Celebrate and sample a plethora of fine wine from distinct regions in Northern California and the Pacific North West with the company of winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike at The Berkeley Wine Festival being held every Friday at 6:30 p.m. between March 16 and May 24. Now in its fourth year, the acclaimed event held at The Claremont Hotel & Spa, will highlight a selection of independently community with nutritious food.
The festivities will kick off with the Grand Opening Reception on Saturday March 16, where guests will be able to taste various labels accompanied with a special menu of seasonal fare by Scott Quinn, chef de cuisine of Meritage at The Claremont. The Berkeley, California hotel will operate a complimentary shuttle from the Rockridge BART station parking lot to the hotel during the Grand Opening Celebration. Shuttle service will run every half hour 3:30-10 p.m.
“The entire team is honored and excited to be hosting the Berkeley Wine Festival once again this year,” said Chef de Cuisine Scott Quinn. “California has such an incredibly rich and renowned history with wine and there is not a more fitting place to commemorate this unique culture than at The Claremont.”
Below is a schedule of events and pricing:
- Saturday, March 16 ($75 per person): The Berkeley Wine Festival will officially commence with the Grand Opening Reception at the Meritage. A selection of more than 45 wines will be available for tasting that can be paired with an exquisite menu created by Chef Scott Quinn as well as other distinguished local chefs.
- Sunday, March 17 ($60 per person): Following the opening reception will be the Sparkling Wine Brunch. Take in the sweeping views of the East Bay with a bountiful buffet brunch comprised of decadent fare as well as free-flowing Moet Chandon Champagne.
- Friday, March 22 ($150 per person): As the first vineyard featured in this Festival, join President Jean Arnold Sessions and honorary winemaker Ben Sessions of Hanzell Vineyards for dinner and wine tasting. The handcrafted Burgundian style Chardonnays and Pinot Noir Hanzell Vineyards is known for producing will be the ideal pairing to an exquisite four-course menu by Chef Quinn.
- Friday, March 29 ($140 per person): The following week, guests will be able to sip and dine with a selection of Merlots, Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Zinfandels that have been cultivate the organic way in Frogs Leap Winery, with founder John Williams.
- Friday, April 5 ($130 per person): The trend of sustainable vineyards continue with the Benzinger Family Winery located deep within the Sonoma Mountain, person, Chris Benzinger will share his decadent reserve and estate wines paired with organic fare created by Chef Quinn.
- Friday, April 12 ($130 per person): Considered by many to be the very best maker in handcrafted, old-world style red and white wine made in the state of Washington, DeLille Cellars is one event that guests do want to miss out on. Owner Jay Soloff will lead pairings of his Bordeaux style-wines along with an exquisite four-course meal.
- Friday, April 19 ($140 per person): Hailing from Napa and Howell Mountain, owner Robert Foley of Robert Foley Vineyards will treat guests to an extensive selection of wine that he produces, including the 2006 Petite Sirah Pepperland and his latest creation, The Griffin.
- Friday, April 26 ($165 per person): Guests can savor the highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon of Silver Oak Cellars. Join winemaker Daniel Baron and savor all the best wines that the vineyard has to offer: Twomey Cellars Pinots, Merlots and Cabernets from Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley and Napa Valley.
- Friday, May 3 ($130 per person): Kick off the month of May with tastings from one of Oregon’s oldest and most renowned wineries, Elk Cove Vineyards. Owner Adam Godless Campbell will lead a sumptuous dinner and tasting for his newest vintages along with a library selection of his Pinot trilogy; Noir, Gris, and Blanc.
- Friday, May 10 ($130 per person): Winemaker Michael Scholz will treat guests to his Dollarhine Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Meritage blends of Élu and Virtu from Napa Valley’s St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery.
- Friday, May 17 ($150 per person): Join winemaker Jac Cole in celebrating a monumental milestone—140 years of Cabernet from Spring Mountain Vineyard’s oldest vineyard, La Perla. Among the wines that will be showcased that evening will be their 2011 Sauvignon Blanc and multiple vintages of Elivette and Cabernet.
- Friday, May 24 ($140 per person): In the last event of the Festival, owner Julie Johnson of Tres Sabores Winery returns to bring guests her elegant Zinfandels along with other varietals. Indulge in the myriad of boutique wines from Johnson’s winery as well as a “vineyard to table” dinner that will be made with ingredients sourced from her property.
All prices are per person and include taxes and gratuity. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.berkeleywinefestival.com. A limited number of special Wine Festival room rates are available for the hotel and can be booked by calling (510) 898-0040. For more information on the Alameda Food Bank, please visit http://www.alamedafoodbank.org/.
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