FOOD & WINE events
Release Party: Visit McGrail Vineyards for an afternoon of music, food and the release of their newest reserve cabernet. Gerard’Z Honeybees will offer samples of their local honey and gourmet wood- fired pizzas will be available for purchase. Noon- 4: 30 p. m. July 6. 5600 Greenville Road, Livermore. $ 10. 925- 215- 0717, http:// mcgrailvineyards. com. Bartender bash: Hosted by Straits and Sino bartenders on the first Thursday of each month, this cocktail event features a custom menu of their most innovative beverage creations. Straits Restaurant, 333 Santana Row, San Jose. 408- 2466320, www.straitsrestaurants.com. The Art of Juicing and Smoothies: Learn how to create delicious juices and smoothies with food educator Jesse Warshauer. 6: 30 p. m. July 9. New Leaf, 150 SanMateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Free. Reservations required. 650- 726- 3110, ext. 101. www. newleaf. com. Breastfest Beer Festival: This benefit for the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic is a great opportunity to sample and compare hundreds of microbrewed beers from more than 50 breweries plus food from the Marin Brewing Co. , Moylan’s Brewery and Restaurant and Three Twins Ice Cream. 2- 6 p. m. July 13. Festival Pavilion, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. $ 50 in advance. $ 60 at the door. 415- 461- 4677, www. thebreastfest. org. A Life In Sake: Taste an assortment of sakes while learning about sake styles, rice varieties, pairing recommendations and more. 11 a. m.- 2 p. m. July 13. International Culinary Center of California, 700W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell. www. internationalculinarycenter. com. First Fridays: Nottingham Cellars will offer wines by the glass along with cheese and fruit platters during its First Fridays event from 5 to 7 p. m. July 15 at 2245 S. Vasco Road, Livermore. http:// nottinghamcellars. com/ wine/ events. Food & You film series: The Santa Cruz libraries will be hosting a free summer film series showcasing documentaries about food and the environment on Tuesday evenings through July. Catch “King Corn” at 7 p. m. July 9 at the Aptos library, 7695 Soquel Drive.; get “Vegucated” at 7 p. m. July 16 at the Santa Cruz downtown branch library at 224 Church St. www. santacruzpl. org/ events. Taste of the Valley: Visit San Jose’s History Park for an evening of wine, food, art, music, dancing and Latino culture. 6 p. m. July 12. Tickets are $ 60 in advance or $ 80 at the door. Benefits social and educational services. 408- 658- 8884, www. sabordelvalle. org. Dinner with the Brewer: Enjoy a fivecourse prix fixe tasting menu paired with select Palo Alto Brewing Co. beers. 5- 9 p. m. July 17. Palo Alto Grill, 140 University Ave. $ 55. 650- 321- 3514, www. paloaltogrill. com.