Classy Syrahs for Fall and the Holidays

Looking for new tasty styles of red wines to share with friends and family throughout the holidays? Then it's time to get to know the elegant, spicy and powerful Syrah/Shiraz wines that have quickly come into fashion over the past decade.

To introduce your palates to stunning new releases from the 2004 and 2005 vintages, Vine & Barrel will hold its First Annual Fall Syrah Tasting with members of the Rhone Rangers and Petaluma Gap wine associations on Saturday October 20.

Think of it as a delicious way to find out why these tremendous wines work so well with a wide range of red meats, lamb, duck, braised chicken, gourmet sausage, stews, pasta dishes, grilled veggies, artisan cheeses, and many other styles of delectable cuisine enjoyed in the cooler months of fall and winter...

.Also, stay tuned for more information about our exclusive Pinot Noir Madness for the Holidays tasting on November 10th.

Cheers,
Jason Jenkins
Christopher Sawyer
Simone Haslam
Proprietors of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop
Petaluma

Oct 20: First Annual Fall Syrah Tasting Extravaganza, 3-6 pm ($15)

Oct 27: Vine & Barrel's One-Year Anniversary Bash, 3-6 pm ($15)

Oct 31: Vine & Barrel Halloween Party - Wine tasting and chocolate pairing ($15)

Nov 10: Pinot Noir Madness for the Holidays ($20)

(Note: Tickets to each of these delicious events can be purchased in advance at Vine & barrel or by calling us at (707) 765-1112 or via email at info@vineandbarrel.com)

Oct. 3: Tasty Malbec wines from Argentina, France and America, at Vine & Barrel 6:00 pm ($5)

Oct 17: Special Gourmet Salt Dinner at Carneros Bistro in Sonoma. (See below for more info).

Oct 24: Ghouls, Ghosts, Goblins and Wines-Wine & Film Pairings with a Halloween Twist, at Vine & Barrel 6:00 pm ($5)

Vine & Barrel & beyond. . .

Amphora Winery's 3rd Annual
Breast Cancer Grape Stomp, Sept. 30

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so help stomp out cancer by attending the enjoyable annual grape event held at Amphora Winery in Dry Creek Valley.

-->[if gte vml 1]> -->[if !vml]--> -->[endif]-->In addition to watching the fun ladies-only grape stomping activities, all attendees can taste the stunning new release of Due Sorelle, a wine made with grapes from the first stomp in 2005, and bid on silent auction items for sale.

The $50 donation to Sutter Breast Care Center, includes free a t-shirt or visor. Plus, for every bottle of Due Sorelle sold for $35, the winery will donate an additional $30 to the fight against breast cancer.

In short, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved! 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets available at (707) 431-7767 or info@amphorawines.com.

Savor award-winning wines and other taste-tempting treats at the annual Harvest Fair going on at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, October 5-7. For times, activities and ticket information, visit www.harvestfair.org.

Wicked Weekend at
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Oct. 6

Do the Monster Mash to Manzanita Moon or be tempted by the ghoulish goodies and tantalizing treats, a.k.a. Oysters on the Half-shell and Grill Rack of Lamb prepared by Chef Jeff Young. All this paired with the delicious new releases of their three new Zinfandels: Temptation, Sin Zin, and Redemption. $30/person. For more information, contact Toni Echols at 800-888-7209 or te@avvwine.com. Alexander Valley Vineyards 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg. www.avvwine.com.

Day on the Farm at Landmark
Winery and Vineyards, Oct. 13

-->[if gte vml 1]> -->[if !vml]--> -->[endif]-->In Kenwood, celebrate the intriguing connection of Landmark Winery and the historic agricultural legacy started by John Deere in the 1800s at this festive fall event. In addition to tasting the delicious new wine releases, other highlights will include: sampling fine cuisine prepared by Landmark's Dueling Chefs, horse drawn wagon rides, bocce, live music, and other fun activities! For reservations, contact Jane Rogers at (707) 833-0224 or jane@landmarkwine.com.

