I just heard about the 13th Annual Lodi Wine and Chocolate Weekend coming up this Saturday and Sunday. It's co-sponsored by VinVillage and VinVillage Radio, an organization that is new to me. Turns out VinVillage is a new social group for people who like food and wine (and who doesn't, really?). They are groups all over the country, but I joined the one here in Sacramento, naturally. Note that we don't have to join a Napa Valley group and ignore all the great wines from the Central Valley. Yay for VinVillage!

So the Wine and Chocolate Weekend is an example of the kinds of things I hope to hear about through the Village Scene email newsletter. They promise exclusive wines, radio programs at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and a cork recycling program. I'll take any opportunity to taste local wines--especially with chocolate.

The event details are: February 13 and 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Taste delicious Lodi wines and decadent chocolates from 40 wineries in the Lodi Appellation. Be the lucky one to unwrap the "Golden Ticket" at any participating winery and win a Wine Country Getaway or one of over 100 other prizes.
Tickets are $35 in advance online; $45 day of
Fill out a form on the VinVillage home page to be one of 10 winners of a free ticket. You'll be notified this Wednesday, in plenty of time to get ready for the weekend.