Southern Sonoma Country Life

Fall Season Events At McEvoy Ranch

It may not be sweater weather yet, but it's on its way in a month or so. The 2024 autumnal equinox happens on September 22nd, this year, though we generally enjoy warm weather day time temperatures through mid to late October here in Sonoma and Marin Counties. There's so much to savor and enjoy in the pre-holiday season and one of the most spectacular, tucked-away spots on the two county border is beautiful McEvoy Ranch. 

Check out the following line up of fun and tasty events out at the ranch through early December. 

Labor Day Tasting Promo! 2 for 1 Olive Oil Tastings

9/2 | 11 – 5 pm

Join ftye McEvoy team for a guided tasting of  award-winning, certified organic Extra Virgin and agrumato-method olive oils! Enjoy a flight of 5 olive oils served with fresh local bread. Promo available on Monday, 9/2 only.

Book Now

 

McEvoy Ranch x Hog Island Seafood Dinner

October 5th | 5 pm

Tickets: $195 per person

This event promises an unforgettable culinary experience, combining the finest olive oils and wines from McEvoy Ranch with the freshest seafood from Hog Island. Guests will indulge in a four-course wine and olive oil paired seafood dinner, while enjoying insights from industry leaders including President of McEvoy Ranch Samantha Dorsey, Chef and Hog Island Cookbook Author John Ash, and Hog Island Oyster Co. Founding Partner/CEO John Finger. The evening will conclude with a book signing with Chef John Ash.

Book Now

 

NEW! Olio Nuovo Experience

November 16th | 11:30 am

Tickets: Coming Soon!

Embark on a sensory journey — an inaugural Olio Nuovo Experience, led by McEvoy President, Samantha Dorsey.

Guests will begin by picking their own olives in the orchard, running them through the  mill and then tasting the Olio Nuovo moments after the olives are crushed. This experience culminates in a delightful lunch featuring Olio Nuovo, paired with McEvoy's small-lot wines.

This exclusive event is a must for olive oil enthusiasts.

 

Community Mill Day

November 17th | 8 am, 9 am, 10 am

Price: $1.50 Per Pound

Community Mill Day is one of the ranch team's favorite days of the year! On November 17th, the team will gather with small growers from across Northern California as they bring their freshly picked olives to the mill to create a true regional blend of olive oil. Crops are combined to mill a seasonally unique Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is never disappoints. Come with your own backyard olives and join for this seasonal festivity!

Book Now

 

Holiday Wreath Making Workshop

December 6th - 8th | 11 am or 2 pm

Tickets: $185 per person

Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at a festive wreath-making workshop in the Greenhouse. Create a stunning, personalized holiday masterpiece using fresh, foraged greenery from McEvoy's very own garden. Savor a glass of wine or your preferred non-alcoholic beverage while indulging in a delicious boxed lunch. This enchanting event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Book Now

Sonoma County Wine Celebration Live Charity Auction Lots Revealed Bid in Person or Remotely by Proxy on September 21

Photos: Sonoma County Vintner's Foundation

The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation (SCVF) has revealed this year’s live auction lots for the charitable Sonoma County Wine Celebration (SCWC). The three days of reimagined events take place September 19-21, with the live auction taking place on Saturday, September 21 at Chateau St. Jean. 

Proxy bidding is available for anyone to bid from anywhere in the world. Event proceeds will benefit Sonoma County nonprofits through SCVF Community Grants and Emergency Relief Fund. View the live auction lots, purchase event tickets and register for proxy bidding at SoCoWineCelebration.com.

A selection of 40 live auction lots ranging from curated rare wine collections and once-in-a-lifetime trips to all-inclusive wine and culinary experiences include:

Lot 7: Harry Hamlin, The King of Bolognese Dinner
Actor Harry Hamlin and his niece, Chef Renee Guilbault of the critically acclaimed cooking show “In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin” on AMC+ / IFC, along with Donald Patz of Maritana Vineyards and his wife Jung Min Lee, will come to your home and prepare a complete dinner featuring Harry’s famous Bolognese sauce and wines selected by Donald Patz. You’ll also receive 60 bottles of a special cuvée of 2023 Pinot Noir by Maritana Vineyards, created by Harry Hamlin and Donald Patz exclusively for this auction lot.

Lot 8: Barefoot Elegance, Private Island Caribbean Getaway
Francis Ford Coppola invites you to visit his private island for a once-in-a-lifetime Caribbean experience! Your party of up to six people will spend three extraordinary nights on the island of Coral Caye, a private island retreat behind the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef, and two nights at Sofia Coppola’s beach house at Turtle Inn in Belize.

Lot 12: The Bicoastal Good Life
Enjoy the good life on both coasts with experiences in both California and Maine! Travel to Cape Neddick, Maine, for a three-night stay for two couples at the luxurious Cliff House hotel. Next, travel to Merriam Vineyards in Healdsburg, California for a single vineyard wine tasting and tour for six guests at their beautiful winery.

Lot 14: Animo, Golden Bear Station and More, with Wine Pairings from Three Sticks & Hamel
For one night only, up to 30 lucky couples can secure seats for this amazing wine and culinary collaboration! Savor treats from Joshua Smookler and Heidy He’s latest restaurant concept Golden Bear Station, combined with favorites from Animo, in a four-course menu, expertly paired with Three Sticks and Hamel Family wines.

Lot 15: The Masters
Experience The Masters golf tournament, one of the most elusive sporting events to attend! Tickets to this annual event are extremely limited but you and a guest will have two badges (tickets) each day for two days of your choosing. You’ll also enjoy a specially curated 12-bottle wine collection from Ramey Wine Cellars.

Lot 19: Sip, Savor & Speed
Join ACTA Wine, your personal hosts at the 2025 Celebration Exotic Car Show, Friday March 28 to Sunday March 30, 2025! The premier exotic car festival in North America will awe attendees as it showcases North America’s largest collection of exotic cars, race cars, Hollywood movie cars, along with iconic actors and celebrities.

Lot 22: VIP Songwriters in Paradise
Here’s your chance to be a VIP at one of the most exclusive music festivals in the world! You and three friends will groove to four nights of incredible music at four different wineries during the July 2025 Songwriters in Paradise in Healdsburg, California. During your stay in wine country, your group of four will also enjoy a two-night stay at Vintners Resort and a special wine country lunch with Lando Wines proprietors, Sam and Jennifer Lando, at their home.

Lot 26: Fund-A-Need Paddle Raise
A key focus for this year’s Fund-A-Need paddle raise will benefit the critically impactful K-3 Proficiency Project from the nonprofit K-3 Innovation, which has seen tremendous results in increasing literacy in Sonoma County school children. In addition, proceeds from this critical fundraising lot will continue to provide impactful assistance for children’s education and literacy while also addressing new challenges our county faces.

