The Good Life ~ Sacramento
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialArchive for April 27, 2010
A Little Grape Escapism – Good for the Soul
Fill 'em Up
Raley’s Grape Escape is once again on the horizon, and I for one am watching its decent into town. (Ok, so that metaphor – er, pun, euphemism, Grape Escape-ism? – doesn’t paint an entirely accurate picture since the Grape Escape is strictly a Sacramento area-based event. But who has time to check oneself these days?)
One could say I personally need a little ‘grape escape’ myself. You may be able to relate, since I hardly think the earth’s increased headlong rotational spinning is affecting only me. But aside from our fast-moving lives, there are still things that help us slow down and savor the really good things in life… like food, wine and friendly, fun people!
Since I’m short on time (and attention span), here’s what some of my friends have said about past Raley’s Grape Escape events:
“There is something special about a park in the middle of a downtown. It’s fun to look around and see buildings and businesses yet be surrounded by trees and grass! Cesar Chavez park provides a nice background to the event…big enough to hold thousands of people but small enough to feel quaint and local.”
“During the Grape Escape, I love being able to move from live music and art at one end of the park to the Chef’s Challenge cooking competition on the other.”
“The event highlights local food and wine, many of which are grown locally. Having the event in a park that features/celebrates Farmers’ Markets, local musicians and food seems to be more than fitting!”
“People love this event because they can walk, take light rail or bicycle to it. It is in the heart of the city and you can walk to a great dinner afterward within a few blocks. The event takes on the vibrancy or life of the city, and it just gets better every year.”
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On a festival-lover’s level, the ingredients that go into making the Raley’s Grape Escape so much fun also make it so Sacramento ~ like local musicians and artists, outdoor ambiance, locals and visitors acting so neighborly… And since the wineries of the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills are “emerging as some of the best in California” and the food scene in the Sacramento area is becoming well known for its fresh, innovative styles, this is one event that promises a spirit-soaring and tasty good time.
WHAT: Raley’s Grape Escape features wineries from 8 regional counties – Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Yolo, as well as food from a cornucopia of local restaurants.
WHEN: Saturday, June 5th, 2010, 4-7PM
WHERE: Cesar Chavez Park at 10th & J streets
PRICE: All inclusive (unlimited wine and food tastings) = $40 in advance, $50 at the door. (You can also get $5 off by purchasing tickets at any local Raley’s or Bel Air store)
MORE INFO (like parking, lists of participants, photos, etc.: www.RaleysGrapeEscape.com
Bon Appetit and sip like you mean it: slowly!
There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which she was built, the rivers that flow through her, the bounty around her and the people who make it their home.
Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town after a cleansing rain.
There’s truly something for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and nighttime adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.
