New Locations and Dates for Taste of Sonoma & Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (February 1, 2017) – Sonoma County Vintners announced today the exciting news that the 2017 “Taste of Sonoma,” one of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s most significant wine and food events, will be held at a new location: the beautiful Sonoma State University and the Donald & Maureen Green Music Center. Additionally, the event will expand to two days, occurring over Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, 2017.
This premier event, presented by Visa Signature®, will elevate and enhance the direct connection with top winemakers, winegrowers and master chefs in celebration of the region’s finest wines and food. The expanded format over two days, will allow guests the opportunity to taste from wineries across the county’s 17 diverse regions, engage in conversation with Sonoma County’s winemakers and winegrowers, as well as sample locally sourced and exquisitely prepared food served by the county’s premier chefs.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Sonoma State University’s Donald & Maureen Green Music Center”, said Kelin Castleberry Backman, Managing Director of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. “This world-class venue will not only showcase the incredible wine and food at Taste of Sonoma, but gives us an exciting landscape to create new elements for the event. Our creative juices are flowing and we’re excited for this new partnership.”
Located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, the new venue centrally located with easy access, features acres of beautifully manicured landscaping and a world-class performing arts complex. Sonoma State University is also home to the Wine Business Institute, the first and only program in the United Sates to focus exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry.
“This event is a natural fit for us as home to the Wine Business Institute, the global leader in wine business education and research,” said Dr. William S. Silver, Dean of the School of Business and Economics, and Sonoma County Vintners Board Member. “We welcome the opportunity to invite wine and food lovers to enjoy our 300 acre campus at the base of Sonoma Mountain, and to showcase the world famous Green Music Center.”
As previously announced, the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction, the flagship Sonoma Wine Country Weekend event and the county’s leading annual charitable fundraising program will be held Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard, a new hub of wine education and culinary exploration in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Barbara R. Banke and the entire Banke Jackson family will serve as the Honorary Chairs of the Auction that has been named one of the top three U.S. charitable wine auctions by Wine Spectator.
The Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction brings the wine industry, chefs and guests together to invest in our community by supporting children for future success, preserving our environment, and improving the health and welfare of our local community. Guests have an opportunity to bid on an array of luxurious and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, sipping spectacular wines and dining on dishes expertly crafted from Sonoma County’s freshest ingredients. This extraordinary event has raised $24 million to date for 95 local Sonoma County charitable organizations and reflects the Sonoma County wine business’ commitment to giving back to our greater community.
Further details for Taste of Sonoma and the Harvest Wine Auction will be available soon.
About Sonoma County Vintners
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 200 wineries and affiliated businesses throughout the county. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit: www.SonomaWine.com.
About Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is the signature celebration of Sonoma County’s wines, winegrowers, chefs and the independent, generous spirit of this world-class wine country destination. A partnership between the Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, the events have raised more than $24 million to date to invest in Sonoma County’s future. For more information about Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, visit SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute and Green Music Center
Wine Business Institute
The Wine Business Institute (WBI) is an education and research institute of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Sonoma State University (SSU). SSU is the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to offer seminars, certificates, and degree programs focused on the business of wine. It is the first school of business in the world to offer an executive-level wine business degree. In 2017, WBI will open the Wine Spectator Learning Center, a 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art education complex dedicated to training the next generation of leaders for a dynamic global wine industry. With its unique location, expert faculty, and deep relationships in the world of wine, WBI attracts current and future professionals from California and around the world to experience the wealth of connections among students, alumni, and industry leaders.
Green Music Center
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of Northern California’s esteemed wine country, the Green Music Center (GMC) is a focal point for arts in the region, with its spectacular 1400-seat Weill Hall, an acoustically exceptional venue with a modular rear wall that opens to terraced lawn seating, providing picturesque views of the surrounding countryside, and the 240-seat Schroeder Hall, a cathedral-like recital hall designed specifically to accentuate instruments, organ and voice in a small, intimate setting. A program of Sonoma State University, the GMC presents year-round programming of top classical, contemporary, jazz and world music artists, and is home to the Santa Rosa Symphony.
About 2017 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature®
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature. Visa Signature offers account holders a range of benefits that provide special access and can save time and money. In addition to points, miles, cash back and 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 and issuers offering Visa Signature, visit VisaSignature.com.
