensation,” with Broadway production numbers and more. Tickets start
at $42, and pre-show picnicking begins at 5:30 and the show at 7. For info,
visit www.transcendencetheatre.org
For all
information about Sonoma County, including where to stay, visit www.sonomacounty.com
contributors
- Anne Fitzgerald, Globe Travel Editor
- Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor
- Eric Wilbur, Boston.com staff
- Kari Bodnarchuk writes about outdoor adventures, offbeat places, and New England.
- Patricia Borns, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs travel, maritime, and historical narratives as well as blogs and books.
- Patricia Harris, a regular contributor to Globe Travel, is author or co-author of more than 20 books on travel, food, and popular culture.
- Paul E. Kandarian, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs New England and Caribbean stories.
- Chris Klein is a regular contributor to Globe Travel. His latest book is "The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston."
- David Lyon, a regular contributor to Globe Travel, is author or co-author of more than 20 books on travel, food, and popular culture.
- Hilary Nangle, author of Moon Maine, Moon Coastal Maine, and Moon Acadia National Park, writes about soft adventure, skiing, cultural travel, and food.
- Joe Ray, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs food and travel stories from Europe.
- Necee Regis is a regular contributor to Globe Travel.