Lot 30: Somm Stars and Goodnight’s Prime Steak and Spirits Sunday Supper
Your party of six will enjoy an exclusive, Sunday Somm Stars Dinner at Goodnight’s Prime Steak and Spirits in Healdsburg, CA! Your evening will be filled with a little British swagger, co-hosted by beloved Bay Area food and wine personality Liam Mayclem and Chef David Lawrence, who will be preparing the brilliant multi-course meal. Your specially selected wine pairings and presentation of elite wines from the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio will be presented by Jason Dannewitz along with Chris Sawyer “Sommelier to the Stars” and his celebrity sommelier team.

Full live auction lot descriptions, event programming and ticket details for the new Sonoma County Wine Celebration are available at SoCoWineCelebration.com. Proxy bidding is available for the live auction on September 21. Contact [email protected] or 707.522.5829 for details. To learn more about SCVF Community Grants, the Emergency Relief Fund, recent beneficiaries, or to make a donation to this year’s Fund-A-Need paddle raise, visit sonomawine.com/foundation.

About Sonoma County Wine Celebration
Sonoma County Wine Celebration brings the region’s renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on incredible travel experiences. Named one of the nation’s top charitable auctions by Wine Spectator, the proceeds raised benefit local Sonoma County charitable organizations. Since its inception, the auction has raised millions of dollars to help fund charitable organizations focusing on literacy, education, health & human services, the environment, arts & culture, and has supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. Learn more at SoCoWineCelebration.com.

 

About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to the local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Sonoma County Vintners Foundation (SCVF) is an accredited 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988. Its purpose is to consistently support local nonprofit organizations that address issues within the Sonoma County community. SCVF cultivates a vibrant and diverse Sonoma County by elevating lives through charitable events and philanthropic giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of education & literacy, health & human services, the environment and arts & culture. With SCVF’s many initiatives including the Emergency Relief Fund, the organization is able to impact all needs, ranging from the immediate to the long term. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation.

About Foley Family Wines & Spirits
Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 24 wineries and a distillery, each with its distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality. FFWS has expanded its portfolio significantly since its founding, now including such storied brands as Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Sebastiani, Roth, Banshee, Ferrari-Carano, Chateau St. Jean, and Lancaster in Sonoma; Merus, Silverado, and Foley Johnson in Napa Valley; Lincourt, Firestone, and Foley Estates in Southern California; Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County; Four Graces and Acrobat in Oregon; and Three Rivers in Washington. FFWS’s import wines include Lucien Albrecht in France, Nieto Senetiner in Argentina, and 14 wine brands spanning three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago, and Martinborough. The growing global spirits portfolio includes High Ground Vodka, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, the Loch Lomond Group portfolio of Scotch and spirits, and Two Stacks and Killowen Irish Whisky. Learn more at ffws.com.

About K-3 Proficiency Project
A staggering 59% of third-grade students are not reading proficiently in Sonoma County. Becoming a proficient reader by the end of third grade is critical as it marks the transition from learning-to-read, to reading-to-learn. K-3 Innovation, a local non-profit organization, started the K-3 Proficiency Project (K-3PP) with the mission of helping get every student reading proficiently by the end of third grade. K-3PP partners with Sonoma County schools to support teachers in kindergarten to third grade (K-3) classrooms. Students use adaptive online reading programs, while trained assistants help teachers provide small group targeted instruction based on student performance data. Star Reading Assessment results from participating schools show dramatic improvement year-after-year. Learn more at K-3 Innovation.

An Enchanting First Visit to Gardone Riveria

Italy's northern lakes had been on my to-visit list for decades. My husband, Timo's extended family are in the southwest, in Campania — south of Naples and inland a little ways from Salerno. All of our trips to Italy over the years have started or finished up in that area. And though we mad eit up as far as Bologna and Venice a few years ago, the lakes had thus far remained elusive. 

This summer, in the midst of a month-long visit to spend time with my dad and family in England, We made it to Lake Como and Garda both, with an operatic overnight in Verona and Bergamo at the tail end of a memorable week in beautiful northern Italy. Como tends to steal the limelight from Garda in travel stories, so I am writing my post on Garda, the largest of Italy's fresh water lakes, first! 

What a treat to arrive at Hotel Villa Del Sogno about half way up the western shore of the lake and find myself transported back to a genteel turn of the 20th-century when the draw of the elegant, yet laid-back Gardone Riveria was largely for rest and recuperation of the German, Swiss and Austrian elite, a spa-like sensibility, far from the madding crowd of Italy's lauded tourist cities.

I was instantly enthralled by the former villa's Belle Epoque decor and history, dating back to 1904, including its bygone era as a haven for artists and writers. It served as a German officer’s convalescence center during WWII and American troops occupied the villa as a military base at the end of the war, filling its extensive rooms and botanical grounds and terrace with energy, enthusiasm, music and most importantly, food, after a stark & sparse period in history. After the war ended the villa became a hotel and has been in continual use during late spring through the summer months ever since.

We stayed here for two magical nights and I hope to return for a week or so one day. 

Look at the bougainvillea — the hotel's terrace, overlooking the alluring blue waters of the lake, reminded me of the glorious 1992 movie Enchanted April — meets Masterpiece Theatre's Hotel Portofino! 

Hotel room rates have risen to ridiculous heights since we all started traveling again after the pandemic. My ploy is to start my search at a rate I'd expect to pay for somewhere I'd actually like to visit and gradually convince myself to up the ante only to the point of my comfort line. If I had been staying at  Hotel Villa del Sogno for more than two nights during the summer months, I would most likely have settled on something not as pricey, but given it was our first two nights in Garda ever and I'd stumbled on this gorgeous spot online, I don't regret splashing out for the experience. Besides, I'd have no choice but to pay more in the summer for a quality room along the coast when roadtripping in California.  

Everything about this hotel was soothing and serene. Our bedroom came with a small sitting room and lake-facing mini-terrace where I enjoyed a pot of tea before breakfast both mornings (thank you Timo, who never fails to return from his early morning walk with a tray of tea). 

The pretty and sophisticated sitting room and bar is reminiscent of a time before cell phones and overpacked tourist itineraries. 

Nightfall at one of the most enchanting villas overlooking the silky smoothm moonlit waters of Lake Garda - so romantic. And the Villa's gardens — gorgeous. 

The laid-back Gardone Riviera community on Lake Garda enjoys a promenade with restaurants, a botanical garden and plenty beach access. Its slower pace of life has evolved through the region's extensive history. It's origins date back to the Roman empire, according to the findings of various inscriptions and tablets, an era which eclipsed in the West in the 5th century. Evidence has also been found of a two-hundred-year-rule in the region during the Lombard era of the 7^th Century.  It is its 16^th century architecture, however, that gives the town its distinctive medieval style. From 1521 onwards the territory of Gardone Riviera became part of the Venetian territories.

From 1921 to 1938 Gardone was the home of Italian poet Gabriele d'Annunzio. According to an opinion piece by Tara Isabella Burton in the New York Times in 2019, d'Annunzio was a celebrity showman who became a strongman, a womanizing, profligate poet who had become a hero of World War I by airdropping his own propagandistic poetry over Vienna, marched into the Hapsburg city of Fiume (now Rijeka in Croatia) and declared himself its leader.

