Mark Your Calendars!

CLICK HERE for 4th of July Weekend Events!

July 10 — Bastille Day at Domaine Chandon
Celebration: Join us for an early celebration of Bastille Day with bubbles, friends and live music. No reservations needed. No entrance fee, wine and food offerings will be available for purchase. Special prizes will be given to guests who dress up for the occasion.  Location: 1 California Dr., Yountville, CA
Fee: No entrance fee; Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.;  Phone: (888) 242.6366

July 15 – 24 — Festival del Sole
Celebration: Festival del Sole takes place every summer in California’s beautiful Napa Valley. The Festival features concerts by some of the world’s most celebrated musical artists, five-star cuisine, art exhibits, and wines from Napa’s top vintners, blended in a unique celebration of the art of life. Location: Venue varies; Fee: Call for information and reservations; Time: varies by event Phone: (888) FDS.NAPA

July 16 — Celebrate 125 Years of History at Freemark Abbey
Celebration: We invite you to join us at the winery for a very special day of events to celebrate our historic 125th anniversary. Includes the unveiling of “History,” our 125th anniversary blend, music, entertainment, and cooking demonstrations by Chef Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustards Grill. Location:  3022 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA 94574; Fee: $50; Time: 1-4pm;  Phone: 800.963.9698, ext. 3707

July 17 — Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon
Recreation: This popular running race attracts runners and wine enthusiasts from all over the country. Your race journey begins at Cuvaison Carneros Estate winery in Napa, then passes thousands of acres of vineyards, ranches, wineries and the Napa/Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Preserve on your way to the grand finish down Broadway into historic Sonoma Plaza. Fee: price varies;  Time: 7:10 a.m, – 1 p.m.;  Phone: (707) 933.1769

July 23 — Burgers and Bordeaux at Bourassa
Celebration: Please Join Us for another Burgers & Bordeaux Summer BBQ, and help us welcome our neighbor Napa Smith Brewery! Vic will be firing up the grill with juicy handmade burgers, and other tasty dishes and pairing it with tastings of Bourassa Wines and Napa Smith Brewery Beers! Children are welcome. RSVP required! Location: 190 Camino Oruga Ste 5., Napa, CA 94558; Fee: $30, includes souvenir wine glass; Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.;  Phone: 800 499-2366 or 707-294-4922

July 30 — V.Sattui Winery Festa Italiana
Celebration: The picnic grove will be transformed once again into a traditional Italian summer festival with the live music, dancing and, of course, your favorite V. Sattui wines. Our chefs will fill bowls and platters with delicious pastas and garden-fresh salads, then slice and dish up roasted wild boar, grilled tri-tip and fresh salmon. Location: 1111 White Lane St. Helena, CA 94574; Fee: $69.00 per member/ $79.00 per Guest;  Time: 6:30pm thru 9:30pm;  Phone: 707-963-7774

AUGUST

August 6 — Nashville In Napa
Live Music, Benefit: Enjoy wine pairings handpicked by some of Napa’s best winemakers, a Farm-to-Table dinner catered by the chefs from Google, and a concert performance from seven well-known Nashville songwriters performing inside the caves at Baldacci Family Vineyards. Proceeds benefit Notes for Education. Location: 6236 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA; Fee: $175 Time: 4:30 p.m. Phone: 707-944-9261

August 12 — Robert Cray Band at Uptown Theatre
Live Music: Robert Cray’s This Time, the first studio album on singer-songwriter-guitarist Cray,s own imprint Nozzle Records, arrives at a vital juncture in the musician’s career, marked by creative renewal and a key reunion with an old performing partner. Location: 1350 Third St., Napa, CA; Fee: $39, $49; Time: Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.;  Phone: 707-259-0123

August 27 — Date & Movie Night at Flora Springs Winery
Celebration: Share a romantic dinner paired with Flora Springs Wines in our Vineyard Courtyard. Follow it up sitting fireside, sipping wine and watching a movie on our rooftop lounge, overlooking the vineyards and the mountains. We will also have all your favorite movies snacks to munch on during the movie. Contact us for ticket information, dinner menus and movie info. Location: 1978 West Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena CA; Fee: $89 all inclusive;  Time: 5:50 p.m.; Phone:866-967-8032

