The raucous annual Carnaval is legendary as one of Austin’s best parties, so if you’d like some Brazilian food, music, and drinks to set the proper mood for all that wanton celebration, drop by Sampaio’s Restaurant & Bar (4800 Burnet Rd., 469-9988) for their pre-Carnaval party. After 5pm, Saturday, Feb. 3.
Observe the process of bottling wine at a Bottling Party at Woodrose Winery (830/644-2539; www.woodrosewinery.com) near Stonewall with owner and winemaker Mike Guilette. Reserve a one-hour shift for the bottling of Woodrose Ruby Rosé and White Merlot. Afterward, relax around fire pits on the multilevel decks, and enjoy tastes of Woodrose wines; 2-8pm, Saturday, Feb. 3, and noon-4pm, Sunday, Feb. 4.
Last year’s event was so successful it outgrew the Texas Culinary Academy campus, so the weekendlong 2007 Capital Confectioners’ Cake and Sugar Art Show has moved to the Banquet Hall at the Travis County Exposition Center (7311 Decker). The action-packed event will feature judged competitions in sugar art, cake decorating, taste of both cakes and Valentine’s sweets, as well as demonstrations by professional pastry and sugar artists and a TVFN-style on-site professional competition. Vendor booths will offer tools of the trade. The event is open to the public, and many of the offerings will be free of charge. For registration information, a full schedule, and/or directions, call All in One Bakeshop (8566 Research, 371-3401), or go to www.allinonebakeshop.com, 10am-6pm Saturday, Feb. 3; 9am-3pm, Sunday, Feb. 4.
The Way Out Wineries (www.wayoutwineries.org) invite wine lovers to take a pre-Mardi Gras Road Trip this weekend. Each of the eight wineries along the trail will offer a Cajun or Creole food item paired with a selected wine. There will be complimentary tastings, Dixieland jazz, art, costumes, and plenty of beads! Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 by calling Brennan Vineyards at 325/356-9100 from Friday, Feb. 2, through Sunday, Feb. 4.
This article appears in February 2 • 2007.