Dedicated to wineries, wine and wine lovers .
We’ve all seen the adorable social media pics of couples at wine and paint nights, holding up their masterpieces and making cringe-worthy puns in the caption. Pinot’s Palette Alameda reached out to the Bliss and invited us to their one-year anniversary soiree—the perfect opportunity to surprise my boyfriend with a cliché date.
Eric Clapton sang, “After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang down”, when he was speaking of his favorite time for a party. For growers of the wine grape, however, “after midnight” is their favorite time for a harvest. Have you ever wondered why grape harvesting so often takes place at night?
Are you in the club? The wine club, that is. What’s that? You don’t know about wine clubs? Here’s what you should know about a great way to get closer to the wineries that you love.
The newest winery in Jamestown, California, is Inner Sanctum Cellars. Don’t be fooled by the size of the tasting room, this young winery makes a big statement with both the quality and the quantity of its wine list. We recently had a chance to revisit Inner Sanctum, and there was a lot to like!
The Harvest Wine Celebration in Livermore is the area’s premier wine event of the year. The first day is chock full of bands, food trucks and craft vendors. The second day typically has fewer special attractions, but also fewer attendees. For the truly dedicated, like us, attending both days doubles the fun. Here are some memories from day two:
Livermore’s Harvest Wine Celebration brings together many of the wineries in the Livermore Valley, with unique tasting flights, live music and special events. Two amazing days with over 30 wineries to explore. With so many options, we had to make some tough decisions. Here are some highlights from Day One of the Celebration!
Sipping lovely wine, munching on fire-roasted pizza while watching the sun set on the hillside covered in grapevines on a mild summer evening. What could be nicer? Well… how about a nice (and free!) concert to round out the night? That’s what happened when The Sextones came to Darcie Kent Vineyards.
It’s time to get excited! Livermore’s Harvest Wine Celebration is just around the corner. This event brings together many of the wineries in the Livermore Valley, with unique tasting flights, live music and special events. But like most major events, a bit of advanced planning can take the experience to a whole new level!
Good food, good wine, good exercise – all for a good cause! The 3rd annual Crush Challenge brings all of these elements together into one event in picturesque Napa Valley.
The quaint town of Jamestown, California, features antique shops, prospecting equipment stores, and of course, wine tasting rooms. While we enjoy browsing antiques and the prospecting equipment is intriguing, but nothing excites us quite like exploring the tasting rooms!
The highlight of the Livermore Valley wine scene is the annual Harvest Festival. This celebration of the crush season features special tastings, events and activities at dozens of area wineries on the Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend. Before the Festival, though, the crush season truly begins with a very special ceremony: the blessing of the grapes.
| Oct 01 |
Daou in Paso Robles Gatsby on Daou Mountain Don your most colorful Gatsby-era costume and join us for an enchanting evening on DAOU Mountain as we transport you back to the playful extravagance of the Roaring '20s. Enjoy the spectacular gastronomies of Chef Michael Sichel from the world-renown Galatoire's Restaurant of New Orleans who will prepare the most sumptuous appetizers, multiple courses and desserts paired with our finest DAOU Wines. It all begins with a procession of period-inspired performers and musical acts as you savor our award-winning varietals. After dinner, the magic continues with a speakeasy-style casino, dancing and fitting follies under the stars. $395 PP + Tax |
Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador Harvest is our favorite time of year! During the Big Crush Harvest Festival, Dobra Zemlja Winery is pulling out all the stops. Savory Hungarian Goulash, specials on your favorite wines, and the hot gypsy jazz of Jazz Gitan both Saturday and Sunday! Also, as a special treat, Milan has decided to release two new and long-awaited wines during the Big Crush, the 2014 Grenache and the 2014 Sangiovese. |
| Oct 02 |
Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador Harvest is our favorite time of year! During the Big Crush Harvest Festival, Dobra Zemlja Winery is pulling out all the stops. Savory Hungarian Goulash, specials on your favorite wines, and the hot gypsy jazz of Jazz Gitan both Saturday and Sunday! Also, as a special treat, Milan has decided to release two new and long-awaited wines during the Big Crush, the 2014 Grenache and the 2014 Sangiovese. |
| Oct 08 |
R&B Cellars in Richmond Join us for an afternoon pig roast with live music, premium wines, and local hard cider. The inaugural Riggers Loft Harvest Pig Roast is being held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 1:00 to 5:00PM. Your ticket includes: roast pig, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, and dessert. In addition, you will receive a glass of locally made wine/cider from 4 outstanding producers at Riggers Loft: R&B Cellars, Carica Wines, Irish Monkey Cellars, and Far West Cider Company. Come and enjoy good food, wine, cider, and great views right on the Bay at the historic Port of Richmond. Live music, good friends, and fun for all. Ticket price is $45.00 ($40.00 for wine club members) if purchased by September 30. Ticket price if purchased after September 30 is $60.00. There is a $5.00 discount for all designated drivers and anyone under 21 years of age. All children under 5 are admitted free. When: from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT) Click here for more info |
| Oct 16 |
Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa 2012 Clone Release Party! You're invited to join us for a fun-filled afternoon centered around the release of our amazing new 2012 Clone 4 and Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignons. Be the first to taste these limited production wines paired with light appetizers and get the chance to meet our renowned winemaker Jeffrey Stambor. The 2012 vintage marks the 17th anniversary of these stunning wines which are a true testament to the rich history of research & innovation at BV! Event Details Sunday, October 16th 3:00pm to 5:00pm Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Room 1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573 Price: $75 per person Club Members: $35 per person Click here for more info |
Tenuta Vineyard in Livermore OCTOBER 16TH GRAPE STOMP... I LOVE LUCY GRAPE STOMP LUNCHEON!!!!! COME STOMP GRAPES JUST LIKE LUCY!!!! THIS IS SUCH A FUN EVENT!!!! GREAT EVENT FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS... SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH 11:30- 2PM 11:30 - Picking grapes 12:00 - Lunch 1:00 - Grape Stomp |
| Oct 21 |
Monticello Vineyards in Napa Taste With the Wine Grower Saturday, October 22 10am -12pm We invite you to learn about the grapegrowing and winemaking process. Begin the morning with a walk through our vineyards followed by a seated tasting of our new release wines including 2013 Corley State Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rated 91-93 Points by Robert Parker out of the Barrel) and 2013 Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Rated 92-94 Points by Robert Parker (Barrel Tasting) $65 pp | wine club $45 pp |
| Oct 29 |
Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador Dobra Zemlja Winery's Kikas Halloween 11am to 4pm Do you like the sweeter things in life? We know we do! Join us Halloween weekend for the release of the one and only Kikas (our famous port-style wine). There's going to be chocolate pairings and if you wear a costume you will get an extra 10% off your wine purchase. If everybody's really good between now and then, we might be able to talk Milan into wearing his tutu again this year! |
| Oct 30 |
Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador Dobra Zemlja Winery's Kikas Halloween 11am to 4pm Do you like the sweeter things in life? We know we do! Join us Halloween weekend for the release of the one and only Kikas (our famous port-style wine). There's going to be chocolate pairings and if you wear a costume you will get an extra 10% off your wine purchase. If everybody's really good between now and then, we might be able to talk Milan into wearing his tutu again this year! |