Natalie Cole

As a young girl in the mid-1970’s I didn’t know Natalie Cole’s name. I only knew the sound of her voice and the songs – like her number one hit “This will be an Everlasting Love” – that made me want to dance. In 1980, after the disappointment of my first crush, I was old enough to know her name and sang along to the chorus of another of her hits, “Someone I used to Love.” When Natalie Cole released “Unforgettable…With Love” in 1991 it was exciting to hear her sing some of the best songs of the 20th century.

I like to consider myself someone who doesn’t get starstruck, but when Natalie Cole steps out on the stage at Person Theater at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on December 11th, I’m positive my eyes will be wide and my mouth will drop open!

Natalie Cole has won 9 Grammy Awards. She won two of those awards as recently as 2009 for “Still Unforgettable,” her second collection of jazz standards, which also earned her a NAACP Award for Best Jazz Artist.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is in the city of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. It is the perfect place to see this legendary performer with your very own eyes. The theater is beautiful and just the right size to give locals and visitors the opportunity to purchase tickets in any tier of seating where every seat is a good one. Conveniently located about 10 minutes from downtown Santa Rosa, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is nearby local restaurants. Click here for all the details including how to purchase your tickets.

Inside Person Theater at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

Contact Pure Luxury for your private chauffeured transportation. Create a special evening out with dinner and a performance by the unforgettable Natalie Cole.

Nestled in the picturesque Sonoma Valley between the towns of Kenwood and Glen Ellen lays the Heart of Sonoma. It is here, in this small region framed by hillsides, where winery staffs work diligently and passionately to create outstanding Sonoma Valley wines. This year, 2010 celebrates the 27th Annual Holiday Open House on Friday, November 26th and Saturday, November 27th. The Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association presents this highly anticipated event where all 23 tasting rooms in the Heart of Sonoma invite visitors to spend the two days after Thanksgiving experiencing this unforgettable section of Northern California Wine Country. Wineries opening their tasting room doors include Benziger Family Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Kunde Family Estate, Muscardini Cellars/Ty Caton Vineyards, Paradise Ridge Winery, and St. Francis Winery.

Visitors will travel to any of the 23 tasting rooms participating in this year’s Holiday Open House to taste wines, enjoy special discounts, talk with winemakers, explore winery caves and cellars, and more. Despite the most ambitious of plans, two days is not enough time to properly savor and sip the wines from each tasting room in the Heart of Sonoma. Be prepared to be captivated by award-winning wines and the people dedicated to creating them. This experience is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace year after year.

Vineyards at Benziger Family Winery

For the first time, located throughout the Heart of Sonoma, visitors will find many opportunities to take a delicious break from wine tasting by purchasing tasty snacks from Harvey’s Donuts, A Brewed Awakening, Street Eatz, Fork, Taste of Gyro, Chicago Style Hot Dogs, and Buon Gusto.

Chateau St. Jean

Allow everyone in your group to enjoy tasting Heart of Sonoma wines to their heart’s content by contacting Pure Luxury for private, chauffeured transportation. Our experienced Wine Tour Specialists will assist you with planning your memorable visit to Sonoma Valley.

It will be anything but business as usual in the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country on November 20 & 21 as the Carneros region celebrates Holiday in Carneros.

The Carneros region is the only area of Northern California wine country that crosses over the county lines of Napa and Sonoma. The wineries in the unique and beautiful stretch of the Carneros appellation are well-known for their exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines; however, visitors will find more varietals to choose from.

A Vineyard in the Carneros Region

Holiday in Carneros is the perfect combination of a celebration, an adventure, and a great way to shop for the upcoming holidays. Over 20 wineries will be hosting special activities, tastings, and discounts throughout the weekend. The list of wineries includes Anaba Wines, Cline Cellars, Etude Wines, Michael Mondavi Family Winery, and Ty Caton Vineyards. Visitors will enjoy food and wine pairings, live music, art and craft shows, barrel tastings, and more. With so many wineries to choose from, this is the perfect opportunity to discover wineries new to you and to stock up on wines from your favorite wineries to share as gifts or during special get-togethers.

