This is a fantastic time of year to get away to visit Napa and Sonoma, Gold Country and Nevada City the wine country. The mustard flowers are turning the vineyards golden, the fields are lush and green, and the weather is mild and warm. This time of year is also relatively slow in wine country so visits to the winery often feel more personal and intimate with fewer people and staff that has more time to give undivided attention to their guests. Best yet, the slow season means your dollar goes further everywhere. See whats in store for a weekend wine getaway with events under $35 or better yet, free!

Long Meadow Ranch Release Party, Feb. 7This sustainable vineyard and ranch offers all-terrain vehicle shuttles to bring you from LMR Rutherford Gardens to the winery. RSVP required. Parking available at 1796 St. Helena Hwy, St. HelenaTime: 11a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 963.4555FreeTank Tasting, Feb. 7St. Supery will host a Tank Tasting in the Cellar with oysters. Enjoy award-winning whites, direct from tank and barrel, with fresh oysters and hors d’oeuvres. Space is limited; reservations required. Email marilyn@stsupery.com. Time: 2 – 3 p.m. Phone Number: (866) 963-4534Fee: $35 per guest Cabarnet Release Weekend, Feb. 7-8Bennett Lane Winery will hold a Cabernet Release Weekend, celebrating the release of its 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is located at 3340 Hwy. 128, Calistoga. Time: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 942-6684Cost: $20 Carnival andamp; Silent Auction, Feb. 7 Flora Springs will be pouring its 2006 Trilogy, as well as providing barrel tastings along with appetizers. The Release Carnival will also host silent auctions benefitting The Mayo Clinic. Recipes from renowned local chefs Cindy Pawlcyn, Ken Frank, Thomas Keller, Marco Ruiz, John Sorensen and Chris Aiken will be etched on three liter bottles of Trilogy. The Flora Springs tasting room is located at at 1978 West Zinfandel Lane, St. HelenaTime: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phone: (707) 967-6723Cost: $35Free Valentines Treat, Feb. 12-14 Peju Winery will host a special, free Valentines celebration with wine tasting and a decadent treat from the Peju kitchen. Peju Winery is located at 8466 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford. Time: from Thursday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 14. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.dailyPhone: (800) 446-7348Cost: Free Enjoy Tea in the Wine Country, Feb. 28 Try something different in the wine country when Tillerman Tea at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa provided an introduction to all things tea. An introduction to each tea category, their differences and how each category is produced. A tasting of each tea category and basic buying, brewing, and storing suggestions are included. Reservations are recommended. Time: 10 a.m. Phone: (707) 265-0200Cost: Free Beringer Vineyards Tours, Daily View Beringer Vineyards original winery and aging tunnels at its location at 2000 Main St. in St. Helena. Under 21 free when accompanied by an adult. Times: 10:30 a.m. , 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. Fee: $15 per adultPhone: (707) 967-4412

Winemaker Pouring, Feb. 3Wine Spectrum, located at 123 Fourth Street in Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, will have Sandler Wine Co. on hand to offer flights of wines from this small production winery that started in Sebastopol. Well known wine-maker, Ed Kurtzman will be on hand to talk about his wines. Time: 6 – 8 p.m.Cost: $10Phone: (707) 636-1064 Silver Oak Release Day, Feb. 7 Celebrate the release of the 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon while sampling delicious wine-friendly fare. Small quantities of a highly desirable library wine will be released for sale. Silver Oak is located at 24625 Chianti Rd., Geyserville. Time: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cost: $20Phone: (800) 273-8809Earth to Wine to Vine, daily through Feb. 18Wine country photographer Rob Scheid will be displaying his images in the series Earth to Wine to Vine at deLorimier/Mosaic Winery, located at 2001 Highway 128 in GeyservilleTime: During operating hours Cost: Free Phone: (707) 838-2362

Beginners Basic Wine Essentials, Feb. 7 Ironstone Vineyards, located at 1894 Six Mile Road in Murphys, will offer an excellent educational experience. Learn the differences in California’s most popular varietal grapes, and wine and food matches. Call for reservations. Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.Phone: (209) 728.1251Cost: $20Valentines Tasting Event, Feb. 14-15The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance will hold this Valentines weekend tasting event at 25 member winery tasting rooms located throughout Calaveras County. Designated drivers are encouraged and will receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Cost: $10Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone: (800) 225.3764, ext. 25Soup andamp; Wine, Feb. 14-15 Sierra Vista Winery hosting its annual Soup and Wine event with soups from local restaurants, delicious Sierra foothills wines, and chocolate. Paired with the beautiful view of the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains. The winery is a short drive from Truckee, at 4560 Cabernet Way in Placerville. Cost: $5Phone: (530) 622-7221Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Janice Jones is a Truckee resident and wine consultant. You may reach her at sierrafinewines@yahoo.com