Francis Ford Coppola’s famed Sonoma winery has announced its upcoming events schedule. Read about exciting opportunities below!

Tasting in the Dark: April 21, May 20, June 16 and July 22
Join us for a fascinating wine tasting that explores how flavors and aromas in wine are accentuated by simply turning off the lights. Guests are blindfolded and led to our Winemaker’s Lab for the tasting, which is hosted by Hoby Wedler, a blind graduate student from UC Davis. It’s a unique and unforgettable tasting experience perfect for any wine lover. Members price is $38.50 per person, a 30% savings! Reservations required as there is limited space. Please call Guest Services at (707) 857-1471 for booking info.

April 25: Wine Family Wednesday at Rustic
Ready for a night out? Well come on by and join us at our Gallery Bar between 5:30-7:30pm for a complimentary wine reception before heading into Rustic for your dinner reservation. We will be featuring wine selections from the upcoming May Bonus Shipment during the reception and a Members-only appetizer created by our culinary team. RSVP today by calling 707-857-1485 with your desired dinner time and number in your party. We’ll be happy to make arrangements for you.

May 2: Wine Family Wednesday at Café Zoetrope
WFW is back at Cafe Zoetrope in San Francisco. Join us for great food and fantastic wine while you chat with your Wine Family team. We’ve also created a members only complimentary appetizer for you that evening. RSVP to Café Zoetrope by calling 415-291-1700.

May Bonus Shipment
We have an exciting bonus shipment for May with one last opportunity to receive our 2006 and 2007 Apocalypse Now Archimedes. Only 40 cases of the 2007 commemorative bottles were produced, so don’t miss out on having this special set, as it will sell out fast! Also included is the 2009 Director’s Cut Cinema, 2010 Director’s Cut Chardonnay, 2010 Diamond Malbec, and 2011 Diamond Pinot Grigio. Only $149 for Family Members, $139 for First Family Members (shipping and tax not included). Reply “YES” to this email to sign up for the May Bonus shipment today.

June at the Pool
Start planning your summer days at the pool because starting May 25th, the pool is open 7 days a week! We hope that you will join us, enjoy wine & food from the pool café, play a leisurely round of bocce, enjoy the perks of being part of our Wine Family, and take advantage of your discounts. Make reservations for a cabine today by calling Guest Reception at (707) 857-1471. Also, please note that we have made some changes to our pool options. Please visit our website at www.franciscoppolawinery.com to review the details.

June 16: Wine Family H-Block Party
It’s the Wine Family Event of the summer: A Coppola-style ‘block’ party! Join us for an evening of wine, food and adventure as we celebrate summer under the moonlit sky of Alexander Valley. Only $80.00 per person. Stay tuned for a Wine Family invitation to arrive shortly!

Be sure to visit www.franciscoppolawinery.com/membership soon for more details on all these special Wine Family events.

April is a time for renewal. The great folks over at The Wine Road invite you to pack a bag, grab a friend, and leave your cares behind. Their world class wineries and restaurants are waiting to pamper your palate while their cozy lodgings and relaxing spas will soothe your body and your mind.

Featured events include the Earth Day Celebration @ Rodney Strong and the Sunset Dinner @ DaVero Farms & Winery.

New wine releases include White Oak’s 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Mazzocco’s 2009 Reserve Zinfadel, and VML’s 2010 “Winemaker’s Select” Pinot Noir.

To see a complete listing of events, new releases, and lodging specials, visit Wine Road’s website at www.wineroad.com.

The Basics

If you’re thinking about venturing into the gorgeous landscapes of the Sonoma wine country, or planning your first trip to the vast world that is the Napa Valley wine country, you’ll want to know a thing or two about wine tasting. Most Napa and Sonoma wineries will surely assist you with your tasting, though many are bound to be crowded. Here are some helpful hints to guide you along your Napa Valley or Sonoma wine tour.

Before you dive into your first pour, take a good look at the wine in your glass. (Hold the glass by the stem to keep your hand from warming the wine, but be mindful of those crowds!) A good wine should boast a bright hue that fades slightly at the top. A red wine will pale as it ages, where most white wines gain color over time.

The Aroma

Next, give the glass a good swirl—you’ll see why most Napa Valley wineries only dole out an ounce or two per pour! The swirl introduces oxygen to the wine and releases crucial aromas. Give the wine a good, quick sniff and associate the “nose” or “bouquet” with a familiar smell—perhaps vanilla, almond, or cherry—so the impression will last longer.

The Flavor

After you’ve taken in the aroma, it’s finally time to taste. Your Napa Valley wine tour will be greatly enhanced if you take the time to consider the texture of the wine as it crosses your lips. One Sonoma winery might specialize in lighter wines, while another Napa winery might focus on producing bold, rich textures. Before you swallow the wine, let it sit in your mouth for several seconds. The flavors for which the Napa Valley and Sonoma wine countries are famous can be incredibly complex, and your taste buds may need some time to sort things out! A typical Sonoma wine tour can often lead you to flavors ranging anywhere from cinnamon to apricot, from hazelnut to asparagus. Some Napa Valley wineries produce wines with flavors as unexpected as leather or tobacco! Now swallow the wine. If the flavor remains in your mouth long after you have swallowed, the wine is said to have a long “finish.” These are the wines you are sure to remember.

Most wineries offer a bucket if you do not wish to finish all the wine in your glass. This will allow you to taste as many different wines as possible on your Napa Valley or Sonoma wine tour. You are welcome to try a second tasting of any wine, though do know that asking for a second tasting usually infers that you are interested in buying a bottle or two.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Due to the region’s breathtaking landscapes, many Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries allow picnics on the grounds. A picnic can enhance any Sonoma wine tour; it can also give the kids a chance to run around a bit. Many Napa Valley wineries offer activities for children while the adults sample the wine. It’s best to call ahead to inquire about what each winery offers for children.

Leave the Planning to Us!

Our experienced chauffeurs—all of them experts in both the Napa Valley and Sonoma wine countries—can prepare for you the perfect Napa Valley wine tour, or arrange for a wonderful tour through the Sonoma wine country. They can also accompany you on your tour and show you how to taste wine or which bottle is best for purchase. Our expert chauffeurs and variety of fine luxury limousines make Ultimate Limo Service the perfect planner of Napa Valley or Sonoma wine tours!

We are now offering WiFi in all of our limos upon request. Stay up to date with the latest stocks, scores, and flight schedules on your way to SFO or bone up on the hottest new Cabernet Sauvignon as you cruise through the beautiful wine country of Napa and Sonoma. Bring your camera along and send photos of your journey—including your sumptuous ride—to all your friends and family. Be sure to ask Ultimate Limo Service to equip your next luxury vehicle with WiFi Internet access!