The holidays are over but that doesn’t mean that the celebrations have ended at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. On the weekend of January 15, the luxury hotel will present the Fire and Wine Experience, a weekend of fine wine and foods with three days of festivities, special classes on making wine and wine blending, and dining experiences. Read on for the official details:

The Fire and Wine Experience begins on Friday evening, January 15, with a tasting menu featuring the award-winning wines of Silver Oak presented in Navio restaurant. At the same time, a Silver Oak Private Reserve dinner will be held in the oceanfront resort’s Fireplace Room, offering an exclusive dining experience with Chef Xavier Salomon and a representative from Silver Oak Cellars. Also on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing through the evening, an outdoor hot chocolate bar and s’mores will be offered at the resort’s iconic fire pits.

On Saturday, January 16, intriguing workshops and classes will feature an introduction to making your own wine, wine blending, and the magic of s’mores. Saturday dining highlights will include a festive Flights of Champagne Lunch and a Black Truffle Wine Pairing Dinner in Navio. Hot chocolate and s’mores again will be available at the outdoor fire pits on Saturday evening, while the weekend’s events will culminate on Sunday with a gala Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch complete with double tastings from Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars.

Fire and Wine Schedule of Events

Friday, January 15, 2010

6 p.m. to 9.p.m. Tasting menu paired with Silver Oak Wines in Navio. $165 per person

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private Reserve Dinner with Silver Oak Winemaker Representative, The Fireplace Room. Limited seating, $265 per person

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Classes and workshops are complimentary and available on a first-come/first-served basis, with preferred access for guests staying at the hotel

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Introduction to Making Your Own Wine, El Granada Room

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wine Blending Workshop, Observatory

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Introduction to Making Your Own Wine, El Granada Room

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. S’Mores Workshop

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wine Blending Workshop, Observatory

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Flights of Champagne Lunch. Savor three spectacular champagne flights with three food flights during this Navio lunch experience. $125 per person

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Black Truffle Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings, Navio. $150 per person

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits

Sunday, January 17, 2010

11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch, the Miramar Room. Experience the best brunch in the San Francisco Bay Area and receive a tasting of two wines each from four Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Featured wineries include Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars. $110 per person ($88 without wines).

Festival dining may be pre-reserved on an la carte basis at (650) 712-7040. For room reservations, please call (800) 241-3333, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.