Taste of Sonoma, MacMurray Ranch

Taste of Sonoma, MacMurray Ranch

One of the highlights of this three day event is the Taste of Sonoma. This year over 200 wineries and 60 chefs were represented.

The venue was MacMurray Ranch a historical property in the Russian River Appellation that is closed to the public the rest of the year. It was originally farmsteaded in the 1850′s. In 1941, well known Hollywood actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch – building its geographical reach over time as nearby neighbors sold their own properties. Today it is owned by the Gallo family; their MacMurray Ranch wines are known for high quality Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Despite the change in family ownership, Fred’s daughter Kate continues to promote her family’s legacy and remains active in the local winery community.

Oenephiles and foodies descend in mass for this once a year event. Taste of Sonoma is as much a social gathering as an enjoyment of the county’s good wine and food. Culinary demonstrations are given by local chefs, local food vendors give out samples of their products and area restaurants provide tasty treats, showcasing their own chefs. Wines from the major appellations are poured under large tents.

There were certainly some culinary highlights; Sonomic, produced by Sonoma Valley Portworks is billed as “not quite vinegar”. That is an appropriate description; it is not as acidic as regular vinegar, more sweet and certainly richer than a typical Balsamic Vinegar.

We stopped by the only Farro producer in California, based in Petaluma – this is a grain product but very low in gluten. And the wine of course – with such a diversity of microclimates in the county, there is a diversity of wine produced from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and many other varietals. Several favorites among the wines we tried were Jordan, Capture and MacMurray Ranch. California’s oldest winery, Buena Vista was also here with the always entertaining historian George Webber in character as the “count of Buena Vista”.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend culminates in the county’s largest fundraiser, the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction. This helps raise money for a number of local charities including education and the environment. This year’s auction raised over 1.4 million – more than double the previous year’s take!

The Taste of Sonoma sold out in advance this year – secure your tickets to this event and other weekend related activities well in advance. Visit: www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com

Photography
 

The Event

Taste of Sonoma, MacMurray Ranch

You know it was a good party!

Marcy Smothers moderating cookoff

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

Sonoma Organics giving samples

The crowd enjoying a warm summers day

Under the bigtop tent, wine tasting

38 Degree North, Menu Fairmont Sonoma

The Food

Bert’s Desserts

Steak, tomatoes and Couscous

Costeux Bakery – since 1923

Ribs & Watermelon from El Dorado Kitchen

Beautiful presentation from Hopmunk Tavern

Peach Caprese

A perfect pairing

Tasty treats

The People

Helping out Jack & Tonys restaurant, Santa Rosa

Chef Tony from Sea Thai Bistro in Santa Rosa

Chef and caterer, Tim Vallery

Seghesio Pit Crew- they started BBQing these ribs at 1am!

The Roots run deep in Sonoma Valley

Roger Roessler and Winemaker Drew Huffine

Korbin Ming of Korbin Kameron Winery

The count of Buena Vista Winery, George Webber

Andrew Cain, Chef at Fairmont Sonoma

The Wineries

Ceja Vineyards

Foliex a Deux Zinfandel

Twomey Cellars

Long time vintners, Silver Oak

Pride Mountain

Robert Hunter