Pinot Noir Events

The Carneros Heritage Fest takes place on June 1 and 2. Hosted by the Carneros Wine Alliance and co-hosted by The Donum Estate and Buena Vista Carneros, the Fest features a weekend of activities showcasing the Carneros region’s acclaimed wines, exceptional cuisine, unique history, and rustic environs.

On Friday, June 1 there are intimate multi-course dinners hosted by renowned wineries and restaurants throughout the region. Artisan lamb dishes will be paired with Carneros wines . The dinners this year are: Acacia and Beaulieu Vineyards at Acacia Winery, Buena Vista Carneros at The Carneros Inn, Ceja Vineyards at Sienna Restaurant/Meritage Hotel (Napa), Etude Wines at Carneros Bistro/Lodge at Sonoma, Gloria Ferrer partnering with Sabor of Spain at Gloria Ferrer, MacRostie Winery partnering with Harvest Moon Café at Harvest Moon and Schug Carneros Estate at The General’s Daughter. Cost is $120 per person.

On Saturday, June 2 there will be the first-ever “Taste of Carneros” lamb cook-off that will test the culinary talents of 12 local chefs in a competition to create the region’s most tantalizing lamb recipes. Chefs will serve up bite-sized samples for ticket buyers and a panel of celebrity and media wine and food experts will judge the samples. Live music, entertainment, demonstrations of sheep herding and falconry, vineyard tours, and marsh and environmental activities and tours will also be featured. A “Picnic in the Pasture” at The Donum Estate will pair Carneros wines with a lamb barbecue. Tickets are a very reasonable $75 per person.

For information and to obtain tickets call 707-253-2678 or visit the Carneros Wine Alliance website at www.carneros.com. Proceeds from the Fest will support Vineyard Worker Services programs in Napa and Sonoma counties and Napa and Sonoma Farm Bureau “Ag in the Classroom” programs.

The 10th Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will be held May 18 to May 20. Friday, May 18 there is a day-long Technical Conference focused on the growing and making of Pinot Noir in vineyards and wineries on the Pacific Coast. Many winemakers and growers will present their views. Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, will speak as well. Tickets are $100. After the Conference there is a barbecue at Navarro Vineyards ($45). The Grand Tasting of Anderson Valley wines is on Saturday, May 19 under the big tent at Goldeneye Winery in Philo. 34 wineries will be pouring. A silent auction will be held to benefit local Anderson Valley charities. Tickets are $85. Saturday evening there are several Winemaker Dinners at notable Mendocino restaurants. Examples are: Navarro Vineyards and Philo Ridge Vineyards at Little River Inn and Claudia Springs Winery, Goldeneye Winery, Harmonique Pinot Noir and Lazy Creek Vineyards at The Heritage House. Tickets are $150. Finally, if you are still eager, on Sunday, May 20, there are free open houses at host wineries throughout the Anderson Valley.

For information and tickets, phone 707-895-WINE or go online to www.avwines.com.