Share your love at the Lodi Wine and Chocolate Weekend February 10 and 11

Valentine’s Day is a time of love and a time to share with your loved one.  And it is a time to fall in love with the wines of Lodi at the exciting Wine and Chocolate Weekend in nearby Lodi Wine County February 10-11. Over 50 wineries will open their tasting rooms and are waiting to spoil your taste buds with handcrafted Lodi wines and decadent chocolates. Check the website for a list of participating wineries.

Lodi is a wonderful jewel in California’s wine regions. Many of the wineries are extensions of the wine growers that have been growing grapes in this region for many decades. As you travel through this area you are taken back to rural agricultural California. Here you will find Zinfandel grapes growing on vines that are over 100 years old and younger vines of Cabernet, Chardonnay, and a wide range of Spanish and Italian varietals. The location is ideal for wine grapes with plenty of sun and the cooling influences of the delta.

During the Wine and Chocolate Weekend, Lodi appellation wineries will please your palate, pairing hand-crafted wines with an assortment of decadent chocolate treats. Travel from winery to winery while you enjoy the winery’s hosted activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, live music, barrel tasting, cellar tours and more. Meet the local vintners and growers as they share the wine and hospitality that makes Lodi Wine Country California’s newest fine wine region! And be sure to taste some of the medal winning wines from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Tickets, good for both days of the event, are $55 in advance or $65 at the door of any participating winery, and complimentary for designated drivers. A commemorative wine glass, a chocolate treat from Brix Chocolate, event map/guide and admission to participating wineries is included. Hours for the event are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, we’ve hidden more than 100 prizes including one “Golden Ticket” – good for a Lodi Wine Country getaway for two – within your complimentary chocolate treats from sponsor BRIX Chocolate so be to check upon receipt. You just might be a winner!

For more info:

• Wine and Chocolate Weekend
• Tickets for Wine & Chocolate Weekend
• Participating Wineries
• Lodi Winegrape Commission

Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend returns March 10 and 11

Spring is always an exciting time, particularly in the vineyards as the vines start to grow and the winemakers are welcoming visitors to sample the latest vintages.  The winemakers of Livermore are opening their doors for the annual Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend on March 10-11 (Noon to 4:30 p.m. each day). Each winery will host a unique experience during barrel tasting weekend including at least one barrel sample for each ticket holder plus other events including food and wine pairing, music and more. This is your chance to pre-purchase wines before they have even bottled (aka "futures")!

Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 the day of the event. Tickets are available online at the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association Website.

Many Livermore Valley winemakers are offering the visitor a chance to taste some released and soon to be released wine.

• 3 Steves Winery 
• Bent Creek Winery 
• Big White House Winery  
• BoaVentura de Caires 
• Caddis Winery
• Cedar Mountain Winery 
• Charles R Winery **
• Concannon Winery **
• Crooked Vine Winery 
• Cuda Ridge Wines 
• Dante Robere Vineyards **
• Darcie Kent Vineyards 
• Eagle Ridge Vineyards 
• Eckert Estate Winery **
• Ehrenburg Cellars 
• El Sol Winery **
• Fenestra Winery **
• Garre Vineyard & Winery 
• Las Positas Vineyards **
• Leisure Street Winery **
• Longevity Wines **
• McGrail Vineyards and Winery **
• Mitchell Katz Winery **
• Murrieta’s Well Winery
• Nottingham Cellars **
• Occasio Winery
• Omega Road Winery **
• Page Mill Winery **
• Retzlaff Estate Winery **
• Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery 
• The Singing Winemaker
• The Steven Kent Winery 
•  Vasco Urbano Wine Company 
• Wente Vineyards Estate 
• Winemakers Studio
• Wood Family Vineyards **
• (** participating in Painted Barrel Trail)

Distilleries:

• Sutherland Distilling
• Eckert Estate Winery & Artisan Spirit Distillery

Breweries:

• Working Man Brewery
• Beer Baron Livermore

Ticket Price: $45 advance / $55 day of event

Painted Barrel Trail

Sixteen wineries have partnered with local Bay Area artists to showcase the first annual Painted Barrel Trail.  Over a period of six weekends from February 1 to March 11 guests can follow the Barrel Trail, sample great wines and admire the original artwork of the barrels.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in a Painted Barrel Raffle, and bring a one of a kind barrel into their home, along with a case of wine.  You can purchase raffle tickets in the participating winery tasting rooms, or in the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association’s office starting in February.  Wineries on the trail are marked with ** in the list above.

This is a fundraiser for the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association and appreciate your support is appreciated. The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association encourages you to have a designated driver.

For more information about Livermore Valley wineries: Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association

Niles Canyon Railway Romance on the Rails Valentine's Day Special

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and a chance to treat your loved one to a romantic tour through gorgeous Niles Canyon while sampling some the best wine available from Livermore Valley Wine Country aboard the Niles Canyon Railway Romance on the Rails Wine Tasting Trains. On Sunday, February 11, there will be two trains, one leaving the Sunol station at 12:00 noon and another leaving at 3:00 p.m.

Bring your loved one and share a bit of romance, history, fine wine and delicious food as you experience the magic of a bygone era traveling for two hours through scenic Niles Canyon on a vintage Southern Pacific 10040 Parlor/Diner Car newly restored to its elegant 1920’s appearance.  The car is climate controlled for your comfort and attendants on board are there to assist you during the trip.  There will also be an open-air car so you can take a break outside enjoying the weather. Note that the Parlor Car is not wheelchair accessible due to the narrow passage of this vintage rail car.

Fine premium wines from Livermore Valley wineries have been hand-selected by Wine Educator Steve Ferree. The wineries represented on the Romance on the Rails are:

• McGrail Vineyard and Winery 2016 Peyton Paige Sauvignon Blanc
• Darcie Kent Vineyards 2015 DeMayo Chardonnay
• Page Mill Winery 2016 Angela’s Cuvee
• Cuda Ridge Wines 2015 S&M Sangiovese and Malbec blend
• Occasio Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
•  Cedar Mountain Winery & Port Works Tortuga Royale

Steve, the WineProGuy, will be on board to provide you with information about the wines and the cheeses that are being paired. In addition hors d’oeuvre will be served.

The Romance on the Rails Wine Tasting Train is sponsored by the Pacific Locomotive Association and proceeds of the event support their railroad historic preservation programs. All seats are reserved and tickets are $80 and are available at their ticketing site.

For more information:

•      Niles Canyon Railway
•      Tickets