HEALDSBURG
Dickens Dinners at Madrona Manor
Madrona Manor kicks off the first of its holiday Dickens Dinners at 6:30 p.m. Sunday with caroling by the Twelfth Night Singers and a five-course menu by Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren.
The dinners continue on Dec. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 with seatings at 6:30 p.m., plus an additional seating at 1:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Cost is $85-$125, depending on the date, with wine pairings extra. A Twelfth Night Singers CD will be for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Healdsburg Boys and Girls Club and the Healdsburg Food Pantry.
To reserve, call433-4231. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg. Diners who book a room on the night of their Dickens Dinner will get half off the usual room rate.
SANTA ROSA
Take wine trail without leaving
The Santa Rosa Wine Trail, a collection of urban wineries and tasting rooms located within minutes of downtown Santa Rosa, will host a holiday tasting weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 10 participating wineries.
"Eat, Sip and Be Merry" includes food trucks, live music and exclusive tours and activities at each winery. Passports with stamps from all 10 locations will be entered for a drawing to win prizes.
Cost is $25, or $35 at the door, which includes a wine glass and $10 in "wine bucks" to be used toward the purchase of wine. Designated driver tickets are $5.
To reserve, go to srwt.eventbrite.com. Participating wineries include Carol Shelton, D'Argenzio, Inspiration, Krutz Family Cellars, Old World, Paradise Ridge, Sheldon, Siduri/Novy (on Saturday only), Two Shepherds and the collective at Vinoteca.
The Fountaingrove Inn will offer a limited number of deluxe king rooms for $89 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday night as part of the weekend, which is co-sponsored by the Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau, the California Welcome Center and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.
PETALUMA
Olive ranch open house, food drive
McEvoy Ranch will hold its annual Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Petaluma olive ranch.
Guests will enjoy live music and refreshments, including the just-bottled 2012 Olio Nuovo and the estate-produced preserves. Holiday shopping in the ranch's retail room will also be offered, with choices ranging from body products to cookbooks.
Guests are encouraged to participate in the ranch's Holiday Food Drive by bringing a nonperishable food donation for the local food bank.
Attendance is free, but an advanced reservation is required. To reserve, go to mcevoyranch.com and click on shop. 5935 Red Hill Road.
HEALDSBURG
Amphora offers tempranillo pairing
An intriguing Wine Country pairing -- paella and tempranillo. Amphora Winery is hosting its first annual event to celebrate this duo on Dec. 8. That's when the winery officially releases its first 2009 tempranillo. In keeping with the authenticity of this Spanish varietal, the house-made paella will be plentiful.
The celebration is from noon to 3 p.m. and the fee is $25. Amphora Winery is at 4791 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. For more information, call 431-7767.
SONOMA
Ravenswood holds blending seminar
Are you up for a Wine Country adventure? Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned wine drinker, you can learn the art of winemaking at a Ravenswood Wine Blending Seminar during the month of December.
