Late summer in Sonoma County brings BBQ cook-offs

Late summer in Sonoma County will feature such events as a barbecue cook-off, wine tastings and cooking courses.

MONTE RIO

BBQ bash and cook-off at Monte Rio Theater

The Monte Rio Theater will host its inaugural barbecue cook-off and community festival from 3:30-8 p.m. July 27. The event will include the cook-off, barbecued food, and free live bands and lawn games. Cooks entering the barbecue competition can arrive as early as needed. Awards for cook-off winners include a canoe trip and a VIP movie night for four, plus trophy and cash prizes. Contact Milli Cannata at 707-477-7839 for more information or to sign up for the competition. Entry in the competition is $25. Tickets for the barbecue cook-off tasting is $25 per person or $40 for two people. Some of the proceeds from the event will go toward licensing and startup costs for a new hot dog cart for the local youth co-op SLYC Kidz. Tickets are available at bit.ly/4bEC9O0. 20396 Bohemian Highway.

HEALDSBURG

Backyard Night summer series at Medlock Ames

For the first event in its Backyard Night summer series, held on the last Sunday of the month through September, Medlock Ames will host an evening of live music accompanied by bites from a local food truck and estate wine. The first event in the series will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. July 28 at the winery’s historic Healdsburg tasting room. Lila's Streetside Eats food truck will be on site offering eclectic pub grub. Tickets include a glass of wine, and wines by the bottle or glass will be available for purchase. General admission tickets, per person, are $15 online, $20 at the door and $10 for Bell Mountain Preservation Society members. Seating is first come, first served. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3W0pH5J. 3487 Alexander Valley Road.

SONOMA

Wine Down Wednesday at The Lodge resort

In collaboration with Cline Cellars, The Lodge at Sonoma will host a free, five-part varietal tasting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. July 31 at the resort’s iconic Stone Building. Guests will enjoy tastings of Cline Cellars wines paired with light bites and have the opportunity to enter a raffle drawing for a chance to win a complimentary stay at Catbird Hotel, a modern resort in Denver. Admission is free and reservations are available at bit.ly/4d0tOpj. 1325 Broadway.

HEALDSBURG

Sparkling Italian drinks at Idlewild Sunday school

Channel you inner Wonka with Idlewild Wines’ “Italian Fizzy Lifting Drinks” course, part of the winery’s Sunday School, a monthly Italian wine education series. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 4 at Idlewild’s Healdsburg estate. During the two-hour course, guests will learn about the flavor profiles, technical terms and various production methods of Italian sparkling wines. Guests will also tour some renowned regions and grape varieties for Italian bubbles. Tickets are $50 per person and $30 for wine club members. Tickets are available at bit.ly/4eVUauj. 132 Plaza St.

PETALUMA

Steam bun class at Central Milling

Chef and cooking instructor David Groff and James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Nicole Plue will guide a hands-on steam bun workshop at Central Milling's Artisan Baking Center, inside Keith Giusto Bakery Supply, in Petaluma this August. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 9. Plue will lead the class through the dough-making process as participants mix, shape and steam the buns to a fluffy finish. Groff will instruct guests on how to prepare fillings, such as pork belly, fried chicken and a vegetarian option, as well as garnishes, including cabbage slaw, kimchi cucumbers and a hoisin sauce made from scratch. Lunch will be provided midway through the class and a coffee station will be available. Tickets are $200 per person and available at bit.ly/3Lj3vP1. 1120 Holm Road.

FORESTVILLE

Trombetta Wines pizza-making workshop

Trombetta Family Wines will host its second annual pizza-making workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 at its lush Forestville estate. The hands-on event will include learning how to make fermented dough, prepping toppings of choice and baking your own pizza in a wood-burning oven. Afterward, guests will enjoy a sit-down lunch of handmade pizza and sides made from fresh produce from the estate garden. Trombetta wine will also be included in the lunch. General admission is $100 per person and $75 for La Famiglia Wine Club members. Tickets available at bit.ly/3S1aj7G. 129 Nolan Court.