Ladera Vineyards holds its second “Egg-cellent Adventure” atop Howell Mountain on March 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children are invited to search the winery grounds for candy but there's a special twist to this hunt: They may find a few treats for the adults in their lives, but these secret surprises will be revealed the day of the “Egg-cellent Adventure.”

Meanwhile adults can relax and taste Ladera’s cabs  along with the 2007 Howell Mountain sauvignon blanc.  

After the hunt, Ladera owners Pat and Anne Stotesbery host a casual barbecue lunch. The cost is $25 for wine club members and $50 for non-wine club. Children under 12 years old are free of charge. Reservations are required, and space is limited. Contact Angie Smith at (707) 965-2445 or winery@laderavineyards.com.

 Ladera Vineyards is at 150 White Cottage Road South, in Angwin. For additional information, visit www.lader avineyards.com

Christian Moueix, who heads the world renowned Chateau Petrus in Bordeaux and is the founder of Dominus in Napa Valley, has been named Man of the Year by Decanter Magazine. Among other vintners so honored in the past is Robert Mondavi.

David Tate has been named winemaker at Barnett Vineyards in St. Helena. The announcement coincides with the release of his first wines from Spring Mountain.

Tate began his career in the Barossa Valley in Australia where he worked for J&J Hahn as well as in the vineyards for Rockford’s and St. Hallet’s. He went next to Provence where he was assistant to the winemaker at Domaine Richeaume.

Most recently Tate was assistant winemaker for five years at the Montebello Estate Ridge Vineyards.

Since Barnett Vineyards’ first 100 cases in 1989, the winery has grown to approximately 7,000 cases in total annual production. Rattlesnake Hill and Spring Mountain District cabernet sauvignon and merlot are the focus at the estate with total cabernet production varying between 2,500 and 3,000 cases annually. Barnett also produces limited amounts of pinot noir and chardonnay from single vineyards.

The photography of Eric Zachary Ryder will be on display at Stave Wine Lounge beginning March 22 when an artists reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ryder specializes in “limited light spectrum” imagery, with color from what’s known as “false color” available in the near infrared light spectrum, producing a dreamscape-like quality.

Stave is at 1149 First St. at Coombs.

The third annual agricultural fair, “A Day at the Farm,” is March 18 at the Napa Valley Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event, which celebrates Agricultural Week, is aimed at children, but the public is invited to attend. Among the features will be the opportunity to take photos with Clo the Cow, from Clover Stornetta Farms, and Sharpie, the giant Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter.

Clark-Claudon Vineyards announces its Second Annual Wildflowers & Wine Charity Ride April 12 starting at 9 a.m. at the Clark-Claudon Ranch. All riding abilities are invited; there ae three levels of routes. Cycling snacks will be provided by Cliff Bar Family.  Funds raised support the Nicaraguan Education Project aimed at making lasting changes in the lives of children in Nicaragua. For more information, call 965-9393 or visit www.clarkclaudon.com.

The first Direct to Consumer Symposium will be held May 1-2 at the Meritage Resort in Napa, with a keynote address by Kenneth Starr, who has played a major role in direct shipping court actions.

The symposium, presented by the Coalition for Free Trade and Free the Grapes, will include both analyses of problems and solutions. Included are topics on increasing traffic in tasting rooms, insights into the state’s view of direct shipping, telemarketing, increasing the size of a wine club and an update on the status of direct shipping in various states.

For information, go to www.coalitionforfreetrade.org or www.freethegrapes.org.

 Michael Updegraff has joined the Lail Vineyards’ team where he will oversee the company’s planning and operations. With nearly 30 years of wine business experience, Updegraff has served as managing director at Swanson Vineyards, vice president and general manager at Cliff Lede Vineyards and general manager at Turnbull Wine Cellars. His management consulting and marketing strategy firm is  Updegraff Marketing and his clients have also included Hartwell Vineyards, Grgich Hills Estate and Signorello Vineyards.