SOLD OUT
Saturday, September 3, 2011
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
MacMurray Ranch, Healdsburg
Located in the Russian River Valley Appellation
SOLD OUT | Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch | SOLD OUT
Immerse yourself in the food and wine culture of Sonoma County at the 32st annual Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch. Kate MacMurray invites you to enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the historic MacMurray Ranch property while sipping and savoring the very best of Sonoma County’s rich wines and delectable cuisine.
With more than 170 wineries pouring thousands of wines (CLICK HERE for a full list of participating wineries), and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for oenophiles and foodies alike. Informative and entertaining wine seminars, lively cooking demonstrations, get-your-boots-dirty vineyard tours and so much more make for an enchanting afternoon enjoying the best of Sonoma County living.
Named one of the 10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States by Celebrated Living magazine, Taste of Sonoma is an coveted ticket; get one before they sell out. Taste of Sonoma is hosted by MacMurray Ranch.
TICKET INFORMATION
General Admission tickets
$150 per person
$195 for Grand Reserve per person
Visa Signature Cardholders receive a special price
$95 per person
$175 for Grand Reserve per person
Limit six tickets per Cardmember.
GRAND RESERVE at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch
Our Grand Reserve option is the hottest ticket in town.
An extremely limited number of Grand Reserve Tickets are available and are guaranteed to sell out fast.
Grand Reserve Ticket holders receive additional privileges throughout the event and access to exclusive venues that will feature rare wines, gracious hospitality and special behind-the-scenes benefits.
Step into the luxurious CLUB RESERVE where you will have the opportunity to taste some of Sonoma’s most sought after wines . The winemakers and owners of Sonoma’s iconic wineries will sample their limited production, reserve and award-winning wines from large format bottles and will be on hand for you to taste and ask questions one-on-one.
A limited number of Grand Reserve Tickets are available to an exclusive selection of guests who seek a more elevated Sonoma experience during this unforgettable celebration of wine and food. CLICK HERE for a list of Club Reserve participating wineries...in some cases, this will be the only place a winery will be pouring so reserve your Grand Reserve ticket today.
All tickets are non-refundable.
Online ticket sales will close Friday, September 2 at 6 pm.
Tickets will be available at the door for an additional $10 unless the event is sold out. Please refer to this website for updates.
Transportation offered from Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and Healdsburg!
See Directions and Transportation Information Below
HIGHLIGHTS of Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch
Sonoma's Sommelier Stars Wine Tours
Join a member of our all-star team of nationally acclaimed sommeliers who will act as your "tasting tour guides” as they lead you on a 30-minute guided tasting tour through the Grand Tasting Tents. Discover hidden gems, try new varieties, or just get an expert opinion on what to drink now!
Tours are $10 per person. Details and links to purchase your Sommelier Star Wine Tour are below.
NEW! PAIR WITH THE PROS, Wine & Food Pairing sponsored by Kendall-Jackson
Reserve your seat today within the options at the time you purchase your Taste of Sonoma Ticket.
In this unique sensory tasting you will learn how the professionals pair wine with the flavors of a meal. Winemaster Randy Ullom will lead you through a tasting of the winery's hand-crafted, limited release wines paired with delectable original recipes developed and presented by Kendall-Jackson's Executive Chef Justin Wangler. In celebration of the seasonal bounty of the 2½-acre Kendall-Jackson culinary garden each fresh ingredient is harvested and prepared to work in tandem with the flavors of the wines. These pairings promise to reveal the nuances of flavor in both the wine and the food. It's a rare opportunity to discover Kendall-Jackson's more obscure wines paired with the creations of a masterful chef who is intimately acquainted with both the winery and its garden.
Half hour sessions begin at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
NEW! BLIND TASTING CHALLENGE | SOLD OUT
Join one of our Sommelier Stars for the Blind Tasting Challenge, an interactive experience where you’ll sip and savor a flight of wines, and then guess what you’ve tasted. After a lively discussion and analysis of what’s in the glass, your host will reveal the wines so you can see how you scored! Don’t miss this chance to challenge your palate and learn more tips and tricks for enhancing your wine tasting experiences.
