St Valentine’s Day, one of the most loved or hated holidays of the year, but also one of the most mysterious holidays on the calendar. Most people don’t understand the significance of this day and merely write it off as a commercialized holiday, not realizing the commercial history of the holiday. Others look towards history and find tales of a saint who secretly married young soldiers to their lovers and was killed once the secret got out. Or you may believe the other version where Valentine was imprisoned and one of his final acts was writing a love letter to his beloved Valentine. Whatever the case, this is a month for romance and love and with that comes a series of excellent events that have landed on my hot button. For your convenience, I have decided to give you guys some creative ideas to take your special someone. I even have an event for those of you who want to rage against the holiday!

Events Close to Home

Assuming you live in the Seattle area, the wineries of Woodinville are hosting a series of events from simple to extravagant. There are events for everyone

Bring On the Red Wine, Chocolate, & Throw In Some Cheese!

February 12 – 14, Noon – 6pm: Cabtastic Valentine’s Day Weekend @ Airfield Estates, 14450 Woodinville-Redmond Rd (Suite 109), Woodinville, WA

This event features a variety of Airfield’s Cabernet Sauvignon & a selection of tasty chocolates. You will also taste barrel samples of their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon & 2009 Aviator.

February 12th & 13th, Noon – 5pm: Valentine’s Weekend @ Patterson Cellars (2 locations): Pike Street Climb Location, 1427 Western Ave, Seattle, WA / Woodinville Location, 19501 144th Ave NE (Suite D), Woodinville, WA

Enjoy a stylish Valentine’s weekend celebration with wine and a complimentary selection of fine chocolates & cheeses. You’ll also get the chance to wine either a Theo Chocolate gift basket or the opportunity to create your own wine at Patterson Cellars for a party of 10 people.

February 12, 4pm – 7pm: 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day @ Hollywood Hill Vineyards, 14436 Woodinville-Redmond Rd, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Registration Suggested!)

Enjoy a nice selection of artisan cheeses paired with the great wines from Hollywood Hill Vineyards. You’ll also enjoy a compliment of  local chocolates and pastries. The cost of this event is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To register: http://hollywoodhillvineyards.com/events/events.htm

Chocolates Are Great & All, but I Want Truffles!

February 12th & 13th, Noon – 5pm: Valentine’s Day Weekend @ Davenport Cellars, 19501 144th Ave NE (Suite B-600), Woodinville, WA

If you love truffles, Davenport Cellars is providing your fix. Intrigue Chocolates will be at the winery providing a delicious selection of truffles for you to enjoy with wines from Davenport Cellars. If that’s not enough, they will also be giving away red roses for the first 25 wine purchases each day.

February 12th & 13th, Noon – 5pm: Red Wine & Chocolates Galore @ William Church Winery, 19495 144th Ave NE (Suite A-100), Woodinville, WA

This event features artisan truffles by Julie Berg from Wellington Chocolates that will be paired with wines from William Church. This event is only $5 per person.

February 11, 6pm: Chocolate Truffle Cooking Class @ Woodhouse Wine Estates, 15500 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Registration Required!)

Take your love for truffles to the next level with this special truffle cooking class.  This event kicks off at 6pm with a serving of light appetizers w/ Woodhouse wines. At 6:30pm, Intrigue Chocolates chocolatier, Aaron Barthel will begin demonstrating how to make fresh chocolate truffles crafted in the French tradition. In this class, participants will be guided through the history of chocolate, see the process of making an intriguing truffle, Each truffle will be expertly paired with at least 5 of our exquisite wines. You will leave inspired, and wanting more wines and truffles! Registration is required for this event and costs $70 for individuals or $100 for couples. Click Here to Register (Almost Sold Out!)

I Feel Like Giving A Piece of My Heart!

 

February 12, 1pm – 6pm: Chocolate & Wine @ Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars – Benefiting the American Heart Association, 14344 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Redmond, WA

Challenger Ridge will be hosting a wine & chocolate event at the winery. Proceeds from wine sales will benefit the American Heart Association.

February 12th & 13th, Noon – 5pm: I Heart You Red Wine & Dark Chocolate @ Convergence Zone Cellars, 19501 144th Ave NE (Suite D-500), Woodinville, WA (This event is also at Michael Florentino Cellars)

 Convergence Zone Cellars & Michael Florentino Cellars are teaming up for the “I Heart You – Red Wine & Dark Chocolate event. Enjoy delicious chocolates paired with red wines from both wineries. 10% of wine sales will be donated to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative.

February 14, Noon – 4:30pm: Valentine’s Day @ DeLille Cellars, 14421 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, WA

DeLille Cellars invites you to enjoy Valentine’s Day at the Carriage House Tasting Room on Valentine’s Day. All tasting fees will be donated to the American Heart Association.

What About Dinner? I’m Hungry!!!

February 11, 7:30pm – 9:30pm: Hand Dip Your Valentine’s Day Truffles & Dinner @ DiStefano Winery, 12280 Woodinville Dr NE, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Reservation Required!)

