Is there such a thing as kosher wine that is actually good, beyond Manischewitz? Find out for yourself, Sunday, September 26, between 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Sample six fine wines which happen to be kosher at the Temple Emanu-El Women of Reform Judaism Beyond Manischewitz Kosher Wine Tasting. Five local chefs will pair their favorite recipes with kosher wines for the event. Chefs will also give cooking and wine pairing tips for trying their recipes at home.

Sample food offerings will be from 47 Scott, elle wine country restaurant, Naked Food & Fitness, Shlomo & Vito’s, and Sous Chef. Coffee tasting and sparkling cider will also be available. The event is a fundraiser for continuing Jewish education opportunities for Kurn Religious School teachers.

Tickets are $36 in advance or $42 at the door. Beyond Manischewitz will be held in the Temple Emanu-El Sukkah (located in the Biblical Garden) at 225 N. Country Club Rd.  For more information or to purchase tickets contact Lori Riegel at 327-6722 or lriegel@templeemanueltucson.org.

Grape Stomp 5K in Willcox next weekend

There’s still time to sign up for the third “stomp” on the Arizona Winemakers Association Grape Stomp tour will lead you 3.1 miles through the Keeling Schaefer Vineyards in Willcox, on September 18th, beginning at 7:00am.

After the race, enjoy wine tasting in the Willcox area; take your commemorative glasses to the local wineries to receive discounts. Or take a hike in the Chiricahua National Monument. (I’m personally going to taste the wines.) Contact the Arizona Wine Growers Association for more information.

Sedona Winefest 2010 scheduled

The weekend of September 25 and 26, 11:00am till 5:00pm, will be a busy one at the Sedona Airport with the Sedona Winefest 2010. The event will be located on the airport mesa, taking advantage of the substantial parking available as well as spectacular views. The Winefest will be joined by the airport’s traditional airport open house and fly in, and the classic car show on the first day of the event, September 25.

The two-day wine festival celebrates the wine growing industry of Arizona, particularly the wineries in the Verde Valley region: Freitas Vineyard, Javelina Leap, Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, Jerome Winery, Bitter Creek Winery, Page Springs Cellars, Arizona Stronghold, Alcantara, Pillsbury Wine Co., Oak Creek Vineyards, Juniper Well Ranch Vineyards, and Carlson Creek Vineyard.

The entry fee of $12.00 will include an 18-ounce commemorative Winefest glass and six tasting tickets. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase wine by the case, bottle, and by the glass from all the participating wineries.

The Sedona Arts Center’s “Artists in Action” program will also be featured — over a dozen artists who are also instructors at the art center will demonstrate their artistic skills. Visitors will be able to join in and get on the pottery wheel to see if they can create a masterpiece.

The Sedona Winefest pavilion will include a food court with a variety of menu items and snacks throughout the day. Entertainment scheduled on Saturday is Steve Douglas’ gypsy jazz trio, ZAZU; on Sunday, patrons will enjoy the popular trio Soundscape Sedona, featuring Susannah Martin.

On Saturday, September 25, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the airport will also host the annual airport open house and fly-in plus the classic car show. Included in this family event will be the 1929 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft which was is only one of five such aircraft still flying in the world. Rides on the Tri-Motor will be offered for $60 a person. Other aircraft, including four brand new, state-of-the-art airplanes representing the best of American aircraft manufacturers will be on display. The Sedona Car Club will once again host their competitive 100+ car show with car buffs from around the state completing for prizes for best of show.

For more information, contact Sandy at sandy@sedonawinefest.com.  Or contact the website. is: http://www.sedonawinefest.com.