UCLA Extension: Vintage I
Tuesdays 6:30-930pm, starting January 12
UCLA Extension Building
10995 Le Conte Avenue #G33W
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1333
310.206.5075
Vintage I is a 12 week course covering the complete spectrum of enology, from what makes a good vineyard site to an in-depth look at the classic grape varieties to a study of winemaking philosophies. This course lays the necessary groundwork for enrolling in Vintage II and Vintage III. Prerequisite: X 485 Introduction to Wine. Enrollment limited.
$750 for the course
*****
Pinot Days of Southern California
Jan 17 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Barker Hanger
3021 Airport Ave. Suite 203
Santa Monica, CA 90405
415.246.2967
Pinot Days spans four days – January 14-17 – and includes a couple of winemaker dinners and a small handful of in-store tasting sessions. The event culminates with Sunday’s Grand Tasting, in which more than 130 producers will pour 400 or so domestic Pinots. You can talk to the winemakers while tasting the 2007 vintage so many have praised. Food items which pair well with Pinot Noir will also be served.
$50
*****
Go Green Expo Los Angeles
Jan 22-24 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
212.655.4505
They have an organic food and wine pavilion.
$10
*****
International Wine Festival
Jan 23 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
1755 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028
310.902.6955
Sip and sample the wide world of wine. International wines will be supplied by dozens of distributors. Wines from Italy, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Israel, France, and New Zealand are scheduled to appear in this United Nations of the vineyard. The Renaissance Hotel will also provide an assortment of cheeses and breads.
$60
*****
Pasadena PinotFest, 2nd Annual
Jan 24-30
Noir Food & Wine
40 North Mentor Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
Jan 24 7:00 p.m. – Brian Loring Winemaker Dinner – $129
Jan 29 5:00 p.m. – Wes Hagen, Clos Pepe Tasting – $20
Jan 30 3:00 p.m. – Public Grand Tasting – $75 advance, $89 at door.
Attendance is limited to 350.
Each night during PinotFest Noir Food & Wine will feature flights of the Pinots from some of the participating wineries. $20-$30
All three events available for $200
*****
Valley of the World Wine and Food Festival, 12th Annual
Jan 30 6:00-9:00 p.m.
National Steinbeck Center
One Main Street
Salinas, CA 93901
831.775.4728
Celebrating the wine and food of Monterey County will take all week – there are other events priced separately – but this Grand Tasting will culminate the experience.
$75, $140 per couple
*****
Loyola Marymount University Wine Classic
Jan 31 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310.338.5278
More than 150 California boutiuque wineries will be featured. A silent auction of specialty wines and products will be featured. Proceeds benefit LMU student scholarships.
$90, $80 if purchased by January 15
*****
Stars of Santa Barbara, 7th Annual
Wednesday, February 3
7:00-9:30 p.m.
The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, Ca 90212
310.451.7600
Attendance is limited to 125.
Cost: $120. Limited number of discount tickets are available at Goldstar for $69 while they last.
The wine education group Learn About Wine will stage this event spotlighting 116 wines from the Santa Barbara area. Participating wineries are set to include such luminaries as Ampelos, Carr, Dierberg, La Fenetre, Lucas & Lewellen, Riverbench, Sanford, Tantara and Zaca Mesa.
*****
Top 100 Cabs of the Napa Valley
Feb 13 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Bayleaf Restaurant
2025 Monticello Road
Napa, CA 94558
818.224.8603
A judged blind tasting of the Top 100 Cabs of the Napa Valley is the highlight, but you’ll enjoy tasting the top Cabs in the land that’s known for them. Hors d’ouevres will be served. Judges will taste and score over 400 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines several days prior to the event. They will be ranked from 1 to 100 for your tasting pleasure.
Attendance is limited to 300.
$95, $135 at door
*****
Madera Wine Trail Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Feb 13 – 14, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Participating wineries
Madera, CA
Purchase a passport glass at any winery along the Madera Wine Trail, and enjoy some sweets for Valentine’s weekend.
$20 advance, $25 day of event
*****
On a smaller scale – but just as enjoyable – my friends at Pourtal in Santa Monica, The Wine House in West L.A., Wally’s in Westwood, Rosso Wine Shop and 55 Degree Wine in Glendale, K&L Wines in Hollywood, Off The Vine in San Pedro and All Corked Up in Santa Clarita all sponsor regular tastings and special events. Check the website of your favorite wine hang and pay them a visit in the new year! Local Wine Events is a great place to check for wine events coming up, no matter where you live. Always remember to drink responsibly. That includes tastings, too. If you don’t have a designated driver, that’s why they have spit buckets.
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