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Greetings!
September is here, and that means many things. The kids are back in school, summer is over and fall is on it's way. Even with summer winding down, there is still a lot to do in California's Gateway to Yosemite. Read on for more information!
Sincerely, Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau |
September is California Wine Month
Madera County's wine's fit the bill 
September is California Wine Month, a great time to tour the Madera Wine Trail.
While California is known for it's wine production, Madera County is a well kept secret for many wine lovers. However, the region has a rich history in wine making, going back to the 1800's.
The county is now home to several wineries that offer an astounding selection of tempting varietals. With so many choices, every oenophile is sure to find a favorite wine from Madera County.
Birdstone Winery is a family-owned operation on the eastern edge of Madera
County. Since the day we opened our doors, we've been obsessed with
finding the best fruit, creating great wine, and making sure our guests
have the best experience possible.
Our dedication to our wines & our customers
keeps us busy, sometimes crazy, but that's what Birdstone is all about -
our wine & our guests. We invite you to come on in, grab a glass,
find a spot on the patio, kick your feet up & enjoy our obsession.
Ficklin Vineyards cover some 35 acres planted to the same varietals
that were planted in the 1940s. Annual production is just under 10,000
cases of the non-vintage Tinta Port. In very exceptional years, Ficklin bottles
a vintage-dated Port in limited quantities of about 1,000 cases. A new
addition to the Ficklin family of California Ports, is the Aged 10 Year Tawny
Port. First released in the Fall of 1995, this wine is currently showing the
full potential and character of a fine wood-aged Port. Winemaker Peter Ficklin
has also set aside a group of special barrels for a 20 year old Tawny Port.
At one time the wine was sold only from the winery and the Ficklins
did their own marketing. Today, Ficklin Port is distributed throughout
the United States.
Chateau Lasgoity, a boutique winery located in Madera producing
premium quality wines. Nestled amongst old, gnarled vines, the winery
is located on the vineyard property that has been in their family
since 1903. The property has a storied wine making tradition, which came full circle in 2000 with the creation of Chateau
Lasgoity making premium quality wines from grapes raised with attentive
care by his father, Mitch Lasgoity. The winery has a tasting room which is open Sat & Sun 1-5 PM.
Idle Hour Winery is Oakhurst's first winery. We are located at the
Queen's Inn By The River, a quaint 8-room inn and wine bar on the
Fresno River. Our wines are produced in small lots. We use sustainably
grown grapes and make the wine gently, using gravity flow and other
traditional methods. We produce Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot,
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Touriga Nacional.
Visit us at the Queen's Inn and taste our handcrafted wines.
Mariposa Wine Company's portfolio of award winning wines embraces the
rich diversity of California's premier viticultural areas.
Sourcing grapes from the Mountains to the Sea, Mariposa
produces three signature brands - Cru - elegant cool climate Chardonnays
and Pinot Noir,
Carmichael - unique Euro-style blends from Monterey
County and Yosemite View - classic value driven varietals,
each brand delivering the best wines from their
respective regions.
Steve Schafer started San Joaquin Wine Co. in
2005 as the fulfillment of a personal passion. Steve, being in a family
farming business along with his father "Corky" and brother Mike, has
grown primarily wine and raisin grapes along with almonds for over 30
years in Madera, California. In the business, Steve manages the grape
acreage, while Mike manages the almond acreage and dad looks over his
sons to keep them out of trouble. They farm 12 wine varieties
including: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah
and Grenache.
Quady Winery specializes in dessert wines from under-appreciated muscat varieties, in ports, and in aperitif wines. Essensia and Electra made from Orange Muscat and Elysium and Red Electra from the Black Muscat variety can either accompany or replace a dessert and are best if served chilled. Starboard, a port type wine made in a fruit forward-softer style, is Quady's euphemism for port. It is made in two styles: Batch 88 for current drinking and Vintage Starboard, for bottle aging. Recently, Quady has introduced Vya Vermouths, made
in two styles, extra dry and sweet, for use either as an aperitif or to
mix with spirits. Vya is the vermouth for the connoisseur.
Westbrook Wine Farm is a vineyard and winery in the Sierra Nevada
Foothills of eastern Madera County, California, near Bass Lake and
Yosemite National Park. Our mountain vineyards are planted to field
blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit
Verdot, Gros Verdot and Carmenere. We practice sustainable farming and
minimalist winemaking. We make our wine in the traditional Claret
style by co-fermenting grapes, rather than by making separate varietal
wines and blending them. Our Fait Accompli includes six and our Museum, three of the eight red varieties permitted for use in Bordeaux or Meritage style wines. Westbrook Wine Farm also has a sister label, Farview Farm Vineyard, which allows them to produce one off specialty wines.
To help spread the word and celebrate California Wine Month,
you can visit participating wineries and have tasting fees waived.
Many of our wineries are also offering California Wine Month
specials. View the specials offered and print a coupon good at participating wineries.
