Food and drink events around Sacramento

Award-winning wines and chocolate pairings. Also, handmade items from local artists from El Dorado County. Noon-4 p.m. Sierra Vista Winery, 4560 Cabernet Way, Placerville. $10 general, $5 club member. 530-622-7221.

Instructor Terese Esperas prepares a menu of creamy cauliflower soup; escarole salad with pistachios, dried cranberries and persimmons; mushroom tart; roasted maple glazed carrots and walnuts, and an orange olive oil torte with spiced whipped cream. 6-8:30 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $35-$45. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

Thanksgiving dinner aboard the Sacramento RiverTrain. Noon. Sacramento River Train, 341 Industrial Way, Woodland. $93; $47 children 2-12. 800-866-1690.

Pairing of Amphora chardonnay and a no-host raw bar of fresh Tomales Bay oysters shucked to order. Chilled bottles and single glasses of chardonnay (as well as red wines) will be available for purchase. 11 a.m. Amphora Winery, 4791 Dry Creek Road., Healdsburg. 707-431-7767.

The Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association hosts its annual event, which will take place at 26 wineries throughout Sonoma Valley. This celebration will feature wine tastings, opportunities to meet wine makers, and mingle in their caves and cellars. Participating wineries include B Wise Vineyards Cellar, Benziger Family Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Deerfield Ranch Winery, En Garde Winery, Enkidu Wines, Eric Ross Winery, Imagery Estate Winery, Kaz Winery, Korbin Kameron, Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Loxton Cellars, Mayo Family Winery, Moondance Cellars, Muscardini Cellars, NakedWines.com, Orpheus Wines, Pangloss Cellars, Paradise Ridge Winery, St. Anne’s Crossing Winery, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Talisman Wines, Ty Caton Vineyards, Valley of the Moon Winery, VJB Vineyards & Cellars and Wellington Vineyards. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association, 60 Shaw Ave., Kenwood. $45. 707-431-1137.

Learn how to prepare lamb shanks with creamy polenta; pork shoulder pot roast with rosemary and wild mushrooms; beef stew with beer, chipotle peppers and onions, and chicken and white bean stew. Instructor: Dionisio Esperas. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $35-$45. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

Create tasty confections, spiced wines and other herbal delicacies that make great holiday treats and gifts. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $25-$35. 916-455-2667.

Use quality ingredients and essential techniques to create a steakhouse dinner: steak au poivre; wedge salad with chunky blue cheese dressing; mashed red skin potatoes; creamed spinach, and crème brûlée. Instructor: Mayumi Tavalero.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. Call for costs. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

Lucia Oliverio shares stories and recipes from Italian households as she demonstrates how to prepare a feast. Instructor: Lucia Oliverio. 3-5 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $35-$45. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

Marga den Hoed will show how to make a few of her favorite desserts free of gluten, sugar, dairy and eggs: apple crisp with coconut whipping cream; cashew cheesecake, and chocolate fudge brownies. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $35-$45. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

Enjoy traditional tea faire in the McHenry Mansion basement, tour the mansion with its holiday decorations and look for special gifts at the Mansion Gift Store. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The McHenry Mansion, 15th and I streets, Modesto. $25. Reservations required: 209-522-1739.

Terese Esperas will share ideas for creating last-minute desserts for entertaining and gift giving. She will make cranberry tea cakes; shortbread with dark chocolate drizzle and dried apricots, and double chocolate cookies with candy cane crunch. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, 1900 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. $35-$45. 916-455-2667; www.sacfoodcoop.com.

This story was originally published November 22, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Food and drink events around Sacramento."