SUNDAY, OCT 17 - SoCo Uplugged

Great music, great food, great wine and great people all in one place. come out for the inaugaral music event SoCo uplugged in the Russian River. Check out our amazing music lineup!!

Perfoming at the first SoCo unplugged will be:

• Natalia Zuckerman  www.nataliazukerman.com

• Tom Freund  www.myspace.com/tomfreundmusic

• Raining Jane www.rainingjane.com/home.rj

• Heather Combs www.myspace.com/heathercombssolo

Come get unplugged- drink amazing Russian River wines, eat great food from boon eat + drink (served up out of a bitchen converted airsteam from Thomas George Estates) and enjoy the sounds of some amazingly talented artists from NY and CA.  Bring a blanket - get comfy-  Its gonna be a great day!

Time: 2pm - 7pm Fee: $20 general addmission in advance Place: boon hotel + spa,  Guerneville


*while boon is a dog friendly hotel venue- no dogs allowed for the event .

SATURDAY, OCT 16 - Healdsburg Crush Festival

The who's who of Sonoma County wineries and restaurants will gather under one roof for an evening of food and wine tasting in downtown Healdsburg, just one block east of the Plaza, for the Healdsburg Crush Festival, sponsored by St. John Catholic School. Raffle drawings, silent auction lots, buy-in parties and live music round out the evening’s festivities.

Place: Downtown Healdsburg, one block east of the Plaza Fee: $65 Time: 6pm - 9pm Phone: (707) 318.7997

FRIDAY, OCT 8 - Bottle Shots 2010

Bottle Shots is an annual charity event that coincides with harvest in the wine country and supports the Active 20-30 Club of Healdsburg. This year Bottle Shots will be hosted by Trentadue Winery where guests will sample from over 25 local producers of wine, food and beer, and enjoy live music into the night. Call for more information & tickets.

Active 20-30 Healdsburg Children's Charitable Fund, supports underprivileged youth in the local community.

20 Wineries - 8 Restaurants - 5 Breweries - 4 Bands - 1 Cause...

Fee: $35 pre-sale, $40 at the door Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 227.2929

SUE'S NOTE: I've been a part of this organization for many years and it's all for the kids! I'll be there pouring some Graton Ridge Cellars wine for you to enjoy! Hope you will join me!

SUNDAY, OCT 10 - Freestone Vineyards BBQ & Pinot

Come join Freestone Vineyards for a true Southern style BBQ featuring local favorite Larry Vito We will be serving a glass of our 2007 Fogdog Pinot Noir paired with pork spare ribs, a thigh of southern barbecued chicken, Nana’s old fashioned coleslaw, barbecued cowboy beans and freshly baked skillet cornbread with honey butter. Advance reservations required.  

Place: Freestone Vineyards, 12747 El Camino Bodega, Freestone, CA  Fee: $22/$18 Freestone Wine Club Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m Phone Number: (707) 874.1010 Web: http://www.freestonevineyards.com

SUE'S NOTE: And barbecue.....I LOVE barbecue! No one does it better than Larry Vito from Smokehouse! Throw in a glass of Freestone wine and we have ourselves an incredible afternoon! And by the way, Freestone isn't as far out as you think it is! Worth the drive!

SATURDAY, OCT 9 - Quivira Farm to Table Dinner

Join us for an evening of fresh-from-the-farm dishes & wines. Duskie Estes of Zazu/Bovolo is preparing dinner on the estate using seasonal produce grown right in our garden. Guests will also get to participate in harvest, take a tour of the estate, all while enjoying a selection of Quivira's wines.  

Place: 4900 West Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, CA Fee: $105-$125 Time: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Phone Number: (877) 759.1004

SUE'S NOTE: Current Iron Chef Contestant Duskie Estes is cooking?? Well, then, it's worth every penny!

SUNDAY 10/3/10 Amphora - Only Women Can Touch the Grapes

Amphora’s Only Women Can Touch the Grapes to Stomp Out Breast Cancer. Have fun for a great cause. Only women can touch the grapes; men are welcome to cheer them on. All donations go to the Women’s Breast Care Center, Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa for mammograms for the uninsured women of our community.

Place: Amphora, 4791 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA Fee: $25 donation per stomper Time: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 431.7767

SUE'S NOTE: I did this with a group of friends several years ago and it was a very memorable experience! Bring shorts that will get juice on them and a change of clothes! Worth every moment for this experience and a chance to Save the Tata's!

SUNDAY 10/3/10 West County Wineries Open House

Head west and discover Russian River Valley's hidden treasures during the inaugural West Sonoma County Wineries Open House. Participating wineries welcome the public to celebrate the 2010 harvest. by offering a day filled with their specialty wines, laughter, fun, and the chance to reap the rewards of harvest with complimentary tastings and celebratory pricing on select wines.

Participating wineries include Balletto Vineyards, HANNA Winery, Dutton Estate-Sebastopol Vineyards, Taft Street Winery, Dutton Goldfield Winery, Graton Ridge Cellars, Marimar Estate and Russian River Vineyards. These small, family-owned wineries are located within 3 miles of each other and offer a great way to enjoy the day in the western region of Russian River.

Fee: Free Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 823.3887

SATURDAY 9/25/10 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Awards Night

Taste Sonoma County's finest wines and foods! This prelude to the Fair announces the award-winning wines from the largest regional wine competition in the nation. Join wine and food industry leaders as winners are announced. Admission includes commemorative glass, award winners booklet, tasting plate and unlimited wine and food tasting.

