FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 12:30 p.m.

Winemaker Lunches are $75 per person.  Tickets are non-refundable.

Winemaker Lunches are held at wineries throughout Sonoma County. Click the "Located in" links  to check out a map of the appellation for the hosting winery. Information graciously provided by Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

Winemaker Lunches fill up quickly, so purchase your tickets today!

If you are a Visa Signature cardholder and the lunch of your choice is noted as SOLD OUT, please call 800.939.7666 to determine availability.

Alexander Valley Vineyards

12:30 p.m. | 24 seats available 

A picturesque setting overlooking the historic 19th-century adobe of Cyrus Alexander awaits you at this exceptional lunch. Alexander Valley Vineyards Winery Chef Jeff Young creates a meal of Almond Crusted Goat Cheese on Sonoma Greens with House Smoked Salmon and Oak Roasted New York Strip Steak with Garden Salsa – a meal specifically designed to highlight the complexity and elegance of Alexander Valley Vineyards’ exemplary wines. Join Proprietors Hank & Linda Wetzel for a sunny afternoon celebrating the elegant simplicity of rural Sonoma County living at their gorgeous Sonoma heritage site.

Located in the Alexander Valley Appellation 

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Artiste Winery

12:30 p.m. | 22 seats available

Join a distinguished group of chefs, wine experts and friends in Artiste’s 1890's Impressionist courtyard studio for an afternoon of fine art, fine dining and hands-on fun. Create your own masterpiece at a painting station, test your ability to pick out red, white and rosé wines during a “Color Blind with Wine” experiment hosted by Sandi Lucchesi, and indulge in Chef Todd Muir’s exquisite foods paired perfectly with Artiste Winery’s limited edition Impressionist Cuvées ™ . Artiste Winemaker Bion Rice artfully blends a selection of vintages and varietals from exceptional winegrowers and winemakers throughout California to compose classical, European style blends that are the centerpiece of this extraordinary experience. Click here for Menu.

Located in the Healdsburg Plaza

Buena Vista Carneros

12:30 p.m. | 20 seats available

Come see where it all began! Enjoy a wonderful lunch with perfectly paired wines at the historic site of California's first winery, Buena Vista Carneros. Founded in 1857, the original stone winery buildings will serve as a backdrop for an afternoon of epicurean delight created by Executive Chef Janine Falvo of Sonoma's Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar. Winemaker Jeff Stewart will be on hand to convey the winery's focus on cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah from their Ramal Vineyard Estate in the heart of the Carneros appellation.

Located in the Sonoma Carneros Appellation   

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Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery

12:30 p.m. | SOLD OUT

Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery welcomes guests to a wine country experience unlike any other. Begin your 2009 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend with an imaginative four-course luncheon at the Chalk Hill Estate Pavilion prepared by Executive Chef, Didier Ageorges. Chef Ageorges creates culinary masterpieces with organically grown produce from the estate culinary garden and fresh ingredients from Sonoma County’s finest purveyors and growers. Guests will enjoy the fantastic wines of Chalk Hill Estate perfectly paired with the cuisine of Chef Ageorges, while delighting in panoramic views of the Chalk Hill valley. This is sure to be a palate pleasing lunch not to be soon forgotten. Click here for menu.

Located in the Chalk Hill Appellation 

12:30 p.m.  |  10 seats available

Enjoy a delightful afternoon at the home of Bill and Gerry Brinton, proprietors of Charles Creek Vineyards. Kick off the fun with a pairing of artisan cheeses and some of Charles Creek’s award winning wines selected for the event by author of The Everything Cheese Book, Laura Martinez. The next bit of fun commences with a high-spirited bocce tournament on the poolside court . Bring your best game – fantastic prizes will be awarded to the winner! Relax at a three-course lunch served on a deck with incredible views of the Sonoma Valley.  In addition to the mixed grill prepared in a wood-fired Chinese oven, Gerry and Bill will personally prepare the Brinton’s famous Tricolor Salad of fresh heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, incredible breads and local fresh vegetables. For the grand finale, dip your spoons into an ice cream dessert made from the Brinton’s 18 year-old blueberry balsamic vinegar coupled with just the right amount of chocolate decadence. Bocce rematches after lunch are encouraged, or you’re welcome to sip and savor all afternoon.

