Simple Hedonisms

Its  been another one of those busy weeks, a whirlwind business tour through Texas, fleeing snow in Dallas, and writing/collaborating on so many wine events and education, in the wee spare hours. This weekly events post is normally due Thursday, will try to get back to that format.

There is no shortage of wineries and venues offering Wine pairings and fun events, especially paired with chocolates. I could write 5 page blog post, but will stick to some select highlights. Check the calendar for full details. (Note each title is a web link to their Facebook event.)

Valentine’s Zinfandel at Longboard Vineyards:

Longboard & Love Go Together like Zin & Chocolate!

I recently re-connected with Longboard for a drop in tasting, and was glad I did! This weekend,  Come achieve liftoff with the first taste of Ballistic Zin! (I tried it, its great!)  To celebrate Valentine’s Day Longboard is  offering scrumptious snacks specially choosen to pair with three of our wines, including our 2008 Zinfandel—a brand new release!

February 11-14, 2010, 11am — 6pm,  $ 10 per person for paired flight, The Tasting Lounge, 5 Fitch Street, Healdsburg. For more info, or to RSVP, call 707-433-3473. Their complete line-up of award-winning wines will be available for tasting.

Mounts Family Winery -  Valentine Wine Lover’s Weekend

I can’t wait to reconnect with one of my fave small wineries in Dry Creek.

Fall in love with Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Mounts Family Winery. Indulge with wine & chocolate in a charming & rustic setting atop the hills of our family-owned estate winery in Dry Creek Valley. Delectable chocolate delights will be paired with their wines.

Cost is $5 per person, complimentary for wine club members. Wine lover special discounts and wine & chocolate pairings are sure to make this a Valentine’s Weekend to remember. Open from 11:00 – 5:00 on Saturday & Sunday (February 13^th & 14^th).

Not What Everyone Else Is Doing Valentine’s Weekend at Michel Schlumberger

Leave it to Jim Morris to head down his own path!

Wine and Chocolates, Wine and Aphrodisiacs, Bubbles and Bath, Bacon and Frosting….we have heard it all and we decided to have a bit more fun with the Valentine’s weekend.  Never one to follow the crowd, we are pairing up this weekend with one of the the finest cookietiers in the land, Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg, who just won the Best Retail Bakery in the United States in Modern Baking Magazine.

With any of their tours and tastings this weekend, can also enjoy amazing cookies paired with their delightful wines.  These tastings will be hosted by everyone’s favorite tasting room people, Samantha, Frank, Lisa, and Julia.

Zin City Valentine’s Weekend at BellaZin City Valentine’s Weekend at Bella

Head on out to the end of West Dry Creek Road next weekend for Bella Vineyards’ “Zin City” Valentine’s celebration. Las Vegas, in all its romantic, kitschy glory comes to the Bella cave!   “Double down” on the 2009 Late Harvest dessert zinfandel paired with dark chocolate cupcakes and, for those who dare to “elope”, they will be offering faux wedding ceremonies officiated by none other than Elvis himself. Walk the cave “casino” and taste other new release zinfandels and syrahs and then check back in with Elvis as he sings one of his classics.

It’s a perfect chance to get “hitched” or “re-hitched” and, for those who book a “wedding,” top hats, rings and veils will be provided.  We’ll all be dressed in Vegas-themed regalia, pink confetti will fly and we’ll serve mini-chocolate cupcakes from Velvet Crumb along with and an exciting lineup of highly anticipated 2008 new-release wines.

It all goes down Saturday and Sunday, February 13^th and 14^th from 11AM to 4:30PM. Tickets are $10 per person and complimentary for wine club members and up to four guests.  “Weddings” can be arranged by calling 707.473.9171.

Graton Ridge Cellars – Sweetheart’s Chocolate, Cheese & Wine Event

Join Graton Ridge for their Annual Valentine’s Day “Sweetheart’s Chocolate, Cheese & Wine” event, Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14, 2010 from 10am to 4:30pm each day – Open House Style! Taste our delicious wines paired with fine chocolate and local artisan cheeses – all complimentary. Featuring the latest release of our A+ Apple Dessert Wine! TREAT YOUR SWEETHEART!

Graton Ridge Cellars, 3561 Gravenstein Hwy. N, Sebastopol, CA

Amista Vineyards Wine Dinner, at A Divine Affair

Vicky and Mike, owners of Amista have  become  friends thanks to social networking (in addition to me being a patron), and who doesn’t like the bubbly personality and great food of Kahleen Nowak, owner of A Divine Affair. Amongst the great wines Amista is pairing, is their new, very limited sparkling Syrah rose, that I raved about during Winter Wineland. This event is sold out, but I can’t help but tempt you with the menu!

• (Bubbles) Amista Sparkling Syrah – Caviar tart ~ reconstructed caviar service. Blue cheese custard, port soaked figs, anise

• Amista 2007 Chardonnay – Loves Greens, Bermuda Triangle goat cheese candied pistachios, pomegranate vinaigrette

• Amista 2004 Syrah – Pan roasted duck breast, truffle creamed potatoes, foie gras melted leeks, Amista Ilusión port demi glace

• Amista Ilusión Port – Perfectly paired chocolate canella mousse

YUM!

Don’t miss A Divine Affairs other Pairing dinners, with wineries from Sonoma, ranging from Anaba, Mounts, and more.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Weekend, I can’t think of a better place, or people, than to spend it with! Cheers!