Sessions begin at 11:30 a.m., 12:30p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Limited to 10 people per session
The Sonoma County Appellation Grand Wine & Food Tasting
Sip and sample world class wines from the most diverse wine region in the world paired with seasonal local foods prepared by experienced chefs. It’s an afternoon spent with like-minded epicures, sharing in the abundance of Sonoma County. Alexander Valley | Bennett Valley | Sonoma Carneros | Chalk Hill | Dry Creek Valley | Green Valley | Knights Valley | Rockpile | Russian River Valley | Sonoma Coast | Sonoma Mountain | Sonoma Valley
CLICK HERE for a full list of participating wineries.
Wine Talk in the Wine Barn presented by American AgCredit
Attend Wine Talk and increase your wine IQ through informative wine seminars, lively panel discussions, and focused tastings with renowned winemakers from throughout Sonoma County.
Wine Talk Details and Topics are listed below. Make your reservation at checkout. Wait list sign ups will be taken at the door.
The Bubble Lounge
Please join us for a glass of bubbly in the Gloria Ferrer Bubble Lounge! Cindy Friedman, Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyard's Consumer Marketing Manager and Certified Wine Professional (CWP) will be showcasing their sparkling wines perfectly paired with unique food pairings. Don't miss out!
Have you booked your Sommelier Star Tour?
This is the best way to get insider information, taste hidden gems and focus on a great variety of topics...see Sommelier Star details below.
Sommelier Star Tour tickets will be available to purchase for $10 per person.
Your ticket will provide you with your OWN head-set allowing you to hear all the important facts your Sommelier Star is sharing with you. Enjoy your "insiders" tour to the max!
Sommelier Stars for 2011 Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch
CLICK HERE for a full list of our Sommelier Stars
Scheduled Tours:
Aromatic White Wines, A Sensory Experience
12:00pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
If you love the sumptuous scent-sory excitement of Aromatic White Wines, this tour promises to please your palate. The appealing aromas found in this intriguing selection reveal subtle-yet-complex notes for a truly dazzling wine experience.
High-Altitude Reds & Whites Knights Valley & Rockpile Discovery tour
12:00pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
We invite you to revel in a selection of ravishing reds from two of Sonoma County's most exciting wine regions. Temperature swings and altitude work their magic on fruit from Knights Valley and Rockpile Vineyard resulting in richly layered wines of enormous character.
Cool Climate Coastal Wines
Los Carneros & Sonoma Coast Discovery tour
12:45pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Experience wines from two of Sonoma County's chillier regions, where grapes rest in fog-shrouded mornings and bask in bright afternoon sunshine. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Los Carneros and Sonoma Coast take center stage in this tasting, where you'll enjoy wines filled with bright flavors and thrilling intensity.
Visa Signature I
(exclusively for Visa Signature ticket holders)
12:45pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Taste the best of the best with this exclusive tour, sponsored by Visa Signature focusing on luxury wines of Sonoma County. You'll sip and savor your way through coveted selections from our benchmark producers.
Mountainside Reds
Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Valley Discovery Tour
1:30pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Bennett Valley and Sonoma Mountain are the heart and soul of Sonoma, regions known for creating a diverse selection of varietals that earn the acclaim of critics and wine lovers alike. Experience a selection of wines from these two appealing regions and discover first hand why these wines are so adored.
Sommelier Star Cellar Favorites I
1:30pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Join one of our Sommelier Stars for a dazzling tasting of the Sonoma wines that have earned a spot at top of her list. Learn the ins and outs of building a cellar filled with only the best bottles while discovering a selection of sensational Sonoma sips.
Bright Whites & Cool Reds
Green Valley & Chalk Hill Discovery Tour
2:00pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Green Valley and Chalk Hill are two of the smallest, most rarified AVAs in Sonoma County, known for creating some of the most coveted wines on the planet. In this tasting you'll experience wines from producers who know how to coax the best qualities out of these impeccably cultivated vineyards, resulting in memorable wines of great distinction.
Sommelier Star Cellar Favorites II
2:00pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Join one of our Sommelier Stars for a dazzling tasting of the Sonoma wines that have earned a spot at the top of her list. Our Star will share secrets of discovering exciting wines while taking you on a taste tour of sensational Sonoma sips.
Iconic Red Wines of Sonoma
2:30pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Like artists with an infinite array of colors at their disposal, our Sonoma Winemakers create some of their most riveting wines by blending the best lots, vineyards and varietals into Proprietary Blends. Our Sommelier Star will lead you on a behind-the-bottle look at the components and the philosophies that contribute to these legendary wines.