Located in the Sonoma Mountain Appellation  

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CLARBEC Wines  

12:30 p.m.  |  18 seats available

Join the Jenkins family on their historic vineyard property for a global-themed lunch paired with their medal-winning wines. It’s a taste tour around the world with delicacies from Italy, Ireland, Armenia and Mexico prepared by a top chef and served atop a mountain encompassing 40 acres of Sonoma Valley’s most beautiful vineyard views. To reach the summit, you’ll be treated to a classic Sonoma Valley hayride, offering the ultimate open-air experience for taking in the diversity of birds, animals and plant life that call Clarbec home. Learn first-hand the truly innovative methods this winegrowing family has implemented to protect the land and make their vineyards more sustainable. It’s a simply delicious afternoon. Click here for Menu.

Located in the Sonoma Valley Appellation     

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DaVero Farm & Winery  

12:30 p.m.  |  18 seats available

Enjoy a delicious, entertaining and informative day as you tour and dine with the owners of DaVero Farms & Winery, renowned for its olive oils, wines and more. Learn about what Biodynamic® is, and why it matters, followed by a focused tasting of award-winning estate olive oils led by Owner Ridgely Evers. Then sit in splendor as Owner and former Chef Colleen McGlynn presents a fabulous lunch featuring farm-raised pork, accompanied by bread fresh from their wood oven, as well as their delicious wines made from Italian varietals. (Comfortable shoes are recommended.)

Located in the Dry Creek Valley Appellation    

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Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

12:30 p.m. | SOLD OUT

Located in the Dry Creek Valley Appellation

Foppiano Vineyards

12:30 p.m. | 6 seats available

For over one hundred years, the Foppiano family has been deeply involved in the American wine industry from their home ranch in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. You are invited to meet and get to know three generations of the Foppiano family during a relaxed a family-style lunch prepared by hostess and chef Susan Foppiano-Valera, which will be served under the grape arbor beside the koi pond. Afterwards, join Foppiano’s new Winemaker, Natalie West, for a barrel tasting of the 2008 vintage – her exciting first vintage with Foppiano. Click here for Menu.

Located in the Russian River Valley Appellation

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Garden Creek Ranch Vineyards & Winery

12:30 p.m. | 21 seats available 

Catch a rare glimpse of a hidden, secluded Sonoma County vineyard at this Mexican-themed fiesta lunch. Join Owners and Winemakers Justin and Karin Warnelius-Miller and Relish Culinary with Chef Donna del Ray for an rare experience that includes a tour and winetasting in the charming redwood winery and then a stroll thru the 19 year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, culminating in breathtaking views on the top of Olive Hill. Chef Donna del Ray will demonstrate how to make authentic Mexican salsas, the secrets to making perfect tortillas and how to roast fresh seasonal vegetables from the family garden on the grill. Then, you’ll be seated for lunch, where you’ll have an intimate afternoon with the Warnelius-Miller family ready to share stories of their lives in the vineyards and the ideas behind their winegrowing philosophy of today. 

Located in the Alexander Valley Appellation  

Hanzell Vineyards

12:30 p.m. |  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 McNeill and Chef Carlo Cavallo of Sonoma Meritage for a luncheon that melds history, fine dining and benchmark wines for an event that celebrates the very finest Sonoma wine country has to offer.

Located in the Sonoma Valley Appellation

Hook & Ladder Winery

12:30 p.m. | 6 seats available

Cecil and Christine De Loach are pleased to invite you to their home for a meal featuring food and wine pairings by Hook & Ladder Chef Joshua De Loach. Enjoy a deliciously relaxing afternoon on the De Loach family ranch, surrounded by the lush vineyards and bountiful vegetable gardens that showcase their abundant farm-to-table, sustainable lifestyle. Chef De Loach has created a fantastic menu featuring fresh seasonal and local ingredients to delight the palate. The entire De Loach family will be on hand to share Hook & Ladder wines and the stories behind them, making for a wonderful summer afternoon of great food, great company and great wine!

