Nine Placer County wineries host Mother's Day tour

Haven't planned anything for Mother's Day? Look no further.Nine Placer County wineries will host wine premieres, art, live music, appetizers and more at the second annual Mother's Day Placer Hills Winery Tour from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.The wineries host popular quarterly tasting events, where the wineries - nearly all of which are too small to have Napa-style tasting rooms - open their winery doors and vineyard gates to curious and enthusiastic visitors. Placer Hills Winery TourWhen: Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14Where: Nine commercial Placer County wineriesTime: From noon to 5 p.m.Cost: FreeWineries open Saturday only: Ophir Wines, Hyatt-Baumbach, Green Family Winery, Rancho Roble and Viña Castellano Wineries open both days: Fawnridge Winery, Secret Ravine Winery, Pescatore Winery, Mt. Vernon WineryFor more information, or directions: Call, (530) 823-8030, or visit the Placer Hills Winery Tour Web site: www.placerhillstour.com, for a map to the wineries.Besides wine tasting, many of the wineries will also feature, music, art and more. "The weather is going to be beautiful, so come and join us at the pavillion on the water at Viña Castellano Winery for complimentary wine tasting and classic Spanish guitar," said Teena Wilkins, co-owner of Viña Castellano Winery. "Make sure to bring your Mom to this great event." Local artist Arry Murphey-Frank will show her artwork at the Ophir Winery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Murphey-Frank's art specializes in fine art watercolor and oil paintings. "I have a great love for my flower gardens and I spend many hours photographing and creating paintings of my flowers," Murphey-Frank said. Newcastle artist Judy Dawson will display her watercolors at the Gold Blossom Vineyard and artist Christie Olsen will return with her photo greeting cards.The band Deadline will be featured at the Ophir Winery. Deadline is a Sacramento-area band that specializes in a mixture of classic rock and blues - with a little country thrown in.Artists Karen Buck, Allen Adler and Steve Hubbard will have their artwork featured at the Pescatore Winery and Auburn artist, J. B. Rogers will have his watercolors on display at Hyatt-Baumbach. There will also be a free raffle for a Rancho Roble Vineyards wine basket at the Rancho Roble Winery.The Lavender Farm will have gifts, scents and nursery products available at the Rancho Roble Winery. Secret Ravine will release their 2003 Estate Grown Zinfandel at the event. They will also be offering cakes, brownies, cookies and candy.Live Spanish guitar will be featured at Viña Castellano Winery during the wine tasting event and delicious Spanish tapas will be provided by Le Bilig restaurant in Auburn. The renaissance of winemaking and wine-grape growing in Placer County dates only to the mid-1990s, but the winery proprietors point to the area's rich wine heritage. "We want to acquaint new and old friends with the award-winning wines made by the winemakers of Placer County," said Mike Abbott, winemaker from Ophir Wine. "While the focus will be on wine and wine-tasting, we'll provide a variety of programs for our guests to enjoy. We will have winery demonstrations, create-a-blend sessions and more. Guests will meet the real people who planted the vines, grow the grapes and make the wine."