Christmas in California's Wine Country

There is always lots to do in the Napa/Sonoma wine country - picturesque little towns - unique and fun shops, art galleries, entertainment, luxurious hotels and/or adorable B & B's to stay in, cycling, hot air ballooning, enjoying numerous eateries in addition to visiting and sampling at area wineries. It's especially festive and fun during the Christmas season with holiday décor, selections of seasonal gifts, sounds of the season and lots of extra events to help celebrate the season.

Grab a youngster or two and enjoy a Christmas Teddy Bear Tea in Healdsburg on Sun. Dec. 23^rd. The Relish Culinary School will hold a special holiday tea and class in the lobby at the Hotel Healdsburg from 1pm to 3pm on that date. Chef Nitsa Knoll will demonstrate how to make beautiful and delicious tea sandwiches - some elegant and some just for the kids. Expect a holiday atmosphere with live Christmas music, a visit from Santa and superb teas and yummy treats. Everyone will be encouraged to decorate the teddy bear cookies. The Hotel Healdsburg is located on the historic downtown plaza in Healdsburg. Be sure to leave enough time to browse in nearby shops and enjoy the holiday decorations. Prices are $99 for an adult/child pair or $50 for an individual. (Please verify times and prices at relishculinary.com)

The Ledson Winery in Kenwood is offering "12 Days of Ledson" with tempting culinary delights paired with award-winning wines. The dates for these special events include Dec. 14 - 16 and Dec. 21 - 23. Cost for the event is $25 per person and includes the chance to win prizes. Ledson Wine Club members get a reduced rate. (Check out Ledson.com for details.)

Carols in the Caves are special concerts featuring ancient instruments held on holiday weekends at various winery caves. Enjoy them at 2pm on Sat. and Sun. Dec. 15^th and 16^th at a candlelit, lakeside mountain-top cave, at the Hans Fahden Vineyards in Calistogaat4855 Petrified Forest Road. Other concerts will be performed at 2pm on Sat. and Sun. Dec. 22^nd and 23^rd at several caves at the Caldwell Vineyard in Napa at 270 Kreuzer Lane. On Sat. and Sun. Dec. 29th and 30th (also at 2pm), they can be enjoyed at the cave theatre at the Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga at 1060 Dunaweal Lane. Performances are about two hours long and children under the age of 10 are not allowed. (Please visit cavemusic.com for ticket pricing and more details.)

Sonoma area wineries hold a Gingerbread Winery Contest the entire month of December. Each winery tries to outdo the others as they construct and display a "gingerbread house" likeness of their winery. Visitors can get a map and a ballot at any participating winery and vote for their favorite entry. Each ballot will be entered into a contest to win a case of Sonoma Valley wines. The winery awards and contest winners will both be announced on January 8, 2008.

On December 30th Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards will host "El Dia de Los Reyes Magos." This is a traditional Spanish festival celebrating the travels of the Three Kings. There will be performances by a local choral group, hot chocolate and a Kings Day treat, Roscon, along with a gift for each child. (Please call 707- 996-7256 for more information.)

The Sonoma Mission Valley Inn (now the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Valley Inn) in Sonoma boasts a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the lobby. It's always worth a stop to walk through their grand lobby and the beautifully grounds and enjoy a drink or perhaps a holiday meal. Should you decide to stay here while in the area, the rooms in the historic main building are smaller than the guestrooms in the newer buildings.

On Thursday, Dec. 13^th, Baker Street Downtown (in Napa at First and Main), will host their annual Holiday Cigar Tasting event from 6 to 9 pm. The featured cigar will be Troya Classico and Chateau St. Jean will do a wine tasting. Tyler Oaks, a local author, will sign copies of her novel, Ruby Rest, and Kent Cohea and Leigh Wyckoff will perform live from 7 to 9 pm. Baker Street Downtown is a unique gift shop featuring tobacco products, clocks and other items. (Please call 707-255-4434 to RSVP.)

The Wineries of Napa Valley Tasting Room in Napa (1285 Napa Town Center) has several special events in December. On Sunday, Dec. 16^th from 3 to 5pm, they will hold a food and wine pairing event featuring Chardonnay wines. The cost is $10 and reservations are not necessary. Enjoy special holiday dishes paired with select Napa wines from 4 to 6pm on Saturday, Dec. 22^nd. (For information on these and other holiday events call 707-253-9450.)

Enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner at Julia's Kitchen at COPIA in Napa. Two seatings, at 5:30pm or 7pm, will be available for a five-course prix fixe dinner. Menu choices include Julia's Potato Leek Soup with truffle oil and fried leeks; Seared Day Boat Scallops with COPIA fennel puree; Lobster and Butternut Ravioli with chanterelle mushrooms, mustard greens and COPIA micro mustard; Pan Roasted Liberty Duck Breast with chestnut and wild mushroom stuffing and COPIA pomegranate jus; and a Pear and Almond Tart with mulled wine syrup over cinnamon ice cream. A vegetarian menu can be requested and a selection of wines can be included for an additional charge. (Call 707-265-5700 for reservations.)

These are just some of the holiday events in the area. You'll also find special Christmas and New Year's dinners and brunches. This is a very busy season so make hotel and restaurant reservations early.

Happy Holidays!