Saturday, July 24, 2010

Spend a sunny, summer Saturday afternoon in Sebastopol sampling handcrafted wines, savoring a picnic lunch and enjoying country tunes from Toshio Hirano at the Freeman Vineyard & Winery. Founded in 2001 by Ken and Akiko Freeman, Freeman Vineyard & Winery is one of California's most-acclaimed small wineries, recognized for crafting elegant cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Freeman has been hailed by Food & Wine as one of the “World’s 30 Best Pinot Noirs.”

The Freemans will lead us on a private winery tour and tasting. From the careful cultivation of world-class fruit to the selection of the finest French barrels, the Freemans’ artisan approach to winemaking yields wines of rare structure and personality. By crafting wines in small lots and deliberately keeping production low, Freeman ensures attention to the minutest details—details that allow every Freeman wine to achieve its full, rich potential.

After the tasting, San Francisco musician Toshio Hirano will perform American country classics as we relax in the winery’s shady, grassy picnic area with a gourmet picnic lunch featuring the best of casual, wine country cuisine. Hirano’s music is a rare treat. Squidlist.com describes him as “a yodeling cowboy from way out east.”

Time:
Saturday, July 24, 2010
10:45 am Registration
11:00 am Tasting
12:00 pm Picnic Lunch

Location:
Freeman Vineyard & Winery
1300 Montgomery Road
Sebastopol, CA
[map]

Directions from San Francisco:
1. Take Hwy. 101 North to Hwy. 116 West toward Sebastopol (Luther Burbank Memorial Hwy.)
2. Continue on Hwy. 116 for about 8 miles
3. Turn left onto Sebastopol Ave.
4. Sebastopol Ave. becomes Bodega Ave. in 1 block; continue 1.6 miles
5. Bodega Ave. becomes Bodega Hwy.; continue 1.1 miles
6. Turn right onto Montgomery Rd.; continue 1.1 miles
7. On the left side of the road enter the driveway marked “1300” and follow it to the end

Cost:
$40 for Japan Society members
$50 General Admission

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Advance registration is REQUIRED as lunch and beverages will be served. This is a special event hosted by the Japan Society of Northern California. Lecture event discounts do not apply and guest passes will not be accepted. The deadline to RSVP for this event is noon on Friday, July 16, 2010; refunds will not be made after this date.

Lunch will be served outdoors in the winery’s grassy picnic area. Please plan accordingly (sunscreen, sunglasses, picnic blanket, etc.). Registrants must be 21 or over to participate in the tasting. The Japan Society encourages guests to act responsibly if they drink at any event. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!