EXPERIENCE FALL HARVEST IN SONOMA COUNTY BEYOND THE GRAPE

~California Wine Country Offers New Tasting Rooms, Restaurants, Farm Trails and More~

SANTA ROSA, CA., September 1, 2009 – Travelers looking for new ways to enjoy this year’s harvest in Sonoma County (www.sonomacounty.com) will find a bevy of developments including new tasting rooms, farm trails and restaurants as well as private wine African safaris.  Situated 30 miles north of San Francisco and conveniently serviced by Santa Rosa airport, Sonoma County is an accessible escape that encourages fall visitors to enjoy its geographic diversity and indigenous bounty.  New finds include:

Fall Forage Farm Trails Weekend
Sonoma County Weekend Along the Farm Trails, from September 25-27, includes a kick-off event with artisanal farmers and Simi chefs offering tastes of Sonoma County paired with Simi wines, a Forage Workshop and lunch with hands-on cooking demonstrations and the Fall Forage Feast with regional tasting menu and paired wines.  Proceeds from all events benefit Sonoma County Farm Trails. For information visit www.farmtrails.org.

New Fall Wine Safari at Safari West
The new 2009 Fall Wine Safari package, available from September through November, offers an exclusive, post-winery adventure. Guests can bring purchases from local wineries to enjoy during a unique afternoon escape on a private safari for up to 10 people. A private, three-hour adventure begins at $650. For more information call (707) 566-3620 or visit www.safariwest.com.

El Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival
The city of Petaluma will come alive from October 17 to November 2, 2009 with an entire range of events, including the traditional ofrendas (altars) in many locations, bilingual story telling, instruction in traditional sugar skull-making, fine arts exhibits, film, poetry and music celebrations.  For more information visit www.petalumaartscouncil.org.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair

A celebration of harvest featuring three full days of wine tasting with 150+ wineries, wine sales, chef demonstrations, microbrew tasting (Saturday only), farm and harvest agricultural activities for children and adults, the World Championship Grape Stomp, continuous live jazz, an art show, crafters pavilion, farm animals to meet, and much more from October 2-4, 2009.  For more information visit www.harvestfair.org. 

First Annual ZinTopia

Visitors are invited to discover small production, sought-after wines at this Plein Air extravaganza. Participants at the September 19 event will taste more than 50 dramatic wines from Dry Creek Valley, taste signature Zinfandels, uncommon red and white varietals and crisp Sauvignon Blanc complemented by distinctive culinary creations from Park Avenue Catering and live blues music by Soul Shine Blues. Meet the owners and winemakers from more than 30 of Dry Creek Valley's multi-generational, boutique, family-owned wineries.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.wdcv.com.

Wine Country's First Bacon of the Month Club
Zazu restaurant’s John Stewart and Duskie Estes have introduced Sonoma County's first-ever Bacon of the Month club.  For $110 a year plus shipping, participants will receive a package of Black Pig bacon each month.  For more information call (707) 523-4814 or visit www.zazurestaurant.com. 

Private Tasting at Valley of the Moon Winery

Valley of the Moon winery introduces the Valley of the Moon Epicurean Experience, a new food and wine pairing featuring characteristic regional varietals paired with contemporary cuisine. The pairing is $25 a person and offered Friday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. For more information call (707) 939-4510 or visit www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com.

Merriam Vineyards Opens New Tasting Room
Merriam Vineyards debuts a new winery and tasting room on the edge of the Russian River Valley with easy access from Highway 101.  The Merriam Vineyards tasting room in Healdsburg offers a new perspective on Russian River Valley winegrowing in the warmth of a New England-inspired space.  For more information call (707) 433-4032 or visit www.merriamvineyards.com.

Guerneville’s New boon eat + drink
boon hotel + spa's commitment to sustainability now includes a restaurant and bar with a menu built around local farmers and vendors, a wine list featuring only Russian River wines and beers from regional microbreweries. For more information call (707) 869-0780 or visit www.boonhotels.com.

Benziger Family Winery Launches Biodynamic Discovery Trail
The first-ever educational trail in North America devoted to biodynamics, the Biodynamic Discovery Trail on Benziger’s Glen Ellen estate illustrates how the regenerative farming method leads to healthier vines.  The self-guided trail takes visitors from the early history of biodynamics to its current application in the surrounding vineyards.  For more information call (707) 935-3000 or visit www.benziger.com.

~ Sonoma W
[Back to Press Releases Main]