- November 16 :
Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration
Wine lovers throughout the world celebrate the Beaujolais Nouveau tradition this weekend as they raise a glass to toast the summer past and the cellaring season to come. Beaujolais Nouveau is a French red wine from the southern part of Burgundy made from grapes that were hanging on the vine just three months ago. The grapes are quickly made into wine and over 60 million bottles make their way from Paris for worldwide distribution. A French law passed in 1985 made it illegal for Beaujolais Nouveau to be released before the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November. As a result, making and distributing the wine has become a fun-filled race. In Santa Rosa, the celebration takes place at Paradise Ridge Winery and is organized by the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa. The French-themed festivities include French food, wine, desserts, live music, and silent auction.
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; $35-$45 in advance; $45-$55 at the door; 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive. (707) 543-8151 - November 17 – 18 :
Holiday in Carneros
Join about 20 Carneros Wineries for their open house weekend. Sample and purchase wines, taste delicious treats, browse arts and crafts, enjoy live entertainment, meet the winemakers and winery owners, and more. Just purchase a logo glass at any participating winery (see their website for a list) on either day of the event. Then, take the glass with you to the other wineries you visit because it serves as your ticket for tastings.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; $25; (800) 909-4352
- November 21 :
Redwood Gospel Mission Thanksgiving
Every year, the Redwood Gospel Mission puts on a huge banquet on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. They end up feeding about 4,000 low-income and homeless people. Along with the turkey dinner, the day also includes chapel services, health screening, dental information, counseling, free haircuts and games for kids. Volunteers are needed to pack food boxes, serve meals, wash dishes, paint faces, play games, clean up and more. Call (707) 578-1830. - November 23 - 24 :
24th Annual Holiday Heart of Sonoma Valley Open House
Join 19 wineries throughout Sonoma Valley for this 24th annual celebration. Enjoy wine tastings, meet winemakers, mingle in our caves and cellars, stock up on your favorite wines for the holidays and more.
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; $30 for both days; (866) 794-9463 - November 24 :
Santa's Riverboat Arrival and Antique Wagon And Horse Procession
Greet Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive at the Petaluma Riverfront onboard the tug 'Petaluma.' (Noon, Free at the Petaluma Riverfront, Western Ave; 769-0429.) Then, watch an exquisite collection of antique wagons, decorated horse teams and fairy-tale characters on horseback form a procession through Historic Downtown Petaluma. It’s also a holiday open house for local merchants. (Procession is from Fourth and B streets to Kentucky Street to E. Washington Street to Petaluma Blvd.; 1:30 p.m.; free; 769-0429.)
November 2007 Calendar of Events for Sonoma County
November 16 - 30
From Maja Wood, former About.com Guide
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