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Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Announces 2016 Honorary Chairs

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Kosta Browne’s Dan Kosta and Stark Reality Restaurant’s Mark and Terri Stark Named Honorary Chairs

Sonoma Wine Country WeekendSonoma County, CA, May 16, 2016 — Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, presented by Visa Signature®, is delighted to announce the appointment of this year’s Honorary Event Chair, Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne Winery and Culinary Chairs, Mark & Terri Stark of Stark Reality Restaurants. Selection of the Honorary Chairs recognizes leadership and commitment to the Sonoma County wine and food community.

Honorary Event Chair Dan Kosta is one of the two founders of Kosta Browne, a winery and brand that has gained great acclaim with Pinot Noir since its formation almost 20 years ago.  Dan’s entrepreneurial vision and commitment to quality have been hallmarks of Kosta Browne Winery. Sonoma County-born, Kosta grew up surrounded by wine in his father’s business.  His career began as a sommelier and wine buyer in Santa Rosa.

“When I first worked with wine as a career, I was focused on the restaurant side of business, which is where I met Michael Browne and subsequently partnered with him. I was blessed to be rewarded for following a dream to craft great Pinot Noir. Once Kosta Browne developed into a legitimate contributor to the U.S. Pinot Noir community, we began to aim our efforts to giving back in the form of philanthropic wine auctions. For the last 15 years, I have travelled the country sharing wine and experiences in the name of giving back. Now, I am turning my attention back to Sonoma County and our community’s ongoing commitment to our youth. As Kosta Browne approaches our 20thvintage, it is our time to lead the county’s vintners to meet a new fund raising goal following last year’s amazing success. We are continually humbled by the great work that our vintners do.” — Dan Kosta

Darlings of the local dining scene, Culinary Chairs Mark and Terri Stark are the proprietors of six restaurants in Sonoma County. Early in their marriage, Terri introduced East Coast-born Mark to Sonoma County, where her family has roots going back four generations.  It was love at first sight for Mark who found the region “as close to living in Europe as a chef can get living in the United States.”

“There’s no better place to be a chef than Sonoma County, where we have access to some of the finest foods and wines in the world, but Terri and I decided to make our home here for another reason.  We felt an overwhelming sense of community from the first moment we landed. The farmers who were some of the early founders remained resilient by staying connected to each other and to the greater community. That sense of connectedness is alive and well today and we can’t help but be part of that giving back spirit.” — Mark Stark

For more about this year’s Honorary Chairs, visit http://sonomawinecountryweekend.com/about-us/honorary-chairs/

Tickets are available for purchase to the 2016 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, taking place over Labor Day Weekend, starting Friday, May 13. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is the signature three-day celebration of Sonoma County’s wines, farmers, chefs and the independent, generous spirit of this world-class wine country destination. To purchase tickets and plan your Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com

Facebook:       http://www.facebook.com/winecountryweekend

Instagram:      @SonomaWineCountryWeekend

Twitter:           http://twitter.com/SonomaWCW: @SonomaWCW

Hashtag:         #SonomaWineCountryWeekend

About 2016 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries

As Sonoma County’s leading annual wine fundraising event, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend brings the wine industry, chefs, and guests together to invest in our community by supporting youth and children for future success, preserving our environment, and improving health and welfare of our local communities.

A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend takes place on Labor Day weekend each year and features Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards®, Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, and an assortment of intimate and exclusive winery lunch and dinner parties at multiple locations throughout Sonoma County.  To date, more than $20 million has been invested in Sonoma County’s future. For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.

About the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation

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. Sonoma Valley comprises five of the seventeen American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) of Sonoma County: Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Mountain and Sonoma Valley. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.

About the 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 250 wineries and affiliated business throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.

About 2016 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature® & Visa Infinite®

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature and Visa Infinite. Visa Signature and Visa Infinite offer 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 www.visasignature.com.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Hosts

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.”  Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. For more information, call (707) 857-1400 or visit www.FrancisFordCoppolaWinery.com.

MacMurray Estate Vineyards

MacMurray Estate Vineyards crafts an award-winning collection of Pinot Noir and cool-climate whites from Sonoma County and the Central Coast. Enjoy “Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards.” For more information, call (888) 668-7729 or visit www.macmurrayestatevineyards.com.

Chateau St. Jean

Chateau St. Jean, founded in 1973 and located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, 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 uses her more than 30 years of vineyard and winemaking expertise at Chateau St. Jean to highlight the best of Sonoma County. Experience this quintessential Sonoma estate at the “Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean.” For more information, call (877) 478-5326 or visit www.chateaustjean.com.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, taking place over Labor Day Weekend, starting Friday, May 13. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is the signature three-day celebration of Sonoma County’s wines, farmers, chefs and the independent, generous spirit of this world-class wine country destination. To purchase tickets and plan your Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com

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