"The 56-year-old novelist and poet had already made a name for himself not just as one of Italy’s greatest writers, but also one of its most flamboyant. As a young man he’d earned spare cash writing celebrity gossip columns; in his prime, he used them to cultivate myths about his own history. (For example, in 1911, when the Mona Lisa was briefly stolen from the Louvre, he heavily implied it was at his house.) He spent beyond his means, leaving his wife and children destitute while he collected horses and objets d’art (and cocaine). He had hundreds of love affairs — and would tip off journalists when he was about to break one of them off, in the hope that the subsequent scene would make the tabloids. He lived by the maxim of one of his most famous characters, Andrea Sperelli: “One must make one’s life into a work of art.” 

However, it was Italian nationalism that sealed his notoriety as  “Il Vate,” or The Bard, as his adoring fans apparently coined him. Italy had been unified just a few decades earlier, and, according to the Times piece, d’Annunzio’s poems envisioned the newborn Kingdom of Italy as the long-awaited inheritor to the great Roman Empire.

The historical centre of Gardone Riviera is rich in character; historically significant villas, houses and churches, befitting the lofty aspirations of its most famous resident.

The 20^th century German Poet Paul Heyse, famous for his Nobel Prize winning poem ‘last will and testament’, also lived here and immortalized his love of the town in his poetry. The location also held a special place for fascist dictator Mussolini, who visited the town regularly to spend time with his lover towards the end of WWII.  

Boat Trips are the way to see the lake and its ninety-three miles of coastline, divided into three different provinces (Brescia, Verona, and Trento). Hop on and off all day as there are so many beautiful cities on Lake Garda and all have something to offer: castles, Roman villas, vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages, hiking trails and mountain biking, sailing clubs, not to mention specialty dishes in an array of enticing eateries.

Here's a list of towns to explore.  Our favorite was Limone sol Garda. This quaint, picture-perfect hillside community is located on the western shore, immersed in a lush Mediterranean landscape and, not surprisingly, is among the most admired and visited places of the lake by travelers seeking an ideas spot for hiking, relaxation and soaking in nature. Its mild climate throughout the year made it famous for the production of citrus fruits, grown since 1700 in traditional lemon houses, some still in operation and open to the public. I had wondered what the concrete, battlement-like structures were along the lakeside, especially in this area. Apparently, after the unification of Italy and at the turn of the 20th century, many of the traditional lemon houses in this mountainous region were abandoned. Lemons and other citrus has been hit by a deadly disease known as Gommosi, decimating the harvest of dozens of varietals. 

Still, a small, local production supplies sufficient juice for a robust tourist trade in limoncino liqueur, lemon custards and sweets. Garda also boasts excellent olive oils and wines and its tradititonal polenta. 

The church of San Rocco was a must visit for us, which according to the town of Limone's visitor's guide is: "Situated north of the historical center, the church was built in the first half of the 16^th century as a thanksgiving for the people of Limone who had escaped the contagious plague that hit most of northern Italy in those years. The church was finished over the next two centuries, with frescoes on the walls and a bell tower. During the First World War it suffered extensive damage, but fortunately, in 1957, restoration work brought to light some paintings dating back to the 16th century. The church is well integrated in the landscape between the rock, the lake, and the lemon groves, and is one of the most popular places in the town as it is reached by a characteristic staircase that is always adorned with flowers and typical Garda plants, making it one of the most picturesque and photographed views. Liturgical services are still held here today, as well as the feast of San Rocco (16 August)." 

If You Go:

May, June and September are considered the best months to visit Lake Garda in the north east of Italy. Weather is milder during these months, although expect some rainfall. We visited in late June/early July and it rained for the first few days of our week-long trip to Como, Garda, Verona and Bergamo. Come prepared with light rain jackets and layers and non-slip shoes for boat trips. A small umbrella doubled as a sun shade some days, in between showers. 

Verona is the nearest airport to Lake Garda but it depends on where you are heading to on this large lake as to which airport you chose to fly into or have access to flying into. Garda is an area 143 square miles and 93 miles of coastline, divided into three regions.  

If you're not renting a car, it may be more convenient to pick an airport best served by public transport. Verona is good for the east shore of the lake, by bus, or the south shore by train. Milan/Bergamo was our choice by rental car, but there are plenty of options for public transportation to Garda from Bergamo. 

Click here for Lake Garda Travel's tips on the various airport options. 

The closest airports to Lake Garda are: 

• Verona Catullo (VRN)
• Milan Bergamo (BGY)
• Milan Linate (LIN)
• Venice (VCE)
• Milan Malpensa (MXP)

Click here for more info on visiting Lake Garda. 

 

Easy Like Sunday Morning — Iron Horse Vineyards' Beach Cleanup on the Sonoma Coast with the Surfrider Foundation, Followed by Oysters and Ocean Cuvee at Nick's Cove

Photos — Frances Rivetti 

Sunday mornings in Sonoma County in August are fairly often fogged in. The marine layer lends its cool blanket to the start of day, which is actually quite ideal for a beach cleanup volunteer stint. 

It didn't take too much to talk me into signing up for a session combing for washed up and disgarded plastics and other items that don't belong out at beautiful Doran Regional Park and beach in our beloved Sonoma coastal region. Especially as my husband, Timo and I would find ourselves in such wonderful company. 

Cleanup day sponsor Iron Horse Vineyards is where rustic meets elegance. What a perfect combo when paired with the Sonoma Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. This pioneering and generously philanthropic estate winery was founded in Green Valley in the Russian River, in 1976, handcrafting California’s most celebrated Sparkling Wines.

Iron Horse is renowned for its Sparkling Wines, which have been served at the White House for six consecutive presidential administrations, beginning with the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings ending the Cold War. The winery's Chardonnays are also radiant and Pinot Noir is its rising star. 

The winery's CEO, Joy Sterling is a member of the California State Food & Agriculture Board, appointed by the Governor and most recently appointed by the State Senate to the California Coastal Conservancy so it's not surprising a cleanup collaboration such as Sunday's was such a delight.

Winery club members and friends who signed up for the day enjoyed an awesome Iron Horse after party with oysters and Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs at Nick's Cove late morning. 

Doran is one of our regular go-to beaches for dog walks and picnics. It was in remarkably good shape for a weekend morning and a reminder that we have an extremely good community of eco-minded beach-goers in this region, for the most part. There's always the little things that get away from a pack-in, pack-out beach day, such as hair ties, zip ties, ring tops, sandwich and dog poop bags and clothing. 

It was our first time volunteering with Surfrider Foundation. Everyone was super friendly and helpful in sending us out along the coastline and dunes to scour the sand for items that shouldn't be there. We heard some recent stories from neighboring beach cleanups in which volunteers retrieved an old microwave from the dunes and a groundwork digger that had been pushed off a cliff. Thankfully it was only smallish items that had washed up or been dropped at Doran. 