Visa Signature Tour II
(exclusively for Visa Signature ticket holders)
2:30pm | Wait List Only
Sommelier Star Hosted
Taste the best of the best on this exclusive tour, sponsored by Visa Signature focusing on luxury wines of Sonoma County. You'll sip and savor your way through coveted selections from our benchmark producers.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS of Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch
The Crushpad - Experience the Sonoma County Harvest
At Crushpad, guests are invited throughout the day to join local Sonoma winemakers and growers to taste, touch, listen and learn about the grapes grown in Sonoma's diverse vineyards and AVA's. Featuring tastings of freshly picked winegrapes, a demonstration of basket pressing (and a taste of the results), and topped off with a sample of a finished bottle from the highlighted vineyard, Crushpad is a unique opportunity to engage with the Sonoma Wine community, from grape to glass. Presented by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.
Steel Chef Competition and Cooking Demonstrations
Iron Chef quivers at the sight of Sonoma's top brass in the Sonoma Steel Chef Competition. Watch Sonoma County's best chefs face off for a fast paced, fun and educational competition for the coveted title of Sonoma County's Chef of Steel. Learn to flip, dip, chop and whip like the pros in the demonstration kitchen, where throughout the day Sonoma's top chefs share the tricks of the trade. New recipes, techniques and innovative ways to flavor your food are just some of the tasty topics on display.
Wine Talk in the Wine Barn presented by American AgCredit
PLEASE NOTE- seminar attendance does require advance booking. Seating is limited and subject to availability.
Wine Talk Seminar Topics Include:
Discover Sonoma's "Secret" Varietals
12:00pm - 12:30pm | Wait List Only
Taste Like a Pro, moderated by one of our Sommelier Stars
We've uncovered a selection of Sonoma's lesser-known varietals that continually surprise and delight both wine lovers and critics with their unique flavors and exciting possibilities.
The ABCs of Absolutely Beautiful Chardonnays
12:45pm - 1:15pm | Wait List Only
Discover Sonoma County: Sonoma Valley Chardonnay, moderated by one of our Sommelier Stars
Sonoma Valley's rich growing region is responsible for palate-pleasing Chardonnays that range from rich and buttery to bright, fresh and fruit-forward. Explore this beloved varietal with some of our top producers, and taste for yourself why Sonoma Chardonnays are sought after by wine aficionados from around the globe.
The Russian River's Regal Pinot Noirs
1:30pm - 2:00pm | Wait List Only
Discover Sonoma County: Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, moderated by one of our Sommelier Stars
The Russian River Valley is widely regarded as one of the best Pinot Noir regions in the world. Join the Russian River Valley's top Pinot Noir producers for an intriguing tasting of these mysterious, evocative wines, each one an ultimate example of the incredible Pinot Noir for which Russian River Valley vineyards are known.
Decadent Dry Creek Zins
2:15pm - 2:45pm | Wait List Only
Discover Sonoma County: Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, moderated by one of our Sommelier Stars
The Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a powerhouse portfolio of first tier Zinfandels for which collectors clamor and sommeliers swoon. Take a top-notch taste tour of this unforgettable region with our panel of Zinfandel experts chosen for their unique ability to coax the boldest, richest flavors out of their Dry Creek Valley fruit.
Alexander Valley's Cabernet Kings
3:00pm - 3:30pm | Wait List Only
Discover Sonoma County: Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, moderated by one of our Sommelier Stars
Come taste why Alexander Valley's Cabernet Sauvignon wines continue to earn the title of "king." A gathering of local winemakers who have each received rave reviews for their Cabernet Sauvignons will lead you through a procession of astonishing Alexander Valley Cabs. It's the ultimate tasting for those who seek to experience first hand why this royal varietal continues to reign.
Sonoma County Marketplace
Sonoma County chefs have access to the seasonal abundance of the most fertile foodshed anywhere in the world, often grown and provided by small, local family farms. At the Sonoma County Marketplace, get a glimpse of the high-quality, artisanal ingredients local chefs and diners enjoy every day, and acquire for your own home pantry. Be sure to explore the new sustainable and organic area, and learn how you can incorporate a little "green" into your everyday routine.
