Savor Sonoma County sunshine by the glass when Ray's on the River hosts a Rodney Strong wine dinner on Tuesday, January 13. Over the past 50 years, Rodney Strong Vineyards of Healdsburg, California has earned a reputation for standout releases and best-in-class Sonoma wines. This night promises a special menu complemented by fine wines and the insights of Rick Sayre, Rodney Strong head winemaker. On the Strong team since 1979, Sayre knows his grapevine scoop. A 6:30 p.m. reception opens the event with scallop mousse crostini and Charlotte's Home sauvignon blanc 2013. Dinner follows at 7 p.m., flowing through four courses: butternut squash fritters with Chalk Hill chardonnay 2013; smoked duck cassoulet with pinot noir reduction, arugula, sausage, mirepoix and white beans paired with Russian River pinot noir 2012; cocoa nib-crusted short rib and roasted root micro vegetables with Brother's Vineyard cabernet sauvignon 2011; and dessert of mascarpone spice cake with salted caramel, candied orange peel and micro mint complemented by Knotty Vines zinfandel 2012. $85 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required; call 770-955-1187.

Contemplate tectonics, climate and volcanic eruptions with every sip of Davis Bynum wines when The Shed at Glenwood hosts the Russian River Valley winery for a winemaker dinner on Wednesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. Millions of years of geologic and meteorologic activity have built the soil nourishing the vines of Davis Bynum, which specializes in sustainably raised, handcrafted, single-vineyard wines. The 40-year-old winery recently joined the Rodney Strong family, and Rick Sayre, head winemaker for both wineries, will be at the dinner. Chef Todd Richards knows exactly what to serve to complement each varietal, beginning with reception fare of smoked clams, salmon tartare and crab and celery root spring roll with kung pao sauce teamed up with chardonnay RRV 2011. Next, a salad of grilled squid and Swiss chard with fried chicken croutons and pomegranate vinaigrette plus pine nut and Muenster cheese crepes join Jane's Vineyard RRV pinot noir 2012. Venison osso buco with fig relish, olive stew with sun-dried tomato, mint and white anchovy, and grilled Logan Turnpike grit cakes with whipped goat cheese accentuate Clone 667 RRV pinot noir 2012. The night ends with a flourless chocolate cake with red wine chocolate sauce and Auntie Florence's rice pudding with bacon brittle and caramelized apple paired with Clone 115 pinot noir 2012. $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited; call 404-835-4363 to book your seat.

The Pig & The Pearl catapults third Thursdays into a monthly high point with the debut of its Third Thursday Beer Dinner series on January 15. The Atlantic Station restaurant known for succulent smoked meats and raw, smoked and steamed seafood is casting Atlanta's artisanal Orpheus Brewing in the opening brew mastery role. Orpheus' two year-round signature brews are first up, chased by two seasonal crafts. Atalanta, a tart plum saison 5.25%, teams with tuna tartare with ponzu gelée and shiso, smoked oyster toast with celery root slaw and trout tartare with crème fraiche and smoked trout roe. Next, Szechuan pork belly with charred broccoli stem and fried rice plays well with Lyric Ale 6.5%. Sykophantes, an earthy fig sour 7.5%, escorts smoked short beef ribs with white bean ragout, and Wandering Blues, a blueberry sour 6%, complements huckleberry pound cake with sea salt ice cream. $50 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Call 404-541-0930 to save a seat.