Here are the events we like this weekend.  Click on the title of an event to visit its official web site.

• California
  • Santa Cruz Mountains
    • Pathway to Pinot Paradise: March 29, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $25 fee per person.  In our view, this barrel sampling and library wine event is the Mack Daddy of wine country festivals.  Although many of the participating wineries produce wines that are not rated by Wine Spectator et al., take it from us, there is some killer Pinot to be enjoyed in these parts.  Examples of high quality versions come from Alfaro Family Vineyards and Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards and Winery.  This event may very well constitute the ultimate expression of the Wine Rabbian style of winery exploring: stunning mountain views; small production wineries scattered along charming windy roads; phenomenal Pinot; great picnicking opportunities; and cheap tasting fees.  We are so there. 
    • South Bay Wine Tours – Pathway to Pinot Paradise: March 29, 10:25 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $95 per person; $10 off the ticket price if you mention Wine Rabbi (no joke!).  We took the time to review the web site of South Bay Wine Tours, the official tour guide of Pathway to Pinot Paradise, and we were extremely impressed.  The ticket price includes your Pathway to Pinot Paradise event ticket; a guided vineyard tour and lecture about organic farming practices; all-day transport accompanied by a knowledgeable guide (who, by the way, writes for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Good Times); special discounts at Alfaro, which made one of our favorite Pinots of last year; and a catered picnic buffet lunch.  Just remember two things: (1) purchase your tickets no later than Friday, as they need to know how many people for whom they need to cater lunch; and (2) mention Wine Rabbi for $10 off of your ticket price.
    • Pinot Paradise Grand Cruz Tasting: March 30, 2 - 5 p.m. at Villa Ragusa; $55 per person in advance, $65 at the door.  This is the main tasting event of Pinot Paradise.  The upside is that all Pinots will be poured under one roof.  The downside is that you’re under a roof and not outside in the beautiful mountains.  If you can’t make Pathway to Pinot Paradise, or even if you’re still thirsty afterwards, this is an excellent plan B.
  • Monterey
    • First Annual Pebble Beach Food and Wine: March 27 - 30 in Pebble Beach, California; packages start at $995 per person, or event tickets can be purchased for $100 and upwards à la carte.  Check out the web site, but make sure your volume is turned down.  This is what a $1,000 ticket price gets you, in case you’re curious…  (And of course, if you do go, let us know what you think.) 
• Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.: Nothing interesting to report this week.  Tune in next Wednesday!

Just as a reminder, we don’t see a penny from any organization whose events we recommend through our “Don’t Miss” postings.  As always, our highest priority is looking out for you in the wine world!