Annual Spotlight on Zinfandel in
the Heart of Sonoma Valley, Oct. 13 & 14

On October 13 & 14, mingle with other friendly wine lovers while sampling dozens of new Zinfandels at wineries in the Heart of Sonoma Valley. Enjoy wine tastings, verticles, barrel samples, education seminars, delicious snacks, and much more. Participating wineries include: St. Francis, Imagery Estate, Blackstone, Eric Ross, Kaz Winery, Kunde Estate, Loxton Cellars, Mayo Family Winery, VJB Cellars, Wellington Vineyards, and The Wine Room. Sat & Sun, 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contacts: (866) 794-9463 or www.heartofthevalley.com.

Gourmet Salt Dinner at
Carneros Bistro in Sonoma, Oct. 15

As a nod to the passion that superstar chef Janine Falvo and sommelier Christopher Sawyer have for working with tasty salts from around the world, Carneros Bistro at The Renaissance's Lodge at Sonoma will hold a special dinner highlighting the incredible diversity and depth of this versatile ingredient.

This five-course menu will include Triple Salt Live Scallops; Salt Cod Beignets, Duck, Duck, Goose (a flavorful trio of Duck Proscuitto Salad, Duck Confit, and Hibiscus Salt Cured Foie Gras) and other delicious treats. $50 per person/ $70 with wine pairings. For reservations or more info, call Carneros Bistros at (707) 931-2042.

-->[if gte vml 1]> -->[if !vml]--> -->[endif]-->Passionate for Pinot Noir? Then mark your calendar to attend the Fourth Annual "Pinot on the River" Festival at the Russian River Vineyards Wine Center in Forestville, October 26-28.

This marvelous three-day event will feature multiple Pinot Noir tastings, seminars, dinners, and Sunday's Grand Artisan Pinot Noir Tasting featuring new releases from more than 80 participating wineries, fantastic foods paired with wines, and much more. $75 for the Sunday Grand Tasting or $725 for a full weekend pass. For more info, visit www.pinotfestival.com, email info@pinotfestival.com, or call (707) 922-1096.

Now that the 2007 grape harvest has officially begun and the holidays are right around the corner, Vine & Barrel Wine Shop will be highlighting the big, powerful and elegant styles of delicious Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines throughout the month of September.

Whether you are cooking dinner at home for friends and family or sharing a bottle during at festive tail-gate party, these expressive wines work wonders when paired with grilled or barbequed meats, hard cheeses, dark chocolate desserts and many other styles of delectable seasonal cuisine. With that in mind, come taste these unique flavor profiles at the First Annual Fall Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Extravaganza at Vine & Barrel on Saturday, September 22 (see below)

Also, throughout the month of September, Vine and Barrel will be launching the first stage of our exiting new Wine Club program, featuring delicious wines from producers that belong to the Petaluma Gap Wine Association. These fantastic wines can be purchased in 2-packs, 3-packs, 4-packs and 6-packs. Pairing Indian Summer and memorable wines—a new Petaluma tradition!

Cheers,
Jason Jenkins
Christopher Sawyer
Simone Haslam
Proprietors of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop

Upcoming Events

Sept 15: Italian wines from the Old World and New World, 3-5 pm ($10)

Sept 22: First Annual Fall Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Extravaganza, 3-6 pm ($15)

Sept 29: Dazzling delights at the Second Annual Taste of Petaluma, 1-4 pm (info below)

Sept 12: Rhone Rangers Heirloom Tomato Dinner at the Lodge at Sonoma, 6:30 pm ($50/$70 with wine; see below)

Sept 19: Exploring the beauties of Petite Sirah, 6 pm at Vine & Barrel ($5 includes class & tasting)

Vine & Barrel debuts its new Wine Club by
honoring Petaluma Gap producers

In September, Vine & Barrel will be celebrating the release of our new Wine Club by honoring the fine producers of the Petaluma Gap Wine Association. Each wine club purchase can be custom fit to meet your personal taste preferences and the amount of money you would like to spend.

White wine lovers, for instance, can try the Fall Whites, a two-pack that includes a combination of the crisp Keller Estate 2005 Pinot Gris and the elegant Copeland Creek 2003 Chardonnay.

For red wine lovers, try the Bordeaux-style Medley, a taste-tempting two-pack featuring Kastania 2004 Meritage and Copland Creek 2003 Meritage.

For a mixture of styles, there's the Lovely Combo Blend, an elegant three-pack featuring the Keller Estate 2006 "Oro de Plata" Unoaked Chardonnay, Cline 2005 Cool-Climate Syrah and the newly released Ridgeway 2005 Pinot Noir.

