Champange Wishes Exclusive from Our Friends at MacMurray, one of Peachy's FAVORITES: Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch Highlights Sonoma County’s Biggest Wine and Food Event of the Year Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, September 3-5 Features Acclaimed Taste of Sonoma, Legendary Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction and Exclusive Winemaker Lunches and Dinners Proceeds Benefit Local Sonoma Charities Serving Youth, Farmworkers and Families in Need

Peachy Deegan loves MacMurray Ranch and their outstanding wine, and we cannot wait to feature Kate as a Mover and Shaker!  Here is an exciting event that you all should know about if you can make it to the West Coast!  

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will take place September 3-5. The three-day harvest celebration combines the prestigious Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® and the iconic Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction with a series of intimate winery-hosted lunches and dinners. In all, more than 200 world-class growers, wineries and chefs will take part in what has been hailed as California’s largest outdoor food and wine event – and one that has, over the years, raised more than $10 million for local Sonoma charities.  Tickets to Sonoma Wine Country Weekend can be purchased atwww.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com. Visa Signature cardholders receive special savings and event perks when they use their card to purchase tickets.  

For three days, wine, food and travel enthusiasts from all over the world converge in the birthplace of California wine for a unique “insider” opportunity to celebrate the grape harvest in a series of events that showcase the region’s farm-to-table bounty and the more than 200 acclaimed growers, vintners and chefs who comprise Sonoma County’s artisan wine and food community. 

For the sixth year in a row, wine lovers and foodies alike can immerse themselves in Sonoma’s world class food and wine culture at the Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® from 11am – 4pm on Saturday, September 4 in the vineyards of Sonoma’s historic MacMurray Ranch®. More than 200 award winning wineries and chefs will be on hand to showcase their talents in a gala tasting set among the vines at the storied ranch formerly owned by actor Fred MacMurray.  His daughter, Kate MacMurray, still lives on the ranch and is honorary host of Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®.

On Friday, Sept. 3, Kate is also hosting one of the many winery dinners planned for the weekend, entertaining her guests at elegantly-set tables out of doors under towering redwood trees in a creek side grove behind her house on the ranch. 

Nestled in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the historic MacMurray Ranch®  is home to award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. MacMurray Ranch offers a collection of elegant, expressive wines from cool-climate vineyards in premier growing regions. Look for MacMurray Ranch® at fine wine shops and dining establishments nationwide, or visit online at www.macmurrayranch.com.  

In addition to the boundless opportunities to sip and savor the diversity of Sonoma’s rich farm-to-table heritage, visitors can deepen their Sonoma experience through a series of informative and entertaining wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and vineyard tours.  Grand Reserve ticket holders ($195/person versus $150 for general admission) will enjoy special access to rare, hard-to-find and limited edition wines offered in Club Reserve.  Named one of the 10 Best Wine & Food events in America, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® presents attendees with unparalleled access to Sonoma’s unmatched wines and cuisine.  

Event Schedule and Venues

Winemaker Dinners and Lunches  Presented by Caliber WinePak

Friday and Saturday, September 3, 4 at various winery venues

12:30pm -Winemaker Lunches, $85/person

6:00 pm - Winemaker & Specialty “Varietal” Dinners, $160/person, $175/person Specialty Dinners  

Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® 

Saturday, September 4, 11am – 4pm

General - $150/person

Visa Signature Cardholder General Ticket - $95/person              

           Grand Reserve - $195/person               

           Visa Signature® Cardholder Grand Reserve - $175/person                       

Chairman’s Dinner  Hosted by Honorary Chair St. Francis Winery & Vineyards         

Saturday, September 4, 6:00pm          

$175/person 

Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction Presented by Trilogy Glass & Packaging  at Cline Cellars

      Sunday September 5, 11am ^- Silent Auction Preview, 1pm - Live Auction            

General - $500/person           

Visa Signature Cardholder - $450/person 

Tickets for all events available at www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com 
 

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend culminates with the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction, taking place Sunday September 5 on the grounds of Cline Cellars in Sonoma. Doors open at 11am with auctioneer Fritz Hatton getting the live auction underway at 1pm in the Wine Spectator Auction Tent. Having raised more than $8 million dollars for local charities since its inception, the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction is famous for its irreverent skits, lavish auction lots, and record breaking charitable donations.  Surf’s Up! This year’s auction goes California Beach Party with the tagline “Endless Sonoma” as in endless wine, endless food and endless fun.  Board shorts, puka shells and flip flops will be de rigueur as Sonoma Valley’s most celebrated growers and vintners take to the stage to introduce this year’s auction lots, cowabunga-style.   

In addition to the auction’s legendary display of fine wine, culinary extravagance and incomparable hospitality, ticket holders will enjoy full access to all pre and post auction festivities and lounge parties. Tables for the live auction will be hosted by, and feature the wines of, Sonoma’s most prestigious growers and vintners, allowing ticket holders the opportunity to select their preferred table assignments, based upon availability.  

From Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, more than 40 of Sonoma County’s most renowned vintners will open their homes, vineyards and cellar doors for a series of intimate lunches and dinners.  From elaborate multi-course meals prepared by renowned chefs, to small, intimate dinners at the winemakers’ private homes, guests will enjoy an exclusive insider experience.   

Seating for the Winemaker Lunch and Dinner Series is extremely limited and sells out quickly. Those wishing to attend are advised to purchase tickets as soon as they become available on June 1 atwww.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.  

Online Auction:  Bidding is Just a Click Away

For the third year, those who can’t make it to the auction in person or wish to get an early start on bidding may do so online at www.WineCountryWeekend.cMarket.com beginning August 1. This pre-auction online bidding is being made available through Bidding for Good, an on-demand, online auction platform designed solely for organizations engaged in fundraising for nonprofit causes.  Visitors to the site can bid on select lots ranging in value from $100 - $5,000.
 

About 2010 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries

A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is the area’s largest wine and food fundraiser, having jointly donated more than $10 million to local charities that support students, children, farm workers and people in need.  The 2010 Sonoma Wine County Weekend is presented by Visa Signature, whose cardholders will receive exclusive benefits throughout the event.  In addition to Visa Signature, the 2010 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is being made possible by the following sponsors: Caliber WinePak, MacMurray Ranch®, 

 

About Sonoma County Vintners

Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 175 wineries of all sizes throughout the county. www.SonomaWine.com.