WHAT’S NEW IN EVEMNTS IN SONOMA COUNTY LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL 2023

Heirloom Apples

Gold Ridge Organic Farms Second Annual Heirloom Apple Celebration

Welcome the change of seasons and peak harvest of the beloved Heirloom Apple varieties at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol. The celebration will feature curated tastes of a handful of the 70+ heirloom apple varieties grown in Gold Ridge’s organic orchards, as well as their organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Enjoy live music, farm tours, apple and cheese pairings, samples of Extra Virgin Olive Oils, plus freshly pressed apple cider. Additional offerings are available for purchase: wood-fired pizzas, apple treats, artisan ice cream, fresh Heirloom fruit, EVOO, and more. September 16 | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Foley Sonoma Winery: Music in the Vineyard

3rd Fridays of the month through October Foley Sonoma Winery is offering FoSo Fridays: Music in the Vineyard, special evenings of wine, live music, and inventive food pairings from the Foley estate chef. Gather with friends in reserved lounge areas or bring chairs and blankets to settle in on the FoSo lawn overlooking Foley’s estate vineyards.

Experience Harvest with The Farmhouse and Small Vines Winery

Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and exciting times of the year in Sonoma County. For those who always wanted to work in the vineyard during harvest season, if only for just a day. Get your hands dirty, smell the grapes being pulled from the vines, and experience what goes on in a day during grape harvest at a small production family-owned winery. Experience the heart of winemaking as you join forces with the Small Vines team for guided, hands-on morning harvest activities, enjoy Al-Fresco farm-to-picnic-basket dining, luxurious chauffeured transportation from Farmhouse Inn to Small Vines Winery and return in the epitome of Farmhouse Volvo elegance. Throughout the day, a dedicated driver will be at the ready, ensuring your journey is as stylish as your destination. Seize the opportunity to unwind in luxury as you spend the night at Farmhouse Inn and breakfast for two. Through November 17 | Subject to availability

Art of the Harvest at St. Francis Winery

St. Francis Winery

St. Francis Winery will host an elevated dining experience that celebrates the harvest bounty of Sonoma County. From the foggy coast to the highest mountaintops, Sonoma County is home to a wide variety of top-quality food provisions, such as fresh produce, meats, cheeses, bread, and seafood. Executive Chef Peter Janiak will use these fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create a tasting menu that is sure to impress. Each course is paired with St. Francis artisan wines to showcase the region’s perfect harmony of food and wine. September 22 | 6:30 pm

Fall Wine Trail on the Wine Road

Join over 30 wineries for a day of fall adventure on the Wine Road. Sip wine while enjoying the splendor of fall in Sonoma Wine Country. The event includes complimentary tasting of at least 2 wines at any of the 30+ participating wineries. September 23 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

2023 Participants by Valley:

Alexander Valley: Alexander Valley Vineyards, deLorimier Winery, J. Rickards Winery, Pech Merle Winery, Soda Rock, Trione Vineyards & Winery

Dry Creek Valley: Amista Vineyards, Amphora Winery, Cast Wines, Coyote Sonoma, Ehret, Frick, G& C Lurton, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Mounts Family Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Peterson Winery, Trattore Farms, Wilson Winery

Russian River Valley: Acorn, Balletto Vineyards, Baldassari Wines, Char Vale, Colagrossi Wines, D'Argenzio Winery, Due Ruscelli, Dutton Estate Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Limerick Lane Cellars, Merriam Vineyards, Sonoma - Cutrer, Woodenhead.

Global Sonoma Roots – World Music Festival

Connecting Sonoma County to the globe, the Global Sonoma Roots – World Music Festival will feature 12 bands on 4 stages across 2 days. The festival will be held at Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, a world-class performing arts complex in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. The event will include food trucks, family activities, workshops and an after party. Featuring performances by Carlos Mejia Godoy, Las Cafeteras, Paula Fuga, The Reminders, Mariachi Herencia de México with La Marisoul, San Salvador, Tia Leah’s Neighborhood, Kitka, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, and Balsa de Fuego. September 22–23.

Sonoma County Art Trails

More than 120 artists from all over Sonoma County will be selected by an anonymous jury to open their studios to the public for this signature program of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Utilizing the free collector’s guide (available both in print and online), visitors may curate their own art tour as they roam Sonoma County, a place where the thriving artists community, superb cuisine and world renowned wineries intertwine. Blue signage leads the way to individual studios where visitors may view a wide range of art mediums including paintings, collage, drawing, printmaking, glass art, fiber arts, sculpture, jewelry and assemblages. September 30-October 1 and October 7-8

Pinot On the River

The 20th Annual Pinot on the River takes place on Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa. Enjoy some of the best Pinot Noirs that Sonoma County has to offer as more than 40 small-production artisanal wineries join with guest artisan food vendors. Pinot on the River is a benefit for Sonoma County LGBT Pride, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives and well-being of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI) community and allies throughout Sonoma County. October 7 | 11 am to 3 pm.

World Championship Grape Stomp

Grape stomping may have originated in ancient Rome, but Sonoma County can claim the World Championship Grape Stomp as our own. As part of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, the annual grape stomp in Santa Rosa invites people of all ages to compete in the winemaking tradition of crushing grapes by foot. “Stompers” crush the grapes while “swabbies” direct the juice into the glass jugs. During the final round, 60 pounds of grapes will be stomped for five minutes. Whichever team fills the jugs with the most juice wins. Costumes are encouraged. Attendees can access the event with a Harvest Fair entry ticket. October 14 | 11:00 am to 4:30 pm

Fogbelt Beer Camp at Wildhaven

Who didn't love summer camp as a kid? Time outdoors with friends, late night slumber parties, and all the treats you couldn't have at home. What if we told you that we have something EVEN BETTER than that? Fogbelt Beer Camp is designed for our rad beer lovers who's happy place is with nature. This two-night adult summer camp features amazing Fogbelt beers, live music, wood-fired cooking and so much more, all at the popular Wildhaven glamping experience located along the Russian River in Healdsburg. Featured activities include wood fire cooking, coffee roasting, yoga, astronomy, live music, barrel aged beers, falconry, wilderness first aid, and brewing techniques. October 20 - 22

Candlelight Concerts in Sonoma

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Sonoma County. Taking place in various spectacular venues, these candlelit performances allow you to experience live music in a completely new way. Enjoy a wide variety of themes and genres: classical, jazz, pop, movie soundtracks, ballet, among others. From Bach to the Beatles, there’s a Candlelight for everyone. Vivaldi, Aretha Franklin, Ludovico Einaudi, Queen, and Coldplay are just a few of the artists in an ever-growing list of programs. Dates vary.

* Birgitt Vaughan, Director, Public Relations  publicrelations@sonomacounty.com