Port, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah & Zin, Rhone Fans Unite for Tastings, Seminars, Fun

Tis the season to save the date and taste some wine together–in person or online! A few highlights include–

Friday, Jan. 27 : “Port Day.” Everywhere!
Whether it be tawny or ruby, pick up some port for Friday!

Friday, Jan. 27: ZAP–for Zinfandel fans in SF
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Westin St. Francis Hotel ( Union Square , 335 Powell Street , San Francisco 94102 ). Fuel your passion for Zinfandel as you experience discussions as diverse as the wine itself. This in-depth seminar-style tasting features themed flights of Zinfandels presented by the winemakers and offers insights into the Zinfandel varietal, an opportunity to experience the true character of the legend yourself. Tickets are $60 ZAP members, $75 non-members.

Friday January 27: ZAP Winemakers’ Dinner in SF
A benefit with taste, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at The Westin St. Francis Hotel.  Viva Las Vegas !  What happens here stays with you forever as you experience a Las Vegas-style benefit with VIP taste. Dress to the nines and bring your lucky charm to this glamorous reception and dinner where you will enjoy unusual wines chosen by your winemaker hosts. Throw your chips in for the live and silent auctions featuring rare and one-of-a-kind lifestyle lots, with proceeds benefiting ZAP programming, education and Heritage Projects. Tickets are $225 and include an annual advocate membership for two.

Saturday January 28: ZAP Grand Tasting: From A To Zin in SF

From A to Zin: savor the journey through the world’s largest single varietal tasting as you explore hundreds of barrel samples and new releases. Meet winemakers from different Zinfandel growing regions and explore the dimensions of this authentically American varietal at the most comprehensive showing of Zinfandel wineries in the world. You can also experience the Grand Tasting by using ZAP’s ZinTracks ‘map’— a way to choose one path through the Tasting and build your knowledge. ZinTracks will illuminate the many distinguishing features of Zinfandel—-whether it’s why Dry Creek appellation Zins share a certain taste profile…or even just the fun of how many Zinfandel winemakers have red hair!

Saturday, Jan. 28: Pinot Noir
lovers will gather at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA

Feb. 10-12: Valentine n Wine Ventura County
This Valentine’s Day weekend, the Ventura County Winery Association invite guests to experience a wine tasting flight at each of seven wineries. $45 includes one tasting flight (five wines) at seven participating wineries:

Friday Feb. 17: Petite Sirah
PS I Love You’s annual Dark & Delicious event where Petite Sirah enthusiasts will meet at Rock Wall Winery for PS I Love You. I went last year and had a wonderful time–there was lots of food, wine, and fun people. I especially enjoyed discovering new producers and tasting verticals from familiar favorites like Twisted Oak. If you live in the Bay Area, PS I Love You’s Dark & Delicious Event provides an amazing food and wine experience. It’s on Friday, February 17, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  With 55 preeminent Petite Sirah wine companies and 30 fabulous Napa and Bay Area restaurants and/or food caterers, there’s nowhere else that you can have this much fun, food, and wine for only $63 per person.

Sat. Feb 18: Public Tasting of award winning wines from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition SF

March 2-4 The New York Wine Expo
Grand Tasting will feature 175 wineries from around the globe and a renowned lineup of seminar speakers. Details at New York Wine Expo. The PROMO CODE for my readers is PREDATOR and it’s good for $15 off tickets for Friday’s event, good through March 1^st.

March 3-4: World of Wine, Temecula
This two-day event, hosted by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, offers passport holders a chance to sample both wine and food at 30+ wineries along the Rancho California and De Portola wine roads. The weekend passport includes wine tastings from both barrel and bottle, allowing guests to taste current releases as well as wines that are not yet available for purchase. In addition, fine food pairings are provided to ensure guests don’t go away hungry or thirsty.  2-Day Tickets: $89 Early Bird (until Feb 3); $99 thereafter.  Sunday-Only Tickets: $79.  Local residents of Temecula/Murrieta: $69. Call (800) 801-9463 for tickets by phone or purchase online at TemeculaWines.org.

April 26-28: Hospice du Rhône, Paso Robles
Discover the twenty-two Rhône varieties, learn about specific Rhône region during the seminar series and even bowl!
Tickets for the 20th year.

April 28-29  Passport to Dry Creek Valley Healdsburg

May 17-20, 2012 Tuscany
DIVINO TUSCANY 2012, highlighting the best wine, gastronomy and culture of Tuscany, this spring in and around the wonderful city of Florence. From the opening night dinner at Palazzo Corsini and wine tastings at the Hotel Villa Cora, to the exclusive dinners prepared by Michelin-starred chefs and the closing luncheon at the private Tuscan villa of Sting and Trudie Styler, Divino Tuscany is truly a one-of-a-kind epicurean adventure.

There’s a lot more going on of course but these are just a few events tempting me–and cluttering my inbox!