Wineries toast moms on Mother's Day weekend

With Easter this weekend, plans are already gearing up for the next big holiday: Mother's Day. Area wineries and vineyards are toasting moms with a variety of events over Mother's Day weekend — from brunches to live music to wine tastings — and all with the added bonus of enjoying a spring day in some of Placer County's most scenic spots. PaZa Estate Winery, 3357 Ayres Holmes Road, Auburn, phone 916-834-0565pazawines.comOpen noon to 5 p.m. weekends. Boutique Brunch 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11Tickets: $25 per person; $20 per person for wine club membersPurchase at website or on Facebook. For the third year, PaZa Estate Winery is putting on a boutique brunch on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend."We came up with the idea when we did a girls' day out, so why not Mother's Day?" winery operations manager Cyndi Vining said. "We have it the day before because a lot of people have plans on Mother's Day. It's a fun day out the day before."Brunch includes a glass of white wine or sangria."It is all estate wines," she said. Attendees can shop for crafts and other locally made items at vendor booths. "You are sitting outside overlooking our beautiful vineyard. It is a day to come out and relax," Vining said. "We are doing all the work for you. You can enjoy the wine and have a catered lunch and do a little shopping. A lot of local vendors support us. This is a chance to support them." Vina Castellano Winery, 4590 Bell Road, Auburn, 530-889-2855vinacastellano.comOpen noon-5 p.m.Thursday-SundayMother's Day Brunch, Sunday, May 12Seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.Tickets: $40 for adults and $18 for kids under 10Purchase tickets at eventbrite link on Facebook page"We do it every year," tasting room manager Courtney Gloor said.The buffet menu will be catered by Laura Kenny of Real Food Catering. Kenny is also a cookbook author."We're doing mimosas for moms and attendees can purchase sangria or wine," Gloor said."We are very family friendly and it is nice to see families out here celebrating moms." Mt. Vernon Winery, 10850 Mt. Vernon Road, Auburn, phone 530-823-1111mtvernonwinery.comMother's Day Champagne Brunch 11a.m.-1p.m. Sunday, May 12Tickets $59.99 per person Reservations, call the winery or email wineclubmtvernonwinery@gmail.comBuffet menu will include seasonal fresh fruit cascade, assorted fresh-baked pastries, house Caesar salad, California wild baby greens, individual quiches, hickory smoked bacon gourmet sausage links, seasonal baby vegetable platter, mimosas, coffee, teas, strawberry and mint lemonade. "This is the first year (to offer a Mother's Day brunch)," Mt Vernon Winery owner Lynda Taylor said. "We just wanted to so something special and it is on the top of our cave so people can look out and see the vineyard. It is a really pretty spot." Lone Buffalo Vineyards, 7505 Wise Road, Auburn, phone 530-823-1159lonebuffallovineyards.comFarmers Market Strawberry Fest on the Bar, noon-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12. Moms taste free all weekend.For winery sales and marketing spokeswoman Jill Maddux , strawberries are a perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day."We have a lot of strawberry farms around here," she said. "It was my idea because we make a dry French-style rose and it has really wonderful strawberry character in it. I thought it would be delightful to serve strawberries. They are tasty, they are colorful and they are local, and they go very well with our Buffalo Rose sangiovese. This is our 13th year of doing this. It's fun. It's all about honoring mother."Maddux said she always asks for proof of motherhood. "That can come in very many ways. They can bring in children or grandchildren or bring photos. Or I throw out a question. Sometimes they can't remember the birthdays. It is fun." Dono Dal Cielo, 6100 Wise Road, Newcastle, phone 530-888-0101donodalcielo.comMother's Day celebration noon-5 p.m. with music by Dust in my Coffee and food available from Cousins Maine Lobster Truck. Seating is limited so attendees should bring lawn blankets or lawn chairs. Many other area wineries will be open for tastings on Mother's Day. For a list of wineries and weekend tasting hours, visit pcwga.org.