Summer Wine Events

Wally’s Central Coast Food & Wine Festival

Michael Bonaccorsi was the twentieth American to receive the Master Sommelier Diploma and became a respected sommelier at Spago Restaurant in Los Angeles, California. On Sunday, August 5th, 2007, the annual event benefiting the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at the University of California Davis School of Viticulture will be held at Wally’s Wine Store, 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. This will be the 4th such event. Initially, Jenne Bonaccorsi thought this would be a one-time scholarship when she asked people to donate instead of sending flowers after her husband’s untimely death. Now the scholarship fund has risen to over $200,000 without large donations and her goal is to be able to pay the entire tuition for a student, maybe even two students eventually. The event is outside under a big tent from 12:00 to 4:00 PM and tickets are $95 in advance, $125 at the door.

At least 50 wineries from the Central Coast will participate. Last year, the list included Alban Alma Rosa, Ambullneo, Brewer-Clifton, Ken Brown, Native 9, Paul Lato, Whitcraft, Talley Vineyards, Sine Qua Non, Calera Wine Company, Fiddlehead Cellars, Sea Smoke, Au Bon Climat and more. Food will be served up by top restaurants including Hitching Post II, Spago Beverly Hills, Lucques/AOC, Sona, Campanile and more.

For tickets and more information: www.bonaccorsi foundation.com, or www.wallywine.com.

12th Annual Grape to Glass Weekend

On August 17-19, the 12th Annual Grape to Glass Weekend will be held in the Russian River Valley. Sponsored by the Russian River Valley Winegrowers, it is a weekend of winery and vineyard tours, educational seminars and tastings, scenic bike rides, a magical mystery bus tour, a special luncheon and a down-home barbecue. Register online at www.rrvw.org or call 707-521-2535 for an event brochure.

Sonoma Odyssey of Food & Wine

A dozen chefs from the Sonoma County Culinary Guild and 30 Sonoma County wineries will work in concert under majestic oak trees on Saturday, September 15, 2-5:30 PM at this annual fundraiser for the Wine Library Associates of Sonoma County. There will be a new offering of silent and live auction items. The event returns to Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Those in search of book bargains can browse the Wine Library’s book tent. Tickets are $45 for members of the Wine Library Associates and the Sonoma County Culinary Guild and $50 for nonmembers. Reservations may be made by phone at 707-431-2898.

Tantara Winery 10th Anniversary Special Event

Tantara Winery is celebrating its 10th year of operation with a special party at the winery on Saturday, July 28th. Tantara Winery is located in the midst of the renowned Bien Nacido Vineyard located about six miles east of the town of Santa Maria.

The celebration will start with a barrel tasting of the 2006 vintage conducted by Bill Cates and Jeff Fink followed by dinner in the courtyard of the Ontiveros Adobe. This historic 150-year-old adobe is located just south of the winery. The dinner will feature a menu prepared by Cantinetta Luca, which is a hot new restaurant in Carmel, California. The special menu will be paired with library and recent vintage Tantara wines including some large format bottlings. The number of attendees is limited to 100 and is expected to sell out. The event is $150 per person inclusive. For reservations, contact Tantara’s office manager, Maria Acosta, at Tantarawinery@cs.com.

17th Annual Family Winemakers of California Wine Tasting

This is the largest tasting of California wines in the world and a showcase for small, family-owned wineries. More than 1,000 wines will be poured over two days. Held at the Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, in San Francisco, the tasting on Sunday, August 19 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM will be open to the public and the trade. On Monday, August 20, the tasting is open only to the trade from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Public tickets are $45 in advance, $55 the day of the event. For more information and tickets, visit www.familywinemakers.org or call 415-345-7575. A focused tasting has been added on Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM as well ($30).

Central Coast Wine Classic

Short notice on this one which is this coming weekend, July 12-15, 2007. Some tickets may still be available for some events. There are a number of terrific sessions to consider like “Pinot Noirs of the Historic Vineyards of Santa Barbara County,” and “Single Vineyard Wine Symposium featuring Melville Winery and Nickel & Nickel.” A dinner and vertical of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache will be held at the home of Maurice & Susie Wedell, owners of Wedell Cellars ($2,000). The major events are held at Dolphin Bay Hotel and Residences, Shell Beach, California. For registration, visit www.centralcoastwineclassic.org. or call 805-544-1285.