Sequim Gazette staff

Wondering where your next fix of chocolate salami and merlot is coming from?

Wonder no more.

Eight Olympic Peninsula wineries are taking “the quintessential pairing of red wine and chocolate” to new heights this year, featuring a host of never-imagined sweet and savory combinations during the annual Red Wine & Chocolate Tour, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 12-13 and Feb. 19-21.

Chocolate-dipped potato chips with a red wine reduction sauce and a caramel-and-sea-salt-drizzled chocolate cake coupled with a Bolero blend are just two of the unique pairings that will be available for sampling. Guests also can indulge in returning favorites such as the tallest chocolate fountain in Washington.

Live music and the chance for guests to burn their signature on a most unusual “guest book” — a wine barrel — will add to the fun of two sweet weekends.

“Nothing is more delicious than a good red wine and the right chocolate shared amid the beauty of the North Olympic Peninsula,” said Olympic Peninsula Wineries association president Vicki Corson. “We decided to shake things up a bit this year with some new combinations that our guests may not have experienced — or even thought about — and we believe they will be pleasantly surprised.

“Participants who visit all eight of our wineries will be entered into a drawing for an elegant wine-themed gift basket.”

Reserved tickets for the self-guided tour are available online for $25 and entitle the holder to a commemorative wine glass and free wine tasting. Those who don’t purchase tour tickets can pay a $5 tasting fee at each winery.

Visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org or call 800-785-5495 for more information.