Mouthful: Heart of Sonoma Valley Holiday Open House

Sonoma Valley Open House: This Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Heart Of Sonoma Valley Winery Association host its 31st Annual Holiday Open House. If you’re longing for some alone time, it’s a perfect event for your guests.

There are 26 wineries participating this year, with special events and offerings at each winery. Highlights include wild mushroom polenta and braised beef ribs at Pangloss Cellars; a food truck, mulled wine, hot cider, popcorn and a yard for kids at Kaz Winery and tractor rides, cowboys, animals and more at Benziger Family Winery.

A two-day pass is $45 per person, with a special price for designated drivers.

To snag tickets and selection your check-in winery, visit heartofsonomavalley.com.

Day-After Fun: DaVero hosts its 5th Annual Day After Thanksgiving Party this Friday, November 28. From 1130 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rosso Pizzeria will offer a selection of pizzas and other yummy foods from their wood-fired oven. DaVero wines will be available for purchase by the glass and bottle.

Your well-behaved pups are welcome, feel free to bring a picnic and a Frisbee and simply enjoy the day. There’s no admission fee and reservations are not required. Club members receive a complimentary slice and glass of vino.

There will be no regular wine tasting but you can join founder Ridgely Evers in the Boardroom for a focused tasting of his wines and olive oils paired with light nibbles. These tastings take place at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per session and you need to snag a spot by calling 431-8000 ext. 1.

Out in the Valley: Alexander Valley is celebrating on Friday, as well, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with wineries offering special food and wine pairings and holiday discounts. Cost is $25 per person and $5 for designated drivers. You can sign up in advance at eventbrite.com or simply show up at one of the participating wineries, which include Alexander Valley Vineyards, Fieldstone Winery, Hanna Winery, Medlock Ames, Soda Rock Winery, Stonestreet Winery and White Oak Vineyards and Winery.

Turkey Antidote: If you’re feeling a bit stuffed today, perhaps you need to head up to Amphora Winery (4791 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg) for a few oysters. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until they run out of oysters), there will be a no-host raw bar, with the winery’s chardonnay (and other wines) available for purchase by the glass and bottle.

There is nothing like a few raw oysters to make you feel bright, light and energetic.

Benefit for REFB: Robert Rue Vineyard and Winery (1406 Wood Rd., Fulton) is hosting a special benefit for the Redwood Empire Food Bank this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here’s how it works. Bring a full bag of good groceries -- non-perishables, please -- to the winery and enjoy a 50 percent discount on six or more bottles of 2012 Zinfandel and 2013 Sauvignon Blanc.

Standard tasting fees will be waived with any donation to the organization.

In addition to wine, you’ll find gift baskets, stocking stuffers and one-of-a-kind pieces by local artists.

A Short Trip To Sweden: On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, West Winery Tasting Room celebrates the season Swedish-style, with traditional decorations, gingersnap cookies and glogg, a mulled wine seasoned with cinnamon, clove, ginger and raisins and served hot throughout the month of December. In addition, you’ll find unique gifts, including Christmas decorations from Sweden.

West Wines tasting room is located at 1000 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg.

Circus Season at Cornerstone: This Friday, Cornerstone Sonoma (23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma) kicks off its Winter Circus, featuring a magician, a contortionist, a juggler, an acrobat, a knife thrower, a unicyclist and more. “Le Cirque de Boheme” takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on December 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27, with two performances, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., each day.

The circus is suitable for all ages. Admission is $15 for kids under 15, $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP seats.

Tickets are nearly sold out for this weekend but there are plenty for upcoming performances, though if you want to attend, don’t wait. For tickets, visit cornerstonesonoma.com

Coppola’s Community of Trees: Next Wednesday, December 3, Coppola Winery hosts its 3rd Annual Community of Trees.

The event, which features the lighting of 16 live trees designed and decorated by local school kids, is a benefit for local schools and Boys and Girls Clubs.

Things get started at 5:30 p.m. and there will be hot chocolate, apple cider and freshly baked cookies for all.

After the ceremony, raffle tickets will be available for purchase. The sale of tickets continues through December 11 and all proceeds benefit the participating schools and clubs. Raffle prizes? The trees, of course.

Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Throughout December, there will be special holiday activities for kids, at a cost of $5 per child. On December 6 and 7, kids will make paper snow globes, and on December 13, they will learn how to make Mason Jar snowmen. Crafting of holiday ornaments takes place on December 20 and 21 and the season wraps up on December 27 and 28 with a seminar on how to blend hot chocolate.

Francis Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville.

Holiday Sales: Windrush Farm hosts its annual holiday fair on Sunday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local artists and artisans will offer everything from jewelry, pottery and fine art to socks, hats, scarves and sweaters made from local wool. You’ll find gifts for children and more, all hand-made, locally.

It all takes place at the farm, where you can enjoy pizzas from the wood-fired oven.

This is one of the loveliest ways to do your holiday shopping, on a working farm, amidst happy animals and gorgeous vistas where you can linger as long as you wish without anyone shoving you aside to snag a bargain.

Windrush Farm is located in southern Petaluma at 2263 Chileno Valley Rd.

In Sebastopol, Coffee Catz (6761 Sebastopol Ave.) will welcome “Upbeat Artists” for their annual craft fair this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The group of artisans work in a variety of media, including fused glass, metal, ceramics, paint, fabric and more. It all takes place in the homey rooms of Sebastopol’s signature coffee house, located in Gravenstein Station.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 18 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.