- “Locals’ Favorites Wine Fridays” at Hofsas House Hotel Friday, May 4 features Bernardus Winery. Sip wine and snack on small-bite nibbles while supporting Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. $15, includes one glass of wine with additional glasses $5 apiece. Reservations required: 624-2745.
- It’s wine time! The 26th annual Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration is Saturday, May 5, 1-4pm in downtown Carmel. Hosted by the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, taste more than 100 local wines, snack on small bites from favorite local restaurants, and meet local winemakers and chefs. $75, VIP tickets include early entry at 12pm, valet parking, and a movie ticket for $125, both available via Eventbrite.
- As part of the Winemakers’ Celebration festivities, the Osio Theater is screening the documentary America’s Wine: The Legacy of Prohibition on Thursday, May 3 (5, 7pm) and Friday, May 4 (5pm), $20. And take part in Monterey Wine Camp with two workshops on Friday, May 4: “Taste Like A Sommelier” at 5pm and “Scents and Sensibility” at 6:45pm, $40 per workshop or participate in both for $70. Movie and wine workshop tickets also available via Eventbrite.
- Cinco de Mayo is here. Celebrate with a fun fiesta at Jacks Monterey, featuring a special Cinco de Mayo menu, Saturday, May 5, 11:30am-10pm, with choice of carne asada enchiladas, chicken taquitos, fish tacos, or pork carnitas with rice and beans for $11.95, plus guacamole ($6), churros ($5), and stuffed churro waffles ($8). Look for beer, wine, cocktails, and a variety of tequilas and mezcals too, plus live music. The outdoor patio will be open from 1-5pm serving street tacos, taquitos, nachos, beer, wine, and cocktails too. 649-7874 for reservations.
- The Friends of the Monterey Symphony hosts its annual “Derby Day” fundraiser on Saturday, May 5 at 12:30pm at the InterContinental Clement Hotel on Cannery Row. The event includes lunch (choice of flat iron steak, Pacific halibut, or vegetarian ratatouille), mint juleps, horse chances, raffles, silent and live auctions, and pop-up performances from the Monterey Symphony’s principal musicians while watching the live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby. Proceeds benefit the Monterey Symphony’s Music for the Schools program. $125 and up, tickets at montereysymphony.org.
- This year the Quail Motorcycle Gathering has teamed up with Componere Fine Catering for the signature event on Saturday, May 5, 10am-4pm. Executive chef-owner Ethan Mantle – a veteran of Michelin-starred George Blanch, Fleur de Lys, and The French Laundry – and guest chef Curtis Duffy (formerly executive chef for the shuttered three Michelin-starred Grace restaurant in Chicago) will craft a Saturday barbecue menu featuring pork al pastor, smoked chili, honey-glazed chicken, and more incorporating fresh produce from the company’s Marin County farm. $75, tickets at signatureevents.peninsula.com.
- May marks the return of seasonal summertime farmers markets in Monterey and Carmel. Shop fresh local produce at the Carmel Farmers Market at the Barnyard Shopping Village Tuesdays from 9am-1pm and at the Del Monte Farmers Market on Sundays, 8am-12pm, at the Del Monte Shopping Center. The Del Monte Farmers Market has also changed location to the parking lot by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro.
- Hartnell College’s Agricultural Business and Technology Institute hosts the 13th annual Western Food Safety Summit on May 9, 8am-5pm. This year’s summit focuses on food safety throughout the supply chain, with keynote addressed by Kurt Gollnick (Vice President/Chief Operational Officer for Scheid Family Wines) and Sonia Salas (Director of Science and Technology for Western Growers). $200, register at give.hartnell.edu/register
- MEarth kicks off its Sustainable Chef Dinner Series at the Hilton Bialek Habitat at Carmel Middle School on May 9 with chef James Anderson from The Poke Lab. The evening starts with an optional tour of the MEarth school garden at 5:30pm, followed by an intimate dinner at 6pm. Proceeds go towards supporting MEarth’s environmental education programs. $75, tickets at mearthcarmel.org.
- Keep an eye on a special coming attraction at the Cinemark Century 14 Northridge Malltheater: a new bar with beer and wine should be launching soon. Nothing like a little buzz to help enjoy those summer blockbusters.
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