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When I received an invitation to the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Grand Tasting, it was the prefect excuse for a weekend getaway. The Spring Weekend Festival takes place over 4 days with the Festival Grand Tasting as the main event of the weekend. We drove up early Saturday morning to the River View Park in Buellton. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the temperatures were moderate with a lovely cool breeze.  With over 100 wineries pouring wine, along with food and music, we strolled from tent to tent to taste some of the best wines in the region.
In September, 66 Pinot Noir producers from the Willamette Valley Wineries Association came to Los Angeles for the first time to demonstrate what make this cool cool climate region one of the nation’s top producers of Pinot Noir. The Willamette Valley is located just outside the super-cool city of Portland, between Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range and the Coast Range, more than 100 miles long and spanning 60 miles.  Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean (50 miles), Willamette averages 52-78 degrees in the summer and 35-47 degrees in the winter. It actually sits at the same latitude as the Burgundy region of France and has a similar climate in which the finicky Pinot noir grapes thrive.
One of my favorite weekend getaways is to Sonoma. Making Healdsburg the home base, it is centrally located between the Dry Creek Valley (known for Zinfandel) and the Russian River Valley (known for Pinot Noir). With two days in the area, spend a day in each valley, but if you have more time, it's even better!  Here are some of my favorite wineries to visit: Russian River Valley  Arista Winery  7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 If you are looking for a divine Russan River Valley Pinot Noir, then look no further than Arista Winery. Founded by the McWilliams family in 2002, they have dedicated themselves to working with local growers and practice sustainable farming. Beyond amazing wines, the vineyard boasts beautiful Japanese water gardens, mountain and vineyard vistas and a traditional tasting room. The tranquil environment is perfect for picnics, gatherings and intimate tastings. Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-5pm     
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