Placer wineries’ 4th annual Holidays in the Hills is December 14-15

Experience collaborative open-house style wine tours hosted by the Placer County Vintners Association and the Placer County Wine Trail members. Meet winemakers, wine grape growers and other wine enthusiasts while tasting award-winning artisan wines in the down-to- earth atmosphere of the Sierra Foothills.

Admission is Free with Toy Donation:
Start your tour at any participating winery. Just bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy to donate for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Toy Drive and wine tasting at ALL 19 participating wineries is FREE for the day. (Cash donations will also be accepted in lieu of a toy).

Holiday Decorations and Prize Drawing:
See the wineries all done up for the Holidays and enter a drawing for a chance to win a mixed case of Placer County Wines and other great prizes.

Bear River Winery will be offering complimentary tasting of six wines including a flight of Barbera paired with assorted chocolates. Meet the winemakers and enjoy half & full case discounts on our wines. We will have holiday decorations, crafts and cheerful seasonal music. Featured Wine: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bonitata Boutique wine will have 10% off wine sales and will serve two homemade chocolate truffles infused with 2009 Barbera and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. Shop for the holidays with Couture Angel clothing and scarfs, Canyon Candles and more.

Cante ao Vinho will be hosting Township Valley Farm, an Organic Producer of Premium Pestos, Traditional & Thai for sampling and sale as well as Calolea Olive Oil — top quality, award winning olive oils and fabulous 18 year old balsamic Vinegars.

Casque Wines will be showcasing a brand new release wine, our 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a vertical tasting of our Damiano Vineyard Viognier. We will be offering special discounts on selected wines, along with small bites to pair with our wines. As usual, the wonderful Flower Farm Cafe will be open for those looking for more substantial fare.

Ciotti Cellars will have Holiday gift baskets and selected wine varietals on sale.

Davis Dean will be sampling holiday goodies, and offering 10 percent off the purchase of $50 or more. Featured Wine: 2010 Willow’s Reserve.

Dono dal Cielo will have live music on Saturday and Sunday, Susan Stetz with Silpada jewelry and a kids Holiday Craft Corner. Featured Wine: New Release – 2010 Zinfandel.

Fawnridge Winery will feature local artist Hannah Nicholson of Nicholson’s Blown Glass Studio working “live” on a painting and offering unique jewelry and wine ornaments. Featured Wine: 2008 Reserve Merlot and our new 2011 Chardonnay.

Green Family Winery will have chocolate truffles with port, Christmas Music, 20% case discounts (mix and match OK) and assorted healthy snacks. No Tasting Fee this weekend! Talk directly to the Winemaker.

Lone Buffalo Vineyards will feature live music from 1 to 4 pm both days, fine crafts from Grizzly Gallery artists Shannon & Bob McClurg and food will be available for purchase from Auburn BBQ Company Food Truck. Featured Wine: New Release—2011 jbrand “just grenache”—what we’re calling “the Pinot Noir of the Sierra Foothills!”

Visit Mt. Vernon Winery and see what Christmas tastes like —decorated and dressed for the Holidays. Highlights include wine and food pairing, chocolatier with scrumptious chocolate morsels, barrel tasting and live music from 1 to 4pm (Unless it rains). Complimentary 3-btl Christmas Gift Box (with purchase of three btls). Winemaker will be here to sign bottles. Featured Wine: Discounts on Alicante Bouchet and White Port.

PaZa Estate Winery will have food available for purchase from Pop-up! Grub Hub. Saturday: live music from Chad Wagoner. Sunday: Spring View Middle School Jazz Band will both entertain, and offer terrific local olive oil for sale to help support their musical efforts. Featured Wine: official release of our 2011 Barbera.

Pescatore “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” – there will be cheese tasting and a holiday bazaar featuring: gourds by Robin, Jen of Kettle Corn California will be selling 6 fresh gourmet flavors and holiday tins, and Johans of Ocean Pines Studio will be displaying watercolors, pen & ink, note cards, and handmade crafts.

Popie Wines will serve mulled “spice” wine from its newly released 2010 Basin Red (Barbera/Syrah blend) along with treats to pair with Popie Wines.

River Rock Ranch Lindemann Winery will provide music and cheese plates, along with an hourly gift surprise for guests.

Rock Hill will be offering complimentary tastings with case price discounts. Barrel tasting in the new cellar will be available as well as, “ bottle your own.”“Bottle your own” gives wine lovers a chance to taste, blend, fill, cork and label their own wine. A great way to make a wonderful holiday gift or perfect for a dinner party.

Secret Ravine Vineyards will be all lit up for Christmas and will have select Library Wines available for tasting. Rocklin Fine Arts will be displaying their work in the tasting room throughout the holiday season.
Featured Wine: 2011 Miner’s Red and selected Library Wines.

Viña Castellano will feature four wine cocktails for Holiday parties, recipes and demonstrations as well as holiday pairing lists and boutique items, perfect for holiday gifts. Featured Wine: Small Lots— Monica Block 2009 Garnacha (Grenache) and Augustina Block Monastrell (Mourvedre).

Wise Villa Winery will offer a tour and barrel tasting to all guests, finishing with a wine and food mini-pairing of tri-tip steak and Cabernet Sauvignon, and live music Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

For more information, visit PlacerWine.com. An updated Placer County Wine Trail map is here.

—PlacerWine.com

(photo: Viña Castellano)

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