Food and Wine Festival Showcases Premier Coastal Wines paired with Centuries Old Russian Heritage Along California Coastal Wine Country
JENNER, CA, Sept 8th, 2015—As the fog burns off the hillsides, the magical beauty of the west Sonoma coastline is uncovered at Fort Ross State Historic Park and on October 17th, the third annual Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival will showcase the wines and culinary cuisine from one of Sonoma County’s most scenic and smallest American Viticultural Areas (AVA).
The Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival is hosted by the Fort Ross-Seaview Winegrowers Association (http://fortross-seaview.org), a consortium of wineries and growers in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA dedicated to farming “coastal cool” grapes above the fog on the very edge of the continent. This year, participating Fort Ross-Seaview AVA wineries and vineyards include:
- Piazza Del Dotto (luncheon only)
- Flowers Vineyard & Winery
- Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
- Kutch Wines
- Martinelli Winery
- RAEN Winery
- Tin Barn Vineyards
- Wayfarer Vineyard
- Wild Hog Vineyard
- Precious Mountain Vineyard/Williams Selyem
- Piazza Del Dotto (luncheon only)
Although the area on the northern Sonoma Coast was among the first in California to produce high-quality wine, it was not until 2012 when the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA earned its status as a distinct appellation. The AVA derives its name from prominent local features: Fort Ross, the 1812 Russian-era fort where the first Sonoma county grapes were planted in 1817, and the Seaview community, located on the steep coastal ridges traversed by Seaview Road which runs the length of the AVA and is one of the state’s most scenic routes, offering spectacular views of the Pacific Coast.
Lester Schwartz, founder and owner of Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery and a key figure behind the development of the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, explains, “The wine festival is a celebration of this rich viticultural area producing distinct cool climate wines combined with the strong Russian cultural presence which continues to thrive in this diverse community.”
In addition to the Tasting Tent, the festival is also offering the Grand Luncheon, which includes a four-course meal of seasonal fare expertly paired with special reserve wines from the AVA, prepared by renowned local chefs. The meal will be presented on a scenic marine terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The featured chefs and their culinary contributions include five-time James Beard Award nominee, writer and chef Michele Ana Jordan; Barbara Hom, executive chef at Fort Ross Vineyard; Chef Jamil Pedan of the renowned Applewood Inn and Michelin Star Chefs Andew and Liya Truoung of Terrapin Creek in Bodega Bay.
Tickets for the Grand Luncheon are priced at $125 per person and include entrance to the Grand Tasting Wine Tent, State Parks entrance fee, along with access to the Harvest Festival entertainment and activities. A limited number of Grand Luncheon tickets are available online via advance purchase at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fort-ross-seaview-harvest-festival-tickets-16390907646
Tickets to the Grand Wine Tasting tent are $40 and include access to the wine tent, a selection of local cheeses by Omar Mueller of Freestone Artisan Cheese as well as other Sonoma County cheesemakers, State Parks entrance fee, and access to Harvest Festival entertainment and activities when purchased in advance. Additional food will be available for purchase through an assortment of on-site food trucks.
During the event, visitors will step back in time, taking in the breathtaking views among acres of centuries old restored orchards and imagining life here as a Russian settler in the early 1800s. This special fall festival draws hundreds of visitors near and far to enjoy family-friendly activities and celebrations of the Russian, Alaska Native, and Native American history that worked these lands two hundred years ago. A selection of activities include vintage horse and buggy rides and apple picking at the historic fruit and grapevine orchards first planted by Russian settlers in 1814. Attendees can sample the heirloom fruits and ciders from the orchard along with local baked goods, cheeses, and wines. Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the restored Fort Compound of the early 19th Century Russian settlement.
Festival attendees will be awed and entertained by traditional Russian dancers and vocalists performing communal dances and interpretive re-enactments of the Russians that farmed this remote stretch of coastline 90 miles north of San Francisco.
The Fort Ross-Seaview Harvest Festival is hosted by Fort Ross Conservancy, a non-profit group dedicated to organizing onsite Fort Ross Park programs and raising money to support and sustain the park and its buildings. “For 30 years Russian colonists lived along side the Native Americans and Alaska Natives, working together to farm the land, build ships, hunt, and trade with Spain and the U.S.,” said Sarah Sweedler, Fort Ross Conservancy’s long-time board member and President/CEO. “This festival is a way to remind us of our rich and diverse history while also enjoying the fruits of our labor with amazing local food and wine in a breathtaking setting,” Sweedler added.
This family friendly event is held in the Fort Ross Historic State Park located at 19005 Coast Highway One, Jenner, CA. Please note that we welcome children to participate in all of the harvest festival activities but they are not allowed to participate in the Grand Luncheon. We encourage attendees to stay the weekend to enjoy the beauty and splendor of the area.
Below is a list of accommodations in the area:
Timber Cove Inn, less than ten minutes north of Fort Ross
Fort Ross Lodge, less than eight minutes north of Fort Ross
Ocean Cove Lodge, less than ten minutes north of Fort Ross
Sea Ranch, 45 minutes north of Fort Ross
Jenner Inn, 25 minutes south of Fort Ross
River’s End, Jenner, 30 minutes south of Fort Ross
Bodega Bay Lodge, 1 hour south of Fort Ross
Timber Cove Boat Landing, Brenda Verno: Vacation Rentals: 707/847-3278
Reliable Home Management, Alicia Frost: Vacation Rentals 707/847-3425
Raymond’s Bakery and Elim Grove Cabins: 707/632-5335
For more information on the Fort Ross Seaview Harvest Festival, Fort Ross Conservancy, and Fort Ross Seaview Winegrowers Association, please visit their websites at http://www.fortross.org/, http://www.fortross.org/about.htm and http://fortross-seaview.org/.
About Fort Ross Conservancy
Fort Ross Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and California State Park Cooperating Association whose mission is to promote educational, environmental, and interpretive activities at Fort Ross State Historic Park and Salt Point State Park. Fort Ross Conservancy (FRC) has been in operation since 1973 and relies solely on income from grants, memberships, donations, and bookshop revenue. With funding from the Renova Fort Ross Foundation, FRC has overseen significant restoration in the historic orchard and is managing the creation of the Fort Ross Historic Orchard Management Plan being developed by esteemed National Parks and State Parks experts. FRC is wholly independent but works in accordance with its cooperating agreement with California State parks pursuant to California State Public Resources Code 513.
For more information on park attraction hours, activities, events, parking and driving directions please visit http://www.fortross.org/info.htm.
About Fort Ross Seaview Winegrowers Association
FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION is an association of local grape growers and wineries dedicated to farming “coastal cool” grapes on the very edge of the continent. Here the vineyards are like islands in the sunshine above a sea of coastal fog that nips at their edges during the long, slow and temperate grape growing season. The maritime climate of the area is ideal for growing wine grapes of the highest caliber. The vineyards here produce pure, focused fruit with lively acidity, minerality and nuanced tannins. These exceptional grapes produce internationally acclaimed wines of balance, character, structure and finesse that tempt the palate with their elegance. See www.fortross-seaview.org or email us at info@fortross-seaview.org.
