Ralendar
As Northern California wineries and breweries reopen, many are offering outdoor wine and food experiences, with social distancing and mask protocols in place. (Given the everchanging landscape of openings and closings, best to call before you go.) Others are continuing or expanding their virtual tasting events. Here are a few possibilities.
VIRTUAL SIPS
Duckhorn Celebration Preparation: Join this Napa winery online for a Thanksgiving Celebration Preparation event on Nov. 13 and a Host the Holidays Like a Pro session on Dec. 11. www.duckhorn.com/events/ calendar
Page Mill Winery: Livermore winemaker Dane Stark is offering Virtual Twilight Tastings on Facebook at 6 p.m. Thursdays. Each week, the tasting benefits a different charity, with 10% of gross sales from the start of the virtual tasting to close of business on Friday going to that week’s organization. www.pagemillwinery.com/ twilight-tastings
Far Niente Family of Wineries: Virtual wine tastings through the end of the year. Guests have the opportunity to ask winerelated questions, while learning more about the wines and winery. Book a date and select a wine package that will be shipped directly to your door. www.
exploretock.com/farnientewinery
Flowers Vineyards Virtual Tasting Experiences: Enjoy these virtual 30-minute tastings of pinot noir or estate flights, or you customize a tasting with your favorite Flowers wines. www.flowerswinery.com/ virtual-tastings
Rombauer Hour, Virtual Wine Tasting: Schedule your own privately hosted Rombauer hour with one of the tasting room hosts. Free. www.rombauer.com/ virtualtasting
WINERY EVENTS
Muscardini Cellars Winter Wonderland: Saturday. This Kenwood winery has reopened for tastings by appointment, including a new seasonal tasting flight under the Winter Wonderland tent. Book a reservation at 4 p.m. Saturday for the official illumination of the tent and stay for the lighting ceremony and toast at 5 p.m. 9380Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. www.muscardinicellars.com
Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration: Nov. 19.
The Left Bank restaurants are celebrating the new French wine release of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2020 and the Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé 2020. Pickup orders over $50 will receive a complimentary bottle of chef Roland Passot’s private stock beaujolais, plus beaujolais nouveau swag. Enjoy live music from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Larkspur and Menlo Park restaurants. www.leftbank.com.
Pine Ridge Vineyards: This Napa Valley winery is offering a variety of outdoor tastings ($45-$90) by reservation only, including a private 90-minute vineyard exploration and tasting experience that includes a hike through its Stag Leap District estate vineyard and cabernet flight. 5901Silverado Trail, Napa. www.pineridgevineyards.com
Ferrari- Carano Winery: This Healdsburg winery has reopened its doors for fall with new outdoor wine tasting experiences by appointment in the winery’s sycamore grove, with a wine flight paired with Italian-inspired food pairings ($50), and on the terrace ($20). 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. www.ferrari-carano.com
Big Dog Vineyards: Open from noon to 5 p.m. weekends by appointment. This locally owned boutique winery focuses on smallbatch, handmade wines. 4545 Felter Road, Milpitas. www.bigdogvineyards.com
The Tasting Lounge at Wente Vineyards: This Livermore winery has reopened its patio and fire pits for guests to relax with a bottle of wine and light snacks ThursdaySunday by reservation only. Bottle purchase required to make a reservation. 5050Arroyo Road, Livermore. wentevineyards.com/ tasting-rooms