28th Annual Monterey Wine Festival - April 29 - May 1, 2004
“America’s Original Wine Festival” at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California is presented by the NRAEF. The nation’s oldest wine festival will include wine tastings, educational seminars, winemaker events, cooking demonstrations by leading chefs, a live auction, and the America’s Best Wine Lists Awards. It features more than 120 wineries and 800 different wines from California’s diverse wine regions and is proud to include wines from Washington, Oregon, Australia and New Zealand. Saturday, May 1st, hours are 8am-7pm www.montereywine.com, (800) 656-4282.

San Francisco’s “World Wine Market 2004,” May 1, 2004 12-6:30pm
The Fort Mason Center in San Francisco hosts an important international wine show, seminar, and tasting program that brings top wine producers from North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, New Zealand, and South Africa together with top wine buyers from across the U.S. and major markets abroad. During the three-day show for professionals, the wine- consuming public is invited to Fort Mason on May 1st between noon and 6:30pm to partake in wine sampling. Entry is $45 for those 21 and over. www.world-wine-market.com, (415) 383-1226.

Calistoga 5th Annual “Merlot in May” May 14, 2004, 2-6 p.m.
Merlot Mania…Gourmet Goodies…and Chef Demos on Grills and Guitars!
It’s that time of year again! The weather is balmy, the vines are budding, the vineyard meadow is green and lush, and the festival tent will feature an amazing lineup of international Merlot “talent,” with hundreds of wines from all over the globe. In a casual and friendly atmosphere with live music, guest chefs will demonstrate a range of wine-friendly food preparations along with plenty of local artisan food producers and restaurateurs offering samples of delicious and perfectly-paired fare. General Admission $35. www.sterlingvineyards.com, (707) 255-7667.

Tiburon 21st Annual Wine Festival,
May 15th, 2004, 1-4:30pm
The festival is held at the Tiburon Plaza across the street from the waterfront and Ferry Landing at the junction of Tiburon Blvd. and Main Street. Featuring 50 vintners, food, live music, and a silent auction of library edition wines including the large-format bottles not generally available to the public. Tickets are $30 in advance, or $35 the day of the auction, from the Tiburon Chamber. www.tiburonchamber.org, (415) 4435-5633.

Paso Robles Wine Festival, May 16-18
More than 300 different wines, barrel samplings, winery and vineyard tours, food, music, special wine pricing, and tastings galore at the city park in downtown Paso Robles. Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, www.pasowine.com, (805) 238-0506, ext. 13.

Napa Valley Wine Auction, June 3-6
With the theme, “Isn’t It Romantic—A Sparkling Toast to Napa,” the world’s largest and most successful wine charity event will feature 223 Napa Valley vintners. Since its inception in 1981, the Napa Valley Wine Auction has contributed over $48 million to local organizations. The Auction attracts nearly 1,800 attendees from throughout the world and is annually supported by more than 1,000 community volunteers. The Napa Valley Wine Auction is open to the general public. A limited number of day passes are available for Thursday and Saturday events, as well as individual tickets for the Gala Dinner. www.napavintners.com (707) 963-3388.

Santa Cruz Mountains Vintners’ Fest, June 5-6 (Eastern side); 12-13 (Western side)
The two-weekend event includes attractions such special wine tastings, food, music, art exhibits, winery tours, and barrel tasting. The best opportunity to sample and purchase great wines the Santa Cruz region has to offer. Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association www.scmwa.com, (831) 479-WINE (9463) or e-mail at info@scmwa.com.

Mendocino Wine Affair, June 11-12
Two days of fun, great food, and terrific wines celebrating the traditions and heritage of the county. www.mendowine.com (707) 468-9886.