Through March 31: The 14th Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival wraps up this month. Highlights include the Mustard Competition Awards Ceremony (March 16; 7–10 PM; COPIA, 500 First St., Napa; tickets are $100 in advance, $150 at the door) and the Marketplace showcasing mustards and an array of gourmet foods, wines and craft brews (March 17 and 18; 11 AM–5 PM; COPIA, 500 First St., Napa; tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door). It all culminates with the Mumm Napa Photo Finish (March 31; 7–10:30 PM; Mumm Napa, 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford; tickets are $90 in advance, $125 at the door) featuring live music and a photography contest, along with hors d'oeuvres, desserts and, of course, wine. For more information on the festival, call 707-944-1133 or visit www.mustardfestival.org.
March 8: A 16 celebrates International Women's Day Italian-style with a benefit called "Festa Della Donna." Wine director Shelley Lindgren will pour wines from her favorite women winemakers to accompany the regular restaurant menu, and the dining room will be decorated with yellow mimosa flowers as is the custom throughout Italy. Proceeds from the evening will go to La Cocina, a nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income women develop food-service businesses. For reservations, call 415-771-2216.
March 17: St. Patrick's Day options include a special three-course prix fixe menu at O'Reilly's Holy Grail offering a choice of updated Irish classics (menu served from 11 AM–11 PM; free traditional live music from 3 PM on; $50 per person; 415-928-1233). Over in Yountville at Hurley's, Irish-American Bob Hurley celebrates his heritage with à la carte specials like steamed mussels in ale Wexford-style and Irish cioppino, all of which can be paired with Guinness draughts and a selection of Irish whiskey (11:30 AM–10 PM; 707-944-2345).
March 17 & 18: A barbecue and live auction event will kick off the 10th Annual Rhône Rangers Wine Tasting on March 17th ($75 per person; $140 per couple; San Francisco Film Centre in the Presidio). The following day at the Grand Tasting, more than 120 wineries will offer pours paired with artisanal breads, cheese and other food from Bay Area purveyors, all at the Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion (1:30–4:30 PM; tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door for tasting only, and $75 in advance for tasting and seminar packages). Tickets for both events are available at www.rhonerangers.org.
March 17 & 18: Sonoma Valley hosts its 17th Annual Heart of the Valley Barrel Tasting Tour in which 19 of the region's wineries will offer tastings of new releases, savories prepared by local chefs and live music; a portion of the proceeds benefits local charities (11 AM–4 PM; tickets are $55 per person and $20 for designated drivers; for tickets, call 866-794-WINE or visit www.heartofthevalley.com).
March 22: Half Moon Bay's Cetrella is serving a four-course crab tasting menu (ranging from lump crab to peeky toe), paired with Rieslings from Dr. Loosen First Class Vineyards ($95 per person; 650-726-4090).