Sonoma County

Sonoma CountyOne of the best places to be this Labor Day weekend is Sonoma. The beautiful, coastal wine region is hosting its annual wine country weekend which kicks off today.

Those that have enjoyed past events, basking under the sun, taking in the food, the wine, and the music, will know it’s one of wine country’s most memorable outings.

The three day event (Fri 9/2 through Sun 9/4) features winemaker lunches and dinners, a huge wine tasting at the expansive MacMurray Ranch in Healdsburg (be sure to take in those spectacular, sweeping views of the Russian River Valley!), and the 19th annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction.

Winemaker lunches ($85) and dinners ($160)  are one of the best ways to get to know a winemaker (see: Sonoma Winemaker’s Lunch at Petroni Vineyards with Lorenzo Petroni), and to enjoy an in-depth discussion of style, approaches, and trends in the region. Many are sold out, however, there are some still available (check their schedule here for more information).

A “grown-up” tailgate party featuring classic and vintage winery trucks will be the first stop for auction-goers at the nineteenth annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction on Sunday, September 4, 2011. With a theme of “Sonoma Homecoming – Vintage 2011” characters such as cheerleaders, athletes, marching band members and homecoming queens are sure to rally spirits at the auction which will be the culminating event.

This year the “Fund-A-Need” Auction will benefit Redwood Empire Food Bank and Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation.

Hope to see you there!

Sonoma Wine Country WeekendSonoma Wine Country Weekend

Labor Day Weekend

September 2 – 4, 2011

sonomawinecountryweekend.com

Monica Turner
Contributor to Stark Insider for tech, the arts and All Things West Coast for over 10 years.