Or if you are a happy victim of Pinot Noir madness like us, then try The Terroir Zone—a collectable four-pack featuring the Ridgeway 2005 Pinot Noir, a tremendous ageworthy wine made with grapes grown in the hills near D Street Extension; the highly acclaimed Clary Ranch 2004 Pinot Noir from Chileno Valley Road; the Keller Estate 2005 from the La Cruz Vineyard off Lakeville Road; and the hard to find Roessler 2004 Pinot Noir from the Griffin's Liar Vineyard also off Lakeville Road.

And for even more adventure, try the Petaluma Gap Six-Pack, a mixture of six spectacular wines designed to dazzle the palate of a wide range of wine aficionados.

Prices are based on the best retail cost per bottle plus tax. Drop in and find out more about this exciting new program!

Heirloom Tomato Dinner with local Rhone Ranger members and Sommelier Christopher Sawyer at Carneros Bistro
at The Lodge at Sonoma, September 12

On September 12, join friends from marvelous Sonoma Valley producers Arrowood, Castle, Cline Cellars, Landmark, Parmelee-Hill and Wellington Vineyards, sommelier Christopher Sawyer, and award-winning chef Janine Falvo at Carneros Bistro at The Lodge at Sonoma for a special seasonal dinner honoring the delicious flavor profiles of fresh Heirloom Tomatoes and how well they pair with delicious Rhone-style wines.

6:30 p.m., $50/ $70 with wine, excludes tax and gratuity. For more information, visit www.carnerosbistro.com/menusor simply call the restaurant at (707) 931-2042 to reserve your seats at this memorable event before they're gone!

Fall Spectacular with Italian wines from the
Old World and new World, September 15

What do all the following foods have in common? Heirloom tomatoes, artisan mozzarella and aged pecorino cheeses, fresh pesto, thin-crusted gourmet pizzas, Braised Lamb Shank, and freshly pressed olive oil.

Give up? Each of these fabulous fall treats pair incredibly well with fine Italian-style wines from the Old World and New World.

To learn more about these exciting styles of wines, visit Vine & Barrel on Saturday, September 15, to taste new releases from Vias Imports Ltd., Jim Moore of Uvaggio wines and other special guests. 3-5 pm, $10/person. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event.

First Annual Fall Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Extravaganza at Vine & Barrel, September 22

With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to refresh the memory of the fantastic flavor profiles and lingering delights that well-made Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from Sonoma County, Napa Valley and beyond.

So to stay up to date with these wines, Vine & Barrel will be hosting an exclusive tasting on September 22, featuring tasty releases from Stags Leap Winery, Rombauer, Monticello Cellars, Pezzi-King, Holloway Wines, Bugay, Watkins Family and other special guests, as well as delicious seasonal cuisine prepared by chef Brian Otte.

3-6 pm, $15/person. Tickets may be purchased at Vine & Barrel. However space is limited, so get yours before it's too late! For more information, call us at (707) 765-1112 or email jason@vineandbarrel.com.

Dazzle your palate at the Second Annual
Taste of Petaluma, September 29th

Do you love fine wine and great restaurants? Then don't miss the Second Annual "Taste of Petaluma" where you'll sample everything that Petaluma's upscale culinary scene has to offer in one afternoon.

In addition to Vine & Barrel, this year's event will feature over 50 of Petaluma's finest restaurants, wineries, breweries and food purveyors to tempt you with their talents.

$35/person gets you 10 dine-around tickets, a map of sampling locations, a tote bag, and much more. Pre-tickets are available by calling Cinnabar Theater at (707) 763-8920 or by visiting Gallery One, Haus Fortuna or Pelican Art Gallery. For more information, visit www.tasteofpetaluma.org

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Gala Wine Tasting, September 29

Harvest Fair awards night at Grace Pavilion. Celebrate the rich agricultural heritage that has won this region and its wines worldwide acclaim.

This annual prelude to the Harvest Fair is the presentation of the 2007 Harvest Fair medals, top-honors awarded by a distinguished group of wine judges, including Vine & Barrel's sommelier Christopher Sawyer.

During the Gala, all 500+ will be paired with hors d'oeuvres inspired by the region's freshest seasonal ingredients. Tickets for Awards Night are $65 per person and are available for purchase at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Administration Office or online, visit www.harvestfair.org.

More Indian Summer gossip...

