Foodie Happenings

The winery that put California on the map. (Photo courtesy of Chateau Montelena)

You’re invited to take part in a James Beard Foundation gala event to honor one of the Napa Valley’s — and the world’s — most lengendary wine-making families.

The Barrett family of Chateau Montelena helped put California wine on the map when its 1973 Chateau Montelena won the famous “Paris Tasting,” beating out all other wines, including notable French ones.

To honor the family’s historic contributions to the wine world, the foundation is hosting a Legends of Wine” event, July 11-12, in the Napa Valley.

It starts with a tasting, tour, and lunch at Chateau Montelena in Calistoga on July 11. A flight of Chardonnays, going back 15 years, will be sampled, along with a tasting of Estate Cabarnets. Lunch will be prepared by Chef Ken Frank of acclaimed La Toque restaurant in Napa. That night, dinner also will be prepared by Frank at his restaurant.

The next day, La Toque hosts a gala dinner with guest chefs that include Neal Fraser of Grace in Los Angeles, and Michel Richard of Citronelle in Washington, D.C.

VIP tickets that get you into all the events are $1,500 per person. If that’s too rich for your blood, the gala dinner is $500. For reservations, call (707) 257-5157. The event is a fund-raiser for the James Beard Foundation.

For more fabulous wines to enjoy, don’t miss Pinot Days San Francisco,” now through June 28.

The event thatl celebrates everyone’s favorite varietal, includes a grand festival that features more than 200 pinot producers from around the world, as well as winemaker dinners, and focused tastings. Tickets range in price from $50 to $150.

A wine deal at Terzo. (Photo courtesy of Art Gray)

Terzo restaurant in San Francisco has a deal for wine afficionados. Sunday through Thursday through Labor Day, the restaurant is offering all $40 and under wines on the menu at half-price for dinner guests. Just order two small plates or one large one per person to take advantage of the vino special.

To commemorate San Francisco’s Pride Parade on June 28, Macy’s Union Square Cellar is hosting a cooking demo, noon June 27, with some of the Bay Area’s top toques. They include Adam Jones of Market Street Grill in San Francisco; and Jennifer Biesty, former contestant on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” and now chef at Scala’s Bistro in San Francisco.

Author Stephanie Rosenbaum also will be on hand to sign copies of her new book, “The Astrology Cookbook.”

Cozy up to the Carneros Bistro's fire pits. (Photo courtesy of the Carneros Bistro & Bar)

If you’re heading to Sonoma this summer, you’ll want to know about the deals going on at the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar at the Lodge at Sonoma.

Corkage is waived on Monday evenings. Sundays, Chef Janine Falvo serves up a $29 three-course menu of rustic Italian specialties.

Every Friday night and Saturday night, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., listen to live jazz as you nosh on a special outdoor bar menu that is available in the courtyard that features two cozy fire pits.

Got a favorite farmers’ market?

Then be sure to vote for it in America’s Favorite Farmers Market” contest by American Farmland Trust that runs through Aug. 8.

Awards will be given to one small, one medium, and one large market. Each winning market will receive a shipment of “No Farms, No Food” tote bags to distribute to its shoppers.

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6 comments

  • Hi Carolyn , If I am in the San Francisco area . I will go it looks like a fabulous event!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Thanks for stoping our site foodcreate.com

    Have a Wonderful Day!

  • I had been debating a getaway to the Lodge this summer. I believe you just sealed the deal for me!

  • We just booked flights to San Francisco for Labor Day weekend! I can’t wait to check out all of the links in your post.

  • I wonder if they card if you buy a ticket… Haha 🙂

  • Looks like a fantastic event and I am staring and the photo of Carneros – that to me has weekend getaway all over it!

  • Thanks Carolyn for the heads up about the Sunday dinners at Caneros Bistro. Made a reservation! Marriott Rewards happened to offer a 3 nights for 2 redemption at the Sonoma Lodge for 60,000 pts, so I just booked our anniversary weekend getaway in a couple weeks. We’ll need it after having both sets of grandkids visiting. 🙂

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