03/15/06 Food, wine & travel

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Today is our wine & travel program where we discuss places to go and things to do with wine in mind. With spring so near, we cannot help but start looking at all of the wonderful events that are happening in wine regions all over the country. Starting in one of my favorite California wine regions Paso Robles, the Zinfandel Festival will take place March 17th through 19th . This is the varietal that put the Paso Robles wine region on the map. If you find yourself further north in California don't miss the 16th Annual Barrel Tasting in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Preview the 2005 vintage right from the barrel. This event even offers a reduced price for the designated driver! Now closer to my home are two events that you just gotta love. One is in Woodinville Washington, a little wine mecca in its own rite, that is just east of Seattle. April 1st and 2nd all of the wineries in the area have a joint open house of sorts. But be prepared for the crowds. There are lots of people and some wineries have better traffic flow than others. Just be pleasant and have fun chatting with the wine lovers next to you in line. I assure you the wines are worth the wait. The second event is on the other side of the state in eastern Washington March 11 & 12th . This is when the Columbia Valley Winery Association puts on their annual Sweet Retreat. Among the fabulous food and wine pairings, you will find sweet wines paired with savory foods, and drier wines paired with sweet foods  it is a blast! and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.