Calendar
California’s wineries are starting to reopen once more for tastings by reservation. But if you’re sticking close to home, don’t fret. We can still enjoy a bit of that fun via virtual wine and beer tastings and online mixology classes. Here’s just a sampling.
Hanson of Sonoma Virtual Happy Hours: This Wine Country distillery is hosting virtual happy hours, complete with mixology lessons and cocktail kits for making Moscow Mules and more. Learn about vodka infusions, distillation and winemaking — the distillery makes distilled vodka from wine. (It ships batched cocktails, like Mandarin Greyhound, too.) Details: hansonofsonoma.com
Federation Brewing Valentines: This Oakland brewery has partnered with chocolatier Michael Mischer on a Valentinethemed beer and chocolate pairing kit ($48) that includes a box of 12 chocolates made with Federation Brewing beer and a four-pack of those brews: Purple Midnight Plum Sour, Low Boy Oatmeal Stout, Bomba Nights and Utopia Planitia. Preordered kits will be available for pickup at 420 Third St. starting Wednesday, with delivery ($5 flat fee) available to San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Thursday. Find details at www.federationbrewing.com.
Takara Sake Virtual Sake Tasting: Takara tasting room manager Mika Tsuchiiwa leads a Zoom class from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Tasting kits ($50) include five bottles of various types of sake, detailed charts and descriptive sheets. Register in advance for home delivery or pick up at Takara Sake, 708 Addison St., Berkeley. Find details at www.takarasake.com
Center of Effort Wine Pairing: Edna Valley-based Center of Effort winery is launching virtual culinary events with wine pairings, including a decadent wine and chocolate pairing ($120) with COE winemaker Nathan Carlson and Mama Ganache owner Ben Taylor at 4 p.m. Feb. 18. Find details at www. centerofeffortwine.com.
Pizza and Wine Master Class: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Learn about the history of pizza, differences in pizza styles and how and why to pair wine with your favorite pizza with advanced sommelier Mike Guerra and master pizzaiolo John Arena. Taste along with a tasting kit or a sampler of wines from Due Terre. Tasting kit includes five 4-ounce bottles ($22), bottle set includes five 750ml bottles ($90). bit.ly/2yfxhsx
CA Craft Beer Week: FridayFeb. 21. SF Beer Week is going virtual this year and joining brewers and beer lovers across the state for a virtual CA Craft Beer Week that will include a variety of beer-centric events, activities and tastings. Details: cacraftbeerweek.com
Aperture Cellars Virtual Tastings: Purchase a tasting kit then join a virtual tasting from the comfort of your home. Details: aperture-cellars.com/virtual-tastings
Monochrome Tasting Kit: This Paso Robles winery is hosting complimentary virtual wine tastings, with the option of shipping wines of your choice or a wine tasting sampler kit ($25) ahead of time, so you’re ready for a Zoom sipping session with Monochrome’s winemaker. Details: monochromewines.com