October 2007 – Sonoma Harvest Fair

This was, without a doubt, the biggest trip we’ve taken. We dedicated ten days to exploring wine country in Sonoma and Napa counties. For our efforts, we visited 43 wineries, 26 of which were new, and 31 of which successfully plied money from our wallets. Together, we have not dedicated more than a few days to a vacation of any type since our three week tour of Europe (pre EU) in 1992. Needless to say, we approached it with gusto!

Friday Sonoma Harvest Fair
What you should know about Harvest Fair is that it’s not unlike other county fairs you grew up around. It has animal pageants, produce contests, and first rate flowers. The key draw to this fair, in my opinion, is what a $20 ticket will get you the first day… a glass from which you can taste all of the fair’s ribbon winners for the year. This particular year, there were a few standouts. Not only did Clos du bois’ Calcaire win best chardonnay wine, it was voted the best wine of the fair! If you’re a pinot-phile, then you’d want to stop by and taste De La Montanya’s prize winner.

Throughout this entire barn (and it is a big barn) are nothing but tables of wines of all different varietals grown and made in Sonoma County. If you ever wanted to “tour” Sonoma County wineries, there’s no faster way. Here’s the perfect opportunity to taste gobs of new wines that you know are notable, even though you’ve never heard of the winery.

If you do come to the event, I suggest packing a light lunch because there aren’t many food booths to sate your appetite or tame your buzz. Also bring very comfortable shoes, as you will likely be on your feet the entire time. Tables are available if you claim them as soon as you walk through the door or you attempt to reserve them well in advance. Given the size of the crowd and the limited seating, it’s unlikely you’ll have much to work with. Both the barn and the event are big enough to house a couple thousand of your closest friends, with seating for about a tenth of them.

Here's our massive itinerary. If you're wondering about the light day in the middle, somebody had to see the beach and play in the surf...

Saturday
• De Loach
• Martin Ray
• Russian Hill Estate Winery
• Gary Farrell
• Moshin
• Porter Creek
• Arista
• Hop Kiln
• Rabbit Ridge
• Twomey

Sunday
• Imagery
• De la Montanya
• Sapphire Hill
• Holdredge
• Davis Family
• Christie Vineyard
• Huntington Wine Cellars

Monday
• Clos Pegase
• Cuvaison
• Castello di Amorosa
• Merryvale
• Flora Springs

Tuesday
• Ferrari - Carano
• Mauritson

Wednesday
• Mazzocco
• Dry Creek Vineyards
• Lambert Bridge
• Mill Creek
• Belvedere
• Gallo
• Rosenblum

Thursday
• Fritz
• Trentadue
• Robert Young

Friday
• Jessup Cellars
• Domaine Chandon
• Castella di Amorosa

Saturday
• Siduri
• Mill Creek
• Armida
• Fritz
• Clos du Bois
• Robert Young
• Stonestreet

Sunday
• Trentadue
• Heitz Cellars