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In non-pandemic times, California’s wineries were hot destinatio­ns for weekend wine tastings and general frolic. But evenn ow, in our shutdown state, we can still enjoy a bit of that fun via virtual wine tastings and online mixology classes. Here’s just a sampling.

Aperture Cellars Virtual Tastings: Enjoy a virtual tasting in the comfort of your own home. Purchase your tasting kit in advance of your virtual tasting. aperture-cellars.com/ virtual-tastings

Bouchaine Vineyards: Order a Bouchaine Winemaker Tasting Kit delivered to your home, then book a virtual wine tasting appointmen­t online. Each kit provides tasting notes and vintage summaries, so you’ll be all set for your private tasting with a host — seated before the panoramic view of Bouchaine Vineyards — who will lead you and your guests through a discussion of the wines. www.bouchaine.com

Cakebread Cellars Virtual Wine and Food Festival: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday. Resident chefs will offer live culinary demos, as Cakebread staff lead wine tastings of a 2017 chardonnay reserve, 2017 Annahala pinot noir, 2017 syrah, 2017 Vaca, 2017 Guajolote and 2008 Benchland Select. Order the wines ahead of time to taste along and check out the recipes on the winery’s “culinary page” at www. cakebread.com.

Clos Du Val “Tasting at Your Table”: Purchase four bottles ($55 and up) of wine and make an appointmen­t for a live virtual tasting tailored around your choices of wine. www.closduval.com/ Visit-us

Cuvaison Estate Wines: Offering a virtual wine tasting experience to taste through the new wines. Email club@cuvaison.com to schedule a virtual Cuvaison wine tasting. www. cuvaison.com

Far Niente Family of Wineries: Guests have the opportunit­y to ask wine-related 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 & Winery’s Indefinite Virtual Tasting Experience­s: Offering 30-minute daily virtual tastings of pinot noir or estate flights, or you can customize a tasting with your favorite Flowers wines. www.flowerswin­ery.com/ virtual-tastings

J. Lohr Vineyards Virtual Tastings: This San Jose and Paso Robles winery has launched private virtual tastings for J. Lohr aficionado­s. Order a four-pack of wine ($130 and up), then pop the cork for the onehour tasting session held Wednesday through Sunday. Order the wines and make reservatio­ns at jlohr.com/ virtual-tastings. Valentines Mixology: 4, 5:15, 6:30 or 7:45 p.m. Feb. 14. Cityofcock­tail will host a special Valentine-themed workshop featuring three cocktails. Order two weeks ahead so materials kits can be sent out in advance, then enjoy a fun, hourlong bartender skills training online. Early bird rate $99. cityofcock­tail.com/ upcoming-classes

 ?? J. LOHR VINEYARDS ?? J. Lohr Vineyards in San Jose and Paso Robles offers virtual wine tasting sessions by reservatio­n.
J. LOHR VINEYARDS J. Lohr Vineyards in San Jose and Paso Robles offers virtual wine tasting sessions by reservatio­n.

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