From time to time we feature important wine events. If you have such an event and would like to see it listed here, please contact Erica Meadows at MrsBurghound@burghound.com. Here is a list of major Pinot events and festivals. If you plan to attend, purchase your tickets early as many of these events sell out quickly. Check the websites listed below for further information and sign up for the mailing list to receive advanced notification of ticket and registration availability.
January
Central Otago Pinot Noir Festival/New Zealand
Held in Queenstown, New Zealand three out of every four years, alternating with the Pinot Noir festival held in Wellington. Begun in 1999, 200 people attend this festival. Held in late January. For information: www.pinotcelebration.co.nz.
Russian River Valley Winter Wineland/Russian River Valley, California
Two days of wine tasting, tours, education, and winemaker talks. Over 100 wineries participate. For information: www.wineroad.com.
Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir Festival/Australia
Hosted by the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association (MPVA) both Old and New World pinot noirs from around the world are celebrated at this biennial event. Two days on the lovely Mornington Peninsula, with Cellar Dinners and a Grand Banquet Finalé offers the chance to explore pinot noir and its sense of place; only 90 minutes south of Melbourne Australia. For information visit www.mpva.com.
February
Annual Pinot Noir Summit, San Francisco, California
Held in late February and sells out every year – only 350 tickets! Choose either the evening program or the entire day to be fully immersed in pinot noir including a blind tasting of 40 top pinots in educational workshops. The evening includes a grand tasting with over 100 wines and an array of food with the chance to meet the winemakers. For more information, visit www.pinotnoirsummit.com.
March
GourmetFest/Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
2014 was the inaugural year for this international food and wine festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, celebrating Relais & Châteaux’ 60 years of history with a series of fine dining events throughout the world beginning with the first annual GourmetFest. The festival features food from Relais & Châteaux’ chefs from around the world. Events include an opening night welcome party, wild mushroom hunt, a cooking demo, and several truly special wine tastings and a closing seafood grill. The wines of Domaine Drouhin, Domaine de la Romanée Conti and champagnes from Krug will be featured at various events. For information: www.gourmetfestcarmel.com.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival/Melbourne, Australia
Australia’s annual internationally acclaimed celebration of food and wine with a world-class program of more than 250 events over two weeks. A 20 day feast to highly Melbourne’s infamous love of food and wine that captures the attention of food-lovers in the hundreds of thousands. For information: http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
La Paulée de New York/San Francisco
The Burgundy celebration La Paulée de New York/San Francisco created and organized by Daniel Johannes, held in late February/early March of each year, pays homage to La Paulée de Meursault, a convivial Burgundian fête shared by growers and their guests. At La Paulée (which alternates each year between New York and San Francisco), guests will sample current releases and older vintages from about two dozen of the most sought after Domaines of Burgundy. The wine service is always led by fifty of our nation’s most noted sommeliers. A wide selection of top chefs also particiate to createunforgettable menus. For more information and to order tickets, visit lapaulee.com
Russian River Valley Barrel Tasting/Russian River Valley, California
Two weekends. Over 100 participating wineries. Taste from barrel and order futures. Very popular and very crowded event. The first weekend of the Barrel Tasting is also the Crab & Fennel Fest in the Russian River Valley. For information: www.wineroad.com and http://rrvw.org/crab-fennel-fest.
World of Pinot Noir/Santa Barbara, California
This annual gathering of pinot noir wineries, winemakers, chefs, sommeliers, wine scholars and pinot enthusiasts is a weekend-long seaside celebration. For more information on the wide variety of events and tastings, visit: www.worldofpinotnoir.com.
Pinot Paradise, Saratoga, California
This festival features the Pinot Noirs of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is held at The Mountain Winery (formerly the Paul Masson Winery) in Saratoga, California. Over 30 wineries pour their Pinot Noirs along with an auction and seminars. Over 900 people attended this year’s festival. Held in late March. For information: www.scmwa.com.
