A couple of weeks ago we visited Amador County and posted an article about our favorite Sierra Foothill town, Sutter Creek. The article peaked the interest of many of the locals in Amador and I received many responses. This one on the Amador Four Fires Festival I thought would be interesting to the readers of the Wine Country Getaways Blog. This article was prepared by Craig Palmer, Nancy Johnson, Deirdre Mueller, and Elaine Offenbach.
Amador Four Fires Festival
Amador Four Fires Festival, a new concept wine and food event designed to ignite your senses, is coming to Amador County Fairgrounds on May 2, 2015. More than a wine tasting, Amador Four Fires Festival is a veritable rural County Fair teeming with all things wine and food beckoning around every corner of its ten-acre Amador County Fairgrounds site. First and foremost, guests will experience the four celebrated wine regions that inspire the art of Amador’s winemakers and growers: Syrah, Mouvedres and Grenache from France’s Rhone Valley. Italian Barbera, Sangiovese, Super Tuscans, Tempranillo and Garnacha from the Iberian Peninsula, and from California’s legendary heritage, true old vine Zinfandels. Over 150 wines from more than forty different wineries, vetted by a distinguished panel of noted judges and sommeliers, will be poured.
The food will be anything but ordinary, inspired by the fiery traditions of cooking on an open flame from each of these wine regions and prepared with high drama and culinary expertise by Amador’s finest star chefs. The Chefs include: Mark Berkner from Taste Restaurant, Beth Sogaard from Beth Sogaard Catering and Amador Vintage Market, Darius Somary, and showman Richard Lee from Wood, Fire and Smoke will prepare amazing culinary delights. Think of Chef Beth preparing huge pans of simmering paella, Chefs Mark and Darius turning succulent birds on spits or grilling lambs on swords, and Richard’s outsized open pits spitting flames over whole pigs for good old-fashioned California barbecue. These chefs are going for real drama and adventurous flavor. Festival guests will delight in a one-of-a-kind experience designed to ignite all the senses. Be sure to bring your appetite.
In addition, Amador Four Fires offers a cornucopia of tantalizing activities for all the senses, an event- filled program full of fun and entertainment for all. Tastings explore everything from local olive oils, handcrafted candies, honeys, cheeses, cider and craft beer to great wines. The exploration continues with multiple cooking demonstrations, including a cowboy campfire, a sensory station, and seminars covering topics from food and wine pairings, winemaking, tasting tips and “101” min-courses. Rounding out the day are exclusive wine sales, a County Store, and live music at two venues.
Ticket Information
Tickets include wine, food, all activities, a commemorative glass and free parking. $75 in advance, $85 at the door, $50 Designated Driver. For a complete list of seminars, activities, vendor list visit amadorfourfires.com.