Looking for a fun way to nosh your way through Sonoma County wine country?

     Consider a long weekend - March 19-21, to be specific - when two big events are planned.

     The first, known as "Pigs & Pinot," gives Charlie Palmer a chance to get his swine on and to team up with four partners in pork:

     * Tyler Florence of the Food Network

     * Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill

     * Roland Passot of La Folie, Left Bank and LBSteak

     * Bryan Voltaggio of Volt

     Friday's festivities feature the Taste of Pigs & Pinot, enabling guests to sip 50 acclaimed bottlings of Pinot Noir while sampling a variety of pork dishes: homemade sausages, grilled pork, pates, charcuterie, etc.

     Two  "Swine & Wine" seminars are slated for Saturday, and that evening, a five-course dinner will be served at the Hotel Healdsburg's Dry Creek Kitchen. Limited-production Pinot Noir bottlings from Kostas Browne, Papapietro Perry, Paul Hobbs and Soter Vineyards will be served.

     For further information and event pricing, go to pigsandpinot.com and charliepalmer.com.

     That same weekend - on Saturday and Sunday - the 20th annual Savor Sonoma Valley will take place.

     From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, participants will have access to 22 wineries  around the valley. Activities vary from estate to estate, and will include sampling of current releases, barrel tasting of 2009 vintage wines, and food sampling courtesy of local chefs and restaurants.

     A weekend pass costs $55 and includes a souvenir glass.

     For a list of participating wineries and ticket ordering info, visit heartofsonomavalley.com, or call 866-794-9463.

     If you plan to attend both Pigs & Pinot and Savor Sonoma Valley, we'd suggest scheduling a nice, long nap following Sunday's activities.