A Chance to Find those Hard to Find Wines

It is pretty noticeable to most people that wine is becoming more and more accessible. If your local chain grocery store is anything like mine, the wine aisle is ever expanding. No longer are you forced to choose between just Chardonnay, Merlot, or the dreaded White Zinfandel. Local, domestic, and international wines are all able to be found. Similarly, warehouse stores like Costco carry a plethora of wine options and have actually become the largest retailer of wine. However, there can be a downside to purchasing your wine at a Safeway or Costco. It is unlikely there is someone who can talk about all the wines available to help you with your choice and you are typically limited to wineries that produce wine in high volumes.

If you happen to live in an area with public tasting rooms your experience can be more personal with the opportunity to talk with knowledgeable staff and you might have access to more limited production wines. Maybe you get lucky and have the chance to talk to someone intimately involved in the wine making process. But what about all those winemakers who make small amounts of their wine and don’t have public tasting rooms...how do you get the chance to try these hand-crafted and unique wines? Funny you should ask!

This Saturday, February 4^th from 11:00-5:00pm, seven of these “micro-wineries” are coming together in Santa Rosa for an open house and will offer the chance to try and buy their wines. With the winemakers on hand this is an excellent opportunity to learn about and hear the stories of these less accessible wines.

Logo courtesy of Two Shepherds website

Participating wineries include:

• Colagrossi Wines
• Inspiration Vineyards
• Little Red Vineyard
• Premonition Cellars
• Simple Math Cellars
• Two Shepherds
• Wesley Ashley Wines

Tickets are only $20.00 and are available here: http://inspirationvineyards.eventbrite.com/

Photo courtesy of Wine with SLHousman

Still not convinced? That's okay, I've got more. What if I told you that your $20 ticket comes with $10 in wine bucks redeemable that night. Plus, if you register in advance, receive an additional $5 in wine and food bucks usable for wine or food from the Ultra Crepes truck on hand that night? So with a little basic math your ticket really only costs $5...admit it, you’re out of excuses not to attend. Quit stalling and purchase your tickets already!

I’ll be there trying these wines and stocking up for the Superbowl and hope to see you there.

Cheers!

Jesse