Summer Activities

All year long, wineries and distributors host tastings and charity auctions. But there's no denying that summer brings a special allure. Wine tastings move outdoors into the balmy air, and vacationers happily bid at alfresco charity auctions or sample delectable appetizers in tents under the stars.

July 1
Robert Mondavi Winery Summer Music Festival
Oakville, Calif.
The festival starts on July 1 and runs through the 29th. Musicians include Boz Scaggs and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Contact: (888) 769-5299

July 1
The Great Waikoloa Food, Wine & Music Festival
Waikoloa, HI.
Features 25 of Hawaii's best chefs and more than 30 wine, beer and spirit purveyors. Held outdoors under the stars, this exquisite evening of culinary pleasures and world class jazz culminates with a spectacular display of fireworks.
Contact: (808) 886-1234 or www.dolphindays.com

July 11
KCBX Wine Classic--Sponsored by Wine Spectator
San Louis Obispo, Calif.
Tastings, seminars, dinners and golf outings. There are 25 different events during the course of the week.
Contact:(805) 781-3026, or visit the site at: www.kcbx.org

July 13
Sonoma County Showcase of Wine & Food 2000: Partners in Wine, Food and Farming help to feed the hungry
Sonoma County, CA
From July 13 through July 15, vintners pull out all the stops to present bountiful tables of wine and local food product as they partner with a cadre of talented national and local chefs to raise funds for non-profit, Share Our Strength and The Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Contact: (800) 441-9298 or e-mail Laura Long of De Loach Vineyards -- lslwine@deloachvineyards.com

July 13
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
New Orleans
From July 12 through July 16, more than 100 restaurateurs and more than 125 wineries will come together for five days of dining, tastings, seminars, grand tastings, brunches and walk-arounds.
Contact: www.nowfe.com

July 13
Home Winemakers Classic
Rutherford, California. The event is held at St. Supery winery.
Contact:See its website for complete details: www.homewine.com

Aug 4-5
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation 6th Annual California Wine Auction
Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, CA
Food and wine tasting and live auction
Contact: (925) 447-WINE or www.livermorewine.com

Aug 12
Santa Barbara International Wine Auction
Picnic, dinners, tasting, and an Auction on Aug 12 starting at 4pm
Contact: (805) 969-WINE or www.musicacademy.org

Aug 12
Rare Blends Festival
Santa Rosa, CA
More than 40 producers are scheduled to pour their wines at the event, which also includes live music by local bands and cooking demonstrations by graduates of the Culinary Institute of America.
Contact: (530) 752-1915, www.wineserver.ucdavis.edu

Aug 17
Oregon Bluegrass and Cowboy Music Festival
Odell, Ore.
Sip some of the best in wines while enjoying 19 national and regional bands, including Riders in the Sky. Along with four days of nearly nonstop music and wine tasting, also enjoy a craft fair, an authentic cowboy trail camp and more.
Contact: www.greatmusicfestivals.com

Aug 25
MoCool 2000: Below the Belt
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Spend the weekend tasting top wines from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and South Africa -- while enjoying some great food and an environment designed for relaxed socializing.
Contact: mocool@voyager.net

Aug 26
Auction of Northwest Wines
Woodinville, Wash.
The proceeds will benefit the uncompensated care fund at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. Last year's event boasted 650 guests, including Kenny G and Cindy Crawford. Tickets include the Northwest Wine Celebration, a prelude to the auction the week before the event.
Contact: Cynthia Daste, (206) 667-9463 ext. 204

Sept 2-4
Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction
Picnic, winery dinners, tasting panels, and the 8th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction Sept 3 from 1-9pm.
Contact: (707) 935-0803 or sonomavalleywine.com

Sept 9
Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival
Santa Rosa, Calif.
More than 100 varieties of tomatoes, food and wine tasting, restaurant and gourmet food purveyors, food & wine seminars, tomato art show, garden tours, live entertainment and much more. Also featuring special reserve wine tasting of unique and limited-quantity wines.
Contact: (800) 769-3649

Sept 21
California Bluegrass and Cowboy Music Festival
Plymouth, Calif.
Sip some of the best wines while enjoying 19 national and regional bands including Merle Haggard. Along with four days of nearly nonstop music and wine tasting, also enjoy a craft fair, and an authentic cowboy trail.
Contact: www.greatmusicfestivals.com