August 27 — Michael Jackson’s Birthday Bash, Featuring Foreverland
Live Music: Foreverland is a 14-piece Tribute to one of the most well-known and beloved entertainers in the world: Mr. Michael Jackson. With four lead vocalists, four horns, and a six-piece rhythm section, the band brings songs like “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” and “Beat It” to life, in a way that no other group has done before. Location: Uptown Theatre, 1350 Third St., Napa, CA; Fee: $25;  Time: Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.; Phone: 707-259-0123

SEPTEMBER

September 10 — Staglin Family Music Festival for Mental Health
Benefit, Auction: Join us for the Annual Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health featuring Dionne Warwick! Kick up your heels while raising funds and hope for the 57 million Americans who live with mental illness. The event will include a free scientific symposium, a reception, a concert and a dinner. Location: Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford, CA; Fee: $750 per person; Time: Varies; Phone: (707) 944.0477

September 15 — Diana Ross at Lincoln Theater
Live Music: The one and only Diana Ross will perform her greatest hits in a multi-city spectacular live show. Ms. Ross will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs, along with a live string and horn section. Location: 100 California Drive, Yountville, CA; Fee: $150 – $250 Time: 8 p.m. Phone: 707-944-9900

September 17 — Mondavi CSR Release Party & Vertical Tasting
Wine Education: Taste 10 vintages of CSR from 99-08 in our beautiful First Year Barrel Cellar. This year we will include a break in the middle, to enjoy 2008 I Block Fume Blanc Reserve, oysters and live music along the edge of the To Kalon Vineyard. Location: Robert Mondavi Winery First Year Barrel Cellar, Oakville, CA
Fee: $100, $80 for Wine Club Members; Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Phone: 1-800-RMondavi

See fireworks in Napa Valley

Where will you be July 4th weekend? Some of you might be relaxing at home with friends and family enjoying great weather (hopefully!),  some barbecue, a couple of glasses of wine, and fireworks from the comfort of your yard or on television. However, we hope a fair amount of folks trip over to Napa Valley for a weekend full of fun, wine, food, and firework festivities! See some of the must-attend events July 4th weekend. For the full calendar of events, CLICK HERE.

July 1 – 4 — Napa County Fair & Fireworks
Family Fun: Four days of summer sizzle with live music, strolling entertainers, competition for blue ribbons, antique truck and tractor show, 4th of July parade and fireworks. Showcasing local wines and arts. Location: 1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga CA; Fee: $5-$10; Time: Thurs-Fri 4p.m.-11p.m./Sat-Sun 12p.m.-11p.m. Phone: 707-942-5111

July 2 – 4 — Silverado Vineyards Magnum 4th Weekend
Wine Education: People who drink from magnums are just plain happier than the rest of us.” All Fourth of July Weekend Silverado Vineyards will be opening a wide variety of current and library magnums! Join to see why magnums are just more fun! Special offers this weekend only from a great selection. Location: 6121 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558; Fee: Depends on the bottle;  Time: All Weekend; Phone: 707-257-1770

July 2 — Grgich Hills Wine Club Festival
Festival: Be a part of Grgich Hills Estate’s history as you celebrate the Fourth of July weekend at our annual wine club festival. Enjoy live music, dancing, traditional Croatian foods, and our fabulous wines on the lawn of our Victorian Estate in Yountville. Non club members, become a member for the day! Location: 1829 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford CA; Fee: $60 – $95; Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.;  Phone: 707-963-2784

July 2-4 — Red, White & Brews at Wineries of Napa Valley
Wine & Food Education: Enjoy Draft Beer samplers & Napa Valley wine flights this Fourth of July weekend. Taste through a variety of local microbreweries & boutique wineries. No reservations required. Comfortable outdoor patio, indoor seating, wine & beer tasting, Wi-Fi access, wine bar, & beer bar. Location: 1285 Napa Town Center, Napa CA; Fee: $10/Wine Club Members Free; Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Phone: 707-253-9450

