Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

August 3-4
Napa Valley, CA — 14th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, dedicated to saving lives by finding a cure for cancer, will host its 14th annual celebration. The event kicks off on Friday night at The Pavilion at The Vintage Estates with silent and showcase auctions where unique wine, sport, art and travel packages will be auctioned off. Diverse appetizers, entrées, salads and desserts will be served throughout the evening by renowned chefs paired with a plentiful selection of wines. David Martin's House Party will finish off the night with a high-energy performance by nine dancers and musicians. Saturday's activities include the Innovators & Icons Marketplace, as well as a Gala Dinner and Live Auction at the Nickel & Nickel Winery featuring a private performance by American Rock Musician Chris Issak. Tickets cost $1,750 per person for Friday night, $2,250 per person for Saturday only and $2,500 per person for both days. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 707-963-0611 or visit www.winecelebration.org

The second edition of the Los Angeles Food & Wine event will take place August 9-12 at L.A. Live and other venues in the city. The four-day celebration will feature celebrity chefs, as well as stars who have made their names in music, film, television and sports. Events include special lunches at restaurants, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and grand tastings. For more information, visit lafw.com

Organized by the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the 20th annual celebration will feature more than 40 Monterey County wineries pouring 150 wines in 42 different varietals paired with culinary samples provided by local restaurants. Don't miss the "Try and Buy" Wine Marketplace, where you will have the chance to sample wines before making purchases. The celebration will be held at The Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $45 per person at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 831-375-9400 or visit www.montereywines.org

Enjoy wine tasting, live music, great food and original artwork in the mountain woods during the Mammoth Festival. Held in beautiful Mammoth Lakes, the three-day event will kick off with Friday's Village Wine Walk from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., during which attendees will be able to visit popular Mammoth boutiques and restaurants and partake in the sampling of featured wines. Saturday afternoon at Sam's Wood Site will include a tasting of wine provided by more than 40 vintners and an art expo. The outdoor food court, Picnic in the Pines, will offer food and delicacies from local restaurants, plus live musical performances until late in the evening. Guests will be able to round out the weekend by imbibing a Champagne brunch and live music on Sunday morning at The Village's Hyde Lounge. Several ticket options, which range from $49-$139 per person, are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 800-MAMMOTH or visit www.mammothmountain.com

August 18
San Francisco, CA — San Francisco Street Food Festival La Cocina's fourth San Francisco Street Food Festival brings together some of the best food in the Bay Area on one single block. This year's festival features over 30 vendors from La Cocina's nationally recognized incubator program, 25 of the Bay Area's best owner-operated restaurants, more than ten of the best local food trucks and, as special guests, six mobile vendors hand-picked from cities across the country. The festival, organized by La Cocina and functioning as a fundraiser for them as well, will be held August 18 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the Mission District. Admission is free and open to the public with all food priced below $8 and half of the food for less than $3. For more information, visit www.sfstreetfoodfest.com

specialties and extraordinary wines & spirits, under one roof in a casual setting. During two sessions, from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and 7 p.m.-10 p.m., attendees will be able to pair and compare, taste and take home their favorite selections. Live entertainment, mixology and food demonstrations will be offered by LA's top chefs; oenologists will explain how to taste and recognize great wines. Discover over 500 boutique wines and spirits, cheeses, spices, coffee & teas, charcuterie, olive oils, mushrooms, organic chocolate, meat, fowl, fish and produce and much more. General admission costs $75 and includes food and wine pairings, entertainment, mixology and food demonstrations. For more information, visit www.laepicureanfestival.com

The 6th Annual Shoreline Wine Festivalwill take place on Saturday, August 11& Sunday, August 12, 2012.

The 6th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival
will take place on Saturday, August 11
& Sunday, August 12, 2012.