While there are many phrases in life that are sure to bring a smile to my face—“early retirement,” “winning lotto ticket” and “three-week vacation” among them—I must admit “Food and Wine Festival” is right there at the top of my list. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm ("ARE WE THERE YET?") as the rubber meets the road, with a full tank of gas, a couple of baguettes and a Google map at my side, knowing that at the end of the journey lies my pot of Epicurean gold.

One thing Sacramento does not lack is geographical appeal (a.k.a., location, location, location). In two hours or less, you can be skiing, gamboling, taking a bay cruise beneath the Golden Gate, or walking the vineyard trail, tracing the footsteps of Robert Mondavi himself. How many cities can lay claim to that? The same can be said for our proximity to "Wine Country"—pick a direction and point the car—we're literally surrounded by grapevines, and tasting rooms, and nice, smiling people, ready to pour. I'll toast to that!  Head north and experience the wines of Placer County. East, how about El Dorado or Amador counties? South—well, there's Lodi, of course, but also Livermore, and if you're in the mood to slow things down a bit, spend a lazy day visiting the wineries along the Sacramento delta, top-down convertible optional. To the west lies the motherland, Napa and Sonoma counties; don't forget the Gold Card.

So now that you have your geographical bearings, have a look at the festivals that are happening around our area this weekend, all just a short drive away. Don't forget to bring some extra water in your travel kit, as the mercury is supposed to hover around the century mark—hmmm, makes me thirsty, just thinking about it!

For a listing of local wine and food events this weekend, you can find additional information here:  www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4055-Sacramento-Wine-Pairing-Examiner~y2009m5d13-Northern-California-wine-and-food-events-this-weekend

Happy Trails!