There are actually three of these events at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards every year -over Veterans' Day, Presidents' Weekend, and 4th of July. At each one you'll usually have a choice of a white and a red wine that you can bottle yourself for a very reasonable $6-7 per bottle.

When you arrive you are given a tasting class (to keep) for $10 per person; or it is provided free for club members. Not only can you taste the wines available to bottle, but also "future" wines (fine wines that are still in drums waiting for their time to be bottled and released), and other wines they sell. There is always some kind of snack type food there as well. This weekend it happens to be soups and fresh breads. In the colder months there are patio heaters placed around to keep you cozy while you mingle and taste.

Once you've done enough tasting and made your decisions, you can begin your bottling. You can bring your own clean, recycled wine bottles to fill, or buy them there for an additional 85¢ each. Now that you have your bottles, you proceed through stations to fill them, cork them, seal the tops with a capsule, and label them.

Though we don't get to every one of the events, we go as often as possible, always dragging along whoever will go with us. And it's always a great time for everyone. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from El Dorado Hills, but the drive is beautiful and the experience is definitely worth the effort. It's a leisurely day thing so plan to be there 2-3 hours. If you make it there, let me know what you think.

This Veterans' Day event runs November 9, 10, 11, & 12 and is open 10:30-5pm daily, The winery is located at 8221 Stoney Creek Road, Fair Play, 95684. For more information go to their website at www.charlesbmitchell.com or call 800-704-WINE.