July 2 — Robert Mondavi Summer Music Festival Gavin DeGraw
Festival: The Robert Mondavi Winery presents: Celebrating the American Dream Concert with Gavin DeGraw. Guests will experience one of today’s premier singer-songwriters. DeGraw is known for his heartfelt lyrics and soulful, blues-tinged vocals. Location: Robert Mondavi Winery Highway 29 Oakville, CA 94562;
Fee: $60; Time: 7 p.m.; Phone: (888) 769.5299

July 4 — Napa Valley Wine Train Fireworks Train
Celebration: The Napa Valley Wine Train’s Fourth of July Train is an extremely popular and fun way to experience the founding of our great Nation. First, indulge in an elegant gourmet meal. Then relax as we pull into our front row seat and stop for the fireworks celebration. Location: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA 94559;
Fee: $109 – $149 per person; Time: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm; Phone: 800-427-4124

CLICK HERE to see more 4th of July Events in the legendary Napa Valley.

HALL St. Helena

April 30 — Annual HALL Cabernet Cookoff!
Food & Wine Education, Benefit: Professional chef teams and amateur home cooks will serve up dishes paired perfectly with HALL Cabernet Sauvignon and compete to win money for their favorite Napa Valley non-pro fits. Taste each dish, vote for your favorites and enjoy incredible wines! Food, wine, music and more all included.
Fee: $55 General | $45 Wine Club Members; Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Phone Number: (707) 967.2626
Can’t attend the event? Visit the winery on another day!

MAY
May 7 — Duckhorn Spring Celebration
Celebration: Join us to taste with founder Dan Duckhorn, winemaker Bill Nancarrow, and president & CEO Alex Ryan. Walk through the gardens and sip wines from the Duckhorn Vineyards portfolio with a few other surprises. Duckhorn Vineyards, Estate House, 1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
Fee: $40; Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Phone Number: 866-367-9945

May 8 — Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and Spa Package at Flora Springs
Celebration: Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and Spa Package (Includes 3 mini spa treatments and Afternoon Tea paired with 4 Flora Springs wines). Facial or Manicure can also be purchased “A La Cart”, Facial $75 (includes a signature tasting flight of 4 wines), Manicure $45(includes a signature tasting flight of 4 wines).

Location: Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards, 1978 West Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA.

Fee: $125 RSVP Required; Time: Call for information & reservations; Phone Number: (866) 967.8032
Can’t attend the event? Visit the winery on another day! Special Wine Tasting Offer

May 21 — History in a Glass Tasting @ Freemark Abbey Winery
Wine Education: We’re cracking the vault and opening some of our library favorites. Taste perfectly aged wines expertly paired with hors d’oeuvres specially created by our estate culinary team. 3022 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA
Fee: $45, $25 for wine club members; Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Phone Number: 800-963-9698
Can’t attend the event? Visit the winery on another day! Special Wine Tasting Offer

May 21 — Appellation St. Helena Public Tasting
Wine Education: Enjoy wines from Appellation St. Helena wineries plus participate in a Special Blind Tasting with a chance to win a wine cellar comprised of St. Helena wines. Held at Charles Krug Winery (in the Carriage House), 2800 Main Street, St. Helena
Fee: $60 per person; Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.;  Phone Number: (707) 738.9920

Freemark Abbey Wines

JUNE
June 18 — Backyard Lawn Day at Freemark Abbey Winery
C elebration: Break out your croquet mallets, bocce balls, and bean bags and get ready for some good old fashion back yard fun. Join us for a day on the lawn with great wines, good friends and scrumptious nibbles.
Location: 3022 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA
Fee: $20, $10 for wine club members; Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.;  Phone Number: 800-963-9698
Can’t attend the event? Visit the winery on another day! Special Tasting Offer

June 19 — Father’s Day Barbecue at Hall Winery
Celebration: Cheers to Dad! Join us for the release of the 2008 HALL Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon! Enjoy an afternoon of good old-fashioned BBQ and live music, with a special Father’s Day Tasting Menu.
Location: 401 St. Helena Hwy S., St. Helena, CA
Fee: $20, $15 for Wine Club Members; Time: Call for information; Phone Number: (707) 967.2626
Can’t attend the event? Visit the winery on another day!