Located in the Russian River Valley Appellation  

Hop Kiln Winery - HK Generations

12:30 p.m. | 12 seats available

With over a century of Sonoma County Heritage, Hop Kiln Winery is a not only a favorite stop on Healdsburg wine tours, but a fascinating and scenic place to share a meal with friends. As Maestro della Cucina for the award-winning Kenwood Inn and Spa, sister property to Hop Kiln Winery, Resident Chef Renzo Veronese bases his cooking on fresh ingredients by utilizing produce grown in the Kenwood Inn garden, working with local farmers and shopping at local farmers markets. Veronese will create dishes that emphasize the complexity and flair of Hop Kiln’s HK Generations wines, including the 2007 HK Generations Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and the 2007 HK Generations Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Click here for Menu.

Located in the Russian River Valley Appellation  

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Hughes Family Vineyards

12:30 p.m. | 8 seats available

Proprietors Keith and Cherie Hughes invite you to a rare opportunity to visit Hughes Family Vineyards, an exquisite property not open to the public. Take an interactive tour of the organic vineyards before adjourning to the terrace overlooking the Wild Turkey Vineyard to enjoy a memorable lunch featuring Hughes Family Vineyards wines and food pairings prepared by Chef Catherine Driggers and her acclaimed Olive and Vine Group. During lunch, discuss Hughes Family Vineyards’ commitment to quality with their acclaimed winemaker, Kerry Damskey, who is known on four continents for his winemaking acuity and his uncompromising focus on making brilliant wines.

Located in the Sonoma Mountain Appellation  

12:30 p.m. | 8 seats available

Discover one of Sonoma Wine Country’s most exciting new wineries, Pavo! , which releases its first vintage of 125 cases of Syrah this fall. Meet Winemaker Jordan Kivelstadt, whose international wine experience secures his potential as one of Sonoma’s next big stars, and vineyard owners Nancy Kivelson and Tom Angstadt who grow the grapes responsible for Pavo! Wines. A lunch featuring locally grown organic produce (much of it from the vineyard and house gardens), local artisanal breads, cheeses and organic meats will be served with the wines of Pavo!, as well as other small Sonoma bottlings from the hosts' wine cellar. Spend the day welcoming this newest addition to Sonoma Wine Country while raising a glass to the incredible seasonal bounty found here.

Located in the Sonoma Mountain Appellation   

Matanzas Creek Winery

12:30 p.m. | 21 seats available

Come visit the exquisite Matanzas Creek Winery estate and be prepared to be moved. Moved around the estate that is! This dine-around lunch will allow you to take in two areas of the winery grounds that are rarely opened to the public. Start off with some wonderful appetizers at the pond by Julia’s House - a beautiful, tranquil location next to the original owner’s private home. You will then move (via air-conditioned bus) to the Jackson Park Ranch where a seated lunch prepared by Estate Chef Taki Laliotitis awaits you. View renowned Merlot vineyards as you enjoy a delectable meal and sample some of our very best wines while in the company of Winemaker François Cordesse and General Manager Patrick Connelly. It’s a great time of year for a sunny sojourn through a beautiful estate, and there’s a good chance you’ll see some harvesting activities.

Located in the Bennett Valley Appellation  

12:30 p.m. | SOLD OUT

Meet the families behind the award-winning, handmade and limited edition wines of Sonoma’s own Muscardini Cellars at this authentic Sicilian picnic lunch in Vadasz Vineyards. Meet Winemaker Michael Muscardini and growers Les and Judy Vadasz under the shade of an oak grove with stunning views and a picturesque pond to enjoy a fine meal paired with Muscardini wines. The soft sounds of Italian accordion music provide the perfect accompaniment for a relaxing afternoon of wine, food and song. This event is handicapped accessible. Click here for Menu.

