fyi: What's Hot This Week | Wine Country This Week Magazine Wineries, Wine Tasting, Wine Tasting Maps Fri, 07/28/2006Dinner and a MovieE-mail Women Nike Shox Agent content considerations to jeff@fyiwinecountry.comStellar SipsSometimes, like a needle in a haystack, the best wines are simply hard to find. Such was the case for Patz & Hall, who began producing remarkable wines in 1988, crafting elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnays (which are continually showered with high ratings by wine whiz, Robert Parker Jr., if you care about that sort of thing). White-hot winemakers, James Hall and Heather Patz, were inspired by the classic Burgundian model of hands-on control for small vineyard sites and barrel by barrel winemaking. Now in their 15th year, this "insiders" winery is highly prized by savvy wine enthusiasts for their rich, complex wines created from low-yeilding, cool-climate vineyards located in a variety of appellations including Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Monterey. Due to small lots, Patz www.saletopshoe.com & Hall wines have always been difficult to get one's hands on, but such is no longer the case since James and Heather recently christened their first tasting room in an intimate section just south of Napa. Located at 851 Napa Valley Corporate Way, Suite A, it's really easy to find them, especially if you are coming in from San Francisco or Sacramento, then again, you can always drop by on your way home. Either way, you just found the needle; 1-877-265-6700, . FYI: If you are a dedicated wine collector, Patz & Hall has a killer wine club, with spectacular access to their exclusive wines, including the very, in-demand "library" wines. As lots are limited, I encourage you to subscribe soon.Salute SonomaThe 21st Annual Sonoma Salute to the Arts, Northern California's ultra-premium showcase of the winemaking, culinary, visual, performing and literary arts will be held on the weekend of July 28-30. The theme for this year's celebration is "Sonoma Salute to the Arts Comes of Age!" With harvest just around the corner, great food and wine, along with exciting art and music, the theme celebrates the peak of perfection. Festivities kick off with a live auction and dinner on Friday. A showcase of gourmet cuisine, premier wine and art will take place on Historic Sonoma Plaza on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket packages start at $35. For additional details, call (707) 938-1133 or visit . FYI: If you are celebrating your 21st birthday on the Salute to the Arts weekend, you can receive a free "Coming of Age" poster. Best BetOn Saturday, July 29, Woodbridge Winery will pay homage to the tradition and heritage of the Robert Mondavi family with the second annual PrimoVino festival. The winery opens its doors and welcomes guests to their recreation of an authentic Italian village, complete with live entertainment, food and wine demonstrations and delicious regional specialty foods. The festival, which was a refreshing pleasure last year, builds upon the success of last summer's inaugural event. Then, over 1,400 wine faithful flocked to the Lodi wine community to experience the essence of PrimoVino. This year, the celebration promises a bigger, more exciting and even more lavish experience, including live musical performances (including a Sinatra-style swing orchestra), celebrity chefs showcasing authentic Italian dishes, several Mediterranean-themed food booths, an old-fashioned grape stomp, bocce and wine pairings with celebrated winemakers. Tickets are only $35 and are available at the winery, online at or by phone at (209) 365-8139. Summer SpectacularFor two days of backroad wine, food and fun, schedule a northbound trip and experience the original Wine Country of Lake County at the Second Annual Lake County Wine Adventure. Home to over ten thousand acres of ultra-premiun grapes, it's easy to see why this region is rapidly becoming the hot, new wine destination among savvy wine lovers. During the July 29-30 fete, sample award-winning wines and mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres at each participating winery, many with spectacular views of Clear Lake (the largest freshwater lake in California). Barrel tasting, music and winery tours are offered at some locations. Upon visiting all of the participating wineries, you become eligible to win fabulous prizes including Dinner for Two and overnight accommodations at several of Lake County's finest restaurants and lodgings. For $25, you'll receive a commemorative logo wine glass and access to all the action. To participate, visit or call (707) 998-4471.Hot TicketsIn 1969, Mondavi Winery debuted the popular outdoor Summer Music Festival to benefit the Napa Valley Symphony. Since then, this ultra-popular concert series has expanded to include some of the world's most recognized jazz, R&B and pop artists. Now in its 37th year, the Summer Music Festival kicks off each year on the 4th of July. On Saturday, July 29, Grammy Award Winner, singer-songwriter, Shawn Colvin, performs her soulful original music at the legendary winery. Country-influenced singer Brandi Carlile opens for Shawn with songs from her debut album. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show begin at $60 and online orders may be placed at . Telephone orders may be placed at 1-888-769-5299. FYI: Dinner baskets by Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and Mustards Grill are available for purchase. For more information and to order call 1-888-769-5299.Start your weekend with a prix fixe dinner and a glass of wine from Julia's Kitchen for $24 per person, followed by a flick in Copia's Theater. On Friday, July 21, the intimate theatre will screen the comedy classic, Roman Holiday. Winner of three Academy Awards, this sentimental favorite stars Audrey Hepburn as a rebellious, modern-day princess exploring Rome while befriended by cynical expatriate American reporter, Gregory Peck. Friday, July 28, is the sensation indie, Schultze Gets the Blues, an evocative deadpan parable about the redemptive power of true passion, no matter how late in life it comes. Films are $6 per person, $5 for Copia members. For dinner reservations, call (707) 265-5700 or visit . For film tickets, simply head over to the box office window. Via: please click here Related Article