MARCH 2-4
CINCINNATI
Bockfest 2012: This celebration of the brewing heritage of the city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood gets off to a rousing start on Friday night when a keg-pulling goat leads a parade from the city’s oldest saloon to Bockfest Hall, the epicenter of the weekend’s activities. In the 1890s, the neighborhood was home to more than a dozen breweries and 300 saloons. You can dig into that history on a “Prohibition Resistance’’ walking tour or simply join other partygoers in welcoming spring with live music, traditional German dance, food, a home-brewing competition, and a gender-neutral sausage queen contest. Bockfest Hall, 1619 Moore St., and other locations, free admission to Bockfest Hall, food and drink for sale (cash only), tours $30. 513-604-9812, www.bockfest.com
MARCH 8-10
PARK CITY, Utah
Red White & Snow: This fund-raising event for the National Ability Center features three days of skiing, wine tasting, and dining. But be sure to pack some fancier clothes for the private tasting with winemakers, vintner dinners in private homes, and the grand finale dinner and auction. Tickets $100-$350, some advance discounts available. 435-200-0985, www.redwhiteandsnow.org
MARCH 15-18
CANCUN, Mexico
Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival: This brand new festival plans to alternate each year between Cancun and the Riviera Maya. This year’s inaugural festivities will take place in Cancun, with one dinner honoring Spanish star chef Ferran Adrià and another paying tribute to Mexican gastronomy. Other events include a catamaran cruise and private beach club dinner with a master mixologist, cooking demonstrations, and opportunities to taste tequilas and also wines from Spain, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. The activities wind down with a Latin grill party and tango under the stars. Tickets $50-$350. 855-768-0802, www.crmfest.com
PLAN AHEAD
APRIL 12-15
SARASOTA, Fla.
Florida Winefest & Auction: What do you do when your gala event falls on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic? Winefest organizers opted to recreate the lavish menu served that night. Tickets are limited, so you will have to act quickly if you want to attend this dinner being held in a private home. Otherwise, you can dine with winemakers, feast on the beach, or sip wine and ogle sports cars. Tickets $20-$250. 941-952-1109, www.floridawinefest.com
