Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2015 Top 10 Highlights

I feel pretty spoiled when I share with you what I did for Labor Day weekend this year. Rather than pack my bags and get out of town, I had a stay-cation in San Francisco which included an afternoon in Sonoma. The afternoon in Sonoma was really me attending The Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray ranch with more than 200 wineries pouring thousands of wines, and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings.   Pretty fabulous, right?  Sonoma Wine Country weekend literally encompasses the entire weekend with various events from Friday to Sunday, however, I just attended the “Taste of Sonoma” Saturday from 11am – 4:00pm. 

This was my first time attending the event and it will definitely not be my last. It was truly a spectacular wine festival with delicious culinary bites along side the 200 wineries pouring.  

What’s the big deal and why should you go? If you love both Wine and Food and enjoy meeting Winemakers, Chefs, and would enjoy a gorgeous afternoon in Wine Country, you would love the Taste of Sonoma. 

What is the set up? There were various tents throughout the MacMurray Estate, with each region of Sonoma (i.e. Dry Creek, Russian River Valley) represented.  With over 200 Wineries in attendance and over 60 Restaurants there truly is something for everyone. 

What are the ticket costs? There are two different options for tickets, the general admission which is $165 or the Grand Reserve for $195. As press I had access to the grand reserve and suggest for the additional $30 you upgrade to this ticket. For the entire event, there is rotating schedule of wineries pouring (an hour at a time) so the Grand Reserve allows access to some additional Wineries not in the General Admission area pouring some higher end exclusive wines. 

What if you have a Visa Signature Credit Card? Well then you’re in luck as tickets are a bit more reasonable with General Admission at $135 (limit of 4 tickets) and Reserve $175 (limit 4 tickets) and you get some other special Visa Signature Perks (see picture below).  

Guests enjoying a live cooking demo

The Reserve area with various wines being poured rotating on the hour

This was one of my favorite wines in the Reserve Area. 

Simi Winery’s compressed Watermelon Caprese Salad paired with their Sauvignon Blanc. Such a delicious light dish perfect with their wine pairing!

Jordan Winery, another one of my favorite wineries in Healdsburg. They have the most amazing tasting experiences, read about one I’ve enjoyed here…. 

Way to go Jordan Winery serving Caviar. You are such a class act. I am not surprised by this lavish set up. What an amazing experience for guests just like you’re spectacular winery! 

Cheers to the delicious bubbles V.M.L. was pouring! 

Hands down my favorite Eat at the event. It was so good I went back for seconds. Kudos Chef Peter Janiak and the Seghesio Family Vineyards you killed it!

Loved the Estate Pinot Noir from event hosts, MacMurray

Inman Family Wines, I am a huge fan of the Santa Rosa Winery. Read more about the Winery here…. 

Gwyneth Borden, a J.S.F. Board Advisor and friend, Kathleen of Kathleen Inman Wines and me catching up

This was the perfect bite on a hot summer day. The tomatoes were delicious, so ripe I bet they just came out of the garden paired with the cold Mozzarella Cheese. Yummy!

MacRostie Wines my newest Healdsburg obsession. No joke, I recently visited and immediately fell in love, so much that I joined their wine club!  They have killer Pinots Noirs & Chardonnays at great prices $25 – $54 considering how amazing the wines are! 

Bumped into Steve MacRostie of MacRostie Wines. He’s the sweetest!

As a huge Chardonnay girl, I’m obsessed with the Dutton Estate Grapes found in Dutton Estate Wines, MacRostie Wines, Ram’s Gate Wines & Patz & Hall Wines (just to name a few). Each and every time I enjoy these grapes I love them so it was amazing meeting the Dutton Estate team and sharing my love for their amazing grapes with them. I of course enjoyed their Russian River Valley Chardonnay (shown). 

 

DISCLOSURE: Emily,  The JetSetting Fashionista  enjoyed complimentary press tickets to this event.  However, Emily was not paid to write this post and only writes posts or features about events that she personally enjoys and proudly endorses and wants to share with her readers. All opinions expressed are her own.