As we head into summer, it’s time for lots of great events happening all over wine country. Here’s a brief listing of what’s going on.
I love the Santa Cruz Mountains wine country, which is between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. It’s a beautiful and diverse region, with small wineries producing really great wine. You can try many of the region’s wines at two upcoming events.
Bonnets & Blooms, Saturday, May 21, 3-6 pm. The Saratoga Village Wine Stroll is an event tailor-made for Wine Fashionistas. Put on your biggest, floppiest hat and taste wine as you stroll this charming town. Shops and restaurants will be hosting Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, and there will be gourmet food, music and art along the way.
The Santa Cruz Mountains Vintners’ Festival. This annual event runs over two weekends. The first weekend is the southern part of the appellation, and the second weekend is the central and northern areas. Many wineries not open to the public host open houses, and all wineries are pouring something special. You’ll also find restaurants hosting several wineries under one roof. This is a great time to try the wines while meeting the winemakers; some locations will have live entertainment and food. There’s a total of 38 locations with 42 wineries participating in the event. I’ve already got my route planned out for each weekend.
Auction Napa Valley. This is the wine event of the year. Tickets are already sold out, but you should keep an eye out for news from the auction floor. Some say how high the bids go is a barometer of the economy. The Auction takes place June 2-5. Wineries host parties and dinners, and the main event takes place at Meadowood Napa Valley. If you plan to go to Napa that weekend, be aware the valley will be extra crowded.