Place: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA  Fee: $65  Time: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 545.4203

THURSDAY 9/23/10 Wine & Pizza Meet-Up

Guests will enjoy a glass of Edmeades or Murphy-Goode wine, seasonal wood-fired pizza courtesy of Andrea Mugnaini, a hands-on sweet treat at the Relish Culinary Center and live music with David Howard's 'Jive Samba'.

Place: Murphy-Goode, 20 Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA Fee: $10 Time: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 431.7664

SUE'S NOTE: Live music, pizza AND wine for $10? Why would you miss this?

SUNDAY 9/18/10 - Mexican Independence Day Event

Come celebrate 200 years of Mexican Independence at Robledo Family Winery. Enjoy live music, new releases, wine specials and Chef Maria Robledo's fresh, authentic cuisine paired with our award winning wines. RSVP ONLY.

Place: Robledo Family Winery - 21901 Bonness Road, Sonoma  Fee: $45.00 & $35.00 for wine club members  Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.  Phone Number: (707) 939,6903

SUE'S NOTE: This is one of the nicest families I have ever met! They are making amazing wines and really know how to throw a party. I'm excited about the AUTHENTIC Mexican food which likely pairs very well with their tasty Sauvignon Blanc! Mmmmm! Yum!

THIS SATURDAY 9/18/10 Fashion in the Vineyards

Annual Fashion in the Vineyards fashion Show benefiting the Boys & Girls Club Valley of the Moon in Sonoma. Fashion in the Vineyards is one special event! Glamorous models strut their stuff on the elevated catwalk wearing the latest elegant fashions.

Place: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma, CA  Fee: $150 Time: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 938.8544 x106

SUE'S NOTE: Hello! Fashion AND wine?? Hey it's all for the kids!

SEPT 15-19 Sonoma Valley Crush Weekend

Join us for our 2010 Sonoma Valley CRUSH and experience harvest, hands-on. The 'CRUSH Weekend Wine Tasting Pass' gives you access to harvest activities and wine tastings at select tasting rooms the weekend of September 18th & 19th from 11am to 4pm each day. In addition, you may book 'Winery Harvest Events' hosted by select wineries. These events are taking place between September 15th to 19th.
Fee: $45 Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (866) 794.9463

SUE'S NOTE: Now's your chance to get hands-on with the harvest. I also recommend watching "Corked" the movie for some perspective on picking in the vineyards! Best wine movie ever!

THIS SATURDAY 9/11/10 Bocce Ball & Wine Release Party

Help the Paul Family break in their brand new Bocce Ball court at Graton Ridge Cellars! Enjoy wine tasting, including the newest release of 2008 Russian River Pinot along with snacks and plenty of bocce ball!

Time: 10:00am - 4:30pm Open House Style  Cost: $5 per person  Web: http://www.gratonridge.com

SUE'S NOTE: I will be there serving wine in one hand and throwing the ball in the other! If you've been to a party at Graton Ridge Cellars before, you know how good we are at it! Hope to see you there!

SEPT 14 - 20 "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"

Special Heirloom Tomato Dishes Available a la Carte or Three Course $45 or Five Course $65 All Tomato Menu Optional Wine Pairings Available $15/$25 Tomato-inspired Cocktails. Reservations required.

Place: Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar 1325 Broadway at Leveroni & Napa Roads, Sonoma, CA  Fee: $45 or $65  Time: Call for information and reservations  Phone Number: (707) 931.2042 Web: Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar

SUE'S NOTE: I was hoping that they were showing the movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" paired with wine and food! A well rounded, Classic B Movie at it's very best!

HARVEST TIME!

The Sonoma County wine country has officially entered it's 2010 harvest season! Check with smaller wineries to see if you can be part of the crush! Many great hands on opportunities are available! A priceless experience, even if you grew up here!

THIS SUNDAY 9/12/10 - Art & Garden Gala

Laguna Art & Garden Gala
The Laguna Foundation's annual Art and Garden Gala is a unique and magical event held at the beautiful Vine Hill House in Sebastopol. A luxurious garden party, the Gala combines intriguing and unusual live performances with superlative local food and wine, and features both live and silent auctions of original art, premium wine, and adventurous experiences.

Fee: $75 Time: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 527.9277
Web: http://ow.ly/2AeIB 

If you haven't visited the Vine Hill House venue, you are in for a treat! Views of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, Mt. St. Helena and rolling vineyards. Pair that with amazing food and Sonoma County wines and it will truly be a magical afternoon!

THIS SATURDAY 9/11/10 Heirloom Tomato Fest

Kendall-Jackson's 14th annual Heirloom Tomato Festival
The festival, which raises money for the School Garden Network of Sonoma County, is held in the walnut grove behind the Chateau at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center. Attendees experience the food of gourmet food purveyors, our fabulous Bruschetta Boulevard, a Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef's Challenge, wine education seminars, a tomato growing contest, garden tours and live entertainment. All paired with Kendall-Jackson wines.

Fee: $65 ($60 for Wine Club members) Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (800) 769.3649 Web: http://ow.ly/2AeLc

It is officially heirloom tomato season! This is an amazing opportunity to try the best of the Sonoma County garden harvest! Professional chefs working with an already amazing fruit - the tomato! Perfection!

THIS FRIDAY 9/10/10 - W.O.W. Wisdom of We 2010

THIS FRIDAY 9/10/10 - Wisdom of We 2010
Shel Israel and Robert Scoble will be a part of a round table discussion panel; answering questions about where the future of collaboration, online communities and social networking is headed.

Taking place at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, Ca.
Fee: $25 for both seminar & tweetup Time: 5 p.m., 9 p.m. Phone Number: (888) 993.8683 Ext. 706

I will be there Tweeting, FB'ing and drinking amazing Sonoma County wines!