Shoreline Lake wine seminars
Shoreline Lake in Mountain View launched a new wine seminar series in November; each seminar will focus on a different, "practical" topic, showcased by the wines provided during the tasting. Two seminars will be held in December. "Basic Wine Pairing" will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and will go over the basic principles of pairing as well as Hanukkah and holiday friendly wines. Another seminar of the same name will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18, but will focus on the principles of tasting, tasting progression and giving wine as a gift. Register online at www.shorelinelake.com.
Info: Shoreline Lake, 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View; 650-965-3779
'The Art of French Pastry'
Jacquy Pfeiffer, pastry chef and cofounder of the French Pastry School in Chicago, will be at Kepler's Books on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss his book, "The Art of French Pastry."
Info: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com.
Enoteca 100 Grand Wine Tasting
Donato Enoteca in Redwood City is hosting a massive wine tasting event on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be 100 artisan wines from Italy on hand to taste, plus risotto, salumi, prosciutto, pizza and a whole porchetta prepared in the restaurant's wood-fired oven. A VIP preview begins at noon. Cost: $55 per person; $65 for VIP and a limited number of early bird $45 tickets are available until Nov. 24. Tickets can be purchased at the restaurant or online at eventbrite.com.
Info: Donato Enoteca, 1041 Middlefield Road, Redwood City; 650-701-1000. www.donatoenoteca.com
Village Pub gingerbread house workshop
For the "little chefs," The Village Pub in Woodside hosts its annual gingerbread house workshop on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 14. Each child will have his or her own house to prepare, decorate and (likely) eat when it's taken home. The class, designed for children 5 years and up, begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $85 per child (includes instruction, a gingerbread house, snacks and a "special gift"). To reserve a space, call 650-851-6844 or email info@thevillagepub.net.
Info: The Village Pub, 2697 Woodside Road, Woodside. www.thevillagepub.net.
Holiday preserves class
Anna Cameron, a Santa Cruz canning/preserves extraordinaire with her own jam line, will teach this class from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Hidden Villa. Cameron will talk about canning organic fruits using low-sugar recipes, featuring Kiwi Lime Marmalade and Red Onion Relish. Bring home mason jars of these two seasonal jams.
Info: Hidden Villa Ranch, 26780 Moody Road, Los Altos; 650-949-8650
Brew University: Home Brewing Seminar
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Derek Wolfgram and Mike Conant of the Silicon Valley Sudzers Homebrew Club in Los Altos Hills, along with Andy Carroll, president of the HeadQuarters Homebrew Club (based in Campbell) will present an overview of brewing history, ingredients, styles, equipment, techniques and recipes. Free; for ages 21 and over only. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Silicon Valley Sudzers. Register online here.
Info: 7-8:30 p.m. at Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
