Geyserville Grapevine by deTraci Regula - March 2018
March is the beginning of Spring - though we had quite a preview of it in February, with temperatures reaching the low 80’s before we slid back into winter. As I write this, what looks like a small hot air balloon outside my door is actually my safely disguised pomegranate tree under a big blue tarp, hiding from several nights of predicted hard-freeze temperatures. The red and gold plum trees which have been putting on a show with their snowy white and pale pink blossoms seem to have hung on, though we have covered some of them as well. It’s unnerving when the plants and animals around us seem to be fooled by the weather into flowering out a little earlier than they should. But the beautiful plum trees lining over a mile of the 128 to Calistoga are just coming to their peak – it’s a perfect time to take that drive from Geyserville.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week
It’s a splendidly long week of restaurant sampling, starting Friday, March 2nd and running through Sunday, March 11th. The entire event features hundreds of restaurants throughout Sonoma County, with lunches offered at $10 or $15 for two courses, while three-course dinners including appetizer and dessert are available for $19, $29, and $39, depending on the restaurant. You can find out about more participating restaurants throughout the county by going to the Sonoma County Restaurant Week website at sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week.
This year in Geyserville, there are two Restaurant week options. Catelli’s is participating, making this a great opportunity to try this Geyserville classic if you haven’t done so already. For the Restaurant Week specials, the lunch option is $15, dinner is $39, and Catelli’s is offering several options for each meal and each course. I’d recommend the chicken sauté sec for dinner, one of my usual favorites. Catelli’s is in the heart of the Geyserville “downtown” district, located at 21047 Geyserville Avenue. Reservations recommended. 707-857-3471.
You can also enjoy Sonoma County Restaurant Week at the Geyserville Grille, where guests can enjoy soup or salad with their steak sandwich as the lunchtime option and their rich, traditional pot roast is the dinner time offering. If available, I’d opt for the amazing tortilla soup as the starter – even if you don’t normally like tortilla soup. It’s that good. At the Grille, the restaurant week menu for lunch is $15 per person, with dinner for $29. The Grille is near the iconic Red Barn just off the Canyon Road exit, at 21712 Geyserville Avenue.
Have a Red Carpet Evening…
The glamor of the Oscars comes to Geyserville with a benefit for the Alexander Valley Film Society atTrione Vineyards and Winery. The event opens at 4pm, in time to settle in before the red carpet interviews begin at the Oscars. During the televised show, guests will enjoy a formal dinner from Chef Tom Gallery and Peloton Catering. Our Senator Mike McGuire will preside over an auction for additional opportunities to support our local film society, which puts on the amazingAlexander Valley Film Festival each year. Dress your best - suggested attire is Black Tie. Tickets are $200 per person and tables of 10 are $2000.
…But Don’t Forget A Bit of the Green
Once again, the Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Geyserville will be hosting their annual Jiggs and Maggie Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Saturday, March 17th - known by many as St. Patrick’s Day. The delicious dinner will be accompanied by live music and will be featuring a silent auction to raise funds for local education here in Geyserville. It runs from 5pm to 8pm and tickets are $25 for adults and just $10 for kids 13 and under. Buy your tickets at Geyserville Coffee Company, the North County Properties office, and Diavola. Online, go to geyservilleoddfellows.brownpapertickets.com.
For all of these events, if you are visiting from far away, consider staying overnight. The Geyserville Lodging Association website offers information, specials, and availability listings for all of the overnight options in Geyserville. Check out checking in at geyservillelodgingassociation.com/.
Barrel Tasting Weekends
Once again, Geyserville wineries are participating in the Barrel Tasting Weekends of March 2-4 and March 9-11th. Tickets are available at www.wineroad.com. One extra event is a Winemaker Breakfast and Q & A, held at Pedroncelli Winery on Saturday, March 3rd. Tickets are $25 plus tax and fees.
Have something special in Geyserville you’d like to share? Let me know about it at the email below!