DiStefano Winery takes truffles to the next level for their Valentine’s Day celebration. Guests will get to hand dip their own chocolate truffles under the eye of Chef Paul and enjoy an elegant dinner for two paired with a special bottle of DiStefano Wine. After dinner, you’ll get to take home your truffles in a Valentine gift box. This event costs $100 per couple (plus tax & gratuity). You can make your reservation by sending an email to alla@distefanowinery.com or by calling 425.487.1648 ext 1.

February 12, 12:30pm – 2:30pm: Share the Love Appetizer Cooking Class and Wine Tasting @ Matthews Estate, 16116 140th Pl NE, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Reservation Required!)

If you’re looking for an event with great value while providing something different, then this one is for you! Join Landau’s Catering as they teach you how to make delicious appetizers to share with friends and loved ones.  Appetizers & Tastings of Matthew’s wines are included! Class will be held at the Matthews Estate House on the winery property. Space is limited so call 425-487-9810 to reserve your $30 ticket now.

February 14, 6:30pm – 9:00pm: Valentine’s Dinner @ Matthews Estate, 16116 140th Pl NE, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Reservation Required!)

If you’re looking for an extravagant experience, then join Matthews Estate for their Valentine’s Dinner.  You and your sweetheart will enjoy a four-course meal paired with Matthews wine and a unique opportunity to taste our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, to be released in early summer.  The Valentine’s dinner will include a Seafood Sampler of Oyster Rockefeller, Crab on Endive, and Gravlax with dill mustard sauce and Arugula salad garnish, followed by Mushroom Soup.  The main course is Boneless Beef Short ribs in red wine sauce with orange zest, cinnamon, ancho chili, served with Yukon Gold Potatoes with crisp shallots and Sautéed Rainbow Baby Carrots with fennel and onion and Candy Ginger Butter.  For dessert there will be a Dark Chocolate Cake with Black Cherry Compote, Chocolate Fudge Pot de Crème with Kirsch infused Whipped Cream.  Tickets are $85 and space is limited so call 425-487-9810 to reserve your spot now.

Chocolate, Truffles, Dinner??? I Want Something Unique!

 

February 12th & 13th, 11:00am – 4:00pm: Red Wine & Gourmet Cookie Extravaganza @ Novelty Hill Januik , 14710 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, WA

If you’re looking for a different spin to the red wine & chocolate crazy of Valentine’s Day weekend, try Novelty Hill Januik for their Red Wine & Gourmet Cookie Extravaganza. Pinckney Cook Café (known for its use of specialty Belgium chocolates and all natural and local ingredients) will be providing freshly baked cookies to go with the great wines from Novelty Hill Januik. This event costs $10 per tasting & no RSVP is required.

February 11th (Couple I with Artist Angela Hoskins) & 14th (Nude Male with Artist Sarah Ingersoll), 6:00pm – 9:00pm: Corks and Canvas Couples Paint Party @ Apex at Alder Ridge, 14450 Woodinville-Redmond Rd, Woodinville, WA (Advanced Registration Suggested!)

If you’re looking for something a little more creative, the Corks and Canvas events are your answer.  Sleek, warm wood, sophisticated charm and an amazing assortment of quality wines and gourmet snacks make Apex at Alder Ridge tasting room a perfect place to paint.  They supply the paints, aprons, brushes, canvas, music, and instruction while the winery provides tastings of wine. All you need to do is bring your creative selves. The cost of either event is $45 per person & registration links are embedded above.

I Hate Valentine’s Day & I Want to Rage!

February 14, 11:00am – 5:00pm: I Hate Valentine’s Day Celebration @ Silverlake Winery, 15029 Woodinville-Redmond Rd, Woodinville, WA

For those of you who just love to hate this holiday, Silver Lake Winery has the answer for you with their I Hate Valentine’s Day Celebration. Drink wine and enjoy delicious chocolates to compliment their award-winning dessert wines. If you decide to stay awhile because you “hate” Valentine’s Day, they will encourage a cheese tasting followed up with wine infused desserts. Temptation at it’s finest! Exclusive deals and featured wine for those of you who come in and say “I hate Valentines Day”.

Events For Those Who Want to Hit the Open Road

  

If you’re like me, sometimes you just need to hit the open road and drive! If this sounds like you, then I have a series of events that you may enjoy.

 February 12, Noon: Valentine’s 5K Fun Run/Walk @ Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars, 43095 Challenger Rd, Concrete, WA 98237

Bring yourself, your best friend, your spouse or your dog! Awards for best costume, couples costume & dog costume Bottle of Mystic Red or Mystic White upon completion of 5K Under 21 gets a t-shirt when finished RSVP to Rachel at 425.422.6988. Cost of this event is $20 per person via RSVP, $25 at the event.

