Dinner, Dancing, and a Live and Silent Auction Will Take Place at Soda Rock Winery on May 14, 2016

HEALDSBURG, CA  – In honor of its 40^th anniversary taking place this year, Wine Road of Northern Sonoma County will throw “A Ruby Affair” gala event on May 14, 2016 to celebrate this exciting milestone. The evening will take place at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, and will include a farm-to-table dinner by Ken Rochioli, dancing, and a live and silent auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit local organizations United Way of Wine Country and Worth Our Weight.

Senator Mike McGuire, born and raised in the Alexander Valley, will serve as auctioneer for the evening, joining event emcee Audrey Cooper, Editor-in-Chief of the San Francisco Chronicle. Auction items will include extravagant travel and food packages, fantastic wines, and select barrels from Wine Road’s “The Art of Oak” program, in which 40 local artists were asked to turn 40 used wine barrels into art, benefiting children’s art programs at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Wine Road’s founding members will also be honored throughout the evening.

Tickets are available for purchase online for $150 per ticket, and cocktail attire with ruby tones is highly encouraged, as ruby is the traditional 40^th anniversary gift.

From humble beginnings with nine founding winery members in 1976 to a world-class wine tourism destination, Wine Road has been a major player in the evolution of the wine industry in Sonoma County. A documentary film on the organization will premiere this September, and upcoming 40^th anniversary events include Explore Wine Road Day on May 7; Magical Mystery Tours on June 18; and the outdoor community event “40 Years of Cheers” on July 23.

ABOUT WINE ROAD NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY:

The Wine Road, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2016, is a travel resource for those looking to visit the region, which is famous for its renowned wine producers and cuisine, scenic beauty, and wine country lifestyle. The association hosts three celebrated wine events throughout the year, “Winter WINEland” in January; “Barrel Tasting” in March; and “Wine and Food Affair” in November. Made up of 200 wineries and 50 lodgings throughout the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys in Sonoma County, something is always going on along the Wine Road. To plan your next trip, please visit: www.wineroad.com. For additional information, or to request a free map, contact Beth Costa at 800.723.6336 or via e-mail at info@wineroad.com, or visit the Wine Road on Twitter and Facebook.