Wine Country Special Tastings Dinners Winemaker Events Gayot

May 17
Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards will host Make-A-Wish's "Croquet Invitational and Auction," where hundreds of wine, croquet and food enthusiasts don their "croquet whites." The day will begin with a 10 a.m. tasting of hors d'oeuvres and wines while guests watch a professional croquet tournament. Then guests will head courtside for a gourmet luncheon with wines as they cheer on the "Dueling Vintners," during an entertaining Sonoma vs. Napa croquet match. There will also be a live auction featuring an outstanding catalog of wines, specialty items and travel excursions. Following the croquet match and live auction, guests will proceed up to the Terrace to mingle and enjoy a "sweet tasting" of desserts along with dancing to live music. A variety of local restaurants, purveyors and businesses will be providing the food. "Croquet whites" (sundresses, hats, cream, beige, khaki and, of course, white!) are requested. Tickets cost $200 per person ($2,000/table of ten). Reserve in advance with Fmonet@makewish.org. Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, 4401 Slusser Rd., Windsor, CA 95492, 415-982-9474.

May 17-18
Guests at “Passport to Sonoma Valley” will be able to tour over 40 Sonoma Valley wineries. These wineries will offer more than 200 wines, along with food pairings and entertainment. With a passport and commemorative wine glass, wine enthusiasts receive unlimited tastings, discounts on wine, and entry into wineries not normally open to the public. The event runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. A weekend passport costs $50; a one-day passport costs $45. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 707-935-0803 or visit www.sonomavalleywine.com. Passport to Sonoma Valley, Various locations, Sonoma, CA 95476, 707-935-0803.

June 5-8
The Napa Valley Vintners is proud to present the annual 2008 Auction Napa Valley, The American Wine Classic. The weekend begins with auction kick-off celebrations at many Napa wineries on June 5 and continues with the festival Taste Napa Vally at Trinchero Family Estates on June 6. On Saturday, June 7, it will be time pick up an auction paddle and head to Meadowood Napa Valley for the live auction and dinner, with special guest Jay Leno of NBC's "The Tonight Show." A multi-course dinner (paired with Napa Valley wines, of course) will be prepared by chefs including Douglas Dale, of Wolfdale's in Tahoe City, CA; Ken Frank of La Toque in Napa Valley; Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley; Daniel Bruce from Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel; and Alan Wong of Alan Wong's Restaurant in Honolulu. The Live Auction will offer 44 lots, with the vintners who created these offerings on hand. Since 1981, Auction Napa Valley has raised nearly $78 million in support of health, youth services, and affordable housing non-profits in Napa Valley. For more information, please call 707-963-3388.

Ongoing
Vintner's Collective in the landmark Pfeiffer building in Napa Valley is "a multi-winery tasting room that is home to ten of the most experienced and talented winemakers in the Valley." They constantly feature lots of great events. For more information, visit www.vintnerscollective.com. Vintner's Collective, 1245 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, 707-255-7150.

Ongoing
The Signature Bar at J Vineyards and Winery presents daily wine-only tastings, featuring wines including Cuvée 20, Russian River Valley Chardonnay; Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, and Russian River Valley Pinotage. Tastings run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and cost $10 per person. For more information, call 707-431-3646 or visit www.jwine.com. The Signature Bar, J Vineyards and Winery, 11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg, CA 95448, 707-431-3646.

Thursdays
J Vineyards & Winery now offers “Essence Tasting,” an experience that will blend together a seven-course wine and food pairing, vineyard tour, and wine education. Guests begin the day at the J Vineyards & Winery visitor center with a tour of Nicole’s Vineyard—one of J’s eight estate vineyards. While sipping on a glass of J’s Nicole’s Vineyard Pinot Noir in the vineyard, a wine specialist will discuss the qualities of the Russian River Valley and the reasons J focuses on this region for the production of Vintage Brut, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Upon returning to the winery, guests are led into the newly remodeled Bubble Room, where J executive chef Mark E. Caldwell presents a seven-course tasting menu paired with J’s wines. Some of the courses featured in the summer menu will include Kumamoto oyster and Osetra caviar paired with J Vintage Brut; artichoke bisque paired with J Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley; caramelized day boat scallop, frisée, micro greens and orange saffron reduction paired with J Chardonnay, Russian River Valley; and porcini mushroom crusted noisette of lamb, baby leek-Yukon Gold potato purée, haricot vert and Pinot Noir reduction paired with J Pinot Noir. The menu will change seasonally. The Essence Tasting is offered each Thursday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with a maximum number of eights guests per week. The cost is $200 per person, including transportation to one of their estate vineyards and a private hosting in the Bubble Room. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 707-431-5430. J Vineyards & Winery, 11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg, CA 95448, 707-431-5430.