Wine takes center stage at 10 days of events around region
Wine lovers rejoice—the age-old beverage is flowing all over our fair region. Raise a glass at these six events uncorking over the next 10 days, from midtown nights out to weekend day trips and more. Cheers!
Wine Tasting at Enotria
Aug. 1 The celebrated Del Paso Boulevard wine destination regularly complements its tasting room hours with events celebrating the region’s fruit of the vine, and this Friday features wines from Frank Family Vineyards, which was named 2012 Winery of the Year by Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine. The winemaker draws grapes from its three vineyards to create an array of tantalizing tipples, such as chardonnay, zinfandel, sangiovese and the sought-after Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which is barrel-aged for two and a half years. Cuisine from chef Gabriel Glasier (formerly of Maranello and currently of the catering firm Chef and Baker) will be served as well. $45. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. 1431 Del Paso Blvd. 922-6792. enotria.com
15th Annual Wine & Dine Under the Stars
Aug. 2 This 15th annual event benefits Junior League of Sacramento programs like the Read and Feed Garden, a project in partnership with the Sacramento Public Library Foundation dedicated to educating families on nutrition and healthy eating. While strolling around Sacramento State’s alumni center (this year’s venue) on Saturday, you can raise a glass with participants from local wine and beer vendors like Lodi’s Michael David Winery, Clarksburg’s Bogle Winery and Petaluma’s Lagunitas Brewing, and find tasty morsels at food vendors like Il Fornaio and About a Bite Bakery. $55 ($45 in advance; $95 VIP). VIP admission: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. General admission: 7:30 p.m. 6000 J St. 921-1096. jlsac.org
Grape Days of Summer
Aug. 2-3 Make a grape escape to the Placer County Wine Trail during this fifth annual celebration of local agriculture, regional food and—most importantly—wine. More than a dozen wineries throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills will offer tastes of their specialty varietals and local food items this weekend. Stop at Bear River Winery in Meadow Vista, which just last year opened a new tasting room where visitors can sip wines like the winery’s Late Harvest Barbera (which won the bronze in the 2014 SF Chronicle Wine Competition) and try artisan chocolates by Mona Keady of Newcastle’s Raffiné—including one infused with Bear River’s 2013 Barbera Rosé. Meanwhile, at Lone Buffalo Vineyards in Auburn, owners Jill and Phil Maddux will guide a tasting with “scent” glasses filled with fruits, jams and honeysuckle so the aromas can be picked up in their 2012 and 2013 viognier wines, which will be tasted side by side to find what happens when the wine is allowed to mature for a year. $45 for weekend pass; $20 for Sunday only; $10 for designated drivers. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Locations vary. 663-4486. placerwine.com
Wine Trivia Night and Summer Winemaker Dinner
Aug. 6 Next Wednesday, Revolution Wines will host a Winemaker Dinner, featuring a six-course meal created by Revolution chef Rachel Kelley and guest chef Luis Escorcia of Lucca that revolves around Sacramento’s favorite seasonal crop—tomatoes. Revolution's winemaker Craig Haarmeyer will talk about the wine pairings, including the first public tasting of the winery’s 2012 St. Rey Zinfandel served alongside Lucky Dog skirt steak, corn s’formato, tomato confit and arugula. During the same evening, the winery will also host a wine-themed trivia night for those who can taste the difference between a cab and a syrah. Study hard—each member of the winning team gets to take home a bottle of Revolution wine. Both events start at 6:30 p.m. Trivia night is free. Winemaker dinner is $85 for members; $95 for non-members. 2831 S St. 444.7711. rwinery.com
Pinot Envy
Aug. 7 When he was the wine director at Enotria, sommelier Michael Chandler was known to have the largest domestic selection of pinot noirs in California. At this event at Strings Urban Kitchen, Chandler branches out with a spectrum of pinots from around the world, including a fresh and vibrant NV Collet Brut Champagne (blended from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meuriere and Chardonnay grapes) from France, delicate and zesty 2011 La Liana Pinot Grigio from Italy and bright, oaky 2011 Wither Hills Pinot Noir out of Marlborough, New Zealand. Order up the eatery’s Ella Pizza to pair with the Wither Hills—Chandler says it is a “match made in heaven.” $10. 5-7 p.m. Strings Urban Kitchen. 1500 7th St. 596-1952. stringsurbankitchen.com
Wine and Cheese Faire 2014
Aug. 9-10 If you don’t get your fill of gorgonzola, camembert or parmesan at this week's Festival of Cheese in Sacramento, follow the winding South River Road down to The Old Sugar Mill for this fourth annual wine and cheese-pairing event. Todd Taylor Wines and Heringer Estates are but a couple of the 10 wineries housed in the treasured landmark, which will also offer pairings from local cheese producers like Valley Ford Cheese Company and Rumiano Cheese. Amid the wine bonanza, head to the lawn for a delicious picnic lunch from the food trucks of SactoMoFo, pour-over coffee flights from Pachamama Coffee Cooperative, wine-themed crafts and the twangy vocals of Two Barrels Shy (Saturday) and The Taylor Chicks (Sunday). $40 ($25 in advance; $10 youth and designated drivers). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Old Sugar Mill. 35265 Willow Ave. Clarksburg. 744-1615 x8011. oldsugarmill.com
