A la carte: Paella and chili, martinis and wine to brighten up winter

A round-up of food and wine fun in late January and early February.|

SONOMA

Martini Madness

Sonoma Valley bartenders will shake things up at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 at the 18th annual Martini Madness as they compete for the most creative and delicious martinis at The Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma.

For ballast, local restaurants will serve a selection of hors d'oeuvres and small bites.

Guests can vote for their favorite martinis in a variety of categories, including the Best Martini in Sonoma.

Tickets are $45. To reserve: eventbrite.com.

The Lodge at Sonoma is located at 1325 Broadway.

NORTH COUNTY

Wine & Chili pairing

The Wilson Artisan Wineries will hold its third annual Wine & Chili Pairing Competition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at all 10 wineries from Healdsburg to Hopland.

Each winery will work with a chef to create a chili recipe to pair with one of their favorite wines, and guests are asked to judge the winery with the best pairing, with votes collected at the end of the day.

Jaxon Keys and Greenwood Ridge wineries will each have a chili and wine tasting station at Coyote Sonoma, a wine-tasting room at 44F Mill Street in Healdsburg.

Tickets are $25, including a commemorative wine glass. To reserve: wilsonartisanwines.com.

SEBASTOPOL

The Bowl

The Sebastopol Center for the Arts Ceramics Studio will present its annual fundraiser, The Bowl, at 5 p.m. Saturday at the arts center.

This year's benefit, “An Evening in Spain,” will feature paella and tapas from Backyard Restaurant and wine and sangria from Thumbprint Cellars. Flamenco musicians and dancers will perform.

Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door. To reserve: sebarts.org. 282 High St.

SONOMA

Preservation tour

The second annual Preservation Icons of Sonoma Tour & Wine Tasting will be held on Feb. 2 at various historic venues in Sonoma.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., guests will enjoy private tastings at Three Sticks in the Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe, Bedrock Wine Company in the Hooker House and Abbot's Passage in the Red Barn, plus lunch at the Sonoma Valley Woman's Club and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sebastiani Theatre.

Tickets are $95, to benefit the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation. There are three itineraries with 30 tickets available for each. To reserve: eventbrite.com.

MONTE RIO

Crab Feed for seniors

The Northwood Men's Golf Club will hold its annual Crab Feed to benefit seniors at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Northwood restaurant.

The event includes cracked crab, pasta, salad and bread, plus prizes and awards. A raffle will benefit the Russian River Senior Resources Center.

Tickets are $55, available at the Russian River Senior Center or the Northwood restaurant and pro shop. 19400 Highway 116.

SANTA ROSA

Paws for Love

The Paws for Love Foundation will host its 20th anniversary Paws for Love Gala at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Finley Community Center.

The event includes a showcase of original artwork by local shelter and rescue animals, live and silent auctions, a wine cave auction, cruise raffle, live music and hors d'oeuvres with wine and beer.

Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door, available at pawsforlove.info and at various pet stores and shelters around the county. 2060 W. College Ave.

Staff Writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 707-521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.

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