March is a special time in the Sonoma wine country. Sure, spring is a beautiful time of the year here, but I'm talking about sampling wine --very large quantities of wine! It's all about the barrel tasting events.
The Wine Road Barrel Tasting
Formerly known as the Russian River Barrel Tasting. This is one huge affair! Actually, it's more than one event and there isn't as much barrel tasting going on any more. If you want to party this is your event. Also, if you want to check out some lesser known wineries in northern Sonoma County this is your event.
It runs the first two weekends of March with some wineries open on the Fridays before the weekends. It's a good deal for the price and that's why it gets so crowded. Hint: Dry Creek Valley is overwhelmed with people on Saturdays so head for the Russian River Valley or Alexander Valley.
Information at wineroad.com
Savor Sonoma Valley
Formerly known as the Sonoma Valley Barrel Tasting. Apparently, Sonoma Valley was jealous of the crowds at the Russian River event so they started their own. This one is a little more low key, a bit less crowded, and more expensive. For the extra money you get a few more actual barrel samples and some good food.
It's on the third weekend of the month after everyone has barely sobered up from the two weekend Wine Road event.
Information at heartofsonomavalley.com
The other main event for March is Charlie Palmer's Pigs and Pinots at his Healdsburg restaurant. This event brings in some big time chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers. Unfortunately, this is already sold out according to their web site. What recession?
"For the extra money you get a few more actual barrel samples and some good food."
ReplyDeleteThe Savor Sonoma event has 25 wineries according to their site. Doesn't sound like "more actual barrel samples" than the Wine Road event to me.
I'm looking at it as--if you make, say, eight stops a day you'll probably find more barrel samples at the eight wineries during the Sonoma Vly event than during the Russian River event.
ReplyDeleteAt one time the Russian River Barrel Tasting weekend was all about barrel samples and buying futures on them. Now it's kind of a big party!
Thanks for reading "anonymous."