Outside the Tasting Room at Cline Cellars

Holiday in Carneros is one of two annual events presented by members of Hospitality de los Carneros. Proceeds from this event benefits scholarship funds at two local colleges – Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College.

Grapes on the Vine at Ty Caton Vineyards

Enjoy the weekend in the safety and comfort of your private vehicle with an experienced chauffeur by contacting Pure Luxury Transportation. Your knowledgeable chauffeur can pick you up from any location that is most convenient for you and guide you through your visit to Napa and Sonoma Valley Carneros region.

This year, the 12th Annual Wine & Food Affair takes place on November 6 & 7, 2010. While the terms “wine” and “food” summarize the stars of this weekend, they don’t prepare you for the full scope of adventure to be had at this amazing event. Approximately 90 wineries in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys open their doors to welcome guests to sip their best wines and enjoy their favorite tasty bites that pair perfectly with the wines. Guests will receive a cookbook featuring the recipes for the delicious cuisine they will be sampling firsthand. This makes it incredibly easy to recreate a perfect wine and food pairing in your home to enjoy with a lucky guest or with a group of friends and family during the holiday season.

Presented by Wine Road Northern Sonoma County, this event will feature the wines each appellation is most well-known for such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel; however, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the other exquisite wines found on the Wine Road including Carignane, Sangiovese, Gewurztraminer, and more.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Wine and food lovers will experience Sonoma County wines paired with a variety of foods including vegetarian, beef, chicken, fish, lamb, and other dishes they may not have tried before. One seafood dish at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery will be a decadent Salmon “Feuillete” with wild rice and mushrooms prepared by their Executive Chef, Didier Ageorges, along with a pairing of their 2008 Estate Chardonnay. Francis Ford Coppola Winery will host servings of Mrs. Scorsese’s lemon chicken. A winery where you can find a vegetarian option is Kendall-Jackson Wine Center where they will be preparing radicchio & medjool pizzetta with smoked Mozzerella. Trentadue Winery will present lamb kabobs with Crimini mushrooms and Zinfandel carmelized onions. A mouthwatering, premium cut of steak will be found at Silver Oak Cellars where they will be sharing Entrecote a la Cabernet Nouveau. Sbragia Family Vineyards will present a dish not often found – manna meatballs in sugo.

Vineyards in Alexander Valley by GrapeGoddess

This is an event where it is extremely important to have a reliable, professional, designated driver. Pure Luxury offers private transportation with a skilled chauffeur to take you to the wineries of your choice while you relax and enjoy the undeniable beauty of Northern California Wine Country. Tickets for this is event have recently sold out; but, there’s still time to arrange your safe transportation.

David Sedaris

David Sedaris has earned numerous awards for his work including Thurber Prize for American Humor, and “Humorist of the Year” by Time magazine. His books have been translated into 25 languages and over seven million copies of his books have been sold. Four of his collections of personal essays have become bestsellers.

The only thing better than reading one of David Sedaris’ books is seeing and hearing him in person – as long as you are ready to accept the fact that the sound of your own laughter will probably prevent you from hearing everything he says. The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts presents David Sedaris on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in their Ruth Finley Person Theater. The Person Theater has over 1,000 seats and there is no such thing as a bad seat in this entire venue. This is the perfect place to see and hear why David Sedaris has earned a faithful, international following.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

Celebrate the entire evening by visiting a Sonoma County restaurant before the show. Allow a Pure Luxury chauffeur to provide your private transportation for an evening featuring delicious Sonoma County cuisine, a performance by one of America’s favorite humorists in one of Sonoma County’s best venues, and the superior service of Pure Luxury.

