April is a hopeful time of year in Wine Country. Days get longer. Nights are warmer. Vines birth buds. Life abounds. Spring is also the season around the Bay Area when events and activities begin to pick up, and Healdsburg is no exception. Several happenings around town over the weeks ahead have captured our attention. Here, in no particular order, are a few.

Sonoma Epicurean is happening now! This signature series of events featuring curated, hands-on experiences with Michelin-Star and award-winning chefs, local artisans, and world-class vintners is focused on lifestyle, wellness, and sustainability. Proceeds from the event will fund cancer research and related programs to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Montage Healdsburg is the home of this amazing three-day event, a transformative hideaway that reflects the natural serenity of Sonoma Wine Country and offers artisan experiences inspired by the land. Tickets are still available here.

The newest tasting room on the plaza is from Aeris Wines, a label from the team behind Rhys Vineyards. Aeris specializes in grapes never grown before in California—specifically varieties including Carricante, Nebbiolo, and Nerello Mascalese. Aeris grows these grapes in Italy (on Sicily, to be exact), and in vineyards here in Sonoma County. The resulting wines are exquisite, and unlike anything else available in this part of the world right now. The tasting room opened in February next to Asahi Sushi & Kitchen.

Tickets are on sale now for the first-ever gala to support Common Ground Society, a local nonprofit that serves special needs families across Sonoma County and beyond. The event will be held April 30 at the Vintners Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa. Common Ground an organization started by two mothers, now comprises more than 500 members with children who have been diagnosed with everything from Down Syndrome and autism to Cornelia de Lange and Fragile X syndromes.