The experience really made me think though and I will endeavor to keep a bag and gloves in the car whenever I'm out at the beach. Waiting for someone else to pick up trash is not the move. If we all pitch in, our beaches will become more pristine than they already generally are. 

Iron Horse produces exclusively estate-bottled still and sparkling wines with a distinct “sense of place”. They are specific to the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA, plus the uniqueness of our vineyard, and the vintage at hand. As a result, wines are elegant, bright, focused, highly nuanced, and silky smooth. They exude quality, grace and optimism. 

I was excited to taste Iron Horse's Giving Wine, it's spectacular Cuvee 2019 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs —a blend of two Chardonnay clones – Clone 4 and Rued Clone, hand harvested – from six different blocks on the winery's Russian River estate. The raw bar at Nick's was fresh and delicious. Nothing beats oysters shucked at the source, though poached prawns came a close second.

 

If you'd like to visit Iron Horse Vineyards, click here to reserve a tasting. 

Find out more about volunteering for Surfrider Founding at this link. 

Nick's Cove is located on the shores of Tomales Bay in neighboring Marin County. Click here to find out more about Nick's Cove's cottages, bar, restaurant and private party rooms. Good news is the former boat shack (lost to a fire) at the end of the pier at Nick's is due to be reconstructed this fall. 

 

 

 

 

 

Festival del Sole — A New Classical Music, Food & Wine Festival in the West Opens with a Conversation about Climate Change

 

What is Festival del Sole, you may ask? 

In 2003, the Festival del Sole was born in Cortona in Tuscany, incorporating a cacophony of events including concerts, fine art exhibitions, culinary, literary events and wine tastings. In 2006, international arts entrepreneur and pianist Barrett Wissman and his wife, cellist Nina Kotova brought the Festival Del Sole to Napa Valley (now known as Festival Napa Valley).

Over the years, the Festivals have attracted a stunning lineup of some of the world’s greatest musicians, artists, actors, chefs and personalities including Robert Redford, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Sting, Thomas Keller, Antonio Pappano, Sophia Loren, Pinchas Zukerman, John Malkovich, Midori, Teodor Currentzis, Maxim Vengerov, Lang Lang, Bobby McFerrin, Anthony Hopkins, Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Jeremy Irons, Jean Yves Thibaudet, Cecilia Bartoli, Hélène Grimaud, Jaap Van Zweden, Tony Bennett, Angela Gheorghiu, Vittorio Grigolo, Martha Argerich, David Foster, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Keaton, Al Jarreau, Elvis Costello, Frances Mayes, Anna Netrebko, Sir James Galway, Vladimir Jurowski, Stephane Deneve, Nikolaj Znaider, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Dmitri Sitkovetsky, Salvatore Accardo, Jonas Kaufmann, Nigel Kennedy and others.

This year, Barrett Wissman decided to bring back the style, artistic level, tradition and excitement of the Festival del Sole to the wine country of Northern California, in partnership with the stunning acoustic and architectural gem, the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University and its Executive Director Jacob Yarrow. What better stage than this to celebrate the planet that inspires all this beauty with a focus on the environment?

The program featured three evening concerts at the Green Music Center, followed by a Sunday early evening screening of Climate Change awareness multimedia & symphony film, narrated by retired Acadamy Award winning actor and filmmaker Robert Redford. It was such a delight to see Redford in the audience, supporting his wife, Sibylle Szaggars Redford with her non-profit, The Way of the Rain, at the Green Center and later that evening at Buena Vista Winery. 

Wine and Culinary experiences during the four day event were curated this August by leading wine publication, VINOUS. First on the roster of good taste was a lunch & pairing at Three Sticks Wines, Sonoma. 

It was my pleasure to be invited to find out more about the festival to share with my readers. You can read my feature on opening day delights here. 

Later that first evening, after the opening concert, musicians and festival-goers enjoyed a super exclusive supper at Healdsburg's private, luxury estate New Tree Ranch. In fact, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening meals all took place at the ranch. I didn't make it up to Healdsburg during the festival but I can't wait to visit New Tree Ranch in the near future. Everything I've heard about it is enticing. There's a lot of choice when it comes to luxury in wine country, but authenticity, character, warmth and sustainable style rarely mesh so seamlessly.

Friday's tasting and lunch took place at the Russian River's Freeman Vineyard and Winery — another great choice, undoubtedly for showcasing Sonoma County's superb hospitality. 

Twinkling lights welcomed guests to a star-studded, elegant gala dinner at historic Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma after Sunday's screening of The Way of The Rain, featuring Buena Vista’s wines as well as a Bordeaux wine crafted by enologist Michel Rolland especially for The Way of the Rain. Sunday evenings in Sonoma County are generally far more sleepy, so this was a real treat after the screening at the Green Center! I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with members of the film's production and non-profit team, as well as the Festival founders. 

In November of 2015 Sibylle Szaggars Redford founded The Way of the Rain Non Profit Organization, which is organized exclusively for charitable, cultural and educational purposes, including the specific purpose of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances themed and designed to promote public awareness and support for the protection of our Earth.

The Way of The Rain was inspired by the annual monsoon rains that sustain life on the fragile landscape of the high - desert plateaus of the Southwest. This live multidisciplinary performance invites the audience to remember their physical and spiritual connection to our planets beauty and plight through paintings, music, dance, film, light and spoken word. Conceived by environmental artist Sibylle Szaggars Redford to explore the issue of climate change resulting in rapidly changing weather patterns, Sibylle Redford collaborates with world renowned artists to create a piece that illustrates crucial environmental dilemmas through performance art.

Szaggars Redford is a German born multimedia environmental artist whose artwork has been exhibited throughout Europe, Monaco, Peru, Singapore, Japan, Suriname and the United States. She is the 2016 recipient of the US State Department’s Art in Embassies Program for the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname where after visiting the countries Rain Forests and Indigenous Peoples, 10 of her site specific Pieces were placed on permanent display in the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Her artistry spans across mediums and decades, from painted oil sketches and photographs of her Moroccan travels, expressions on canvas from her American Indian Pueblo visits, large Oil paintings where she explores “The Shape of Color“ and her recent works of watercolor abstracts shaped by the monsoon rains of Santa Fe, New Mexico, California and abroad.

Having worked as an environmental artist for almost 4 decades, her desire is to create art that transcends words, languages, cultures and politics. Szaggars Redford creates art in order to speak to a deeper universal consciousness that’s connected to and dependent on the earth and its environments. In order to find a stronger voice through art for the Earth, Szaggars Redford entered the world of performance art as an homage to the universal elements and an artistic medium for environmentalism in action.

In 2013 Szaggars Redford in collaboration with Icelandic Composer and Musician David Thor Jonsson, designed a concept for a staged art performance piece “The Way of the Rain” which would incorporate different art forms; music, dance, film, light, spoken word and her first designed stage backdrop of multiple large “Rain Painting Silks” that would symbolize falling water from the heavens.

