Duck Chilaquiles with Cherry-Guajillo Chile Sauce, Moroccan Lamb Stew with Tart Cherries and Coq au Vin are just a few of the many treats that participants can sample during the 14th annual “A Wine & Food Affair.”
This weekend, November 3 and 4, the Wine Road, along with 102 wineries throughout the tri-valleys, will host the first of many food and wine events happening around Sonoma County this fall.
“I love this event. It is my favorite event because I love the food pairing aspect of it. It really makes a nice connection between the food and the wine,” said Wine Road Executive Director Beth Costa. “The wineries involved bring out recipes that were their grandmother’s recipe, or the recipe they like to cook for their cellar crew during harvest, there are a lot of comfort food recipes. It’s really fun.”
Ticket holders of the event will not only have a chance to taste the dishes being presented at each winery, but will also receive a copy of “The Wine Road Cookbook,” which features the recipes from each stop.
“I hear from people all year long who use their cookbook all year. It is not some little freebie cookbook: It is really a beautiful, full-colored book that people love and we have customers year after year that if they can’t make it back, still want to get the cookbook for their collection,” Costa said.
Each year, “A Wine & Food Affair” attracts close to 6,000 people, requiring tickets be purchased in advance. Those that are unable to attend the event this year can start planning for next year with a new ticket package being offered by the Wine Road, the season pass.
The 2013 Season Pass package will include one ticket to Winter WINEland, two barrel tasting tickets, one for each weekend, one ticket to next year’s “A Wine & Food Affair” and a Wine Road Tasting Pass.
“It will come in a canvas tote and wrapped up in a box, making a nice gift, and season ticket holders will get in one hour early to events. It is an exciting offer and a unique idea,” said Costa.
Another opportunity to taste a variety of local wines and food will be offered during the fourth annual “Healdsburg Strolling Dine Around.”
This event will feature some of the area’s finest restaurants, where diners will be able to build their own tasting path by choosing four courses — appetizer, first course, main dish and dessert — from 20 participating restaurants, each serving its own distinct cuisine.
Each course will take 45 minutes, and between courses, diners can stroll through town or take a short drive to the next restaurant allowing time to enjoy the shops of downtown Healdsburg, beautifully decorated and open late for the holidays in December.
Hundreds of people have participated in the “Strolling Dine Around” each year, and it continues to grow, with an anticipated 400 attendees this year. Event coordinator Lori Moore said one of the reasons for the event’s success is the diverse variety of dining options in Healdsburg.
“It’s a golden opportunity for people to enjoy Healdsburg while experiencing cuisine from around the world, including a new Portuguese restaurant, Greek, Italian and more. There are also seafood and American options. It’s shaping up to be our biggest and best event yet,” said Moore.
The four-course progressive “Strolling Dine Around” is Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2012. Start times are 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost is $89 per person with tax and gratuity included.
After the mad rush of the holiday season is over, what better way to relax than a weekend of limited production wine tasting, food pairings and winery tours during the 21st annual Winter WINEland?
Tasters of all palates can choose from Russian River Valley Pinots and Chardonnays, where cool foggy days make for a great growing environment for both varietals. Others can head toward the Dry Creek Valley where the weather tends to be dry and warm, perfect for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. And at the top of the county, Alexander Valley provides a place for red wine lovers to sample Cabernets and Merlot.
“It is a great time to be here. The weather is usually unbelievable,” said Costa. “This event is also a good opportunity to visit small wineries that are usually open just by appointment or only a couple of times a year, so it is a great time to taste some of those wines.”
Every year, a lineup of over 120 wineries across the triangle of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley encompasses some of California’s oldest wineries, and wineries and attendees alike have shown great interest in providing more than just a day of drinking. The Winter WINEland event continues to draw larger crowds each year, offering an educational tasting component to the trip along with wine sales that are rarely seen throughout the rest of the year.
“You can plot your own course and if you are planning on attending both days, you can do one valley one day and a different valley another day,” Costa said.
For more information on the Wine Road and their fall/winter events, visit www.wineroad.com. For a complete listing of food and wine events happening throughout Sonoma County, visit www.sonoma.com.
