The bounty of the harvest season is upon us in wine country! From Sonoma to Napa Valley, wineries are offering more than just the standard wine tasting in celebration. Here is our guide to a few out of the dozens that we will be at!
Sullivan Estate
Sullivan Estate is showing off new wines with an epic big roast this year. This boutique winery is tucked right off Napa Valley’s Highway 29 in Rutherford. It has always been a family run business, and the intimate setting matches the high profile but limited production wines made here. In addition to the family, you can get close to a classic car collection, and winemaker Scott McLeod. Scott has been making exemplary Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon for decades now, and is always charming to talk wine with in person.
Sullivan Vineyards
1090 Galleron Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 963-9646
http://www.sullivanwine.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageID=E311FF05-D26F-A88D-CFCF-4844C555C834
Artesa Winery
Having a resident artist like Gordon Huether <http://www.gordonhuether.com/> is a testament to the beauty of our next crush party at Artesa Winery in Carneros. This winery sits at the mouth of the Napa Valley and is one of the first to welcome visitors after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge out of San Francisco. Their fall event is a smash hit every year, and is currently wait-listed! Vineyard manager Joseph Hardin, assistant winemaker Ana Diogo Draper and winemaker Mark Beringer always rub elbows with Artesa fans, but harvest parties are a salute to the wine making team, and this team certainly merits the attention at this event.
Artesa Winery
1345 Henry Road, Napa, CA 94559
(707) 224-1668
https://www.artesawinery.com/events/
Buena Vista
Buena Vista is considered the first winery EVER in California’s wine history. Founded in 1857, Buena Vista is California’s first premium winery, and its history is as colorful as it is proud. In a beautiful contrast to this illustrious history and current exuberant owner, this end of season soiree is a humble but poignant brunch with the men and women who physically make the wine here. The crew will also walk you around a typical day at the winery during the harvest season, including some hands on lessons on exactly how wine is made!
Buena Vista
18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, CA 95476
(800) 926-1255
http://www.buenavistawinery.com/eventdetail/morning-crush-brunch-at-buena-vista-winery
Duckhorn & Paraduxx
From the historic and modest, to a modern institution of quality wines in Napa Valley and beyond with Duckhorn Vineyards <http://www.duckhorn.com/Events/Calendar>. The Duckhorn legacy is now spread across many regions and wineries, but this autumnal event is held at Paraduxx near Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. They have established a reputation for their bold, expressive character driven wines. These food-friendly sophisticated wines are poured alongside caricatures, fortune tellers and a live band. This should be a fun and exciting event!
Paraduxx
7257 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
(707) 945-1805
http://www.paraduxx.com/events/Harvest-Festival
Whitehall Lane
Finally, proprietor Tom Leonardini Sr. of Whitehall Lane and his family are pulling out all the stops for their harvest celebration. This party will include zydeco music and cioppino with a Cajun kick! Celebrity chef Mark Estee and his acclaimed restaurants have been featured many times on the Food Network, and will be providing the food for this incredible culinary bash!
Whitehall Lane
1563 St. Helena Hwy, St. Helena, CA 95474
(707) 963-9454
http://www.whitehalllane.com/News/Calendar-of-Events
In wine country, we watch the grapes grow for most of the year, but now we are ready to enjoy the culmination of all that careful observation and planning. If you want to get your hands dirty and play winemaker for a day, or attend a lavish event, join us in welcoming the 2014 harvest in person and as it happens!
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