Beat the heat and taste award-winning wines at Grape Days of Summer celebration

3rd Annual Wine Passport Weekend to Take Place Aug. 4 and 5 at 15 Wineries along Placer County Wine Trail

AUBURN, Calif., July 26, 2012 – From Lincoln to Loomis, Newcastle and up into Auburn, The Placer County Wine Trail will soon be buzzing with activity during the Grape Days of Summer celebration. The annual event, sponsored by the Placer County Vintners Association, is a tour through 15 Placer County wineries with wine tastings at each venue and food at several locations. In addition to satisfying your taste buds, the event weekend will feature:

• “From Vine to Wine” vineyard tours
• Wine-blending seminars and wine samplings right from the barrel
• Vertical tastings and wine-making education (A vertical tasting involves the sampling of different vintages all from the same winery)
• Live music at several wineries

Other highlights include “Roam the Rhone,” offered by Lone Buffalo Vineyards where guests will learn about Rhone-style blends, go through interactive blending trials and enjoy special food and wine pairings from Smoky Ridge Charcuterie. Viña Castellano Winery will showcase the flavors of Spain with a live flamenco guitarist and sangria-making demonstrations. History buffs on the tour should also visit Bonitata Boutique Wines at the historic Bernhard Museum, which was founded in 1874 and is one of Auburn’s oldest surviving buildings.

Not to be missed is a stop at Fawnridge Winery for tasting right from the barrel paired with engaging presentations about the barrel-aging process and Casque Winery where visitors can enjoy music performances throughout the weekend as well as learn about the Roussanne white wine varietal.

A complete list of activities for each participating winery and event map are available online at www.placerwine.com.

Tickets to the event are $30 in advance, $40 at the door and includes admission to the event both days, wine tasting at all participating wineries, food, music and educational activities, plus a special event wine glass. (Designated driver tickets are also available for $10)

WHO: Placer County Vintners Association

WHAT: Third annual Grape Days of Summer wine tasting event WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Placer County Wine Trail (Auburn, Lincoln, Loomis, Newcastle)

WHY: To taste award-winning Placer County wines, meet the winemakers and learn about the wine-making process