Pinot Plus/Carneros, California
Sponsored by the Carneros Wine Alliance. Live and silent auction of unique wines from Carneros including large lots and magnums. Many premium and ultra-premium boutique and cult wines and wines from family-owned wineries. Proceeds benefit the education, scholarship and training progrms of early stage wine and food professionals. For information: www.pinotplus.com.
April
Dundee Hills Appellation Passport Tour/Dundee, Oregon
Winery open houses and vineyard seminars. For information: www.dundeehills.org.
Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Festival/Lompoc, California
Held at River Park in Lompoc. Over 100 local wineries, food from top local restaurants and caterers, live music. Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Association. For information: www.sbcountywines.com.
May
Corks & Forks/Sarasota, Florida
This annual 4-day weekend of food and wine is held in Sarasota, Florida and includes intimate vintner dinners, a sunset party on the bay, interactive food and wine seminars and The Grand Tasting in the courtyard of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art with culinary creations from Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants, live entertainment and a charity wine auction. www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks.
Hospices of Sonoma Barrel Auction/Sonoma, California
This event is modeled after the Hospices de Beaune auction in Burgundy. Held in early May. For tickets and further information: 707-823-9463, www.hospicesofsonoma.org.
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival/Anderson Valley, California
This festival is held annually in Philo, California, in the heart of the Anderson Valley. Dating back to 1998, it is focused solely on Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley and attracts approximately 450 people. Lodging is limited in the Anderson Valley so many attendees stay on the Mendocino Coast and use a shuttle to the Festival. Held in mid-May. For information: www.avwines.com.
Carneros Heritage Fest/Carneros, California
Last weekend in May. Chef competition, sheepherding and falconry demonstrations, artisan exhibits, lamb BBQ with Carneros wines. For information: www.carneros.com.
Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country/Willamette Valley, Oregon
Visit wineries in the Willamette Valley Friday thru Sunday that are rarely open to the public. For information: www.willamettewines.com.
Paso Robles Wine Festival/Paso Robles, California
Always 3rd weekend in May.For information: www.pasowine.com.
Santa Lucia Highlands Winegrower’s Galat/Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Tasting of Santa Lucia Highlands wines with gourmet food pairings. For information: www.santaluciahighlands.com.
June
Marin County Pinot Noir Celebration/Larkspur, California
Marin County growers and wineries present their Pinot Noirs at the historic Escalle Winery in Larkspur, Marin County, California. Held in June. For information and tickets: www.marinwines.com. Information also at www.malt.org.
Four Pinots at Four Seasons Resort Maui/Hawaii
In the second week of June join featured winemakers from Costa de Oro, Brewer-Clifton, Patz & Hall and Anthill Farm Wineries for a 3-day event with seminars, tastings and exceptional dinners at the resort’s noted restaurants. A charity golf tournament will also take place. For more information view maui.fourseasons.com/edition/edition/unforgettable-events/ or contact the resort concierge at 808.874.2201.
Pinot and Paella/Templeton, California
This Annual Pinot and Paella Cookoff is held at the Templeton Community Park in Templeton, California. Twenty Paso Robles area Pinot Noir producers pour and 20 chefs cook. Proceeds go to the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation. Tickets: 805- 239-2565 or email anna@windwardvineyard.com with questions. www.pinotandpaella.com.
Sta. Rita Hills Open House Weekend/Sta. Rita Hills, California
Vineyard and winery tours, winegrower dinners, golf. For information: www.staritahills.com.
