Big Deal
On May 30th and 31st, the Carneros Wine Alliance celebrates the only agricultural district that shares its appellation with Napa Valley is its 3rd annual Carneros Heritage Fest. Los Carneros appellation, which is only 40 minutes from San Francisco, is renown for unassailable Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. Carneros, which means ram in Spanish, brings together acclaimed Carneros appellation wines from several notable producers along with delicious lamb dishes and region specific gourmet edibles that reflect the unique flavor of this region. Celebrity chefs will be on hand to demonstrate their culinary flair during the “Taste of Carneros” lamb barbecue competition. Olive oils, specialty cheeses, live music, sheep herding exhibitions and falconry demonstrations are also featured. All-inclusive food and wine pairing tickets are only $75 per person (children under 12 are free). No tickets will be sold at the event. To participate, visit www.carneros.com or call (707) 253-2678. 
Garden of Eatin’
Be certain to visit the new specialty food and wine merchants of Oxbow Public Market in Napa. Whether you’re shopping for an esoteric ingredient for dinner, in the mood for a quick meal, browsing the local produce, or looking for a gift, you’ll find something to please your palate – and all your other senses – while supporting local sustainable agriculture and businesses. The 40,000-square-foot barnlike structure houses 35 merchants, including 10 farm stands stocked with fruits and vegetables from growers within a 100-mile radius. Anchor shops include Oxbow Wine Merchant, Oxbow Cheese Merchant, Folio Enoteca & Winery, the Model Bakery, Pica Pica Maize Kitchen and the Olive Press. Also in the complex are sit-down restaurants, Ria (run by Don Giovanni’s chefs), Taylor’s Automatic Refresher, the popular burger joint with branches in St. Helena and San Francisco, and sweet treats from Three Twins Organic Ice Cream. Neighbors include COPIA, the culinary museum and the Napa Wine Train. Oxbow Public Market is located at 610 First St., Napa; (707) 226-6529; wwwoxbowpublicmarket.com. FYI: Grab a baguette and some goat cheese, uncork a half-bottle of Pinot Noir and picnic at a table on the veranda overlooking the river.
Stellar Sips
Taste outside the box of Napa Valley during the 20th Annual Taste of Santa Cruz Mountains. Spread over two weekends (May 31st and June 7th), Taste is hosted by virtually all the award-winning wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains with premium wines paired with delicious foods from some of the peninsula’s top restaurants. If you’re looking for something different, this is your best opportunity to discover many of tomorrow’s hottest tastemakers in a beautiful oceanside setting. Participation is only $35 per person and includes commemorative wine glass, barrel tastings, winery tours, new releases, live music, celebrity chefs and a few other surprises. To attend, call (831) 685-8463 or go to www.scmwa.com. FYI: The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation is home to Ridge Vineyards, an amazing wine producer that took first place honors for their Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon during the 30th Anniversary “Judgment in Paris” taste-off on May 24th, 2006.  Cool Celebration
Chefs Market is the most popular outdoor event in the Napa Valley. Every Thursday evening throughout the summer, warm weather revelers head to downtown Napa where they enjoy fresh produce, gourmet foods from some of the region’s best chefs, tons of Napa Valley wines, musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations and more. Wineries of Napa Valley pours premium wines by the glass at specially reduced prices. No reservations are required. For additional details call 1-800-328-7815 or visit www.napadowntown.com.
Bon Voyage
Now that gas is $4 per gallon and climbing, Bay Area wine travelers might decide that the best way to visit the Napa Valley just might be by water. Napa bound visitors traveling for business or leisure can now enjoy a relaxing and traffic-free ferry ride across the San Francisco Bay, then be whisked away into the heart of the Napa Valley for a consummate wine-tasting experience. The program is part of Napa Valley Car Free promoting new ways to enjoy Napa Valley sans automobile. Visitors to Wine Country will embark on their car-free journey at the San Francisco Ferry Building via the Baylink Ferry. Upon arrival in Vallejo, the Napa Winery Shuttle picks up travelers and takes them to three or four select Napa Valley wineries, with a possible stop in downtown Napa for a visit to one of its ten-plus wine tasting rooms. At the end of the day, riders can return to San Francisco via the ferry or be delivered to a drop-off location for an airport shuttle service. Visitors can also choose to spend a night or two at one of three participating inns in Napa Valley: Napa River Inn, the Inn on Randolph and Napa Valley Hotel and Suites. Special packages may be available. Those who elect the multi-day option will be taken back to the Vallejo ferry terminal or to the airport shuttle at the end of their stay. The Napa Winery Shuttle service and all wine tours are $65. Ferry tickets and lodging costs are not included in the price. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Napa Winery Shuttle at www.napawineryshuttle.com or call (707) 257-1950.
On The Radar
See the world in a weekend. On June 7th and 8th, more than 25 wineries across Alexander Valley will be participating in the 11th annual Taste of the Valley. With dramatic themes from around the world, participants of this popular summer kickoff enjoy delicious foods prepared by winery chefs, live music, wagon and gondola rides through vineyards, cave and vineyard tours, barrel-making demonstrations, discounts on purchases, signature Alexander Valley hospitality and more. Included in the $65 fee ($75 at the door), tasters will receive a wristband, souvenir glass, map and a full description of what each winery will be offering their guests. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-289-4637 or at www.alexandervalley.org.