SATURDAY
Wine festival
30TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE SONOITA VINEYARDS FESTIVAL: This event includes wine tasting and live music, with the blessing at noon. Vineyard tours are hourly all day. Admission includes a souvenir glass. Three Sonoita restaurants will sell lunch for a separate charge. When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin (call for directions) Price: $10 admission; lunch varies Info: 520-455-5893, www.sonoitavineyards.com
APRIL 27
ZIN, BLUES AND BBQ: Hacienda del Sol’s Guest Ranch Resort’s eighth annual spring celebration in the garden courtyards includes 50 selections of zinfandels for tasting with barbecue. Live blues by Grams & Krieger Band and Stefan George Duo. When: 4-7 p.m. Where: 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road Price: $50 Info: 529-3500
APRIL 28
Special wine dinners
VIN TABLA: Chef Bruce Yim prepares southern Italian style foods to go with wines from the region selected by master sommelier Laura Williamson. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: 2890 E. Skyline Drive Price: $20 for five wine tastes, $40 for three-course dinner Info: 577-6210, lauraw@vintabla.com
MAY 3
SECOND ANNUAL WINE AND FARM FESTIVAL: At Canelo Hills Vineyards and Winery, the festival has free admission, with wine tastings of Keeling-Schaefer Vineyards, Colibri Vineyards and Canelo Hills wines for an extra cost. The event also features a farmers market, alpacas and alpaca fiber products from Square Top Ranch, emu goods from Circle T Emu Ranch and goat cheese for sale from Fiore di Capra, plus baked goods and other products. The Gathering Grounds Cafe will offer lunch items for sale. Vineyard tours also will be given. When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: 342 Elgin Road, Elgin Price: free admission Info: 520-455-5499, www.canelohillswinery.com Directions: From Tucson, take Interstate 10 East to Exit 281 (state Route 83) and go south toward Sonoita for 26 miles; at the stop sign, continue south approximately 4.3 miles to Elgin Road and turn left (east) and continue 3.3 miles to the vineyard on the left side of the road.
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Unless noted, no reservations are necessary, prices are per person and do not include tax and tip.
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REGULAR WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES
Wednesdays
BAR 58° & BISTRO (BROADWAY): At 58 Degrees & Holding Co. this week, wines from Charles Creek Vineyard of Sonoma County, Calif. • April 23 wines of Portugal • April 30 Sample San Simeon and Maddalena artisan wines from the Riboli family estate vineyards in Paso Robles and Monterey, Calif. Steve Riboli will attend. When: 5-7 p.m. Where: 5340 E. Broadway Price: $10 Info: 747-5858, www.58degrees.com
TERRA COTTA: Call for Wine Wednesdays details. When: 4-10 p.m. Where: 3500 E. Sunrise Drive Price: $6 Info: 577-8100, www.dineterracotta.com
HILTON TUCSON EL CONQUISTADOR GOLF & TENNIS RESORT: Every Wednesday in its La Vista Lounge, sample a variety of wines and an hors d’oeuvres buffet. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: 10555 N. La Cañada Drive Price: $15 Info: 544-1905, www.hiltonelconquistador.com
Thursdays-Saturdays
CATAVINOS: Call for this week’s selections. When: 4-8 p.m. Where: 3063 N. Alvernon Way Price: $10 ($8 with purchase of a bottle) Info: 323-3063, www.catavinoswines.com
Fridays
BEVERAGE HOUSE (ORACLE): This week, wines from Australia • April 25 staff picks When: 4-6:30 p.m. Where: 6250 N. Oracle Road Price: $4 Info: 219-6424, www.beveragehouse.net
BEVERAGE HOUSE (BROADWAY): This week, wines from Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards in Washington state • April 25 staff picks • May 2 Italian wines from small vineyard • May 9 Joel Gott Wines of St. Helena, Calif. When: 4-6 p.m. Where: 8660 E. Broadway Price: $2 Info: 296-9933
DISTRICT TAVERN: Call for this week’s selections. When: 5-7 p.m. Where: 260 E. Congress St. Price: $5 Info: 792-0081
PASTICHE WINE SHOP: This week, ports • April 25 Benziger Family Winery of California • May 2 to be announced • May 9 Italian wines When: 5-6:30 p.m. Where: 3025 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $5 Info: 325-3333, www.pasticheme.com
VILA THAI CUISINE: Call for this week’s selections. When: 5-7 p.m. Where: 972 E. University Blvd. Price: $10 Info: 903-9777, www.vilathai.com
Saturdays
JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA: Call for the topic of this week’s class. Participants usually sample five to six wines, with artisan breads and cheeses from the resort’s Primo restaurant. When: 3:30-5 p.m. Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Price: $25 Info: 791-6071, http://primo.jwmarriottstarrpass.com
AJ’S FINE FOODS: This week, wines that pair well with lamb. Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis. When: 2 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Drive Price: $5 Info: 232-6340, www.ajsfinefoods.com
Tuesdays
ARMITAGE WINE LOUNGE AND CAFE: This week, Robert Hall Winery of Paso Robles, Calif. • April 29 “presummer” whites wines. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 168 Price: $10 Info: 682-9740, www.armitagewine.com
TERRAZA DEL SOL: Tastings at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort’s bar. Call for this week’s selections. When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road Price: free Info: 299-1501, www.haciendadelsol.com