Food writer Maryana Vollstedt, author of the “Big Books” series of cookbooks, will sign copies of her latest book, “The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food – and Lots of It – for Parties, Gatherings and All Occasions,” from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at J. Matheson, 2615 Colby Ave., Everett; 425-258-2287.

Shop owner Judy Matheson will make several dishes featured in the book and serve samples during the two-hour event.

Vollstedt, who lives in Eugene, Ore., has written more than a dozen cookbooks, including “The Big Book of Breakfast” and “What’s For Dinner?” which will be available for $12.95.

Winery tour: The winemakers of the North Olympic Peninsula, Bainbridge and Whidbey Islands will open their tasting rooms for the Passport to Autumn winery tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8, 9 and 10.

The nine wineries that call this area home will have a large selection of wines available for tasting. Many will also have special pairings with local foods such as cheeses, breads, jams and mustards.

Participating wineries are Camaraderie Cellars, Black Diamond Winery and Olympic Cellars in Port Angeles; Lost Mountain Winery in Sequim; FairWinds Winery and Sorensen Cellars in Port Townsend; Whidbey Island Winery, Greenbank Cellars and the wine specialty store at Whidbey Island Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island; and Bainbridge Island Vineyards &Winery on Bainbridge Island.

Tickets are $15, available at any of the wineries. You’ll receive a Label Collection Passport and a special commemorative wine glass that entitles you to have your tasting fees waived at all the wineries.

Olympic Cellars will host an artisan cheese seminar at 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Bonnie Smith, an expert on handcrafted artisan cheeses, will conduct the seminar, with each session limited to 20 people. The cost is $5 and a variety of cheeses will be paired with wines.

For a map, directions and other information, visit www.wineryloop.org or call 360-379-3378 for more information.

Local cooks on TV: Two local home cooks, Joy Bolger of Mukilteo and Grace Tarasoff of Coupeville, will be among the featured guests at 11 a.m. Nov. 1 on “KCTS Cooks.”

This four-hour segment of “KCTS Cooks” features comfort food recipes. Bolger will prepare her baked potato side dish with flank steak and chipotle butter. Tarasoff will make peanut butter cookies, a prize-winner at the Island County Fair.

The show will repeat at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2.

Herald staff