Vintner’s Festival in Santa Cruz Mountains/California
Wineries and restaurants offer wine tasting, food, music, art shows, and other entertainment. Purchase glass at any festival location and the glass serves your ticket to all of the festival sites. For information: www.scmwa.com
July
International Pinot Noir Celebration/McMinnville, Oregon
This event offers pinot noir consumers and industry members the chance to enjoy an unparalleled selection of Pinot noir from around the world via a full schedule of seminars, walk-around tastings, winery tours, and unforgettable meals prepared by top Northwest chefs. With the exception of a vineyard and winery tour, the IPNC is held on the beautiful and historic Linfield College campus. McMinnville is an easy hour drive southwest of Portland in the heart of Oregon wine country. The IPNC offers three ticket options for guests to choose from: The Full Weekend (Friday-Sunday), Salmon Bake (Saturday evening), and the Passport to Pinot (Sunday afternoon). For more information visit: www.ipnc.org
Summertime iSalud!/McMinnville, Oregon
A special event that precedes the IPNC and is open to the public. Nearly all of the funds raised from the evening go towards iSalud, a healthcare program benefiting vineyard workers. Featured is a pre-dinner extensive wine tasting, upscale cuisine by a top chef and more. For information: www.saludauction.org/event-news.
Central Coast Wine Classic
They have been celebrating Central Coast wines since 1985. Enjoy vintner dinners and more. For information: www.centralcoastwineclassic.org.
August
Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic/Lenox, Massachusetts
Since 2002 this event has been held in early August in Lenox, MA. A long list of food and wine tastings, seminars and events are held throughout the weekend. http://tmc.bso.org/wine/wine/home.htm.
Winemaker’s Celebration/Monterey, California
Monterey Wine Country’s annual event featuring over 45 wineries. Wine seminars, wine tastings, foods, and auction. For information: www.montereywines.org.
September
Winesong!/Mendocino, California
Mendocino County’s celebration of food, wine, art, travel, and giving. Tastings, wine and lifestyle auction held on the Mendocino Coast. For information: www.winesong.org.
Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) Pinot in the City/Los Angeles, California
WVWA gathers dozens of its finest producers to the City of Angels for Pinot in the City. They showcase the region’s award-winning wine with winemakers and owners on hand to tell their stories. The tasting offers both trade and consumer portions, at which Willamette Valley wineries will pour Pinot Noir and other standout cool-climate varieties. Tickets available at http://willamettewines.com/event/pinot-in-the-city/
October
Pinot on the River/Sebastopol, California
A three-day symposium begun in 2004 featuring technical seminars and tastings of California Pinot Noirs Last year 85 people attended the festival held in Sebastopol, California. Held in late October. For information: www.pinotfestival.com.
Harvest Wine/Paso Robles/California
Tour Paso Robles. Held the third weekend in October. For information: www.pasowine.com.
November
Hospices de Beaune (Les Trois Giorieuses Burgundy Wine Festival)/Burgundy, France
Begun as a charity wine auction in 1859, it is now a three day festival celebrating Burgundy’s food and wines. Thousands attend the winery dinners and tasting. Held in mid-November. For information: www.hospices-de-beaune.com/fr/hospices/index.php.
A Wine & Food Affair/Russian River Valley, California
First weekend in November. Wine and food pairing at over 70 Russian River Valley wineries. For information: www.wineroad.com.
Salud/Oregon
Oregon’s Pinot Noir Auction. A weekend of wine, food, and fun to support efforts to bring healthcare to seasonal vineyard workers and their families. For information: www.saludauction.org.
The Great Wine Escape Weekend/Monterey, California
Seminars, winemaker dinners, progressive dinner, wine country tours and open houses in Monterey County wine region. For information: www.montereywines.com.
Wine Country Thanksgiving/Willamette Valley, Oregon
A three day open house in the Willamette Valley of Oregon of wineries usually not open to the public (also Memorial Day weekend – see May). For information: www.willamettewines.com.
Multiple Months
Napa Valley Mustard Festival/Napa, California
Many seasonal wine country events. For information: www.mustardfestival.org.
Passport Program/Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Purchase a passport to Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, many of which are not open to the public at any other time. The 3rd Saturday in January, April, July, and November. For information: www.scmwa.com
Our thanks to Rusty, www.princeofpinot.com , for providing much of the above information on events. If you have additional events to submit, please forward to Mrsburghound@burghound.com.
