SAN FRANCISCO, September 15, 2011—If you’re anything like me, there are so many wineries in so many wine regions that you might not be sure where to begin. Luckily, there is an excellent event coming up at San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building.
The California Wine Rush is part of the California Wine Month celebrations, taking place Saturday, September 17 from noon to 3pm at the Ferry Building. Wines will be organized by region and will include Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Lodi, Amador, Livermore Valley, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Mountains and more.
California Wine Month 2011 Poster
Tickets are $45 per person. Part of the proceeds from this event will benefit the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture). Wines varietals being poured include Sangiovese, Syrah, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Barbera, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah just to name a few. Plenty of white, red, blend and rose choices to choose from. Each region offering up the very best varietals to taste.
A few of the wineries you will find at the event include: Vino Noceto, Andis Wines (Amador), Concannon Vineyard, Page Mill Winery, Wente Vineyards (Livermore Valley), Gnarly Head, Michael-David Winery (Lodi), Lucienne Vineyards, J. Lohr (Monterey), Heitz Cellar, Groth, Honig (Napa), Adelaida Cellars, Halter Ranch (Paso Robles), Tangent, Wolff Vineyards (San Luis Obispo), Riverbench, Grassini Family Vineyards (Santa Barbara), David Bruce, Storrs Winery (Santa Cruz), Ridge Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Schug Carneros Estate (Sonoma).
Before heading into the wine event, check out The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. It’s a certified farmers market operated by CUESA. It is widely acclaimed for both the quality and diversity of its produce, products, artisan and prepared foods. The farmers market is open on Saturday from 8am-2pm.
San Francisco Ferry Building Event
Then after the event you can check out the rest of the Ferry Building shops. A few favorites are Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop, Blue Bottle Coffee, Hog Island Oyster Company (for some of the best oysters you will ever have), Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Stonehouse and McEvoy Ranch Olive Oils and of course, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant (in case you didn’t get enough wine at the tasting event). Here is a complete list of shopping and dining available.
Insider-tips:
Get there early, check out the farmers market and take your time enjoying the day.
Drink plenty of water while you wine taste, and don’t forget to eat! With so many excellent food choices at the Ferry Building, you will be in great shape.
Parking can be a hassle down there and expensive. Here are your parking options and where they are located. And if driving, be sure to have a DD (designated driver). You can get driving directions here.
If you are taking public transportation, you can take MUNI buses, the F Streetcar, and the California Cable Car line. If you are coming from the East Bay, you can take BART and get off at Embarcadero Station and just walk. If you are coming from the South Bay, you can take CalTrain and transfer to MUNI street car right across the street from the station, get off at Embarcadero Station. From Marin, it is easiest to take the Golden Gate Ferries. You can also take Golden Gate Transit buses. To plan your trip with all available public transportation, click here.
Read more about California Wine Month. Discover more about California wines, regions and events.
Learn more about the history of the Ferry Building.
Interested in reading more about Livermore Valley wine? Read my last article about the history of the Livermore Valley wine region.
Interested in reading more about Sonoma wine? Read my article about the history and wine recommendations for Southern Sonoma.
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