WORD ON VINES
Wine, food and sommelier stars at Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Published: Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
By CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
As a world-renowned sommelier, journalist and international wine judge for more than a decade, I am constantly invited to lavish galas, events and special tastings featuring wines from around the globe. In summertime, two of my favorite local events are the Sonoma Showcase: Taste of Sonoma in July and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction. Earlier this year, I was excited to hear that County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers, the organizers of these two unique events, had joined forces to create the fantastic new Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, Aug. 29-31.
This Friday, Aug. 29, the lineup for the festive weekend event kicks off in style with a series of intimate lunches and dinners at wineries located throughout the county. On Saturday, the 29th annual Showcase: Taste of Sonoma will be held at the beautiful MacMurray Ranch in Russian River Valley. With over 100 wineries pouring their finest offerings and more than 60 local chefs making delectable treats, this popular annual event promises to be a memorable experience for lovers of wine and foodies alike.
On Sunday, the festivities culminate at the 16th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Cline Cellars. Renowned for its wild themes and iconic skits, this year’s ’60s-style live auction promises psychedelic silliness while raising money for important charities. Highlights include the Lava Lamp Lounge, where guests can sip wine and socialize next to the Volkswagen Bus-turned-refreshment stand. A live band will perform for the first time ever throughout the auction recreating throwback Rolling Stones tunes and other ’60s favorites.
For the first time, the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend has teamed up with cMarket, an on-demand, online auction platform designed solely for organizations engaged in fund raising for nonprofit causes, to create a virtual auction experience to complement the weekend’s festivities. Throughout the month of August, visitors to www.winecountryweekend. com can bid on auction lots that will vary in value from $100 to $3,000.
“In the 16-year history of this auction, we have always had more people want to donate and be involved,” says Maureen Cottingham, marketing and events director for the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliances. “Now, with today’s technology, we can reach a greater number of people — some of whom might not be able to attend the actual events — and get them excited and involved in this fun and charitable causes.”
Another premiere feature this year will be the “Sommelier Stars,” a team of talented wine experts from prominent restaurants throughout the United States will sit at VIP tables and serve as personal “tasting tour guides” for a more immense and unforgettable wine experience at the Taste of Sonoma event on Saturday.
As a Petaluma resident and sommelier at Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar at The Lodge at Sonoma, I am thrilled to be a member of this all-star team. But along with me, another Petaluma native who will be a part of Sommelier Stars team is Shelley Lindgren of A16 Restaurant & Wine Bar in San Francisco. After graduating from St Vincent High School in 1989, Shelley's passion for pairing wine and food began while working at fine restaurants in San Francisco during the dot.com era. After graduating from University of San Francisco in the mid-1990s, Shelley went on to study wine and food, and travel abroad for four years before taking her first-level sommelier exam. Along the way, she developed a passion for Italian wine and food culture. After working as a sommelier from 2001-2003 at Bacar restaurant, in 2004 she became co-owner and wine director at the now very successful A16 restaurant on Chestnut Street in the Marina District.
When asked about her participation at this year’s event, Shelley said she is excited to be back in her old stomping grounds.
“Being in Sonoma at harvest makes me proud to have grown up in this region. As a part of the Sommelier Stars team, I hope to pass this excitement on to the hundreds of fans of wine and food who will be attending this world-class weekend event.” she said.
In addition to Shelley and myself, other members of the Sonoma Stars Sommelier team include: Geoff Kruth, master sommelier Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant in Forestville; Chris Blanchard, master sommelier/wine direct of Redd in Yountville and El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma; Alexander Aland of Searing’s Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Dallas in Dallas; Tammie Ruesenberg of Olives at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas; Jeremy Christie of Bistro Laurent Turandel “Market,” Ritz Carlton Central Park in New York City; Aviram Turgeman of the Tour de France Restaurant Group in New York City; and Troy Weissmann of South Gate in New York City.
Major sponsors for this year’s event include: Wine Spectator and Gourmet magazines, Riedel stemware, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, Buick, American Ag Credit, Jenn-Air, Southern Wines and Spirits, and Rodney Strong, Gallo Family, MacMurray Ranch, Mantanzas Creek, LaCrema, Cline and Jacuzzi Family wineries. For tickets or more information about the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, visit www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com or call 800-939-7666.
(Petaluma resident Christopher Sawyer is a journalist, wine judge and the world's only official film festival sommelier at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival held each April. He can be contacted at csawyer@ sonic.net.)
