Get your taxes done early this year, kids, because you need to be in wine country the weekend of April 16th and 17th.
The sixth annual Robert Mondavi Discover Wine Tour kicks off Saturday April 16th at the ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY itself, hosted by the incomparable Margrit Mondavi and Food Network star Ted Allen. Visitors can hop on the Wine 101 and Discovery tours every half hour with a complimentary glass of Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc, and (for an additional charge) participate in a slew of special experiences, like a To Kalon vineyard tasting, a food and wine pairing seminar hosted by Ted Allen and winery chef Jeff Mosher, and a special six-year vertical tasting of Robert Mondavi Winery’s famous cabernet sauvignon reserve led by director of winemaking, Genevieve Janssens. At noon, Margrit and Ted will share a few choice words about the art of food and wine pairing, which—knowing Margrit—are sure to be both impassioned and inspiring.
Check the full schedule and buy tickets online. Discover Wine Day runs 10am-5pm. 7801 St. Helena Hwy. (Hwy. 29), just north of Oakville Cross Rd., Oakville, 888-766-6328.
On Sunday April 17th, trek over to Green Valley in Sonoma County for the fifth annual Earth Day celebration at IRON HORSE VINEYARDS. This year’s theme is “Our Common Future,” and will feature a curated art exhibit on historical visions of the future (think Jetsons), as well as a conversation between National Geographic’s Boyd Matson and media mogul Ted Turner at 2pm.
General Admission tickets score access to both attractions, plus a walk-around wine and food tasting featuring seven Green Valley wineries, Rocky Mountain Natural bison steak (in honor of Ted Turner’s own buffalo herd), spring veggies, local cheeses, breads, and desserts. VIP ticket holders get all of the above, plus the chance to schmooze with Ted at a private sparkling wine and sustainable caviar reception hosted in the Victorian home of Audrey and Barry Sterling (they also go home with an engraved Riedel flute and a one-ounce jar of tasty fish eggs).
Tickets are available online. Net proceeds from this event benefit The Captain Planet Foundation Ted founded in 1991 to empower and educate youth about ecological issues in their communities. 12pm-4pm. 9786 Ross Station Rd., Sebastopol, 707-887-1507.
