Pinot Events

Carneros Heritage Fest

The 3rd Annual Carneros Heritage Fest will be held on May 31 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Donum Estate, 24520 Ramal Road in Sonoma, Carneros. The Fest will feature a Carneros Lamb BBQ, tasting of Carneros Wine Alliance Member wines, a young chef competition, musical entertainment, sheepherding and falconry demonstrations, vineyard tours, and sustainable agriculture exhibits. Participating wineries include: Acacia, Artesa, Bouchaine, Buena Vista Carneros, Ceja Vineyards, Clos Du Val. Cuvaison Estate Wines, Etude, Gloria Ferrar Caves and Vineyards, Havens Wine Cellars, Madonna Estate, MacRostie Winery, Merryvale Vineyards, Nicholson Ranch, Patz & Hall, Ravenswood, Donum/ Robert Stemmler, Saintsbury, Schug Carneros Estate Wines, Talisman Wines, and Toad Hall Cellars. Tickets are $75 per person and are available from the Carneros Wine Alliance website, www.carnerosheritagefest.com.

Feast of Devil’s Gulch

This event on May 24 is a fundraiser for Papermill Creek Children’s Corner and is limited to 20 people. Double Delight is the theme with 2004 Devil’s Gulch Marin Pinot Noir from both Sean Thackrey and Dutton-Goldfield, 2005 Merlot from both Mt. Tamalpais Vineyards and Stubbs Vineyards, and Marin Riesling from both Pey-Marin Vineyards and Willowbrook Cellars. A multi-course dinner will feature meats and produce from Devil’s Gulch Ranch prepared by Daniel and Margaret from Manka’s Restaurant in Inverness. For tickets, contact Mark at 707-953-0923 or mark@devilsgulchranch.com.

Marin County Pinot Noir Celebration

The 4th Annual Marin County Pinot Noir Celebration, a benefit for the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), will be held at the historic Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, on Saturday, June 14, 2008, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. Local artisan foods will be served and Marin County wines will be featured. Wineries participating include Corda Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Kendric Vineyards, Orogeny Winery, Pey-Marin Vineyards, Sean Thackrey, Stubbs Vineyard, Thomas Fogerty, Vergari, Vision Cellars and Willowbrook. Tickets are $50 and include valet parking. For tickets, phone 707- 953-0923 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Sta. Rita Hills Open House Weekend The Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance will be holding an Open House June 21 and 22. The weekend will include Saturday morning vineyard walks, Open Houses at wineries on Saturday with an emphasis on the 2007 vintage, and a Gala Reception at the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard from 4:00-6:00 PM on Saturday where members of the Alliance will be pouring their latest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay releases. Winerower Dinners at Clos Pepe Estate and Pali Wine Co. will be offered Saturday night. On Sunday, there will be additional Open Houses at wineries focusing on library wines and current releases. The legendary Fiddlefest will be on Sunday as well at Fiddlestix Vineyard (for tickets to this event, visit www.fiddleheadcellars.com). A two-day passport is $75 per person. Visit www.staritahills.com.