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Wine & Chocolate

Annual weekend set for Feb. 11, 12

-- Madera Vintners Association

(Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 4:26 PM)

The Madera Vintners Association will host the annual "Wine & Chocolate Weekend" Feb. 11 and 12. This two-day event is a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day with loved ones and friends while tasting award-winning local wines.

"The family winemakers that are the Madera Wine Trail are excited to celebrate its 10 year anniversary," said Tony Kirk, President of the Madera Vintners Association. "Our wines are intensely personal, an expression not only of Madera terroir (land), but of our family winegrowing heritage. We invite you to join us on this wonderful journey."

The Madera Wine Trail is comprised of 10 wineries. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste a variety of aperitif, table and dessert wines. On this special weekend, guests will also enjoy chocolates, delicious food, live music and local art.

Ticket Information

Madera Wine Trail Passports are available for $25 in advance at participating locations and online at www.MaderaWineTrail.com, through Feb. 10. Tickets will also be available the weekend of the event at participating wineries for $35. A ticket includes a keepsake wine glass and is a passport to wine tasting on the Trail all weekend long!

Advance Ticket Locations include: Birdstone Winery Idle Hour Winery Sumner Peck Ranch Winery; Chateau Lasgoity Papagni Wines The Elbow Room; CRU Wine Company Quady Winery Vino & Friends; and Ficklin Vineyards San Joaquin Wine Company.

The Madera Wine Trail encourages safe driving through the use of designated drivers, limousines and shuttles. Designated drivers are free of charge and can pick up a VIP kit at their first stop on the trail.

Participating Wineries include:

Birdstone Winery: Birdstone will host live music with Deja Blues on Saturday and the Henderson Project on Sunday. For lunch each day enjoy a delicious dish of Grilled Marinated Basque Chicken, Pilaf, a Spring Salad, and Sourdough rolls - all prepared by Chef Michael Mazzoni.

Details: (559)645-1825 or www.birdstonewinery.com

Chateau Lasgoity: Patrons will find great wine at great prices in a classy family atmosphere replete of chocolate, music and fine art.

Details: (559)674-8291, www.chateaulasgoity.com

CRU Wine Company: Meet winemaker Ken Post. Take a walk through our Barrel Room where there will be live music will be played and specialty vendors from all over the Central Valley.

Details: (559)673-6372 or www.cruwinecompany.com

Ficklin Vineyards: Ficklin will offer lively music, delectable chocolates, fine small-lot cheeses, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, fragrant cigars and cigar-rolling demonstrations by Aldo Rodriguez of Casa de Tabaco, captivating wild cats from the non-profit Project Survival Cat Haven, and savory tri-tip sandwiches. Details: (559)661-0075 or www.ficklin.com

Idle Hour Winery: Sit for a Valentine's portrait with your sweetheart by local photographer Rikki Alley for only $35! Artist Judy De Rosa will be displaying her beautiful jewelry. KT Lee Ranch Alpacas will be selling their warm alpaca sweaters. Local musicians will entertain. Details: (559)760-9090 or www.idlehourwinery.com

Papagni Wines: Adding to the excitement is the release of three new wines, served along with the award winning 2001 Alicante Bouschet and 2009 Malvasia Bianca. Cheese, crackers and chocolates will also be served.

Details: (559) 673-5754 or www.papagniwines.com

Quady Winery: Quady will host the 11th annual art show Reveiller. Over 30 local area artists will be on hand to talk about their works of art including sculptures, paintings, photographs and installation pieces. There will be cakes, truffles, chocolate sauces and other edible treats to accompany the wines. Mattie's Mobile Wood Fired Pizza will be toasting up gourmet pizzas, including a sweet pizza with Nutella chocolate & berries.

Details: (800)733-8068 or www.quadywinery.com

San Joaquin Wine Company: The winery will be releasing their 2010 Moody Press Chardonnay and Zinfandel, as well as theirr newest, SJWC Pomegranate Sangria. San Antonio Chef Don Wittschiebe will create a gourmet lunch for purchase to eat while enjoying live music.The Trey Tosh Band will perform Saturday and the Rhythm Review Band will perform Sunday. For the chocolate lovers, Mr. O's Gourmet will be there and a couple of other surprises. There will be jewelry, slumped wine bottles, wine bottle lights, and Margaret Hudson figurines.Details: (559)673-0066 or www.sjwineco.com

Sumner Peck Ranch Winery: Expect an abundance of chocolates, excellent wine, great food and live music.

Details: (559) 822 - 4433 or www.sumnerpeckranch.com

Westbrook Wine Farm: Winegrowers Tammy and Ray Krause will be accepting reservations from 50 wine lovers each day. Call or email early to confirm yours.

Details: (559) 868-3499 or westbrookwine@sti.net