Healdsburg, Calif.–Chef Charlie Palmer and winemaker Clay Mauritson announce the ninth annual Project Zin event, taking place Friday, August 16-Saturday, August 17 at Hotel Healdsburg. This do-good wine weekend offers a series of dining and educational events hosted by Chef Palmer, Clay Mauritson and some of the industry’s most elite winemakers. Saturday evening’s preeminent wine event, Project Zin gathers some of the most sought after Zinfandels and Sonoma County chefs with all proceeds benefiting the Down Syndrome Association North Bay. Hotel packages and a la carte tickets are now on sale.
Saturday evening’s Project Zin event lines up 21 of the most highly acclaimed Zinfandel wines from Northern California. The number 21 is significant: in most cases of Down Syndrome there is an extra copy of chromosome 21, which changes the body and brain’s normal development. Clay and Carrie Mauritson’s ten-year old son Brady was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at the age of 2 ½, which led the Mauritson family to seek support from friends, family, and community organizations, including the Down Syndrome Association, North Bay (DSANB). In addition to DSANB, Clay solicited the aid of his close friend and winemaking partner, Chef Charlie Palmer, and Project Zin was born. In the years since Project Zin’s inception, the Sonoma County winemaking and culinary community has come together to raise over $750,000 for DSANB, providing much needed funds for research and support for individuals and families affected by Down Syndrome. A letter from Clay and Carrie Mauritson highlighting their personal challenges with Down Syndrome and the subsequent support they received from the DSANB can be found here.
Chef & Winemaker Talent
Now in its ninth year, the local and global winemaker and chef community comes out in droves to support a fellow winemaking family, as well as DSANB, including such prolific wineries as Robert Biale Vineyards, Carlisle Winery & Vineyards Ridge Vineyards, Williams Selyem, Seghesio Family Vineyards, and acclaimed wine country restaurants Dry Creek Kitchen, Valette, and SingleThread Farm – Restaurant – Inn, and more. A full list of wineries and restaurants can be found here: http://projectzin.org/talent/.
Events
Limited availability, for package guests only.
Rockpile Vineyard Lunch with Clay Mauritson (Mauritson Winery), Ian Blackburn (Beekeeper Cellars) and Andy Robinson (Seghesio Family Vineyards).
Guests will be picked up from Hotel Healdsburg and will wind their way to the top of the historic Rockpile Ridge Vineyard. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the heart of the vineyard while sipping a glass of Rosé with Clay, Ian and Andy. The afternoon will feature lunch served alongside a vertical of Rockpile Zinfandels. Your afternoon will conclude with a stop at Mauritson Winery where guests can enjoy coffee and a tour of the production facility. This is a truly fantastic experience to spend an afternoon filled with spectacular wine, delicious food and great company.
Saturday, August 17 | 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Rockpile Ridge Vineyard
Limerick Lane Vineyard Lunch with Jake Bilbro (Limerick Lane), Mike Officer (Carlisle Winery) and Chris Cottrell (Bedrock Wine Company)).
Guests will be escorted from Hotel Healdsburg to Limerick Lane located in the far northeastern corner of the Russian River, just south of Healdsburg. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the heart of the vineyard while sipping a glass of Rosé with Jake, Mike and Chris. The afternoon will feature lunch served alongside a vertical of Rockpile Zinfandels. Your afternoon will end with a stop at Mauritson Winery where guests can enjoy coffee and a tour of the production facility.
Saturday, August 17 | 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Limerick Lane Vineyard
Project Zin
Saturday evening’s Project Zin event is our preeminent food and wine event where guests will sample 21 of the most sought-after Zinfandels paired with tastings from Chef Palmer, Dry Creek Kitchen as well as top Sonoma County chefs.
The evening includes an inspiring Live Auction with Daryl Groom and Silent Auction where guests will have the chance to obtain rare, once-in-a-lifetime wine, food lots and travel packages. All proceeds go to Down Syndrome Association North Bay.
Saturday, August 17 | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Hotel Healdsburg | $200 per person
Tickets & Hotel Packages
Tickets and hotel packages go on sale on June 12 at 11 am PST and can be purchased online at http://projectzin.org/tickets/. Tickets and package pricing are listed below.
A la carte tickets
Includes admission to event, unlimited tasting of Zinfandels and culinary creations
$200 (excludes taxes/fees)
Rockpile Vineyard Lunch: $150
Limerick Lane Vineyard Lunch: $150
Project Zin Packages
All packages include two-night accommodations for two in a luxurious Hotel Healdsburg, h2hotel or Harmon Guest House room, daily gourmet breakfast and valet parking, VIP check-in to all events, welcome wine reception with Clay & Carrie Mauritson on Friday, August 16 at Hotel Healdsburg, two tickets to Saturday Vineyard Lunch of Choice, and two tickets to Project Zin.
Project Zin Hotel Healdsburg Package
Two-night accommodations for two in a Hotel Healdsburg Premier King Room
Package Price: $2,388.83 (15 packages available)
Project Zin H2hotel Package
Two-night accommodations for two in a h2hotel Eco-King Room
Package Price: $2,156.83 (5 packages available)
Project Zin Harmon Guest House Package
Two-night accommodations for two in a Harmon Guest House King Room
Package Price: $2,156.83 (5 packages available)