Sunday's screening brought a fresh face to the stage. Fresh as in age and energy, though global social media powerhouse, Khaby Lame is certainly no stranger to the masses on Tiktok. The 24-year-old comedic star has over 250 million followers across his channels on social media. Khabane "Khaby"  is a Senegalese-Italian whose rise to fame came about after he took to making home video skits during his lay-off as a machinist in Milan during COVID.

Lame is to collaborate with Sibylle Szaggars Redford over the next year on a content series to be filmed in his native Senegal, bringing attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Lame will direct and shoot the content to be narrated by Robert Redford, who is Vice President of The Way of the Rain. 

“Having a voice like Khaby helping to reinforce our mission and tell our story to his youthful generation of followers is a dream come true,” said Sibylle Szaggars Redford. “The future of our planet is in the hands of Khaby’s generation and there couldn’t be a better person to collaborate with us to magnify our message.”

“Collaborating with Sibylle and Robert Redford and The Way of the Rain, Inc. is an honor and important responsibility for me,” said Khaby Lame. “I want to do what I can to communicate about environmental issues we face in my native Senegal, on the African continent and on a global scale.  I look forward to collaborating with Robert Redford in having his iconic voice telling the story and to having his advice and counsel when directing and editing the content.  I have been an admirer of his legacy of work as both an actor and director.”

“Collaboration across genres, generations and talent is what makes the Festival Del Sole unique,” explains Barrett Wissman. “It is satisfying to bring together extraordinary people like the Redfords and Khaby Lame together to help achieve their aspirations and goals.” 

 It takes time for a  festival to find its feet in a new location. Although the Festival del Sole is firmly established with a history in Italy and in neighboring Napa County, as its first port of call several years ago, Sonoma County appears to be the perfect fit going forward and the Green Center at Sonoma State as ideal for staging world class musicians as it is for concert-goers alike. With so many fantastic options for lodging in Sonoma County and experiencing the best of Sonoma wines and culinary expertise, great taste makes for a clear coollaboration for coming years. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival and its increasing spotlight on climate awareness. 

A Warm Sonoma County Welcome on Opening Day of International Festival del Sole

Opening evening program of the inaugural, internationally aclaimed Festival del Sole in its new Sonoma County location brought the audience to its feet in the lauded surrounds of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State, Thursday, August 1st, 2024.

The festival concept was born in Italy in the 1990s, thanks to the brilliant collaboration of global arts entrepreneur and pianist Barrett Wissman and his celebrated wife, Nina Kotova, one of the world's most highly recognized and inspirational cellists. The couple and their son spend their time between homes in Rome and Montana. Barrett Wissman is the Executive and Artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival amongst his long list of past and present biographical accolades. 

It has been 21 years since the Festival del Sole inaugurated in the scenic Tuscan city of Cortona, incorporating a dizzying array of events over the past two plus decades including concerts, fine art exhibitions, wine tastings, literary and culinary gatherings, attracting a line up of many of the world's greatest musicians, artists, actors, winemakers, chefs and personalities. 

What better location to reprise this wonderful festival than Sonoma County, going forward?

And if the first day and evening's program is anything to go by, the Festival del Sole is here to stay, having found its ideal setting. 

Pictured above, cellist Nina Kotova and Steinway artist pianist Olga Kern lit up the stage with complex, moving and sensational classical solo and chamber music performances, interspersed with violin and cello, violin and piano and and violin solos by violinist Viktoria Mullova. 

The evening was mesmerizing from start to finish with selections from Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Cesar Franck, Bela Bartok, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms — a breathtaking and terrific introduction to a four day cultural extravaganza.  

Concert goers may book ahead online through the Festival website or purchase in person at the Green Music Center box office on the campus of Sonoma State. 

There are wine tastings and lunches, dinners and a sumptuous Gala Dinner at historic Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma in support of Sunday's The Way of the Rain non-profit founded by Sibylle Szaggars Redford, dedicated to the mission of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances to promote public awareness and support for protection of the earth. 

Sunday evening's Green Center 6pm screening of Szaggars Redford’s multidisciplinary staged music, art and film performance of The Way of the Rain at the Dallas Texas Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall, with a spoken word narration by her husband, Robert Redford, tells the artistic story about the formation of the Universe, the evolution of all galaxies and the eventual birth of the unique and beautiful Planet Earth with all its elements. Founder, President and Artistic Director of The Way of the Rain Sibylle Szaggars Redford and invited guest Robert Redford will be in attendance for this special event.  

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines Prema Kerollis (center) welcomed artists, musicians, wine writers and guests to the festival's exquisite, inaugural lunch and wine tasting at the winery's gorgeous downtown Sonoma tasting room and garden, Thursday. 

Three Sticks Wines is hidden in plain site, a few steps off the plaza in the heart of downtown. It's truly a gem of a tasting room. I've visited many throughout Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties in a reporting capacity over the past couple of decades and am delighted to come across one that satisfies the soul in every sense. I prefer an unpretentious winery, personally and Three Sticks fits the bill, though all the more gloriously in that location, style and decor, hospitality is second to none and the wines — well, this is a winery that produces every grape and drop of wine in its extraordinary Pinot, Chardonnay and Rose offerings. 

If you have yet to discover Three Sticks Wine, make a date to explore. What a delight from ringing the vintage doorvbell to 1842 Vallejo Casteñada Adobe, the winery's discreet hospitality home at 143 West Spain Street, Sonoma, to the joy of table fellowship in most delicious, seasonal lunch and summery pairings. A true taste of place in each glass. Rooted deeply in the essence of California, Three Sticks Adobe is a testament to the region's rich heritage. 

Lunch of Seared Maine Scallops, Roasted King Salmon and Strawberry Blueberry Crisp was prepared by Executive Chef Armando Navarro of nearby El Dorado Kitchen. 

The renowned Ken Fulk designed the indoor and outdoors of Three Sticks hospitality center and showcases his signature touch, fusing timeless elegance with contemporary allure. The Adobe was built just before the Gold Rush by Salvador Vallejo, brother to General Mariano Vallejo and has been lovingly restored as a Sonoma landmark. Widely ecognized for producing some of the best pinot noir and chardonnay in California from exceptional estate vineyards, Three Sticks offers a variety of curated experiences by reservation.

Wine and Culinary Curation partner in the festival is the expert team at Vinous, one of the world's most influential wine publications, founded by Antonio Galloni. 

I'm looking forward to attending more of the exciting program for 2024. It's not too late to attend if you're just finding out about it. If not, I'll be sure to share info ahead of the 2025 Festival. 

 

 

World Class Festival del Sole Returns to Sonoma County & the Green Music Center with Multidisciplinary Inernational Music, Art and Film, Curated Lunches & Wine Tasting August 1st through 4th, 2024

International Festival del Sole returns to Northern California at The Green Music Center at Sonoma State University in partnership with arts entrepreneur and pianist Barrett Wissman, August 1–4, 2024.