Wine Glasses Ready for Pinot

By the end of the afternoon I flashed my purple teeth with pride – a testament to the discovery of incredible Pinot by small, family-owned wineries and an affirmation of the high quality of Pinot created by some of my favorite wineries. This year, Pinot on the River’s Grand Tasting takes place Sunday, October 24 at Rodney Strong Vineyards. Over 100 Pinot producing wineries will be pouring their artisanal wines. The list includes Arista Winery, Benziger Family Winery, Buena Vista Carneros, Etude Wines, and Gundlach Bundschu Winery. Click here to view the full list of wineries. There will also be eight artisan cheese vendors including Marin French Cheese Co., Redwood Hill Farm, and Valley Ford Cheese Co. Along with memorable wines and amazing cheeses, there will be chocolate from Belgique Truffle Gateau. Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar will be selling pizza made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. BBQ Smokehouse Catering will be selling their slow-smoked barbeque.

Redwood Hill Farm returns to Pinot on the River 2010 Grand Tasting

Pinot on the River’s Grand Tasting is part of a three day celebration of Pinot that benefits Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County. The celebration begins Friday, October 22 with a winemaker dinner at RoadHouse Winery. Saturday continues with seminars throughout the day and for the first time, a Taste of Pinot dinner at Hotel Healdsburg featuring 13 wineries and the cuisine of Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.

Swirl, Sniff, and Sip at Pinot on the River Grand Tasting 2009

Rain or shine, this year’s Pinot on the River is an event not to be missed. Enjoy the activities all weekend or choose just one day. Contact Pure Luxury for your safe and professional private chauffeur to make sure you can relax and enjoy your time to the fullest!

Sante Restaurant located at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa presents a winemaker dinner on October 21, 2010. Join Mike and Mary Colhoun, proprietors of Landmark Vineyards, for Sante’s award-winning cuisine and the award-winning wines of Landmark Vineyards. Using fresh ingredients Sante Executive Chef, Andrew Cain, has created a menu perfectly suited to each Landmark Vineyards wine.

Sante Restaurant at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa

The evening begins with a Canape Reception featuring Dungeness crab cake “Poppers” with Chipotle aioli; marinated Feta with English cucumber, mint, and Kalamata olives; and curried Fulton Valley Farms poached chicken salad served in Pate a Choux “Puffs”. The Landmark Vineyards wine served during the reception will be the Landmark 2008 Overlook Chardonnay which received 90 points from Robert Parker and 92 points from Wine Spectator. The second course will be a delicious salad of Maine lobster paired with Landmark 2007 Heintz Chardonnay.

The evening continues with a unique course that changes the wines for the evening from whites to reds – grilled “Minute Steak” of Squab breast with truffled Squab Jus. You’ll enjoy Landmark Vineyards 2008 Grand Detour Pinot Noir, awarded 90 points from Robert Parker and 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, with this tender course. The next course is an adventure in red meat – roasted saddle of natural Cervena venison with Forest mushrooms, braised swiss chard, butternut squash puree, and Oregon huckleberry sauce. The velvety tannins of Landmark Vineyards 2008 Solomon Hills Pinot Noir will be the perfect compliment to this special dish.

Mike & Mary Colhoun, Landmark Vineyards Proprietors

The evening comes to a rich, decadent, luscious end with Pierre Robert triple-cream style cheese with Tellicherry black pepper shortbread, Black Mission fig marmalade, and a Syrah reduction. This final course will be paired with Landmark Vineyards 2008 Steel Plow Syrah – the recipient of 94 points from Wine Spectator and winner of position 19 on Wine Spectator’s list of top 100 wines of 2009.

Remember to pace yourself to experience everything this evening has to offer! As a proud partner of both Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Landmark Vineyards, Pure Luxury is confident you will enjoy this incredible and delectable adventure. Make your evening most memorable by making a reservation for your private chauffeur from Pure Luxury.

Domaine Chandon's Pink Party, 2009

Since 1985 October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Companies of all sizes and types, nonprofit organizations, state and federal programs, and private citizens, make an extra effort for fundraising and awareness during this month. One Napa Valley winery committed to this important cause is Domaine Chandon. This year Domaine Chandon will host their 5th Annual Pink Party. The Pink Party benefits breast cancer treatments at Queen of the Valley Medical Center located in Napa. Last year’s Pink Party raised $16,000 for breast cancer research at Queen of the Valley!

