January 22nd-31st, 2010

At this time of year, it’s not just the smell of baking cookies, or smoke from chimneys that fills the air.  Approaching the local grocery store in Fort Bragg, you catch the unmistakable scent of one thing – crab. Crabbing season has begun and it’s time to celebrate.

Mendocino County’s annual Crab & Wine Days has been rated one of America’s Top Seafood and Wine Festivals by Coastal Living Magazine. The county-wide festival includes over 90 different events allowing participants to cook, eat, or even hunt for delicious dungeness crab in a variety of settings. Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor is the heart of the fishing industry on the Mendocino coast; what better place to start?

See below for all Fort Bragg events.

As you make your way to the coast, be sure bring your Crab & Wine Days Passport, and don’t forget about the other half of the festival: the wine, another signature of Mendocino. Print it out before you hit the road, and then you can stop participating wineries and get your Passport stamped for a chance to win great prizes.

CRAB & WINE DAYS IN FORT BRAGG

Cioppino Dinner
A Benefit for Mendocino Coast Clinics

Friday, January 22, Three seatings: 4:30, 6:00 & 8:00pm

Feast on steaming bowls of Cioppino brimming with Dungeness crab and local seafood! This family-style dinner includes salad, fresh-baked bread, dessert & locally roasted Thanksgiving Coffee. Bibs & napkins are plentiful! Mendocino County wines & beer from the North Coast Brewing Company will be served. Silent auction & raffle prizes. Support MCC’s mission to provide quality health care to all coastal residents. $35/adult; $15/kids under 12.

Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

Historic Pentecost Hall
822 Stewart Street, Fort Bragg
(707) 961-3463

Skunk Train

Departing at 10am on Saturday, January 24 and 31, 2010.

In celebration of Crab & Wine Days the historic Skunk Train is once again offering the Crab & Wine Train.
You are invited to climb aboard the Skunk Train for a delightful day. As your train snakes deep into the heart of Mendocino County, traveling along the forest floor you will be treated to local Mendocino County wines and tasty food featuring crab.

For more information on the Skunk Train or the Crab & Wine Train, please call 866-45-SKUNK (457-5865) or visit www.SkunkTrain.com

11th Annual Crab Cake Cook-off & Wine Tasting Competition!
A Benefit for Mendocino Coast Clinics

Saturday January 23, Noon-3pm

We’re back in the Tent! Mendocino chefs prepare sizzling crab cakes to taste with wines selected by Mendocino vintners. Food & Wine writers choose the best – while you vote for your favorite for the coveted People’s Choice Award. Silent auction and Raffle prizes. Join us for fabulous food & drink in a gorgeous setting – and help us fund the Gap of uncompensated health care for all coastal residents.

This year’s judges:
Katie Arnold-Ratliff – O, The Oprah Magazine
Grisel Diaz Ors – Skylights Magazine for Spirit Airlines
Mary Orlin – In Wine Country
Paige Porter Fischer – Better Homes & Gardens
Julia Rutland – Coastal Living Magazine
Olivia Wu – Executive Chef, Google

Look for the Big White Tent on the corner of Spruce & Main, Fort Bragg.

Tickets $75/person. Click here to purchase in advance. (707)961-3463

Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation & FB Rotary Annual Crab Feed
Proceeds to benefit the FBHS Timberwolf stadium & Fort Bragg Rotary Projects.

Saturday January 23, 2-7 pm

Tickets available at Harvest Market or the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce.
$40/person; children under 10 free with adult.
Fort Bragg Firehouse (707)964-3749

Mendo Bistro: Crab Cooking Master Class

Sunday January 24, 1:00 pm

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join Mendo Bistro Chef/Owner Nicholas Petti in his special crab cooking Master class.

$35/person, $65/couple.
Upstairs at the Company Store – 301 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg (707)964-4974

*Mendo Bistro: 11th Anniversary Celebration*

Come celebrate our 11th Anniversary. There will be door prizes & fun for all. At Mendo Bistro, Fort Bragg

Beachcomber Motel: Sunset Soup Supper on the Beach

Joins us for a Sunset Soup Supper prepared by Assaggiare Mendocino featuring Crabulous Cioppino, Chowder, Hot Garlic bread and local wines on Beachcomber’s Captain’s Deck.

1111 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg. (800)400-SURF

Rendezvous Restaurant & Greenwood Ridge Winemaker’s Dinner

Friday January 29, 7:00 pm

Join Chef Kim Badenhop & Winemaker Allan Green for a feast featuring crab, Riesling and much more. Kim will create a series of innovative courses which will provide sublime matches for Allan’s wines, both red & white plus surprises too fabulous to mention in print!

View our 2010 crab tasting menu here.

647 North Main Street, Fort Bragg (707)964-8142

Pacific Star Winery Annual Crab & Wine Gala *Pre-festival Event*

Saturday January 16, Noon-5pm

Featuring local Dungeness crab with a variety of side dishes paired with Pacific Star wines. The event is held at our ocean-side winery 12 miles north of Fort Bragg.
Pacific Star wine club members $60, Guests $70.

33000 N. Highway 1, Fort Bragg. (707)962-9463. Pacific Star Winery

*Ongoing Menus throughout the Festival*

Cliff House Restaurant & Cliff House Hotel

Featuring our 2009 First Place People’s Choice Crab Cakes, along with fresh whole crab and our famous cioppino.
Doors open at 4pm daily and prices range from $15.99 to $32.99. Make your dinner reservations early for ocean view seating.

Just south of the Noyo Bridge at 1011 S. Main Street, Fort Bragg (707)961-0255. Cliff House Restaurant

Mendo Bistro

Every night of the festival we’re offering the The Crab Cake King’s Crabby Feast, a 2 or 3 course crab-themed dinner. Two courses for $32 or three for $44. Wine pairings available for an additional $16.

Upstairs at the Company Store – 301 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg (707)964-4974

For More on the Crab & Wine Festival: Crabbing Adventures, Classes & Lodging Specials… Click Here