Sonoma County, CA —Wine country enthusiasts, as well as Sonoma County locals, can plan to indulge in world-class wine, food and festivities, as all tickets to Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will be on sale May 16. The event will again raise funds for a wide array of Sonoma County non-profits over Labor Day Weekend August 30 – September 1, 2013. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, the premier wine and epicurean event that showcases the birthplace of California wine, is presented by Visa Signature®.
Produced in partnership by the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and the Sonoma County Vintners, the 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend event features Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®, Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and an assortment of intimate and exclusive winery lunch and dinner parties at multiple locations throughout Sonoma County.
“We are planning a vibrant and highly-entertaining event that features a cast of hundreds of wineries, vintners, grape growers, chefs and volunteers who work hard to represent the best of our incredibly diverse and bountiful region,” said Maureen Cottingham, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Co-Director, “All Sonoma Wine Country Weekend event tickets will be on sale beginning May 16. With the popularity of our Labor Day Weekend event, we anticipate that events will sell out quickly, so we encourage visitors and locals alike to purchase early.” (Locals are Sonoma County residents that may be eligible for special pricing while supplies last).
“At Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, we are all neighbors supporting our kids and our community. It is always gratifying to see our vintners and culinary world come together, and ultimately make the most important task of the weekend, the critical fundraising supporting dozens of vital Sonoma County non-profits, a reality,” said Honore Comfort, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Co-Director.
The 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Honorary Co-Chairs are Sonoma County vintner leaders The Gallo Family as the Winery Co-Chairs and grower Phil Coturri, Enterprise Vineyards, as the Grower Co-Chair. Culinary community leader Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of the girl & the fig, is the Culinary Chair and Bruce Riezenman of Park Avenue Catering returns as the Culinary Director.
Sonoma County’s largest and most fun charitable fundraising event generates almost $2 million, supporting the local economy and non-profits each year. Proceeds from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend support Sonoma County non-profit organizations that serve youth, preserve the environment, and improve the health and welfare of local communities. To date a cumulative total of more than $11 million has been donated directly to Sonoma non-profits by the local wine community.
The Locals Discount Tickets are available while supplies last for Sonoma County residents only. Locals tickets to Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® are $85 ($165 General Public). To obtain the special “locals” pricing, residents of Sonoma County can go to www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com and use the promotion code “LOCALS” and their Sonoma County zip code at checkout. A maximum of four specially-priced tickets is allowed per address.
2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Schedule At-A-Glance
Friday, August 30
12:30 p.m. – Winemaker Lunch Series at Wineries throughout Sonoma County
6:30 p.m. – Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
6:00 p.m. – Winemaker Dinner Parties
Saturday, August 31
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®
6:00 p.m. – Winemaker Dinner Parties at Wineries throughout Sonoma County
Sunday, September 1
12:30 p.m. – Winery Barbecues at Wineries throughout Sonoma County
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean
Tickets*
Tickets On Sale: May 16, 2013 (General Public)
Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery: $95/person or $175/person Patron
Winery Barbecues: $85/person
Winemaker Lunches: $85/person; Winemaker Dinner Parties: $150/person
Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®: $165/person (General), $195/person (Grand Reserve)
Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction: $500/person
* Special Visa Signature account holder pricing and benefits available atwww.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com
For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com, call (855) 939-7666, like it on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/winecountryweekend and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SonomaWCW.
About 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature. Visa Signature, Visa’s premium credit offering, provides account holders with benefits and perks that offer special access and provide everyday value to enhance account holder experiences. In addition to points, miles, cash back or other premium rewards offered by Visa Signature partners, account holders enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and entertainment events. For more information on Visa Signature visit www.visasignature.com.
About MacMurray Ranch
Nestled in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the historic MacMurray Ranch is home to award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. MacMurray Ranch Winemaker Chris Munsell crafts a collection of elegant, expressive wines from cool-climate vineyards in California and Oregon, reflecting a passion for the special places that create extraordinary grapes. Kate MacMurray, daughter of Hollywood legend Fred MacMurray, remains deeply connected to MacMurray Ranch, carrying on the legacy of this iconic Sonoma landmark. Learn more at www.macmurrayranch.com.
About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is, “A wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.” Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, California, accessed from US HWY 101 and the INDEPENDENCE LANE exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features wine tasting, two restaurants, a swimming pool, a movie gallery, a performing arts Pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information, call (707) 857-1400, toll free (877) 590-3329 or visit www.FrancisCoppolaWinery.com.
About Chateau St. Jean
Founded in 1973 in the Sonoma Valley, Chateau St. Jean is the quintessential Sonoma winery. Chateau St. Jean produces an extensive portfolio of Sonoma County wines as well as vineyard designated wines, limited production Reserve wines, and the flagship Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, who was named “Winemaker of the Year” for 2008 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, has been with Chateau St. Jean for over 30 years. Chateau St. Jean is the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious “Wine of the Year” award from Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages, a Bordeaux style blend of “five varieties” and has long been recognized as a leader in vineyard designated wines. For more visit www.chateaustjean.com.
About 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries
A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place on Labor Day weekend each year. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s wine community supports the Sonoma County economy, regional wine marketing efforts, and invests in the future of the region by supporting worthy charities that improve quality of life at the present and for generations to come. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised over $11 million in support to local charities that support youth and children to ensure their success, preserve the environment for future generations, and improve the health and welfare of local communities. The 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature®. For a complete list of beneficiaries and sponsors, please visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 200 wineries and affiliated businesses throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.