This year’s event includes wine and culinary events presented by Domus Artium Reserve, including a Gala dinner and auction on Sunday, August 4^th hosted by Buena Vista Winery and Jean Charles Boisset to benefit The Way of the Rain, the non-profit founded Sibylle Szaggars Redford dedicated to the mission of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances to promote public awareness and support for the protection of Earth.

The gala dinner will feature Buena Vista’s wines as well as a Bordeaux wine crafted by enologist Michel Rolland especially for The Way of the Rain.  Renowned wine publication Vinous has curated a series of lunches and tastings at top wineries, including Freeman Vineyard & Winery and Three Sticks Wines. 

The three-day festival will begin on Thursday, August 1st featuring three of today’s top international instrumentalists Olga Kern, Nina Kotova, and Viktoria Mullova performing a program of solo and chamber music.  One of today’s most sought-after and versatile musicians: solo violinist and violist, conductor and chamber musician Pinchas Zukerman performs August 2 with cellist Amanda Forsyth, and pianist Michael Brown.

Acclaimed tenor Joseph Calleja takes the stage on Saturday, August 3. With a nostalgic, golden-age voice that routinely inspires comparisons to “legendary singers from earlier eras” Maltese-born Calleja’s appearances on the world’s leading opera, concert, and television stages have marked him as one of today’s most sought-after artists.

Concluding Festival del Sole on Sunday, August 4 is a screening of the film, The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth-A Symphony for our Planet, which showcases the October 2023 live presentation of Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s multidisciplinary staged music, art and film performance at the Dallas Texas Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall, with a spoken word narration by Robert Redford and music composed by Tim Janis.  The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth tells the artistic story about the formation of the Universe, the evolution of the galaxies and the eventual birth of the unique and beautiful Planet Earth with all its elements.  Scheduled to attend the screening and the gala dinner are Founder, President and Artistic Director of The Way of the Rain Sibylle Szaggars Redford and Robert Redford.

Festival creator Barrett Wissman shared, “we are delighted to return to the wine country this summer to share the artistic level, tradition and excitement the Festival del Sole became known for.” Antonio Galloni, founder and CEO of Vinous, added, “I am delighted that my team has collaborated with Barrett and the Festival del Sole to develop enriching experiences for those who share our deep passion for wine and music. Each winery lunch will feature wonderful wines, exceptional hospitality and a surprise musical performance.”

Domus Artium Reserve will donate wines and culinary experiences to the Festival Del Sole. Hospitality partner, Montage Healdsburg is located on 258 acres in the heart of California’s world-renowned Sonoma wine country.  Montage Healdsburg has generously donated rooms for major artists, participants and partners at the Festival Del Sole.

To purchase tickets to Festival del Sole visit gmc.sonoma.edu or call 707-664-4246, Tickets range from $40-$75 each.

For more information on attending the gala at Buena Vista and the wine tastings and lunches, visit the Festival Del Sole website, www.festivaldelsolearts.com.

Thursday's Performance:

Olga Kern, piano
Nina Kotova, cello
Viktoria Mullova, violin
Thurs, August 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Weill Hall
Tickets $40–$75

With a vivid onstage presence, dazzling technique, and keen musicianship, pianist Olga Kern is widely recognized as one of the great artists of her generation, captivating audiences and critics alike. She was born into a family of musicians and began studying piano at the age of five. At seventeen, she was awarded first prize at the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, and in 2001, she launched her U.S. career, winning a historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only woman in the last 50 years to do so.

Viktoria Mullova’s extraordinary talent captured international attention when she won first prize at the 1980 Sibelius Competition in Helsinki and the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1982 which was followed, in 1983, by her dramatic and much publicized defection to the West. She has since appeared with most of the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors and at the major international festivals. She is now known the world over as a violinist of exceptional versatility and musical integrity. Her curiosity spans the breadth of musical development from baroque and classical right up to the most contemporary influences from the world of fusion and experimental music.

Cellist Nina Kotova has been praised by Gramophone as a “strong and individual artist” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a talent to reckon with- poised, committed, graceful and spirited.” Ms. Kotova is internationally recognized as one of the outstanding instrumentalists of her generation and has performed in recitals and as a soloist with symphony orchestras across the globe throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and the US.

Friday's Performance:

Pinchas Zukerman and the Zukerman Trio
Pinchas Zukerman, violin
Michael Stephen Brown, piano
Amanda Forsyth, cello
Fri, August 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Weill Hall
Tickets $40–$75

With a career spanning five decades, Pinchas Zukerman is one of today’s most sought-after and versatile musicians: solo violinist and violist, conductor and chamber musician. He is renowned as a virtuoso, admired for the expressive lyricism of his playing, the singular beauty of his timbre and impeccable musicianship, which can be heard in his discography of over 100 albums for which he has earned two Grammy awards and 21 nominations. He was awarded the Medal of the Arts, the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence and was named the first instrumentalist mentor of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

Canadian Juno award winning cellist Amanda Forsyth is considered among her peers and critics alike to be one of the most dynamic cellists on the concert stage today. Describing a recent performance, California’s Ventura County Star raves: “In Forsyth’s hands, it was sheer magic.” She has achieved an international reputation as a premiere soloist and chamber musician and previously enthralled audiences as the principal cellist of both The Calgary Philharmonic and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestras. Her intense richness of tone, exceptional musicality and passion are reminiscent of cellists of a former age. She captivates audiences with every phrase.

Michael Stephen Brown has been described as “one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers” (New York Times). Winner of a 2018 Emerging Artist Award from Lincoln Center and a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, he is an artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and an alum of CMS’s Bowers Program. He makes regular appearances with orchestras such as the National Philharmonic, the Seattle, Grand Rapids, North Carolina, and Albany symphonies, and was selected by pianist András Schiff to perform an international solo recital tour, making debuts in Zurich’s Tonhalle and New York’s 92nd Street Y.

Saturday's Performance: 

Joseph Calleja
Tenor, in Recital
Sat, August 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Weill Hall
Tickets $45–$70

Joseph Calleja is one of the most acclaimed tenors of his generation, renowned for his golden-age timbre coupled with an excitingly modern delivery. Born on January 22, 1978, in Attard, Malta, Calleja began showing interest in music at an early age and was inspired by the recordings of legendary tenors like Mario Lanza and Giuseppe Di Stefano.

After winning the Caruso Competition in Milan in 1998 and later receiving a prize in the Plácido Domingo Operalia International Opera Competition, Calleja’s international career skyrocketed. He made his professional debut as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth at the Astra Theatre in Malta and has since graced the world’s leading opera stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera.

Known for his roles in operas by Puccini and Verdi, including the titular role in Faust and as Alfredo in La Traviata, Calleja brings an emotive style and impeccable technique to each performance. His extensive discography includes critically acclaimed recordings of complete operas as well as several solo albums that highlight his broad vocal range and expressive nuance.

Beyond the stage, Joseph is a cultural ambassador for Malta, has been awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic, and is passionately involved in charitable works, including his own foundation aimed at supporting Maltese artistic talents. His contributions to music and culture have also earned him honorary doctorates from the University of Malta and the Open University of Malta.

