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Grape camp to cooking classes: Get a grip on doin' it yourself

Get your hands dirty and your knife-skills sharpened. The vineyards and cooking schools of Wine Country offer do-it-yourself programs of wine blending and tasting, intensive (and not-so-intensive) culinary explorations and in-the-vineyard experiences that give visitors a taste of local life.

Cooking schools

Relish: Some of the most entertaining and informative tours and cooking classes (farm tours, cheesemaking workshops and hands-on dessert making) originate from the new Healdsburg kitchens of this plugged-in culinary school. Programs are aimed at enthusiasts but foodies know that top-notch local instructors know their stuff. Classes sell out quickly, so plan far in advance. 14 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.431.9999.

Culinary Institute of America, Greystone: Among the top cooking schools in the world, the CIA's St. Helena campus focuses heavily on the relationship of wine and food. Watch a demonstration Friday through Monday ($15) or explore the dream of becoming a professional chef (or sommelier) with week-long intensive career discovery programs. Enthusiast-focused Sophisticated Palate classes include private vineyard tours, hands-on cooking classes and plenty of eating and drinking. 2550 Main St., St. Helena, 707.967-1100

Casa Lana: Gourmet Retreats in Napa include staying at a quaint bed and breakfast and small gourmet cooking classes and tours with inn owner Lana Richardson. 1316 South Oak St., Calistoga, 707-942-0615

Ramekins: Top local chefs teach everything from how to create a Wine Country picnic to Mexican grilling at the Sonoma retreat. 450 West Spain Street, Sonoma, 707-933-0450x3

Wine instruction

COPIA Wine Blending Classes: The Center for Food, Wine and Art in Napa offers daily wine classes on everything from blending your own mix of grapes to wine tasting. Local and international winemakers and sommeliers host many of the programs, giving a close-up view of their processes. 500 First Street, Napa, 888 512 6742

Wine Boot Camp: Each fall during the crush, Affairs of the Vine offers a Wine Boot Camp for novices to get their hands dirty in the vineyards. The one-day training includes varietal tastings, exclusive vineyard tours and time in the cellar. 696 Elliott Ln., Sebastopol, 707.874.1975.

Chateau St. Jean's Wine Education program is one of the most comprehensive for the day-tripper. For between $10 and $35, visitors can learn about food and wine pairing, pinot noir blending and basic elements of wine tasting. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, Ravenswood Winery also offers daily wine blending classes of California "Field Blends"--zinfandel, petite sirah and carignane. Take home a bottle to impress your friends.

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