Grapevine

Perhaps it’s a response to the staid and snooty reputation of most wine auctions, but the organizers of the fourth annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction describe their event as zany. To be held Saturday through Monday, events include a vintners and growers picnic at Beltane Ranch on Saturday (tickets are $35 per person; $15 for ages 17 and under). Saturday night, three wineries (Buena Vista, Carmenet and Bartholomew) host celebrity chef dinners. Tickets: $110 per person.

Eighty lots of wine, winery visits, wine-themed vacations and more are up for grabs at the live auction on Sunday. Tickets: $125 per person ($235 for bidder and guest). Also on Sunday are tasting panels at Landmark Vineyards. Tickets: $50 per person per panel. Monday features open houses at 19 wineries. Tickets available at the door for auction and Vintners picnic; reservations necessary for some dinners. For more information, call Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance at (707) 935-0803.

Closer to home is Wines, Vines & Jazz, a barbecue picnic and concert by the Billy Taylor Jazz Trio, sponsored by Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard on Sunday. Proceeds go to the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.

Barbecue chicken buffet will be served from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m. New releases for sale include 1994 American Tradition Reserve Chardonnay, 1994 Pinot Noir, 1994 Syrah and 1995 Johannisberg Riesling. Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, 6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, about 45 miles north of Santa Barbara. Call (800) 841-1104 or (805) 688-1545. Adults, $45; children under 12, $15.

For more wine events, see Datebook on H2.