As a dedicated performer with an undying passion for opera, Joseph Calleja continues to enchant audiences worldwide with his lyrical voice and charismatic stage presence.

Sunday's Performance: 

The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth
Screening of the filmed performance of Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s multidisciplinary work featuring a narration by Robert Redford.
Sun, August 4 at 7 p.m.
Weill Hall
Tickets $45–$70

Screening of the filmed performance of Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s multidisciplinary work featuring a narration by Robert Redford. Join us, along with the Founder, President and Artistic Director of The Way of the Rain Sibylle Szaggars Redford and invited guest Robert Redford, for this special event.

Sibylle Szaggars Redford

Artistic Director | Founder and President

Sibylle Szaggars Redford is a German born multimedia environmental artist whose artwork has been exhibited throughout Europe, Monaco, Peru, Singapore, Japan, Suriname and the United States.

Szaggars Redford is the 2016 recipient of the US State Department’s Art in Embassies Program for the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname where after visiting the countries Rain Forests and Indigenous Peoples, 10 of her site-specific Pieces were placed on permanent display in the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Her artistry spans across mediums and decades, from painted oil sketches and photographs of her Moroccan travels, expressions on canvas from her American Indian Pueblo visits, large Oil paintings where she explores “The Shape of Color,” and her recent works of watercolor abstracts shaped by the monsoon rains of Santa Fe, New Mexico, California and abroad.

Having worked as an environmental artist for almost 4 decades, her desire is to create art that transcends words, languages, cultures and politics. Szaggars Redford creates art in order to speak to a deeper universal consciousness that’s connected to and dependent on the earth and its environments. In order to find a stronger voice through art for the Earth, Szaggars Redford entered the world of performance art as an homage to the universal elements and an artistic medium for environmentalism in action.

In 2013 Szaggars Redford in collaboration with Icelandic Composer and Musician David Thor Jonsson, designed a concept for a staged art performance piece “The Way of the Rain” which would incorporate different art forms; music, dance, film, light, spoken word and her first designed stage backdrop of multiple large “Rain Painting Silks” that would symbolize falling water from the heavens.

Since then, Szaggars Redford has collaborated with various world renowned composers, choreographers and performers with presentations nationwide, The United Emirates of Abu Dhabi, the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall and the Opening Night of the 68th United Nations – NGO – International Conference.

In 2015 Szaggars Redford founded The Way of the Rain, Inc. a Non for profit Organization with the specific purpose of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances – themed and designed to promote public awareness to support the protection of our Earth.

In addition to presenting “The Way of the Rain” performances and developing new staged versions of “The Way of the Rain” Szaggars Redford continues to create and exhibit new art.

Beginning of March 2020 during the time of the Covid – 19 lockdown and isolation, Szaggars Redford in collaboration with Composer Tim Janis and environmental activist Robert Redford began creating “The Way of the Rain – Reflections on Earth” video series shorts – a Gift of Hope to the World and an invitation to reflect on the beauty and wonders of our Planet Earth.

“The Way of the Rain – Reflections on Earth” Ocean video series shorts have been screened around the world at the “Virtual“ Earth X Conference – April 22-27, 2020, the United Nations Oceans Day “Virtual” Earth X Oceans and National Geographic Conference – June 9-10, 2020, Earth X Australia / Oceana Conference – June 11, 2020 and the United Nations “Peace Boat” Conference on June 12, 2020.

“The Way of the Rain – Reflections on Earth” video series shorts continue to focus on the World’s Natural Environments; their delicate Ecosystems and Biodiversity which are important and necessary to maintain in order to preserve the existence of all life on Earth.  For more information: www.sibylleszaggarsredford.com

Robert Redford

Robert Redford (born August 18, 1936, Santa Monica, California, U.S.) is an American motion-picture actor and director known for his diversity of screen characterizations, commitment to environmental and political causes, and for founding the Sundance Institute and Film Festival in Utah.

About Festival del Sole
The story of Festival del Sole, as its name suggests, starts in Italy in the 1990’s, where Barrett Wissman and wife, cellist Nina Kotova, had often discussed organizing an event somewhere in the world where friends could make music together in a warm welcoming atmosphere. In 2003, the Festival del Sole was born in Cortona in Tuscany, and incorporated a vast array of events including concerts, fine art exhibitions, culinary events, wine tastings, and literary events.  In 2006, Barrett Wissman brought the Festival Del Sole to Napa Valley, which has now become Festival Napa Valley. Barrett Wissman has decided to bring back to Northern California in 2024, in partnership with the stunning acoustic and architectural gem, the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University and its Executive Director Jacob Yarrow.

Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance 2024 Wind to Wine Festival August 10th — Immersive VIP Tastings of Petaluma Gap Wines at Gambonini Family Ranch

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) today announced the opening of ticket sales for their annual Wind to Wine Festival, celebrating the distinct wines grown in the wind-driven Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA).  This year’s festival will return to the historic hay barn at Gambonini Family Ranch on Saturday, August 10.

New at the festival this year is the addition of three Seated Seminars, offering VIP attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in a tasting of Petaluma Gap wines curated from multiple wineries. Seats are limited, and each tasting will be guided by winemakers and other representatives of the wines in the lineup.

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

The Grand Tasting portion of the event will include 25+ wineries pouring a wide array of Petaluma Gap wines. The Girl & the Fig will provide delicious appetizers to pair with the wines, while Point Reyes Cheese will offer a sampling of their local artisanal cheese, and Clay Bell sets the festive mood playing acoustic guitar out on the beautiful patio.

PGWA expects another sold-out event and encourages all producers of Petaluma Gap wine to be part of the Wind to Wine Festival and work with the Alliance to promote their own Wind to Wine satellite events in conjunction with the Festival.

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

“We are thrilled to be working with Gambonini Family Ranch and Girl + the Fig” said Scott Welch, Director of Farming for Jackson Family Wines and President of the PGWA Board of Directors. “Both of these partners are icons in our region and represent the best of the best,” said Welch.

“The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers would like to thank American AgCredit, returning as the Presenting Sponsor for Wind to Wine, as well as the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors as a supporting sponsor” Welch said. “We also look forward to new partners, co-sponsors and guests joining us for another successful and fun event.”

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit petalumagap.com.

 

About the Alliance

Founded in 2005, the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) exists to educate members of the wine trade and consumers about the Petaluma Gap AVA and to increase awareness of the region’s unique growing conditions and resulting wine quality. PGWA additionally supports member winegrowers and vintners within the region through ongoing programs and communications designed to help them maximize their success within the industry. The group’s membership is made up of grape growers, wineries, associate business members, sponsors, and local community members with a passion for the region and its wine.

About American AgCredit

American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fourth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma, and serves capital market customers throughout the United States.