Congratulations are definitely in order for a number of special friends of Vine & Barrel.

The first is Buena Vista Carneros, a wonderful local producer which is currently celebrating its 150-year anniversary as California's oldest commercial winery. When in Vine and Barrel Wine Shop, ask us about their dazzling new releases and look for Christopher and Jaosn's story on the winery in the Community section of the Argus-Courier on September 26th.

The second congrats goes to Rex Hardware, which officially re-opened its doors on the corner of 4 th and B on August 25. Welcome home to Jim and his staff. Glad to have you back!

And the third to the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers for raising $1.2 million dollars for local charities over Labor Day Weekend during the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction. As they say in the famous region: "…Is that a Magnum in your holster, or are you just happy to be in Sonoma Valley?" For highlights of the three-day event or to find a schedule of other wine tasting events in the region, visit www.sonomavalleywine.com.

Vine & Barrel Wine Shop

143 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA
707-776-1112

Hot August Days, Hot August Nights

As the official start to the 2007 grape harvest gets closer, Vine & Barrel will be focusing on spicy, robust and elegant styles of wines made with Zinfandel, California's "sweetheart" grape, throughout the month of August. In late summer, these expressive wines work wonders when paired with fresh meats, cheeses, veggies and many other styles of delectable seasonal cuisine. To showcase these unique flavor profiles, we will be hosting the first ever "HALF-ZAPPED" tasting event on August 4 featuring wines from 13 producers, fine cuisine, and much more (See below for more information). In the meantime, to learn more about this unique grape variety, its rich history in California and other places around the globe, and a complete list of members of the marvelous Zinfandel Advocates and Producers organization, visit www.zinfandel.org

Cheers,
Jason Jenkins
Christopher Sawyer
Simone Haslam
Proprietors of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop
and proud members of ZAP

Upcoming Events

August 18: Open pouring. Tasty treats provided by Sonoma, Mendo & Napa vintners. 3-5 pm (Free)

August 8: Jazz Festival Preview: North of the Gate Wine Competition Winners, 6 pm (Free)

August 22: New Pinot Noir releases designed to delight the senses, 6 pm (Free)

V-n-B and beyond . . .

Petaluma Waterfront Jazz Festival, August 11
The Petaluma Waterfront Jazz Festival will feature a slew of delightful
events and multiple bands to delight your senses. A $20 ticket will get you preferred seating; six tasting tickets for food, beer and wine; a commemorative wine glass for the first 5,000 attendees; and much more. As a special treat, award-winning wines from the Sonoma-Marin Fair wine competition, Savor North of the Gate, will also be available for tasting. For more info, call Petaluma Chamber of Commerce at (707) 762-2785 or visit www.petalumachamber.com

Pagani Ranch Winemaker Dinner at Carneros Bistro at The Lodge at Sonoma, Wednesday, August 15
On August 15, join winemakers from Ridge, St. Francis, David Noyes,
Wellington and Berthoud Family wineries, sommelier Christopher Sawyer and the incredible chef Janine Falvo at Carneros Bistro at The Lodge at Sonoma for a special dinner honoring vineyard-designate wines from the Pagani Ranch, a legendary vineyard planted in the heart of Sonoma Valley in the late 1800s. 6:30 p.m., $70/person for six wines and five-course meal. For more information, visit www.carnerosbistro.com or call (707) 931-2042. Get your seats at this memorable event before they're gone!

Experience Russian River Valley Wines at the 12th Annual "Grapes to Glass" Weekend, August 17-19
Created, organized and hosted by the people of Russian River Valley, the 12th Annual Grapes to Glass Weekend encourages you to live like a local at winery and vineyard tours, educational tastings, scenic bike riding, kayaking, a magical mystery bus tour, delicious lunches and the famous "Hog in the Fog" Backyard Barbecue and Auctions. 11 am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.rrvw.org

Yes, late-July newsletter indeed.  Apologies for the delay.

Vine & Barrel:  June Newsletter

~Exciting Pinot Noirs from the fabulous 2005 Vintage~

Throughout the month of June, Vine & Barrel will be highlighting a wide range of new sophisticated and elegant styles of delicious Pinot Noirs from the spectacular 2005 vintage by producers in the Petaluma Gap region of Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Sonoma Valley and Carneros. Find out which ones can hold their own when served by the glass, which ones work best with a wide range of comfort foods and fine cuisine, which ones can develop even more with age, and much more!  

