Calendar
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 ever-changing 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 tastings
The Bloody Mary Festival, Holiday Edition: 1p.m. Jan. 1. This annual salute to the classic bloody mary has gone virtual. Order a festival kit ($82.50) by Dec. 7, and a box of smallbatch bloody mary mixes from around the country will be shipped to your door before the event. Each box contains enough mix for 12cocktails, plus garnishes — hello, pepperoni straws and dill pickle rim salt — and swag. (You supply the booze.) On New Year’s Day, join the virtual festival to hear from the makers behind each bloody mary mix, listen to the judging panel and cast your vote for the people’s choice winner — and, of course, toast the new year. www.thebloodymaryfest.com
Sip, Savor & Chat: 4p.m. Thursday. Join a Zoom conversation and tasting with food and wine writer Jessica Yadegaran and Amici Cellars winemaker Jesse Fox, as you sip your way through the winery’s 2019Olema rosé, 2017 Amici chardonnay and 2018Olema cabernet sauvignon. www.mercurynews. com/events
La Crema Virtual Wine Tasting: 3-4 p.m. Dec. 6. Join La Crema winemakers Craig Mcallister and Jen Walsh for a virtual tasting exploration of Russian River Valley chardonnay and pinot noir made from the nine of the highest quality barrels of each vintage. www.lacrema.com/lc-event
Duckhorn Virtual Tastings: Join the discussion and wine tasting on Dec. 11for a “Host the Holidays Like a Pro” session from home. www.duckhorn.com/events/calendar
Inman Family Wines: Choose one of four three-packs ($84and up) of Sonoma pinot noirs, chardonnay, rosés and sparklers, then join a scheduled “Meet the Maker” happy hour tasting with winemaker Kathleen Inman via Facebook Video Chat, where you can enjoy the wines with fellow wine lovers. www.inmanfamilywines.com/ Visit-us/ Events
Page Mill Winery: Livermore winemaker Dane Stark hosts Virtual Twilight Tastings on Facebook at 6p.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
In-person sips
St. Helena Holiday Wine Barrel Tour: Through Jan. 2in St. Helena. Stroll through town to spot more than 80 wine barrels decorated for the holidays, enjoy takeout from local restaurants at the Hunt Street Hub, take photos at the snowflake wall or check out the virtual cooking classes from home. Find details at www.sthelena.com/ holiday-in-st-helena.
Livermore Wine Trolley: Sip & Savor Wine Pairing Tour, with alfresco seated food and wine experiences at Concannon, Las Positas and Garre Vineyard and Winery. Find tour times and details at www.livermorewinetrolley.com.
Keller Estate: Alfresco tastings include a walking tour of the beautiful grounds and a seated, guided tasting of five to six wines. Seasonal addition: Olive picking is available when the olives are ripe and abundant. Open Fridays and Saturdays at 5875Lakeville Highway, Petaluma.www.kellerestate.com