Top Pick — A La Carte Tickets Available to Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience May 16th to 19th, 2024

It's almost time for the 3rd Annual Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience — May 16th through 19th, 2024. I've been extremely lucky to attend several highlights during this terrific event over the past three years and I can't wait to head back up to Healdsburg to join in the fun again this year. Hope to see some familiar faces amongst the crowds. 

There are some Paltinum Packages still available if you're interested in a full four-day, unforgettable experience. Otherwise, tickets are available a la carte. Pop onto the site here and book tickets for the events that excite you most. For instance, Friday night's concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards sounds fantastic at $85 a ticket. Groove the night away with GRAMMY-winning guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram amidst the vineyards of Rodney Strong. Kingfish has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation. 

This four day celebration features the best of world-renowned food and wines, highlighting the Makers Behind the Magic in our county: farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs mingling with globally recognized wines from around the globe. 

Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience highlighs culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and our deep connection to agriculture with a plethora of tastings, cooking demos, seminars, concerts and parties. 

Back again this year by popular demand:

Annual Happenings:

• Welcome Celebration (Thursday 5/16, 6-8pm at Montage Grand Lawn)
• Grand Tasting (Saturday 5/18, 12-5pm at West Plaza Lot A
• Rooftop Lounge at The Matheson (Saturday 5/18, 12-4pm at The Matheson Rooftop)
• Magnum Party (Saturday 5/18, 8-11:45pm at The Matheson)

New things to consider:

• Bollywood Night on Saturday at La Crema with Chef Maneet Chauhan (Saturday)
• The Wine Down Pool Party at Francis Ford Coppola for all guests (Sunday)
• Live Cooking Demo at Little Saint (all Vegan sister restaurant to Single Thread) with Celebrity Chef Amanda Freitag (Saturday)
• Special Hawaiian dinner (with auction and raising funds for Maui Strong Fund) with Chef Lee-Ann Wong  (also coming in from Hawaii Four Seasons Resort – Exec Chef Ryan Schelling).
• Mazda is the event's official automotive partner, and the new car 2025 MAZDA CX-70 will debut at the event in May. 

The Third Annual Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, May 16-19, 2024

Wine lovers take note. The third annual Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience (HWFE) — a weekend-long celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines, returns May 16 to 19th, 2024, showcasing our region’s great makers – farmers, growers, winemakers, and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from other great wine regions of the world. 

I've been fortunate to attend this event in its first two years and I must say it is exceptionally well thought out, wine-country chic, casual and at the same time, luxurious, fun and well organized.  

The weekend-long event will include special wine tastings and seminar discussions, exceptional lunches, dinners, celebrity chef demonstrations, cocktail experiences, and an expansive Grand Tasting to highlight Sonoma County's vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and deep connection to agriculture. There will also be a live outdoor concert featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at Rodney Strong on Friday, May 17^th.

New highlights this year include J Vineyards’ Shifting the Lens exclusive experience with Tu David Phu, James Beard Award nominee, Top Chef contestant and a San Francisco Chronicle “Rising Star Chef,” a Bollywood Culinary Dance Celebration at La Crema Winery, and a Wine-Down Pool Party at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. This year’s event will also feature a Culinary Demonstration at Little Saint Healdsburg with celebrity chef and cookbook author Amanda Freitag and a special Hawaiʻi themed dinner party at The Matheson with with local star Dustin Valette and Hawaiʻi Chef Lee Anne Wong raising awareness that Maui is open for business and welcomes mindful travelers back to the island.

"We're thrilled for our third annual event in May," esays Steve Dveris, founder and CEO of the festival. "In just a short time, we've made a national impact as the first international wine and food festival in Sonoma County and Napa Valley, showcasing wines from around the globe. Our event pillars remain celebrating the talented makers, honoring our agricultural roots, culinary diversity, and sustainability, while pairing local talent with top chefs nationwide. Get ready for an incredible weekend packed with fun, surprises, music, and, of course, the finest wine and food!"

Chefs who are participating in the event include some returning favorites as well as several new faces. Joining  for the first time is Kelsey Barnard Clark, season 16 Bravo’s Top Chef Winner, Amanda Freitag author and Food Networks “Chopped,” and Iron Chef America regular, Jeffrey Lunak, Chef/Owner of Sumo Dog, Michael Reed James Beard Best Chef: California semi-finalist, and Lee Anne Wong author, Chef/owner Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, Contestant and Culinary Consultant on Bravo’s Top Chef.

Event producers welcome back local chef Dustin Valette, chef/owner of The Matheson, 2021 Food & Wine’s Best New Chef Matt Horn; Food Network star Maneet Chauhan; “Top Chef” season four winner Stephanie Izard; Food Network’s “Chopped” star and 2011 Food & Wine’s Best New Chef and Iron Chef America winner Viet Pham, and Food & Wine’s Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle. Much loved, local participating chefs include Domenica Catelli, Duskie Estes, Crista Leudtke, Tracey Shepos Cenami, Leah Scurto, and Ari Weiswasser.

Events will be held around Healdsburg, including at The Matheson, Sushi by Scratch: Healdsburg, Montage Healdsburg, Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen and Little Saint, along with wineries including Bacchus Landing, Bricoleur Vineyards, Chalk Hill Estate, J Vineyards & Winery, Kendall-Jackson Estate and Gardens, Marine Layer and Rodney Strong Vineyards, Dutton Ranch and more.

The event also strives to give back to the local community. The outdoor concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards on Friday evening with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram benefits Farm to Pantry, whose goal is to bring together our communities to end food injustice and reverse global warming by rescuing and sharing locally grown food with those who have been marginalized. We will contribute to the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. The organization’s mission is to raise funds that support the Leadership Academy, workforce development and other resources that elevate local vineyard employees and their families. This year’s event will also support Healdsburg Future Farmers of America (FFA). Sponsored by Foley Family Foundation, a significant donation will be directed to the HWFE Future Farmers Scholarship, created by HWFE for students from the local Healdsburg High School FFA chapter.

"As co-founders and partners in this remarkable endeavor, we are deeply committed to our dual mission: showcasing Sonoma County's extraordinary wine, agriculture, and commitment to sustainability on a global platform, while simultaneously raising vital funds to uplift and honor our local vineyard workforce. This mission permeates every aspect of our events and messaging throughout the entire weekend. What could be more fulfilling than enjoying oneself while also making a positive impact?" says Karissa Kruse, CEO & President of Sonoma County Winegrowers and Executive Director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.

Partners of the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience include Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, Foley Food & Wine Society, FOOD & WINE, The Hawaiian Islands, and with event co-founders the Sonoma County Winegrowers.

About Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience

Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience is a four-day celebration featuring the best of world-renowned food and wines and highlighting the “Makers Behind the Magic.” The festival showcases the region’s makers – farmers, growers, winemakers, and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from other great wine regions of the world. HWFE highlights vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and a deep connection to agriculture, through tastings,

Culinary demonstrations, seminars, events, and more, in the beautiful setting of Healdsburg & Wine Country. https://www.healdsburgwineandfood.com/