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Sierra Art Trails weekend coming
Open houses showcase local artists
Madera County is known as a gateway
community, located just minutes below the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. What many people are
surprised to learn is that Oakhurst, and Sierra Nevada
foothills, have a thriving art scene. This becomes most evident each October,
during the Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour.
"The
mountain region here in Madera
County is home to more
artists per capita than anywhere else in the country," said Dan Cunning, CEO of
the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. "The result is a tremendous variety of
galleries displaying various types of art," he said.
Each
October, the Sierra Art Trail Open Studio Tour brings in art lovers to see the
latest works from the numerous local artists. "The show gives art enthusiasts
the chance to see fine art and fine crafts in the making, and to purchase works
directly from the people who create them," said Jon Bock with the art trail. "The
show features artists and artisans working in a wide range of media including
painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, woodcarving, ceramics,
glass, and more."
For
those who can't wait to see what the trail has in store, there will be a
preview event opening on September 4 at Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst. "The
preview exhibit is open through the Art
Trails weekend, and
includes a representative piece by each artist in the show. Viewing the preview exhibit is a great way to
plan your weekend, discover the work that you most want to see, and plan your
route to the studios you want to visit," he said.
The
price of admission to Sierra
Art Trails
is $18.00, and includes the annual tour catalog, which acts as a "ticket for
two" for the event. Catalogs include a
list of artists and their viewing locations, and detailed maps to get you
there. The Preview Exhibit is free and
open to the public from 11 am to 5 pm Thursday through Monday.
For
more information:
Stellar Gallery, 40982 Hwy 41, Suite 1, Oakhurst CA 93644
(559) 658-8844, email: info@sierraarttrails.org
or visit us on the web at http://www.sierraarttrails.org
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Annual Peddlers Fair returns for Labor Day
Popular Coarsegold event draws large crowds
The Peddlers Fair, taking place again this Labor Day Weekend, brings in numerous vendors with countless items running the whole gamut. The Peddler's Fair, which also operates on Memorial Day weekend, are four-day events offering the finest antiques, collectibles, and treasures.
The Coarsegold Historic Village is the perfect point to begin your
Yosemite vacation or Gold Country outing. Nestled in the Sierra
foothills on the Yosemite Highway, Coarsegold is the forgotten
southern link on the old Mother Lode in California's Gold Country.
A popular landmark is the Tee Pee. You may also strike it rich panning for gold at the Gold Gulch, operating every weekend at the village.
Absorb the 'Old West' atmosphere while enjoying your favorite coffee
beverage. The Village is also home to a unique community of artists, and artisans, many of whom produce their art or craft on site, year-round. The best American dining in the foothills will be found here and the park is ideal for a relaxing picnic lunch.
If you're a history buff in search of California history on the old Mother
Lode, the Village is a good place to start. Gold was discovered here in
1852 and, just like the early prospectors, folks are still finding it in true
also be rewarded. Maybe you just need to stop and rest after the long
dusty ride to Yosemite. The Coarsegold Historic Village is a great place to cool your heels. You'll find food and diversion for the family while you enjoy shopping for great one-of-a-kind gifts.
For more information, log on to http://www.coarsegoldhistoricvillage.com/
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Join the YSVB on YouTube
YSVB launches channel 
If you're like millions of others online, you watch videos on the popular video sharing site YouTube. You can now find videos of Yosemite and California's Gateway to Yosemite on YouTube, by visiting www.youtube.com/yosemitesierra.
If you have your own YouTube account as well, feel free to tag any videos that were taken in Madera County.
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Deals, discounts, incentives and more
Businesses offer discounts to help you stay for less
September is California Wine
Month. In celebration, stop by Appellation: California! Wine Tasting &
Visitors Center in Madera and enjoy a FREE glass of California Champagne - just mention
the Madera YSVB. Then relax and try a few of our 20 LOCAL California wines
available for tasting. 5 tastes for $5.00
Stay at the Queen's Inn in Oakhurst for one night and get 20% off or stay for two nights and receive the second
night 50% off during September and receive complimentary wine tastings at Idle Hour Winery and 20% off any wine purchase. Call (559)683-4354.
The Sierra Mono Museum in North Fork is taking part in the Sierra Art Trails tour. Click the link for more information on specials and more.
Save yourself the hassle winter driving with trip in to Yosemite with Photo Safari Yosemite. They are a year round
business, is offering Winter trips into Yosemite using our 4 wheel drive Jeep.
Visitors can save money on having to buy chains along with avoiding the problem
of driving in snow conditions.
There are lots of events and discounts happening at Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply. October 2 is the
launch of our month long Customer Appreciation Days. For every $10 spent,
customers receive a Sonny Buck. Redeem them November 5th and 6th during our
Customer Appreciation Sale Dates. Visit their website for more fun.
If you'd like a nice romantic vacation, try the Romance Package
that includes a stay at Paradise Springs, wine tasting at Westbrook Wine Farm and Idle Hour Winery, a trip on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road and entrance in to Yosemite National Park.
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