January 19, 2007

Contact: 

Deanna Bailey

559-673-6372

dbailey@mariposawine.com

Madera Wine Trail Welcomes Visitors to

Wine & Chocolate Weekend

February 10th & 11th

The family wineries along the fun and friendly Madera Wine Trail will welcome visitors from all over California to Wine & Chocolate Weekend on Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11 from 10am-5pm. Wine lovers may purchase a $15 passport wine glass at any of the nine participating wineries both days of the event. A vast and diverse array of current and new vintages will be available for tasting and purchase along with special chocolate pairings, art and music. For more information on participating wineries please go to www.maderavintners.com or call 800-733-8068.

Birdstone Winery –9400 Road 36, 559-970-2060

Begin your 2007 Wine and Chocolate Wine Trail weekend experience at Birdstone Winery and join us in celebrating the month of love; love of friends, family, food, and wine. For lunch enjoy a delightful dish of slow-roasted marinated meats in a light red wine sauce, plated with Artisan bread and a Caesar salad prepared by Chef Michael Mazzoni. Stroll through the courtyard and sample the chocolate covered strawberries, world class cheeses from Fiscalini Farms, the scrumptious stuffed olives from La Bella Olives, and the many other delicious chocolate morsels available at Birdstone all while listening to talented musicians. We look forward seeing you.

Chateau Lasgoity-11219 Road 26, 559-674-8291

Come start your wine trail tour at Chateau Lasgoity! Chateau Lasgoity will be serving their Merlot and Syrah wines with the sinful Chocolate Cheesecake Squares and the Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies with the Blanc du Val and Chardonnay. All the chocolate desserts are handmade by the Lasgoity family. The winery will be hosting local artists, Rick & Jean Bradley throughout the weekend and the music of Harps at Play will be serenading patrons on both afternoons. Special 25% case discounts are available for the event weekend only and the first 100 patrons purchasing their wine trail glasses at Chateau Lasgoity will receive a chocolate favor gift. Lunch will be available to patrons for purchase. 

Ficklin Vineyards-30246 Avenue 7 1/2, 559-674-4598

Come join the fun at Ficklin Vineyards, Madera ’s oldest family winery. Taste our award winning Ports, fine chocolates and great cheese. Take the time to talk with winemaker Peter Ficklin about the limited release ports available only through the Portfolio Society, which include the Aged 20 Years Tawny Port. Meet Joyce from Chocolate Occasions with her world-famous truffles, sample local cookies from Doug-Out, and see up-close the amazing predatory birds on display from Fresno Wildlife Rescue. The Passport Girls are back and we hope you plan to stay for the best lunch on the trail, with the Boy Scout Troop 130 barbecue!

Mariposa Wine Company-20146 Road 21, 559-673-6372

The Mariposa Wine Company welcomes visitors to the winery & tasting room for the official release of 3 new CrU-Monterey Pinot Noirs from the 2005 vintage. Wines from the complete portfolio of brands: Carmichael Vintners, CrŪ-Monterey & Yosemite View will also be available for tasting. We’ll feature the work of Fresno photographer Michael Ambrose and the paintings of Shirley Rudolf & Diane Breuer. The jewelry designs of Ron & Carol Covert will also be on display. In addition to wine tasting, guests are invited to enjoy a variety of chocolate treats including the Decadent Candy Bar Brownies from the kitchen of MWC’s own Nancy Simpson. In vino veritas!

Oak Hollow Winery-9505-A Road 30 ½, 559-675-8826

Come and taste our exciting current releases. Ribs & Tips will be here to serve their famous B-B-Q lunch. Please do not be confused by our name. We are Oak Hollow/Prospero!

Pacific Crest Winery-33137 Avenue 9, 559-674-4996

Pacific Crest Winery produces old world wines done in an old world tradition with a history since 1936. We are offering Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, along with barrel-aged Shiraz & Zinfandel.

Quady Winery-13181 Road 24, 800-733-8068

Please join Quady Winery and local area artists for our annual Art Show, Revieller, in conjunction with Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Our winery will be adorned with area artists photos, paintings, sculptures and tank installation art. Enjoy this beautiful setting while sipping wine and enjoying sweet and savory treats.

Vineyard 208/Whelchel-Ruffalo Family Winery-42415 Road 208, O’Neals, 559-822-8208

Vineyard 208, the Whelchel-Ruffalo Family Winery will be accepting advance reservations for wine tasting on Saturday and Sunday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Experience our Old World Italian wines while savoring delectables prepared by Love & Garlic. Fine wine, fabulous food, fantastic view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. What could be better? Please call to reserve your personal tasting for the Wine and Chocolate Weekend.

Westbrook Wine Farm-49610 House Ranch Road, O’Neals, 559-868-3499

By Appointment Only – Ray and Tammy Krause invite fifty visitors each day to escape the fog and enjoy an exclusive pre-view selection of six hand-crafted wines. This is the serious wine lovers’ opportunity to pre-taste and reserve this year’s new releases of Fait Accompli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Uber Rhenish, Rosato Romantico and Viognier/Valdiguie. Please call or email early to secure your appointment for between ten and three o’clock each day. Come for our personal attention and wines as crisp and bright as a February morning in the Sierras. You know you want to!

Mark your calendars for the next Madera Wine Trail event:

Friday & Saturday, May 18 & 19, 3pm-9pm