Cheers from Jason Jenkins, Christopher Sawyer and Simone Haslam, proprietors of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop

"Grapes to Glass" Wine Education Classes in June

June   6:   Exploring the taste profiles of 2005 Pinot Noirs from Sonoma Coast and Carneros, 6-8 pm (Free)

June  13:   Sensory Experience 101—Exploring the Aroma Wheel and Taste Profiles, 6-8 pm (Free)

June  20:   Dazzling Zinfandels to get you ready for summer! 6-8 pm (Free)

June  27:   Exploring more 2005 Pinot Noirs from Russian River and Green Valley, 6-8 pm (Free)

Upcoming Wine Tasting Events at Vine & Barrel

June 9:  Spicy old vine Zinfandels to serve with barbequed meats and other summer delights, 3-5 pm ($5.00)

June  16:  Sophisticated Pinot Noirs from the fine members of the Petaluma Gap Association, 3-5 pm. (Free)

June  23:  Special tasting of stately Cabernets with power and finesse, 3-5 pm. ($5.00)

June 30:   Sexy and delicious styles of German Rieslings ($5.00)

The Cinna Dinner is back!, June 14  On Thursday June 14^th, bring your sweetheart to the highly entertaining Cinna Dinner, a pleasurable progressive dinner/theater tour and fundraiser designed to raise money for the Cinnabar Theater. At 5 pm, the festivities kick off at Vine & Barrel with delicious wines paired with Marin French cheeses. Then it's off to Risibisi, where Chef Fabio will serve a fantastic multi-course meal. Once finished, Terrific Tours will transport the guests to Cinnabar Theater to see a special performance of Enchanted April and sip delicious ports provided by Petaluma Port Works. Only $70/person (excluding the cost of drinks at Risibisi) for this exciting night of entertainment! For more info, visit www.cinnabartheater.org or call (707)-763-8920.

Vine & Barrel at Della Fattoria, June 8 & 29   Join Vine & Barrel proprietors Jason Jenkins and Christopher Sawyer at Della Fattoria Café for a fun tasting series of dry Rosé-style wines (June 8^th) and cool-climate Syrahs (June 29^th); both 6 to 9 pm. Cost: $20. Delectable treats from the café's supper menu will also be available. 141 Petaluma Blvd North, (707) 763-0161, www.dellafattoria.com.  

Coro Release Party at Little River Inn, June 22  As part of the Mendocino's festive Wine Affair Weekend, the romantic Little River Inn will be hosting the unique Coro Dinner featuring ten magnificent examples of vibrant red wine blends designed to showcase the delicious flavors of Zinfandel and other Mediterranean grapes grown in Mendocino County. In addition to being paired with a scrumptious five-course meal prepared by executive chef Marc Dym, the characteristics of each of these taste-tempting wines will be discussed by guest sommelier Christopher Sawyer of Vine & Barrel and the maverick winemakers who made each blend. And there's more! .... The $450 per couple also includes 10 bottles of the new 2004 Coro wines to take home, a $350 value! To reserve your seats at this exciting event, call (707) 937-5942 or visit www.littleriverinn.com. Meanwhile, to learn more about the Coro concept and the wineries involved in the dinner and the Mendocino Wine Affair Weekend, visit www.mendowine.com. Better yet, come to Vine & Barrel to sample the yummy new Coro releases at the Zinfandel Tasting on June 9^th (see above).

Petaluma Gap focus at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, June 24 Learn more about the new Petaluma Gap Wine Association at the Sonoma-Marin Fair's Wine Garden with speaker Christopher Sawyer of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop on Sunday June 24^th from 2:30 to 4 pm.  

29^th Annual Sonoma County Showcase, July 12-15   Find out why Sonoma County is one of the world's great food and wine destinations at the 29^th Annual Sonoma County Showcase, a fantastic four-day epicurean adventures featuring over 60 of Northern California's premium wineries, dinners and luncheons, vineyard tours, and much more; visit  www.sonomwine.com. 

