FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2008 6:00 P.M.
Winemaker Dinners are held both Friday and Saturday evening and are $160 per person.
View Friday Winemaker Dinner locations and desciptions
View Staurday Winemaker Dinner locations and desciptions
Winemaker Lunches and Dinners fill up quickly, so purchase your tickets today!
If you are a Visa Signature cardholder and the dinner of your choice is noted as SOLD OUT, please call 800.939.7666 to determine availability.
Blackstone Winery
6:00 p.m.
39 guests - (6 seats remaining)
Sonoma’s Blackstone Winery is known for its laid-back, fruit forward flavor bombs and its ultra-friendly atmosphere. Join Winemaker Gary Sitton on his home turf as he takes you through a very special barrel sampling before enjoying a dinner prepared by Feast catering, a local company that emphasizes Old World sensibility and global creativity. Blackstone invites you to kick off the 60s-themed 16th Annual Harvest Wine Auction a day early by putting on your tie-dye and love beads for this psychedelic trip through Sonoma County.
Chateau Felice Winery
6:00 p.m.
16 guests - SOLD OUT
Come to Chateau Felice for four courses of felicity while dining with Proprietors Barry Phyllis and Samantha Rogers at their harvest table overlooking rolling vineyards and the lower lake. Chef Munther Massarweh of Wild Fox Restaurant in Marin creates an “American Celebration” menu of comfort foods to pair with the European-influenced wines of Chateau Felice, and offers an enlightening cooking demonstration prior to the dessert course. Winemaker Tami Collins provides a delicious presentation of her wines for a lovely evening lingering over world class wine and food.
Garden Creek Ranch Vineyards Winery
6:00 p.m.
6 guests - SOLD OUT
Bask in the beauty of the olive grove at Garden Creek Ranch Vineyards Winery while sharing sips and stories with the Warnelius-Miller family, founders of this Alexander Valley gem. Chef Kevin McKenzie, known for orchestrating elite events such as the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball, creates delicious fare in the tradition of the California Cuisine movement to pair with the coveted wines of Garden Creek.
Hanzell Vineyards
6:00 p.m.
16 guests - SOLD OUT
Named by the New York Times as “one of the most influential producers in California’s winemaking history,” Hanzell Vineyards offers a rare glimpse into Sonoma’s heritage of world-class winemaking. Join President Jean Arnold Sessions, Winemaker Michael Terrien and Chef Carlo Cavallo of Sonoma Meritage for an evening that melds history, fine dining and benchmark wines for an event that celebrates the very finest Sonoma wine country has to offer.
Paul Hobbs Winery
6:00 p.m.
20 guests - SOLD OUT
Join pioneer, trendsetter, trailblazer and prospector Paul Hobbs for what promises to be an entertaining dinner at his winery’s Lindsay House private guest venue. After becoming one of the first California winemakers to focus on single vineyard wines, Paul further challenged himself to craft unfiltered, unfined wines fermented with their native yeasts. His wines are distinctly California, and they shine when paired with the culinary treasures created by Exective Chef, Duskie Estes of Sonoma County's Zazu Restaurant and Farm. It's a lovely evening in Sebastopol enjoying exciting wines, wonderful food and live entertainment.
Rodney Strong Vineyards & Riedel Crystal
5:00 p.m.
50 guests - SOLD OUT
$200 per person
An evening with Georg Riedel and Rodney Strong Vineyards Austria's Riedel Crystal stemware is the choice of vintners the world over to showcase their wine's fullest potential. Join Georg Riedel at the private Alexander Valley home of Rodney Strong Owner Tom Klein, will educate, entertain and elevate your tasting experience with a sensory glass seminar featuring Rodney Strong wines in Riedel's varietal-specific stemware series, Vitis.
Then, join Klein in raising a glass to Riedel at a meal prepared by Chef Josh Silver of Syrah Bistro and Chef Jeff Mall of Zin Restaurant and Wine Bar whose combined talents will create a five-course menu perfectly paired with the world class wines of Rodney Strong. Klein's home is a contemporary masterpiece with 270 degree views of the Alexander Valley - a stunning backdrop for an evening of fine crystal, impeccable wines and savory food.
And Riedel Crystal ensures you leave with a suitable memento by giving each guest a complimentary Riedel Vitis Tasting Set worth over $170.00.
Please note this dinner begins at 5:00 p.m.
Honorary Chair Winemaker Dinner: Gundlach Bundschu
6:00 p.m.
110 guests - SOLD OUT
$175 per person
At Gundlach Bundschu, hard work, talent and good cheer has carried six generations of the family through 150 years of winemaking excellence, making theirs the oldest family winery in Sonoma. Join the Bundschus at Sonoma landmark, The General’s Daughter, for this celebration of a century and-a-half of tall pours and tall tales. Chef Preston Dishman pairs his organic, seasonal fare with at least two Gundlach Bundschu wines for each of the five courses, and at the welcome reception on the patio prior to dinner being served. The General’s Daughter will be closed to the public in honor of this exclusive event so their highly trained staff can provide each guest with the attentive service they deserve. Gather with the Bundschus for an evening that exemplifies the Sonoma County wine and food culture they helped to create.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2008 6:00 P.M.
