Flagship Event Will Feature Hundreds of Wineries, Chefs, and Food Purveyors
The full flavors of Sonoma County will be in the spotlight at the 33rd annual Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch in Healdsburg, California on Saturday, September 1, 2012 as part of the 5th annual Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, presented by Visa Signature®. Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch is a day-long event that features more than 170 wineries and 60 of Sonoma County’s top chefs and food purveyors as well as a multitude of educational and entertaining events staged at a quintessential, “only in Sonoma” setting.
Kate MacMurray is the honorary host of Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch which takes place on the historic property and vineyard site that her father, the late actor Fred MacMurray, purchased decades ago. Guests are invited to sip and savor while soaking up the experience of the intimate site. MacMurray Ranch is rarely open to the public and tickets should be purchased early as this event has grown in popularity and is anticipated to again sell out.
“The diversity of the Sonoma County wine and culinary culture can be experienced in one place at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch,” said Honore Comfort, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Co-Director, “We are always overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of the local wine and culinary professionals that participate in our event.”
“In addition to wine and food, guests at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch can participate in seminars, take a personalized tour of the event with a Sommelier Star, watch the ever-popular Sonoma Steel Chef Competition, luxuriate at the Gloria Ferrer Bubble Lounge, learn from a pro at the live Cooking Light Grill or elevate the entire experience by going to the newly-expanded Club Reserve for exclusive wine tasting,” added Maureen Cottingham, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Co- Director.
Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch is set for Saturday, September 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at MacMurray Ranch, 9015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California. Tickets for this single event are on sale now at www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com for $150 per person for General Admission or $195 per person for Grand Reserve tickets which allow additional privileges throughout the event and access to exclusive venues that will feature rare wines, gracious hospitality and special behind-the-scenes benefits.
Produced in partnership by the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Vintners, the 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend event features the Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®, the Sonoma Starlight Supper Club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the 20th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak, and an assortment of additional winery-hosted events throughout Sonoma County.
The 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Honorary Co-Chairs are selected for their wine industry leadership and community service. Honored this year are Margo and Don Van Staaveren, Chateau St. Jean as the Winery Co-Chairs and The Robert Young Family as the Grower Co-Chairs.
Proceeds from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend support Sonoma County non-profit organizations. To date, a cumulative total of more than $11 million has been donated directly to Sonoma County non-profits by the local wine community through this event.
Tickets, which range from $85 to $500 per person, are on sale now. Many events sell out, so prospective attendees are encouraged to purchase early. Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature is also offering cardholders event perks and savings. For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com, like it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/winecountryweekend and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SonomaWCW.
2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Schedule At-A-Glance Friday, August 31
12:30 p.m. – Winemaker Lunch Series, sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak 7:00 p.m. – Sonoma Starlight Supper Club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery sponsored by Kaiser Permanente 6:00 p.m. – Winemaker Dinner Parties, sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak
Saturday, September 1
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch® 6:00 p.m. – Winemaker Dinner Parties, sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak 6:00 p.m. – Chairman’s Dinner Party
Sunday, September 2
12:30 p.m. – Winery Barbecues at Wineries throughout Sonoma County 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean, sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak
Tickets* Tickets On Sale: June 1, 2012 Sonoma Starlight Supper Club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery: $95/person or $175/person Patron Winery Barbecues: $85/person Winemaker Lunch: $85/person; Winemaker Dinner Parties: $150/person Chairman’s Dinner: $175/person Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch®: $150/person (General), $195/person (Grand Reserve) Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean – 20th Anniversary Event: $500/person * Special Visa Signature Cardholder pricing and benefits available at www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com
About Visa Signature
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature which offers account holders a range of benefits that provide special access and can save time and money. In addition to points, miles, cash back or other premium rewards offered by Visa Signature partners, account holders enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and entertainment events. For more information on Visa Signature and issuers offering Visa Signature visit www.visa.com/signature.
About MacMurray 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 Winemaker Chris Munsell crafts a collection of elegant, expressive wines from cool-climate vineyards in California and Oregon, reflecting a passion for the special places that create extraordinary grapes. Kate MacMurray, daughter of Hollywood legend Fred MacMurray, remains deeply connected to MacMurray Ranch, carrying on the legacy of this iconic Sonoma landmark. Learn more at www.macmurrayranch.com.
About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is, “A wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.” Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, California, accessed from US HWY 101 and the INDEPENDENCE LANE exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features wine tasting, two restaurants, a swimming pool, a movie gallery, a performing arts Pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information, call (707) 857-1400, toll free (877) 590-3329 or visit www.FrancisCoppolaWinery.com.
About Chateau St. Jean
Founded in 1973 in the Sonoma Valley, Chateau St. Jean is the quintessential Sonoma winery. Chateau St. Jean produces an extensive portfolio of Sonoma County wines as well as vineyard designated wines, limited production Reserve wines, and the flagship Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren, who was named “Winemaker of the Year” for 2008 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, has been with Chateau St. Jean for over 30 years. Chateau St. Jean is the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious “Wine of the Year” award from Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages, a Bordeaux style blend of “five varieties” and has long been recognized as a leader in vineyard designated wines. For more visit www.chateaustjean.com.
About 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries
A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place on Labor Day weekend each year. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised over $11 million in support of local charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need. The 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature®. In addition to Visa Signature, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend sponsors include: TricorBraun WinePak, MacMurray Ranch®, Buick, Cooking Light, Wine Spectator, San Francisco Magazine, Chateau St. Jean, Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Kaiser Permanente. For a complete list of beneficiaries and sponsors, please visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
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. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
