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Greetings!
Happy New Year from the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau!
We hope 2010 is filled with fun, excitement and plenty of chances to travel to Madera County: California's Gateway to Yosemite.
This month's newsletter focuses on some events coming up in the short term, namely New Year's eve. You'll also read about some new wine attractions in Madera County, as well as an upcoming favorite along the Madera Wine Trail.
We hope you enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
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Ring in the New Year in Madera County
Exciting events throughout Madera County 
It's hard to believe that 2009 is already about to be a memory, but that's no reason not to celebrate in style. There are many fun ways to ring in 2010 in Madera County.
The Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn has a wealth of fun and incentives planned for New Year's Eve. There will be free appetizers, a champagne toast, party favors, balloon drop all night karaoke and great dinner specials. Deals include a Tri-Tip Dinner and salad bar for only $9.99. Plus, purchase any meal now through Jan. 31 to be entered in to a drawing to win a free night's stay for two, including dinner and breakfast.
Ducey's, located at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake is offering an exciting Celebration Package, including a festive, 5-course dinner, live entertainment, dancing, party favors and a midnight champagne toast for only $87.50 per person. to plan ahead, you can see their menu or call (559) 692-8855 for reservations.
Erna's Elderberry House, the region's only five star restaurant, has a very special evening planned as well. Courses include a decadent Sonoma Foie Gras, a delicious celebration of Veal and Beef, and an enticing Raspberry-Champagne Tort for desert. And that's just a small teaser of what they are offering. The full menu, including seating times and pricing, is available online.
The Tenaya Lodge will also be celebrating New Year's Eve in style as they pair their delicious dinner and live entertainment as well as a champagne toast with discounts on lodging, and a special Champagne Breakfast the next morning. You can find out more, or make your reservations online.
After ringing in the new year, perhaps you would like to head in to Yosemite and partake in the special New Year's Day brunch at the Wawona. Their special brunch will be open from 10:30 until 2 New Year's Day, with favorites like Eggs Benedict, Cheese Blintzes with strawberry sauce, Pork Tenderloin with a Fig Port winesauce, broiled salmon with citrus fennel relish and much more.
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New wine tasting facility opens doors
Appellation California shows of regional wines
While Madera County is known as California's Gateway to Yosemite, some may also know the region as an active grape growing center. Appellation California, located on Highway 99 in Madera, is a unique kind of wine tasting room with the aim of making knowledge of Madera County's status as a wine production center more common.
"The idea behind Appellation California is something very unique to the central valley, because we are not wine makers ourselves. What we are doing is selling and tasting the wines from all the wineries up and down Highway 99 form Manteca all the way to Bakersfield," said Darren Schmall, PR and Special Events Director with Appellation California.
California is known for it's wine producing regions. However, many people think of Napa or Sonoma when they think of California wines. According to Schmall, the vast majority of wine grapes come from the San Joaquin Valley. "Napa is a small portion of the wine produced in California, less than 30 percent, where 70 percent of the grapes come from the San Joaquin Valley."
The name of the center, Appellation California, is actually a tribute to the state's viticultural background. An appellation is the official statement on a wine's label, mandated by law, indicating where the grapes were grown. Labels that read "California" are made with grapes from the San Joaquin Valley.
"The name is intended to educate the consumer to know that any time they see a wine that says 'Appellation California,' they're drinking wine that came from this region. Even big names like Beringer or Mondavi use grapes from here," he said.
Appellation California will be open seven days a week. Patrons can sample wines, explore the visitors center and enjoy dried fruits, nuts, olive oil and other local products, and enjoy examples of works of art from local artists. Appellation California is open 11 am to 5 pm every day.
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Wine and chocolate on the Madera Wine Trail
Valentines Day Weekend 
The family wineries of the Madera
Wine Trail will host "Wine & Chocolate Weekend" on February 13th
and 14th from 10am to 5pm. Wine lovers may purchase Passport Wine Glasses
at any of the participating wineries both days of the event for $25, or
in advance for $20. Sample current & newly released vintages while
indulging in delectable chocolate creations, special food pairings,
local art and live music. For more information please call 800.613.0709
or go to www.maderavintners.com
Guests traveling from the Fresno/Clovis area can contact VINO 100
Wineshop* to ride the Madera Wine Trail shuttle for the Early-Booking
rate. Call 559.434.1771, the shuttle includes your Passport Glass, a
Delicious Lunch, and VIP Discounts at select wineries.
Touch of Class Limousine Service will be offering special packages for
Wine & Chocolate Weekend. 888.575.4667
The Vineyard Restaurant in Madera will be open for dinner Saturday
& Sunday, and will waive corkage fees for bottles purchased on the
Madera Wine Trail. Contact the Vineyard at 559.674.0923
Designated
Drivers are always Welcome on the Madera Wine Trail, and they are
always free. Be sure to ask for a 'Designated Drivers - Madera Wine
Trail VIPs" kit at your first stop on the Trail!
Featuring the following Wineries:
Birdstone Winery
Chateau Lasgoity
Ficklin Vineyards
Idle Hour Winery
Mariposa Wine Company
Quady Winery
San Joaquin Wine Co.
Westbrook Wine Farm
Twin Poms Winery
Agajainian Vineyards
*Visit these locations to purchase tickets, or order online now by clicking on the "Buy Tickets button
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About Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau promotes Madera County: California's Gateway to Yosemite. Not only is Madera County situated along the most popular route in to the iconic national park, but has many popular attractions as well. To learn more, visit www.yosemitethisyear.com or keep up to date on the latest goings on at www.facebook.com/yosemitesierra.
41969 Highway 41
Oakhurst, California 93644
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
559-683-4636
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