Pink Party Signature Appetizer

This year’s Pink Party on October 21, 2010 promises a celebration featuring pink Domaine Chandon champagne cocktails, pink appetizers created by Executive Chef Perry Hoffman of Domaine Chandon’s Etoile Restaurant, and plenty of dancing to music presented by DJ Dukes. There will also be a Silent Auction offering Napa Valley wine and more.

Pink Party Silent Auction

Pure Luxury is donating two free shuttles for the evening to safely and continuously transport Pink Party guests to and from the event from select Napa Valley hotels. If guests prefer their own private transportation from any location of their choice, they can contact one of our Reservations Agents for a private, chauffeured vehicle. Cheers to everyone for all their efforts during this month and all throughout each year!

B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company

One winery in Sonoma celebrating an annual event that has captured the interest of visitors for over 20 years is B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company. On October 9 & 10, 2010 the B.R. Cohn Charity Events 24th Annual Fall Music Festival will take place amid the vineyards and Sonoma mountain range at the winery’s amphitheater. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit American Legion Post 489, Little Kids Rock, Salvation Army, Sonoma Jazz +, and Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. Tickets are available for the entire weekend or for just Saturday or Sunday.

B.R. Cohn Amphitheater Stage

The music begins on Saturday, October 9th with performances by Pat Simmons Jr. and Laura Johnston followed by The Turtles, War, Grand Funk Railroad, and Cheap Trick. The afternoon ends with The Doobie Brothers. Sunday, October 10th continues with Eyewitness Blues Band, The Turtles, Greg Kihn Band, Night Ranger, and Loverboy. Sunday’s final performer is Eddie Money.

The Doobie Brothers

As I read through the list of bands I could hear the echoes of songs forever stored in my mind – Happy Together by The Turtles, Low Rider by War, Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad, Surrender by Cheap Trick, China Grove by the Doobie Brothers, Jeopardy by Greg Kihn Band, Don’t Tell Me You Love Me by Night Ranger, Working for the Weekend by Loverboy, and Two Tickets to Paradise by Eddie Money. With such a generous line-up of music it’s easy to see why this event is celebrating its’ 24th year.

There will be plenty of beverages and food available for purchase including local food from Big Boys Bar-B-Que, Brick & Bottle Restaurant, The Tomales Bay Oyster Girls, E-Saan Thai Food, and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream of Sonoma. Remember to contact Pure Luxury for private transportation for this special event!

My mom lives in Sacramento. She called me last weekend to tell me how excited she was that she had tickets to this year’s Fifth Annual Taste of Petaluma. She heard about Taste of Petaluma on her last visit then got online as soon as she arrived home to purchase her tickets. I shared her enthusiasm for this unforgettable event and purchased my tickets online too!

This year’s Taste of Petaluma is this Saturday, September 25 from 11:30 am. to 4:00 p.m. This event brings together all things Petaluma – restaurants, specialty foods, wineries, breweries, galleries, and shops. Forty different locations in and near downtown Petaluma will host tasty bites for this event that not only allows you to sample the delicious variety in Petaluma but is also a fundraiser for Petaluma’s Cinnabar Theater.

Cinnabar Theater

Included in the day’s menu: Papa’s Taverna Moussaka and Sonoma Valley Portworks ports and after-dinner wines at Boulevard Antiques; Cline Cellars Pinot Gris, Mouvedre, and Zinfandel along with Nick’s Cove crab and oysters at Dimensions Galleria; and wines from Heck Estates, Lake Sonoma Winery, James Family Cellars, and Clary Ranch served with cheeses and fresh fruit from Petaluma’s Whole Foods Market at Vine & Barrel; and so much more!

Vicki Guillory & the SugarCats will perform at Starstruck Boutique, photo by Angelina Caballero

Throughout the afternoon, live entertainment can be enjoyed at Petaluma Town Center, Theater Square, Putnam Plaza and various shops.

I’m looking forward to trying new things and enjoying some of my favorites. Fortunately for me, I have a designated driver that I know I can trust and I won’t have to wrestle with traffic or parking. If you’d like to say the same, contact Pure Luxury soon for your private transportation for a wonderful afternoon in Petaluma.