Barreling down the Wine Road

Marissa Montenegro, left, and Tamra Pinoris enjoy the view during the 2012 Wine Road Barrel Tasting. (Christopher Chung/PD)

Whether you’re a planner or a procrastinator, the Wine Road’s Barrel Tasting is accommodating.

The 35th annual event, this weekend and next, offers options to suit all temperaments There is a three-day pass sold for about $50 and tickets will be sold at the door during the entire event. (www.wineroad.com.)

Barrel tasting has become a spring rite of passage, offering people a chance to try unfinished wines, still fermenting in the barrel, before they’re bottled and released. Those smitten by the samples will have the chance to buy futures – an amount of the barrel wine before it’s bottled, typically in 12 to 18 months. Many of these futures are in limited supply; sometimes they’re offered at a discount.

In past years this event has attracted a good showing of millennials, the offspring generation of the baby boomers who range in age from 21 to 34. While some complain that they’re overly enthusiastic about tasting and are prone to cause a ruckus, others contend that this demographic is enthusiastic about wine and has expanded the market.

Organizers say they welcome tasters of all legal ages, but on the Wine Road website (www.wineroad.com), they remind everyone that “wineries cannot continue to serve anyone who appears intoxicated.”

Roughly 100 wineries will be pouring from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and most of the wineries are concentrated in the Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek valleys. Participants can register at any of the participating wineries, get their tasting glass and a wrist band, then come up with a game plan for the handful of wineries they most want to visit.

As you create your itinerary, here are some interesting picks to consider:

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves, 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-9171
Perks: Always with a strong following, Bella will have a Western theme this year and its wines will be paired with Maple Bacon and Carolina Grits. Bella makes tasty wines, particularly a not-to-be-missed zinfandel. It’s also a striking spot, perched on a small hill with a picnic area that has a grove of olive trees. Its tasting room is in a classy cave, one key reason Bella is such a popular destination.

Holdredge Wines, 51 Front St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1424.
Perks: This winery makes rock-star pinot noir with a keen eye on what’s grown in the Russian River Valley. That said, this year for the first time it’s offering barrel tasting and futures of a very rare grape – Schiopettino. The vintners here are both savvy and festive, so be sure to pencil in this winery.

Davis Family Vineyards, 52 Front St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3858.
Perks: Vintner Guy Davis will be pouring his Soul Patch Pinot Noir and his Sonoma County Red Blend, among other tasty wines. The winery has an organic garden on the property as well as a food court of sorts. The “Zazu on the River” shack offers catered specialties from Santa Rosa’s Zazu restaurant and treats include pulled-pork sandwiches, bacon and salads. The winery, which also offers bocce ball, has an outdoor garden lounge, music and art exhibits.

Amphora Wine, 4791 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, 707-431-7767.
Perks: At Amphora, the spotlight is on a rare varietal — Teroldego — and there are only 50 acres of it planted in all of California. The winery is also offering barrel samples of 16 other varietals.

Sbragia Family Vineyards, 9990 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, 707-473-2992.
Perks: The winery will be featuring a new Napa cabernet sauvignon, the 2010 Godspeed from Mt. Veeder, as well as live music from the country rock band Third Rail. For those who want to taste and nosh, there will be an ample supply of hot dogs.

Staff writer Peg Melnik can be reached at 707-521-5310 or pegmelnik@gmail.com.