Here are the events that we recommend for this weekend and beyond.  Click on the title of an event to visit that event’s official web site.

• California
  • Napa (Calistoga)
    • Calistoga Wineries Spring Celebration: May 3, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; $30 per person — all proceeds go to non-denominational St. Luke’s Preschool.  Plainly put, Calistoga is gorgeous, which fact alone is enough to justify attending this event.  But in addition, there will be barrel samplings, live music, and food, and the proceeds of the event will go to non-denominational St. Luke’s Preschool.  We recommend doing your research (i.e., checking out any wine awards or favorable reviews listed on the wineries’ web sites) before choosing which of these intimate wineries to visit.
  • Mendocino  (Potter Valley)
    • Hopland Passport Weekend: May 3 & 4, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $35 per person.  This event surely has the makings of a scenic and explorative wine adventure.  Hopland area wineries are located in a sparsely populated area of Mendocino County and, to our knowledge, aren’t widely known.  But they’re apparently producing some excellent wines, especially in the Potter Valley (click here for Appellation America’s take on Potter Valley) which has us convinced that there are good values to be found up there.  See suggested lodging options by clicking here.
  • San Francisco
    • Vinfolio Wine Tasting Event: Global Wine: May 1, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Coffee Bar; $40 per person.  This event will feature wines from around the world that were selected by Vinfolio Wine Buyer, Cyrille Hanson, and we’re betting that she knows what she’s doing.  If you purchase tickets, write “(tablehopper)” in the reservation form after your name, and you’ll receive 10% off the ticket price.
  • Santa Cruz Mountains
    • Corralitos Wine Trail: May 10, 1 - 5 p.m.; see list of participating wineries by clicking here; tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door.  Just a reminder about this event, about which we reported in last week’s “Don’t Miss” posting. 
• New York
  • Finger Lakes
    • Rendezvous with Riesling: Thursday, May 8, 7 - 10 p.m. at New York Wine & Culinary Center; $55 per person.  It’s no secret these days that New York State is producing world class Riesling, and here’s your chance to taste 40 different renditions of it.  The venue is located a long (long, long) way by car from New York City, so we recommend flying to Rochester if you can.  
• Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.: Nothing of interest happening this week.  Tune in next Wednesday!