February 13, 4:00pm – 7:00pm: Valentine’s Day Cooking Class with Frank Magnaña @ Windy Point Vineyards, 420 Windy Point Drive, Wapato, WA 98951

Join the winemakers,  Liz, and Mike and create a perfect dinner for two. Chef Magaña leads this special Valentine cooking class where you’ll create appetizers, filet of beef tenderloin & lobster, and a spumoni cheese cake. The cost of this evening is $75 per person and includes wines from Windy Point Vineyards. Call the tasting room at (509) 877-6824 or email events@windypointvineyards.com to reserve your space.

February 10 – 13, 11:00am – 6:00pm: Valentine’s Day Weekend Open House @ Syncline Wine Cellars, 111 Balch Road, Lyle, WA 98635

Syncline Wine cellars is offering an array of gourmet chocolates from the world’s finest chocolate makers while you savor their fabulous wines. Why not do a wine tour? Be sure to visit the other Lyle Wineries and stay the night at a local Inn (Inn of the White Salmon, The Lyle Hotel and The Celilo Inn).

February 12, 8:00pm – Midnight: Valentine’s Pajama Party @ The Rip Caswell Gallery, 201 W Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060

Yes folks, you read it correct… It’s Pajama Time! Join us on Saturday, February 12th for a truly unique Valentine Pajama Party, hosted at the Rip Caswell Sculpture Gallery to celebrate the LOVE of Fine WINE, Good FRIENDS, Sinfully Delicious CHOCOLATE & CUPCAKES, Stunning JEWELRY, Beautiful MODELS, Celebratory DANCING and so much MORE!

Sleep attire is highly encouraged. Or at least what you’d like people to think you sleep in! At our Valentine Pajama Party, we will take YOU away to the land of slumber WITHOUT the sleep, and allow you to indulge in all that you could ever dream about… perhaps models in boudoir, donning Ali Peret Jewelry Designs… responsive waiters bringing you your next glass while you strike up conversation with a new acquaintance…

Of course there will be delicious wines too. We bring you Phelps Creek Vineyards, Mt. Defiance Wine Company, Viento Wines, and NAKED Winery paired with enticing treats from Missionary Chocolates and Cowgirl Cupcakes.

Last but not least, this is a party, and so there must be dancing, and more dancing.  The rhythm of the night is brought you by Ujjayi Sound System, and no doubt you will want to shake it up a notch.

Don’t miss this exclusive Portland Uncorked event! Don’t feel like driving, take the shuttle from Lloyd’s Center. The shuttle will pick you up from Lloyd’s Center at 8PM and drop you off at Midnight. The cost for the shuttle is $25 for individuals, $20 for couples. There are only 20 seats left for the shuttle. Tickets are only $20 if you pre-pay online NOW, $25 at the door if dressed in pajamas, $35 at the door if not dressed in theme attire (be fun & save money!). You can also email your registration or call Nicole to RSVP at 269-369-3298. We encourage you to bring your friends for a fun night of lounging, socializing and dance.

February 14, 6:00pm: Perfectly Pair Wine Dinner @ The Rip Caswell Gallery, 201 W Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060

Let us pamper you and your favorite friend or sweetheart with a “perfectly paired” gourmet dinner featuring dishes thoughtfully prepared by Chef Michele of Always Perfect Catering to complement the fine wines of Mt. Defiance Wine Company.  Each diner will receive a four-course meal paired with Mt. Defiance Wine Company wines: Hellfire white blend, Annala Vineyard Pinot Gris, Brimstone red blend, Reserve Merlot, a special dessert and fine coffee will finish the evening. Tickets for this event are $75 and you can either email your registration or call Kathy to RSVP at 503-492-2473

February 13, 11:00am – 5:00pm: Toast Your Valentine @ Erath Winery, 9409 NE Worden Hill Road, Dundee, OR 97115

Feel like venturing to the Willamette Valley? Then head down to Erath Winery for their “Toast Your Valentine” celebration. Enjoy a selection of unique wines and chocolates including their 2009 Sweet Harvest Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills). Also enjoy the new release and library vintages of Erath’s La Nuit Magique Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley — French for “the magic night,” this unique cuvée refers to the defining moment when one falls in love with Pinot Noir! The cost of this event is $20, complimentary for Cellar Society wine club members (plus 2 guests). If  you can’t make it to this event, you can also visit the winery on February 11th, 12th, & 14th.

February 12, 11:00am – 5:00pm: http://www.styringvineyards.com/index.html, 19960 NE Ribbon Ridge Road, Newberg, OR 97132

Our good friends at Strying Vineyards are opening their doors for an exclusive wine tasting. Enjoy 5 wines from Styring Vineyards including their 2008 Signature Pinot Noir. They will also get a preview of their Syrah Port. Delicious food will be paired with each wine. For entertainment, enjoy music from singer/songwriter Jessica Parsons Taylor from 1pm – 4pm. Let them know Stems and Legs sent you and your tasting is complimentary for you and your guests.

I hope I have provided enough event suggestions to jog your creative minds. Whether you love or hate the holiday, I wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. As for what I’m doing? See this blog post 😉 Perhaps you’ll be adventurous to join me!