Healdsburg’s “Epicurean Winter” heads into its third and final month with events dedicated entirely to pork and pinot noir, consecutive barrel tasting weekends and even a chance to dine, drink and donate to benefit the region’s renowned Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
March Highlights:
- March 2-4 and March 9-11: Barrel Tasting Weekends – Healdsburg lies in at the intersection of three celebrated appellations – Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and the Russian River Valley – making it the ideal location for wine lovers to sample some of the best wine in the state. Now in its 34th year, this event gives ticket holders the chance to experience private winery tours, taste new wines from the barrel, and sample tasting-room-only and limited production wines. Special offers available at many participation wineries; some tastings by appointment only. Tickets start at $25; visit www.wineroad.com/events or call 888-251-0560 for details.
- March 23-24: Pigs & Pinot 2012 – Chef Charlie Palmer invites you to the 7th Annual Celebration of Pigs & Pinot, March 23-24, 2012 at Hotel Healdsburg. The celebratory weekend offers a series of intimate dining and educational events like “Taste of Pigs & Pinot,” “Pinot Cup,” Spoonbar’s “Eat 100” dinner, and more. A cast of Master Sommeliers and international celebrity chefs will showcase some of the world’s greatest Pinots with perfect pork pairings. All net proceeds from the Pigs & Pinot benefit Share Our Strength and Here For Them’s “Russ’s Kitchen”. For the complete list of the Fri/Sat events, visit HotelHealdsburg.com and click on Pigs & Pinot (http://www.hotelhealdsburg.com/pigsandpinot/)
- Now – March 31: Sonoma Neighbor Menu & Live Jazz – Diners will enjoy live jazz accompanying their three-course tasting menu on Mondays and Tuesdays at Hotel Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Kitchen. $36 per guest, $51 with paired wines; $2 from each menu will be donated to the Healdsburg Education Foundation. For details, visit www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/DryCreekKitchen.
- Now – March 31: A Taste of Pigs & Pinot – Dry Creek Kitchen will be featuring a special pork and pinot noir pairings all month; starting March 24, diners will have a chance to order an actual dish from the popular Pigs & Pinot Gala Dinner paired with the official Pinot Cup winner. For details, visit www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/DryCreekKitchen.
- Now – March 31: Epicurean Winter Wine Tour – Healdsburg Area Winery Tours specializes in private wine tasting tours customized to guests’ personal wine preferences and destination interests. Mention “Epicurean Winter” when making reservations and receive a 10% discount on certain tours. For details, visit www.healdsburgareawinerytours.com.
March Lodging Specials:
- Pigs & Pinot Connoisseur Package at Hotel Healdsburg – Includes a “Pigs and Pinot” dining experience at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen, plus visits to two of Russian River Valley’s most revered Pinot Noir producers: Williams Selyem Winery and Merry Edwards Winery. Sunday-Thursday $790; Friday-Saturday $1040. Visit www.hotelhealdsburg.com/special-packages.
- h2hotel’s Gourmet and Green Getaway – Includes two nights in an eco-king guest room, daily continental breakfast, $75 certificate to dine at Spoonbar, Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen or Mateo’s Cocina Latina, VIP Food and Wine Pairing at Medlock Ames Winery, and picnic lunch for two with a self-guided vineyard walk at Michel-Schlumberger Winery. To book, visit www.h2hotel.com.
- Epicurean Winter at the Irish Rose Inn – Winter special features 25% off any room, any night through March 31. Mention “Epicurean Winter” when making reservations. To book, visit www.theirishroseinn.com.
- Epicurean Indulgence at Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza – Includes one night in a charming guest room, a gourmet, five-course dinner for two at Michelin-starred Cyrus Restaurant, a signature Four Sisters Inns breakfast, and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. Valid Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. $405 per night. To book, visit www.healdsburginn.com.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
