Bottoms Up

If you’re like me, you’re more than willing to eschew huge, elbow-smashing events like ZAP in favor of events small enough to feature intellectual seminars and an opportunity to meet legends in the wine business, and big enough to enjoy walk-around tastings of cult producers.

Women for WineSense’s Grand Event, which runs May 2 to May 4 at various locations in the Napa Valley, is a prime example of the latter.

I attended last year’s Grand Event in San Francisco and got so much out of it: I took a sensory evaluation seminar with UC Davis legend Ann Noble (to date the best lesson in evaluating wines that I’ve had). I got to meet Margrit Mondavi and hang with Leslie Sbrocco.

It’s this kind of full, satifsying experience you’ll get next month. If you can’t attend all three days, I suggest you attend Saturday’s festivities at the gorgeous Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. You’ll be able to choose from fascinating seminars, from the effect music has on the palate to the latest in organic winemaking.

Over a Greystone lunch, you’ll hear from trailblazers in the industry, like Harlan Estate’s vineyard manager Mary Hall. By the end of the day, you will have tasted wines from 30 wineries with women in the roles of vineyard manager, winemaker, or CEO.

The cost for Saturday is $140 ($115 for WWS members). Space is limited so go to WWS Web site to purchase your tickets today.