Three Whidbey Island wine destinations will be on the Red Wine and Chocolate tour next weekend, joining six other Puget Sound wineries in the annual Winery Loop event.

The three-day celebration extends the cherished combination of elegant chocolate and deep red Cabernets, Pinot Noir, Syrahs and other red wines

The tour will include a heart-shaped entry button and a special commemorative “Red Wine and Chocolate” tasting glass to use for the weekend. Tourgoers will also receive a map with driving directions, and a card to have stamped at each winery that entitles them to have the regular tasting fees waived during this event. They may visit as many or as few wineries as they wish on this self-guided tour. Visitors who do not wish to purchase a ticket will also be welcomed during the weekend and will just need to pay each participating winery’s normal tasting fees when they visit.

• At GREENBANK CELLARS on Day Road in Greenbank, Frank Rayle will release a 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon during the Winery Loop tour, serving from the antique back bar in the renovated turn-of-the-century, monitor-style barn. The winery also has a 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 and a light 1998 Cabernet Franc.

  During the Red Wine and Chocolate event, music will be heard from a 19th century music box. Visitors can also see works by artist Betty Rayle in the Greenbank Gallery.

  More about Greenbank Cellars is at www.whidbey.com/wine.

• WHIDBEY ISLAND VINEYARDS & WINERY in Langley will pour its new release of the limited bottling of a 2001 Cabernet Franc, as well as current releases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lemberger and Syrah. Complementing the red wines will be Syrah Chocolate Truffles and Siegerrebe White Chocolate Truffles, made especially for the winery tour weekend by Coyote Kitchen.
  The Whidbey Island winery began in 1986 and is owned and operated by Gregory and Elizabeth Osenbach, who handcraft small lots of wine using traditional European methods. Much of the winery’s production is sold at the winery. Visitors can also stroll the winery grounds, and learn more about the winery’s grape growing and winemaking.

  The Whidbey Island Winery web site is at www.whidbeyislandwinery.com.

• THE GREENBANK FARM WINE SHOP will have tastes of wines from all over the Northwest during the Winery Loop tour, including its signature Loganberry Wine. The Whidbey Pies cafe will be open, and a Sweetheart Gift Market will be held inside the historic 1904 barn and loft, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16. Items from local vendors will include produce, paintings, pottery, photography, fudge, fountains, jams, jellies, spices, soaps, plants, woodcrafts, garden art, hats and jewelry.

  Visit the Greenbank Farm Web site, www.greenbankfarm.com, for more details on the farm and its environs.