The annual big splash that is the Family Winemakers Tasting is coming - Sunday, August 20th to be precise. This year the venue is Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center with tickets for the general public set at $35 in advance; $45 on the day. Originally, the Tasting was seen as a trade-only event but since 2004 has been open to all (one day for consumers the other for trade only). It is an unique opportunity to sample the delights of Californian wine.
Advice from an old hand at the tasting game - 250 wines in a session, which certainly beats my 100 or so - is Alder at Vinography who offers this advice to attendees "get a good night's sleep the night before, eat lunch before you arrive, drink lots of water, wear dark clothes, and for Pete's sake, people -- SPIT! You don't want to be one of those stumbling fools that the rest of us responsible wine lovers mock all afternoon"