Winemaker Dinners are $160 per person.
Winemaker Lunches and Dinners fill up quickly, so purchase your tickets today!
Benziger Family Winery
6:00 p.m.
68 guests - SOLD OUT
The Benziger family, recently lauded on the cover of the Wine Spectator for their stewardship of the land, is committed to nurturing the earth through their meticulous Demeter-certified Biodynamic® practices. Let them nurture you for an evening in their estate garden, where you’ll taste and toast with a family on the forefront of the green movement. Delight in the flavors of a meal prepared with just-picked ingredients from their ranch and paired with their acclaimed vineyard designate and library wines. Eat, drink and see for yourself how Benziger’s Farming for Flavors™ program is good for the earth and great for the palate.
Charles Creek Vineyard
6:00 p.m.
20 guests - (1 seat remaining)
An elegant evening at the private home of Bill and Gerry Brinton, proprietors of Charles Creek Vineyard, is a refined tribute to genteel rural life. As a descendant of John Deere, Gerry has instilled in her family a high regard for the simple sophistication of rural Sonoma living, and this shines through in everything they do. The Chef of Sonoma’s El Dorado Kitchen brings his straightforward yet innovative dishes to pair with the wines of Charles Creek, known for their expressive Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Deerfield Ranch Winery
6:00 p.m.
16 guests - SOLD OUT
Taste the passion at Kenwood’s Deerfield Ranch Winery, where award-winning wines are handcrafted in small lots by Winemaker Robert Rex. Robert and his wife P.J. invite you to join them in their private home for a multi-course food and wine pairing extravaganza.
Dutcher Crossing Winery
6:00 p.m.
10 guests - SOLD OUT
Meet Dutcher Crossing Winery Proprietor Debra Mathy in her elegant vineyard home for an intimate evening among friends. Mathy likes to say that “you can see the fruits of our labor from start to finish.” This philosophy is evident when she takes you on a personalized tour of the winery and vineyards -- her own dream come true. Enjoy a view of the vineyard and the unique wine room while feasting on Chef Gia Passalacqua’s meal designed specifically to complement the luxurious wines of Dutcher Crossing Winery.
Emery Estate Vineyards
6:00 p.m.
24 guests - SOLD OUT
One of Sonoma County's newest stars, Emery Estate Vineyards, invites you to their spectacular estate for an evening of mellow music and a magnificent menu. Enjoy a Tibetan inspired meal from Glen Ellen’s own Yeti restaurant paired with the renowned Cabs of Emery Estate and a selection of delicious Chardonnays from Landmark Vineyards. The soulful sounds of Jamie Clark, as well as a performance by musical mavens Sachiko and Sukawa, provide the perfect soundtrack for taking in sweeping views of San Francisco over the vineyards from the Corinthian-columned terraces.
Landmark Vineyards
6:00 p.m.
32 guests - 1 Ticket Available
Proprietors Mary and Mike Colhoun invite you to join them in the scenic courtyard of Landmark Vineyards for an evening of fine Sonoma wines and cuisine. Winemaker Eric Stern’s balanced, harmonious creations take center stage at this event-under-the-stars where you’ll revel in Sonoma’s spectacular wines and cuisine prepared by Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa's Executvie Chef Bruno Tison against the backdrop of a live musical performance.
Nicholson Ranch
6:00 p.m.
46 guests - SOLD OUT
Nicholson Ranch combines form and function to make wines of great distinction. A beautiful winery in a beautiful setting, Nicholson Ranch also utilizes state-of-the-art gravity flow systems to ensure that their wines are handled as gently as possible. Proprietors Ramona Nicholson and Deepak Gulrajani invite you to spend some time with them in conversation over their expressive wines paired with the delectable foods of Broadway Catering. After a memorable meal and lively chatting, kick up your heels to the music of Jamie Love and Band.
Ravenswood Winery
6:00 p.m.
26 guests - SOLD OUT
You haven’t dined in Sonoma until you’ve dined with Ravenswood’s Zen-Master of Zin, Joel Peterson. Peterson proclaims, “No Wimpy Wines” will be served at this meal ingeniously prepared by one of San Francisco's chefs, Richard Visconte. Visconte's got a pantry full of local herbs, vegetables, spices and meats – and he’s not afraid to use them. Between Peterson’s gift of gab, his power-packed wines and Visconte's insanely good cooking, you’ll leave knowing what the fuss is all about at Ravenswood.
VJB Vineyards & Cellars
6:00 p.m.
20 guests - SOLD OUT
Join Proprietors Maria, Henry and Vittorio Belmonte of VJB Vineyards & Cellars for an authentic taste of Italy at their Estate Vineyards in Sonoma Valley. VJB Vineyards & Cellars boutique production of Italian and traditional California varietals, available only at the winery or through their wine club, makes this event a rare experience to be savored. Owners Henry and Vittorio Belmonte will host this distinctive Italian four course feast prepared by Executive Chef Maria Belmonte, who recently authored her first cookbook! Buon Appetito!