June 25 — Lobster Feed: Claws for Celebration
Celebration: Let the Celebration Begin — The Schweiger Family invites you to join them for a Traditional Lobster feed. Surrounded by Merlot vines as the sun sets, you will be enjoying the pairing of our wines and some of the best food in the Napa Valley prepared by local Chef, John Sorensen. For more information email svwines@schweigervineyards.com. Location: 4015 Spring Mountain Rd St. Helena, CA
Fee: $125 guest | $100 member; Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Phone Number: (877) 963.4882

Shady Oaks Country Inn, St Helena CA

If you’ve ever stayed in a bed and breakfast,  you know what a  unique and charming experience it is with quaint, serene settings with comfortably furnished rooms, gardens, and of course, a delightful wine country breakfast served each morning.  Innkeepers are happy to recommend nearby wineries for tasting, tell you where the best wine country dining is, and a host of other activities in the area. Clearly, innkeepers love what they do. But ever wonder what innkeepers did before they were B&B owners or even what they do in their spare time?

Meet John and Lisa Runnels,  the owners of two bed and breakfast’s – Shady Oaks Country Inn and Ambrose Bierce House,  both in St. Helena. Lisa is a charming, exuberant lady full of life and able to give you the best local insider information on wine country. But what may surprise you to know is that her husband  John (along with his partner John Lansingh) is behind the award-winning wine “Tangled Vines”.  Their homemade Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Pinot Noir have won several awards in the Napa Valley Home Winemakers Classic held each July at St. Supery Winery, a competition for home winemakers.

Tangled Vines of Shady Oaks

The partnership and enterprise began over 20 years ago and the moniker “Tangled Vines” is the amusing result of the tangled or gnarly relationship of the duo.  According to John Runnels, “John (Lansingh) does things the old-fashioned way and he’s a little hard-headed and I do things the modern way and I’m a little hard-headed, so we tangled a lot. So we said, ‘let’s call it Tangled Vines.’ ’” John and Lisa  both enjoy sharing their love of wine and the story with guests of Shady Oaks Country Inn. To John Runnels, “it’s the only thing I can do creative. I’m not a painter or an artist, but I can create wine in my style.”

So next time you think about visiting Napa Valley for a mid-week vacation (See Special Offer) or weekend respite, be sure to check into Shady Oaks Country Inn where you might get the chance to taste John’s creativity and perhaps meet the master mind himself! Either way,  be prepared to thoroughly enjoy what John and Lisa have created together with their beloved bed and breakfast. CLICK HERE for reservations.

Pamper Her Pink Basket

Ah, Mother’s Day!! When the sun is shining and Mom is serenely smiling while her children play happily and quietly in a flowery meadow, frolicking with brand-new puppies . . . at least that’s what it looks like in that greeting card commercial.

In reality, Mother’s Day is when children of all ages shower their mothers with well-deserved Mother’s Day gifts and praise, blissfully forgetting the frustration and stress they’ve caused.

Moms have handled it all and she really deserves the best. Is it any wonder why Mom always keeps a bottle of wine around? She deserves a little luxury and relaxation now and then! Mother’s Day allows us all to show our moms the appreciation she deserves.

Luxury Wine and Spa Basket

This year, pamper her with gifts from MyWinesDirect.com. For ultimate relaxation, give her a homemade spa day with the Luxury Wine & Spa Basket or the Pamper Her Pink Wine Gift Basket. In addition to a bottle or two of wine, each basket is filled with soothing and sweet-smelling bath and body soaps, lotions and treats from San Francisco Soap Company.

Allow her to indulge in her passion for chocolate and wine with a bottle of Looking Glass Chardonnay wrapped in luxuriant Belgian milk chocolate. Or bring her the Send Your Love Wine Gift Basket, which is filled with wine, cheese, crackers and an assortment of award-winning chocolate treats from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Send her into a state of bliss…Red Bliss with 6 red wines from around the world.

Yep, Moms have definitely earned a day to be spoiled… so send her a gift she’s surely earned. Mother’s Day wine gifts to wine gift baskets to a gift card letting her choose; your thoughtful and well-received gift will be sent direct to her with $0 shipping. Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift just got easier!

For a limited time, save $10 on Mother’s Day gifts with code: WINE4MOM