June Wine Specials at Vine & Barrel

Sparkling Gem

"J" 2001 Vintage Brut, Russian River Valley, $27.50

Expressive Summertime Whites

Seghesio 2005 Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley, $16.50

Fortress 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, 100% Musque Clone

Red Hills, Lake County, $16.99

Dry Pink Wine with Class and  Style

Muscardini 2006 Rosato di Sangiovese, Dry Creek Valley, $17.99

Generous Reds

Hey Mambo!  2004 Italian-style Red, California, $10.99

Kenwood 2005 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $22.50

Big Reds with Power and Finesse

Ceago 2003 Estate Syrah, Certified Organic, Clear Lake, $21.99

Robert Rue 2004 Old Vine Zinfandel, Wood Road, Russian River Valley, $29.99

Vine & Barrel Wine Shop, 143 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, Calif. (707) 765-1112

www.vineandbarrel.com

Drink Pink: 
Throughout the month of May, your friends at Vine & Barrel will 
be saluting the lovely and refreshing new styles of dry Rosé wines. Better 
yet, these fabulous pink wines will not hurt the pocket book; most retail 
for $10-$20 per bottle. For more information about the growing number of 
fine wineries that are part of the hip Rose Avengers & Producers 
organization and food pairing tips, visit <http://www.rapwines.com/> www.rapwines.com. 
And look for the Rosé Revolution article by Vine & Barrel proprietors Jason Jenkins 
and Christopher Sawyer in the Wine & Food section of the Argus Courier on 
Wednesday, May 30th.


~ Special Wine Tasting Events at Vine & Barrel~
May 12:  Drink Pink: New Styles of Dry Pink Wines with Cline, Martin, 
Muscardini, etc. 3-5 pm (Sorry if you missed this!)
May 26:  Sophisticated Syrahs from the fine members of the Petaluma Gap 
Association, 3-5 pm. (Free)


~ "Grapes to Glass" Wine Education Classes in May ~
May 30:   What are the differences between Syrah, Shiraz, and Petite Sirah? 
Come and find out! (Free)


Passport to Sonoma Valley, May 19-20
Discover the intensity of Cabernet made with mountainside fruit, the unique 
personality of Old Vine Zinfandel, the complexity of a Reserve Chardonnay, 
and many more taste sensations at the Passport to Sonoma Valley Weekend, 
May 19-20th. This exciting two-day event features 40 acclaimed wineries and 
opportunities to taste hidden gems not normally open for the public, 
delicious food pairings, entertainment, and a commemorative wine glass. 
$50/person. Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm. For more info, visit 
<http://www.sonomavalleywine.com/>www.sonomavalleywine.com.


Second Annual Carneros Heritage Fest, June 1-2
Carneros Wine Alliance will host its Second Annual Carneros Heritage Fest 
at The Donum Estate in Sonoma, showcasing premium sparkling wines, 
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah and other cool-climate varietals. The 
"Picnic in the Pasture," will feature wines paired with barbequed lamb, 
Rancho Gordo Beans, artisan cheeses and other culinary treats. Proceeds 
from the Fest will support Napa and Sonoma Farm Bureau and Vineyard Worker 
Services. $60/person. Visit <http://www.carneros.org/> www.carneros.org  …..  


For additional fun, join Winemaker Jon Priest of Etude Wines and Sommelier Christopher Sawyer at the 
Carneros Heritage Lamb Dinner II, a five-course feast and tasting being 
held at on Friday, June 1 at Carneros Bistro at The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 
Broadway, Sonoma. $120/person, 6:30 start time. For more info, call 
Carneros Bistro at (707) 931-2042 or visit 
<http://www.carnerosbistro.com/> www.carnerosbistro.com.

www.vineandbarrel.com

Throughout the month of April, Vine & Barrel will be saluting delicious styles of Sauvignon Blanc and dry Rosé wines that can compliment fine cuisine in spring and summer. Also, look for our wine column on Sauvignon Blanc in the Community section of the Argus-Courier on March 28th or the blog version on www.Petaluma360.com. Hope to see you soon!

Cheers,   Jason Jenkins, Christopher Sawyer and Simone Haslam

~Proprietors of Vine & Barrel Wine Shop~

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"Grapes to Glass" Wine Education Classes at Vine & Barrel

April   4:   Tasting of scrumptious wines that that work wonders with Easter cuisine, 6-8 pm (Free)

April 18:   The Sensory Experience 101—Exploring the Aroma Wheel and Taste Profiles of Wine, 6-8 pm (Free)

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Special Wine Pouring Events at Vine & Barrel in April

April  7:  Fresh Sauvignon Blanc for spring w/Sonoma Coast, Sauvignon Republic, Fortress, etc, 4-6 pm (Free)

April 21:  New Pinot Noir releases from the 2005 Vintage, w/ Buena Vista, Ridgeway, and others, 4-6 pm (Free)

April 28:  Special Wines by the Glass program for Butter & Eggs Day Festivities, Firefighter wines, etc., 11-9 pm.

