By Rick Riozza
What do you give to a Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay enthusiast for the New Year? That’s the easiest inquiry in town! Of course it’s tickets for the best & grandest Pinot Noir & Chardonnay tasting in the country: The 6th Annual Palm Springs Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Festival, “Passion 4 Pinot” is the premier event on the international wine calendar.
Right here in the greater Palm Springs area, is the nation’s most popular wine tasting event that takes place at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa located in beautiful Rancho Mirage—the playground of the Presidents and wine lovers! palmspringspinotfest.com.
Checkout the PR on the place: “The ambiance is set for an extraordinary experience as you feel the rhythm of relaxing live music while savoring tasty bites adding an extra layer of excitement to your Pinot & Chard adventure. So, gather your friends, grab your tickets, and get ready for a passionate weekend of unforgettable flavors and fun! A souvenir Crystal logo wine glass is yours to take home and enjoy.
Get ready to indulge in a Saturday afternoon filled with world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay flavors and music at the Grand Tasting event at the Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival – A Passion 4 Pinot. Immerse yourself in an amazing selection of over 200 exceptional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the best California and Oregon Winery Producers, carefully curated for your enjoyment. And with many Coachella Valley restaurants showcasing their culinary creations, get ready to embark on a delicious Pinot & Chard celebration like no other.
For those of you who took heed of special Pinot alert article last September (coachellavalleyweekly.com/perfect-timing-for-pinot-rhyming), you were fortunate to book your tickets for the Grand Tasting, Wine Seminars, and Winemaker Dinners. The winemaker dinners and wine seminars are of course sold out. But even at this late date, if you haven’t, there is still time to grab entry into the Grand Tasting on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 3pm to 5pm. And there is still room available for the “early entry” at 2pm.
And for those who wish to attend next year’s winemaker dinners and wine seminars, this is the perfect time to mark your calendars early so not to miss out again. I urge you to subscribe at palmspringspinotfest.com/participants to get the “First Pour Updates”. Be the first to hear about the event’s new winery additions, pairings, and limited ticket drops.
This column has written on the event since its inception. We’ve come to know wine promoter & producer Dave Frashcetti who has been at the helm of this annual Wine Fest. I speak with Dave often and his wine cup continues to runneth-over with fresh exuberance. “I learned many years ago that when it comes to wine festivals, bigger is not better. In fact,” he continues, “it’s the complete opposite.”
Those who have attended my events before know that our event is a first-class fun event that is designed for all types of wine lovers, from novices to expert somms. It’s not snobbish; it’s a fun-filled afternoon that allows one to learn, taste and fall in love with amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the best or Pacific Coast has to offer.”
“The wineries that are participating with us have achieved a stellar reputation for producing truly outstanding and highly sought-after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.” Dave continues, “They will be pouring their amazing cult classic collectible wines and educating guests, from wine lovers to novices alike—it’s all about the talent of excellent winemaking.
Of course, what distinguishes this stellar event from most other wine tasting festivals is the fact that pouring tables are staffed with the winemakers and winery owners. This is not the place where salespeople and vendors are trying to sell you wine. Here, we have the actual folks who can talk and inform you on the wine you’re tasting because they are the ones who’ve put their heart and energy into producing their world class juice!
For wine lovers and enthusiasts, this is the wine event not to be missed. If you haven’t yet, go onto palmspringspinotfest.com/participants to see all of the world class wineries that are participating and pouring their best stuff!
And while we have a little space left, here are a couple of wineries we wish to highlight:
CHEV Winery: “Our flagship wines for CHEV are our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which reign from the notable Russian River Valley, or “the Garden of Eden,” —where everything grows well. However, CHEV was born to reach regions beyond our own backyard. With each season, our winemaker, Cabell Coursey and Michael seek new regions to craft delicious wines that embody the place and the unique terroir of the area.
2022 CHEV Pinot Noir Russian River Valley:
Nose: Heady aromas of ripe blackberry, mocha and cigar box, accented with light notes of thimbleberry, sandalwood and jasmine.
Mouth: Wild strawberry and raspberry flavors are elegantly woven with blood orange citrus, fresh earth, and subtle spice. Broad and pure, with a soft velvety texture, mouth-watering acidity and a long lasting, memorable finish.
Blue Farm Wines: Blue Farm began as a seven-acre vineyard divided into four blocks to create one complete wine. Today, it includes Grand Cru style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from five vineyards and five AVAs within Sonoma County. Our focus has always been on farming and therefore cultivating a deep connection with the land.
2023 Blue Farm Chardonnay Laceroni Vineyard Russian River Valley: Laceroni vineyard is nestled deep in the southwestern part of the Russian River Valley close to the town of Graton. The 45-acre vineyard was planted in the early and mid-2000’s. The cool climate and low pH in the Goldridge soil offer racing acidity that allows this wine to age gracefully. This Chardonnay has it all: good structure, nice fruit profile, great balance and layers.
See you at the Passion Fest! Cheers!
