Transformations: The Napa Valley Weight and Lifestyle Management Program: an 11-day in-depth health education program, comprising “camaraderie, healthful eating, cooking classes, exercise.” The program includes personalized medical care, health assessments and a plan to take home. Scholarships are available. Info, (800) 358-9195 or www.shhTransformations.com

Noted Italian vintner Piero Antinori purchased a 14th century monastery and vineyard not far from Florence a little more than two decades ago to celebrate his family’s 600th anniversary as Chianti wine producers, spanning 26 generations.

Napa chef and cooking teacher Julie Logue-Riordan and Barbara Hughston, author of “In the Kitchen with Kids,” are teaming up to hold special classes for children ages 9 and up.

When the Culinary Institute of America and Harvard University recently hosted a gathering of health professionals from around the country in St. Helena, the focus was on how to make healthy living — and eating — a bigger part of the American lifestyle.

When the Joseph Phelps Vineyards family is honored as chairs of Auction Napa Valley this weekend, Sonoma County should take notice of the long list of civic contributions the Phelps family has made over the years, because Sonoma County may soon become the beneficiary of the same generosity after the new Phelps winery, Freestone, is completed. 

While no one can predict another million dollar bid this year, the 45 lots at Saturday night’s Auction Napa Valley should attract generous bids from attendees at one of the world’s top charity wine events. 

The 2004 vintage produced some of the best-ever merlots in California, and Ronn Wiegand, MW and MS, will conduct a tasting and discussion of 12 of them, mostly from Napa Valley, on Tuesday at St. Supery Winery , 6:30-9 p.m.

Over the years, several winemakers, as they were about to leave on a trip to promote their wines, have remarked to me, “Making wine is easy. Selling it is the hard part.”

Making a toast to someone or on a special occasion is something we all do, probably without even thinking very much about it. We raise a glass of wine and say, “Here’s to you,” or “To your health,” or even simply, “Cheers,” and then take a sip.