Jeffry can be heard discussing wine country every Thursday at 5:45pm on theMonterey Peninsula's number 1 rated talk show: www.ForLocalsOnly.com; with livedigital streaming from the legendary KRML Jazz & Blues Radio, in Carmel.FYI: What s’hot this week by Jeffry RossE-mail content considerations to jeff@fyiwinecountry.comPatio PartyFritz <strong>Wine</strong>ry is a t<strong>as</strong>ty little jewel hiddenneatly in the mountainous regions of the DryCreek Valley. It’s a bit of a schlep to get there,but it is so worth it! Fritz calls themselves an“Underground <strong>Wine</strong>ry” because, in truth, thewinery is built into a mountain. But the realre<strong>as</strong>on followers of Fritz favor SonomaCounty’s best “alternative” winery is becausethey steer clear of routine mainstreamconventions. <strong>Wine</strong>making styles dancebetween cutting-edge and artistic, seamlesslyproducing a breathless shift of consciousness.Fritz limited edition wines command afollowing among serious wine collectors andinclude favorite varietals <strong>as</strong> Sauvignon Blanc,Old Vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.The family also h<strong>as</strong> a couple of acres in theRussian River Valley where they produceworld cl<strong>as</strong>s single vineyard Chardonnay.Leave the mainstream trappings to NapaValley, if you’re the kind of wine zealot thatidentifies with descriptive adjectives like:small, fun, under-the-radar, unpretentious,lip-smacking and brownies (OK, browniesisn’t actually an adjective, but man, oh man,they’re really good), then Fritz <strong>Wine</strong>ry is yourkind of juice bar. 24691 Dutcher Creek Road;Cloverdale; (800) 418-9463. FYI: In celebrationof everything Pinot, on Saturday, August29th, from 4 to 7 p.m., Fritz <strong>Wine</strong>ry is hostingPinot on the Patio. On the menu is ro<strong>as</strong>ted pig,wild mushroom rice, <strong>as</strong>sorted grilled summervegetables and lots of amazing Fritz and LostCanyon Pinots. Some pre-rele<strong>as</strong>es and recentbottlings will also be available for lake viewt<strong>as</strong>ting! Cost is $25 per person and space islimited. Contact Julie to RSVP.Graffiti.” <strong>Wine</strong> t<strong>as</strong>ting and concessions beginsat 7 p.m. and each feature starts at full dark.Guests are invited to come early, dress warmlyand bring a picnic or purch<strong>as</strong>e a barbecuedinner or movie snacks. Ticket sales are $10for adults and $5 for children (16 and under).For more information, visit the website atwww.SterlingVineyards.com or call (707)942-3322. FYI: Go online and save $5 off theaerial tram and t<strong>as</strong>ting of five wines.Big DealNamed one of the “Ten Best <strong>Wine</strong> andFood Events in the United States,” Sonoma<strong>Wine</strong> <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Week</strong>end is an epicureanevent unlike any other. Merging two prominentsocial wine gatherings, Sonoma <strong>Wine</strong><strong>Country</strong> <strong>Week</strong>end combines the elegance,sophistication and style of Showc<strong>as</strong>e: TASTEof Sonoma; with the festivity, frivolity andfundraising of the Sonoma Valley Harvest<strong>Wine</strong> Auction. Participants experience firsthandthe distinctive epicurean experiencesand world-cl<strong>as</strong>s quality of the region’s artisanalwine and food scene while frolickingwith some of the industry’s most interestingpeople. The mega-popular three day celebrationfeatures more than 200 wineries andchefs, winemaker lunches and dinners, agrand t<strong>as</strong>ting and the most fun you’ll everhave at a wine auction. Tickets for the LaborDay weekend (September 4th to 6th)weekend are available now and will sell out.Call 1-800-939-7666 or visit the website atwww.Sonoma<strong>Wine</strong><strong>Country</strong><strong>Week</strong>end.com toreceive an invitation. FYI: A limited number ofGrand Reserve Tickets are available to an exclusiveselection of guests who seek a more elevatedSonoma experience during this unforgettablecelebration of wine and food. Don’t wait.picturesque town of Bodega, famous for theHitchcock cl<strong>as</strong>sic, The Birds. Barbecuedoysters, crab cakes, cedar plank salmon, albacorewrapped in bacon and seafoodjambalaya are just a few of the entrees servedat the festival, and more than 25 boutiquewineries and a dozen microbreweries will bepouring. A juried art and craft marketplace of100 top quality artisans will be displayed, andfirst-cl<strong>as</strong>s entertainment will be available onthree stages, including an eclectic mix ofblues, jazz and swing. Major performers suchZakiya Hooker (daughter of legendary JohnLee Hooker) and Bay Area favorite Pride &Joy headline. Wandering jugglers, puppeteersand dancers provide continuous ambiancethroughout the day. Gate tickets are $12 perperson. Kids under 12 are free. For moreinformation, call (707) 824-8717 or visitwww.<strong>Wine</strong><strong>Country</strong>Festivals.com.Party BuzzFor a lively afternoon of nibbles and sips,head over to Ravenswood where the 2006Vineyard Designates makes their debut thisweekend. On Saturday, August 29th, meet thegrowers of these rock star vineyards, samplefoods paired with each wine and sneak a peekin the barrel of what’s coming next. Rele<strong>as</strong>eparties are a great opportunity to t<strong>as</strong>te newwine, schmooze with the growers and meetwinemakers. Cost is only $20 per person.Call (707) 933-2323 or visit the website atwww.Ravenswood-<strong>Wine</strong>.com for details.Hip SipsEvery year, for the p<strong>as</strong>t 19 years, RodneyStrong Vineyards h<strong>as</strong> presented SonomaCounty and the North Bay with a stellarmusical lineup for its annual “Jazz in theVineyard” summer concert series. In celebrationof 50 years of incredible wines, RodneyStrong Vineyards is proud to close this se<strong>as</strong>onwith an afternoon of timeless hits from Hall &Oates. Tickets for the Monday, September7th, event start at $475 per person. For moredetails, visit www.RodneyStrong.com or call(949) 360-7800. FYI: For an additional $35,upgrade to a VIP ticket which includes a reservedseat in front of the stage and a gl<strong>as</strong>s of wine.Stellar ScreeningRelax under the stars for the best in vintage Scene and Heardfilms and wine to benefit the Stars & Vines The Bodega Seafood, Art and <strong>Wine</strong>Fund of Napa Valley. Over four separate Festival returns for its 15th se<strong>as</strong>on, Augustweekend dates, Sterling Vineyards presents 29th and 30th. <strong>This</strong> mega-popular eventa series of outdoor screenings which includes specializes in the best of California’s wineriesa pre-show t<strong>as</strong>ting, cartoon cl<strong>as</strong>sics and some and breweries, artists and craftspeople, entertainmentof the most entertaining movies ever made.and a delicious selection of freshShowing Saturday, August 29th, is the 1973 seafood from local vendors. <strong>This</strong> year’s gatheringcoming of age comedy-drama, “Americantakes place on a scenic ranch in the30 www.<strong>Wine</strong><strong>Country</strong><strong>This</strong><strong>Week</strong>.com
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