A Self Guided Walk Around Retrospective
Legacy of the Land: 150 Years on a Russian River Valley Ranch
Experience the living history of MacMurray Ranch through a never-before-seen exhibition from the MacMurray family archives detailing ranch life from the late 19th Century to today. The exhibit is displayed in the oldest structure on the ranch, called the Prune Shed in reference to the principal Russian River Valley cash crop of the early 1900s. From subsistence farming to elite Pinot Noir, the history of MacMurray Ranch tells a story of Sonoma County agriculture from the 1850s to the 21st Century. Join us in experiencing this exhibition while enjoying MacMurray Ranch Wines.
Online Auction
Starting August 1, be sure to bid high and bid often at the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Online Auction benefitting Sonoma non-profits. Even if you can't make it to the events, it's your chance to take home prized bottles from our winemakers cellars, one-of-a-kind etched bottles, and exclusive Sonoma trips and packages. Visit http://www.winecountryweekend.cmarket.com/
WAIT LIST ONLY PROGRAMS
Program already SOLD OUT? Sign up on the WAIT LIST at the Information Station to secure your spot as space becomes available. WAIT LIST is on a first come, first served basis and is subject to change as space and time allows.
DIRECTIONS
MacMurray Ranch
9015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
9015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
From Highway 101 heading North take the River Road/Guerneville exit. Come to the stop light and turn LEFT going over the freeway. Travel approximately 6 miles then RIGHT onto Wohler Road. Stay on Wohler Road; cross over narrow bridge. Turn RIGHT onto Westside Road. Follow Westside Road for about ¾ mile. The entrance to MacMurray Ranch is on the LEFT side of the road.
From Highway 101 heading South take the Westside Road exit (in Healdsburg). Take a RIGHT onto Westside Road heading west. Stay on Westside Road for approximately 15 minutes to the MacMurray Ranch. The entrance to MacMurray Ranch is on the RIGHT side of the road.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Offered by Pure Luxury Transportation
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is offering ROUND-TRIP TRANSPORTATION to and from Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch on Saturday, September 3, 2011.
Please book your shuttle ticket at the time of purchasing your Taste of Sonoma ticket within the options in our on-line store. If you have already purchased your Taste of Sonoma ticket and still need to book your transportation, please call 800-939-7666 to reserve your seat on a Pure Luxury Shuttle.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL Shuttles will be on a time sensitive schedule and will depart on time. The Shuttle will not wait for late guests wanting to board the bus.
Fare is $24 per person from the following hotels in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, CA
Please book your shuttle ticket during your purchase of your Taste of Sonoma ticket within the options on on on-line store.
If you have already purchased your Taste of Sonoma ticket, please call 800-939-7666 to book your seat on the shuttle.
Hotel Healdsburg | SOLD OUT
25 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448Departure time: 10:40 am – SHARP The shuttle will be waiting in front of the hotel
The Vintners Inn | SOLD OUT
4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403Departure time: 10:45 am – SHARP The shuttle will be waiting in front of the hotel
Hilton Sonoma Wine Country | SOLD OUT
3555 Round Barn Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403Departure time: 10:50 am – SHARP The shuttle will be waiting in front of the hotel
Shuttles will begin lining up at 4:00 and depart MacMurray Ranch no later than 4:15pm. Buses will not depart before all seats are full. If you miss this time frame, you will be responsible for your own method of transportation.
Fare is $39 per person from the following hotels in Sonoma, CA
Please book your shuttle ticket during your purchase of your Taste of Sonoma ticket within the options on on on-line store.
If you have already purchased your Taste of Sonoma ticket, please call 800-939-7666 to book your seat on the shuttle.
The Lodge at Sonoma | SOLD OUT
1325 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476Departure time: 10:00 am – SHARP The shuttle will be waiting in front of the hotel
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn | SOLD OUT
100 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma, CA 95476Departure time: 10:15 am – SHARP The shuttle will be waiting in front of the hotel
Shuttles will begin lining up at 3:30 and depart MacMurray Ranch no later than 3:45pm. Buses will not depart before all seats are full. If you miss this time frame, you will be responsible for your own method of transportation.
In addition to the Taste of Sonoma shuttles, we have secured taxi cab services that are offering a 20% discount to all SWCW ticket holders when mentioning Taste of Sonoma.