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Sonoma Valley Film Festival "Cinema Epicuria", April 11-15

Celebrate 10 years of film, food and wine in the heart of wine country at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, April 11-15. This year's event will feature 75 new independent films from around the world, gourmet wine and food pairings before each screening, lively receptions, hot parties, winery excursions, and countless opportunities to casually mingle with filmmakers, actors, winemakers, celebrity chefs, and the festival's own official wine Sommelier Christopher Sawyer (a.k.a. co-proprietor of Vine & Barrel).  For more information about the movies, events or purchase tickets, visit www.sonomafilmfest.org.  Hope to see you there!

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Hospice of Sonoma, April 20-22.

Discover the romance of Pinot Noir at the annual Hospice of Sonoma, a playful, sexy and very engaging weekend event that raises funds for local charities. Modeled after the legendary Hospice du Beaune event in Burgundy, this year's fantastic event will feature over 40 preeminent Pinot Noir producers from Sonoma Coast, Russian River, Green Valley and Sonoma Carneros—each of which will be pouring delicious new releases from the spectacular 2005 vintage and barrel samples from 2006. On Friday evening, the festivities kick off with winery dinners. On Saturday, the fun continues with an exclusive preview Barrel Tasting, followed by Dinner and Live Charity Auction, and a special live performance by Eddie Money and his band. If that's not enough, the merriment continues on Sunday afternoon at the unique Green Valley Festival, a food and wine tasting extravaganza, at Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol. For more information about this great charitable event, visit www.HospiceofSonoma.org.       

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Petaluma Butter & Eggs Day Parade, April 28

This year's "Super Town, Super Heroes" theme of the 2007 Butter & Eggs Day will honor the 150-year anniversary of the Petaluma Fire Department. In addition to the entertaining Parade that kicks-off at Noon, other festivities will include: the humorous Cow Chip Tossing Competition, the Cutest Chick Contest, as well as a BBQ and other fun activities at the downtown fire station on D Street. When you get thirsty, be sure and stop by Vine & Barrel, where we will be serving dazzling wines by the glass at special prices from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. This includes tasty selections made by wineries with firefighter connections, and much, much more! ..... On Sunday April 29^th, the shop will also be open from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. during the Petaluma Downtown Antique Faire held on Kentucky Street.

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10^th Annual Petaluma Chili Cook-off, April 29

Looking for a fun option to help spice up your Sunday afternoon in late April? Then join us at the 10^th Annual Chili Cook-off at Petaluma's Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds on April 29th. This year's event will include forty participants competing for the People's Choice Awards and the VIP judge's decision for the best chili, salsa and beers. Vine & Barrel's own Christopher Sawyer will be one of the VIP judges and proceeds from the cook-off will benefit the youth programs at Petaluma's historic Cinnabar Theater. $22 for chili and salsa/$33 with the beer tasting. For tickets, visit www.greatchilicookoff.com

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April Wine Specials at Vine & Barrel

Sparkling Gems for Easter

Gloria Ferrer NV Brut, Sonoma County, $14.99

Iron Horse 2001 Classic Vintage Brut, Green Valley/Russian River,  $27.99

Expressive Springtime Whites

Sauvignon Republic 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, $13.50

Sonoma Coast Vineyards 2005 Hummingbird Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, $16.99

Generous Reds

Two Brothers, 2004 Big Tattoo Red, Chile, $8.50

Hey Mambo!  2004 Italian-style Red, California, $10.99

St. Francis 2001 Merlot, Sonoma County, $10.99

Kenwood 2005 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $22.50

Big Reds with Power and Finesse

Robert Rue 2004 Old Vine Zinfandel, Wood Road, Russian River Valley, $29.99

Stag's Leap 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $37.99

Vine & Barrel Wine Shop, 143 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, California

(707) 765-1112, www.vineandbarrel.com

Check it out.  (Thanks Katie!)