Located in the Sonoma Valley Appellation   

Sbragia Family Vineyards

12:30 p.m. | 33 seats available

He’s an icon in that other valley, but Ed Sbragia’s heart and family have always lived right here in spectacular Sonoma Wine Country. The family Sbragia welcomes you to their winery for a lunch on the terrace overlooking the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. The winery is a dream come true for Ed, whose dad left him the vineyards as a legacy, and where he works alongside his family to create wines of great distinction. For a few hours filled with elegant Sonoma cuisine, masterful wines and great conversation look no further than Sbragia Family Vineyards. Click here for the Menu.

Located in the Dry Creek Valley Appellation   

Schug Carneros Estate Winery

12:30 p.m. | SOLD OUT

It's a cool summer day in the caves at Schug Carneros Estate. Raise a glass with the Schug family to the unparalleled views of the Carneros Appellation before dipping into a private tour of the distinctive barrel caves built right into the hillside. Winery chef and family member Kristine Schug prepares a delectable three-course meal paired with Schug's world class Carneros appellation wines. Spend some time at Schug and you'll see first-hand why Carneros wineries are considered some of the best in the world. Click here for the Menu.

Located in the Sonoma Carneros Appellation   

Spann Vineyards

12:30 p.m. | 16 seats available

Curry and Cabernet? Masala and Mo Zin? Owners Peter and Betsy Spann welcome you to join them on an East-Meets-West transcendental culinary experience at their enchanting property nestled among the majestic coastal redwoods of the Mayacamas Mountains. Narayan Somname of Glen Ellen’s Yeti restaurant will prepare his favorite dishes from the mountains of India to be paired with Spann’s versatile, food-friendly wines. Himalayan dancers will entertain you while these tantalizing tastes dance across your palate. It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy the pairing of Eastern foods with Sonoma wines at this beautiful property which is rarely open to the public.

Located in the Sonoma Valley Appellation  

Stone Edge Farm

12:30 p.m. | 1 seat available

A working organic farm with vineyards, olive trees and gardens overflowing with vegetables and flowers, Stone Edge is a unique and magical estate crafted out of the natural world through the work of many artists and visionaries. Share this world for an afternoon with Winemaker Jefferey Baker and Estate Chef John McReynolds while dining on a memorable meal based entirely what is grown at the farm. Baker will personally select the perfect Stone Edge Farm wines to pair with the meal, and as a parting gift each guest will receive a small bottle of Stone Edge extra virgin olive oil and some dried herbs from the chef's pantry.

Located in the Sonoma Valley Appellation

12:30 p.m. | 4 seats available

All hands on deck! Stryker Sonoma is once again teaming up with Sonoma County’s premier culinary school, Relish Culinary for an unforgettable interactive dining experience. Relish, known for their exciting and informative culinary adventures, will have you cooking and wine tasting with effortless Sonoma County style. Relish’s extraordinary chefs will guide you as prepare your four-course, al fresco lunch side-by-side with Winemakers Tim Hardin and Jenn Berman. After the meal is complete, you’ll relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor paired with Stryker’s award winning wines. This lunch with Stryker and Relish promises to be an interactive, instructional and fun afternoon!

Located in the Alexander Valley Appellation  

12:30 p.m. |  SOLD OUT

Join Winemaker Greg LaFollette for an afternoon exploring the different terroirs responsible the exceptional, award winning Tandem Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Start the afternoon off with a vineyard walk through the Van der Kamp family’s Sonoma Mountain Vineyard, where for the past four decades they have created some of Sonoma’s most sought after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After the vineyard walk, enjoy a delicious, outdoor three-course meal prepared by Chef Duskie Estes of Zazu, flawlessly paired with Tandem’s extraordinary wines. The soft acoustic sounds of the local band Bottle Shock will accompany the meal, providing a soothing backdrop for an enjoyable day immersed in every aspect of Sonoma Wine Country’s incredible terroir.

Located in the Sonoma Mountain Appellation