Mendocino Wine Country Travel

Eat, Sip, Stay: Ft. Bragg

FT. BRAGG, CA — For diners, the small coastal town of Fort Bragg is known as something of a culinary hotspot, hosting two of the region's highest rated restaurants, a handful of excellent local eateries, as well as an internationally recognized cooking school. So if you're planning a visit, pack a fork along with a warm sweater and a good book (for those cozy fireside evenings) – or at least a hearty appetite.

Most recently, the Rendezvous Inn (647 North Main Street, Ft. Bragg, CA, (707) 964.8142), a cozy bed and breakfast and restaurant in Mendocino's coastal village of Fort Bragg, has been named top Mendocino County restaurant in the 2006 Zagat guide. The guide is a well-regarded guide to some of the best restaurants in the country, identifying great chefs and food in each region.

According to the recently released guide, the Rendezvous is . . .

FEATURED EVENT - MENDOCINO, CA

Celebrate the Best of Mendocino Wine Country at the Mendocino Wine Affair on Friday, June 23 & Saturday, June 24, 2006. Festivities on Friday will be held at Parducci Wine Cellars where you'll sample wines, participate in a full–case silent auction, listen to the Fred McCarty Band and enjoy a sumptuous buffet of grilled meats and unique pasta dishes.

On Saturday, join all the fun at Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks featuring live and silent auctions, fine dining, live music from the Sofa Kings, art exhibits, and over 100 Mendocino wines paired with Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean cuisine! Buy tickets online at www.mendowine.com or call (707) 468.9886.

WINE COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT – BORREGO SPRINGS, CA

Escape to La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort for a romantic getaway or a serene weekend retreat. Experience 7–course, wine–pairing dinners featuring leading California wineries. Indulge in fine wines from our state–of–the–art wine room including more than 7,000 bottles and 600 labels from around the world. Visit www.lacasadelzorro.com for more information.

Mother's Day Guide to Wine Country

Wine & Dine Mom in Style

WINECOUNTRY—It's Mom's special day . . . and you better have something special planned. We've put together a list of some of the best ideas throughout Wine Country to help celebrate all that is so wonderful about the woman who clothed you, fed you, changed your diapers and helped put you through college. And by the way, it wouldn't kill you to call once in a while.

Check out WineCountry.com's suggestions for special Mother's Day outings in wine regions all over California!

WINE COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT – MONTEREY, CA

Located in the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Monterey, Casa Munras is a Monterey hotel near many of the most visited attractions in the Central California region. Fisherman's Wharf, The Monterey Bay Aquarium shops, and restaurants are just steps away from the hotel. With 166 guest room, including 46 fireplace suite-style rooms, Casa Munras, offers a range of room types to perfectly accommodate your needs and an array of amenities. Go online for more details and reservations or call (800) 222.2446.

WINE COUNTRY RECIPE

Spring Lamb with Honey and Thyme Baby Vegetables

Recipe by St. Francis Winery Chef, Todd Muir

Salt, Pepper and Dijon! Add zip and zest to spring with this Lamb delight. Chioggia beets and turnips turn into a heavenly wonder when paired with thyme and honey. Enjoy Chef Todd Muir’s specialties when you visit St. Francis Winery.

With daily wine and food pairings along with specialty wines only available at St. Francis, you'll be able to taste Sonoma by the sip (and by the bite).

The St. Francis Tasting Room is located in Sonoma Wine Country at 100 Pythian Road — Santa Rosa, CA 95409 — (707) 833-0242. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

WINE COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT — SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Escape to A Celebration of Pinot Noir from California and Beyond — a three day festival featuring pinot dinners, focus tastings and the Grand Festival. The festival will present 140 producers of pinot noir from around the world. Pinot Days will take place on June 23-25 at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Purchase tickets soon, as space is limited. www.pinotdays.com

WINECOUNTRY.COM CONTEST

Napa Valley Culinary Package

Take a tour of The Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, CA and watch two different live cooking demonstrations that will include the recipe and tasting of the dish demonstrated. Then, sit down for a scrumptious gourmet meal for two at the Greystone Restaurant located within the CIA.

You can enter to win by answering the following question from this Newsletter: What business in Mendocino offers Skunk Train Packages and Spa Packages?

Click here to enter this drawing!**  The Winner of this Drawing will be announced on The Winner's Page after June 30, 2006.

*some restrictions apply
** No purchase necessary. Must be at least 21 years old to enter. Only one entry per person permitted. Winner will be selected June 30, 2006 by random drawing from the correct entries. Winner will be notified by email.  Employees of Freerun Technologies are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law.

Mendocino Wine Travel • Mother's Day • Wine Country Recipes
Wine Country Events • WineCountry.com Drawing • This Issue

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