It is that time of year again: Passport 2014 is right around the corner! This year’s Passport will be on the weekends of April 5 & 6 and April 12 & 13. With over 30 participating wineries, this year promises to be one of the best Passport events yet.

You go to Gold Country for the Wines. Photo copyright 2012, David Locicero

If you aren’t familiar, the El Dorado County winery association sponsors this annual wine tasting event. Each of the participating wineries provides tasting and food pairings. With your ticket, you get a wine glass, and the privilege of tasting over a Saturday and Sunday. This year they have complicated ticket buying with a special two weekend ticket (good for tasting on both weekends) and a “library card” to let you into special tasting areas at the wineries. Make sure you understand what you’re buying.

Based on the email’s that have been coming into my inbox, there seem to be tickets still available. Snatch yours up today! Finding a place to stay might be more difficult. I know that the hotel where I’m staying is booked solid for both weekends already.

I will be attending the second weekend with a friend. We are looking forward to tasting the wines and the food pairings and stocking our cellars with wines!