Fall Travel to Sonoma County for the Ultimate Wine & Food Experiences

There’s no better time to visit this incredible wine region than during Sonoma Wine Country Weekend – Taste of Sonoma, a spectacular Labor Day Weekend event on September 2, at the Donald & Maureen Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, and Sonoma County Wine Auction at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens on September 15 and La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard on September 16.

After the events, food and wine enthusiasts should linger a little longer and explore what Sonoma County has to offer. With 17 distinct appellations, Sonoma County offers many diverse wine growing regions, including Alexander Valley, Carneros, Moon Mountain, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley, and more. Each appellation has a unique climate and geography, which directly correlates to the characteristics of the wine in the glass.

Taste of Sonoma (September 2)



At Taste of Sonoma, attendees will taste their way through a microcosm of Sonoma County’s most incredible flavors. More than 200 wineries will share unique varietals from their acclaimed collections, and approximately 60 local top chefs will feature mouthwatering bites.

Taste of Sonoma will bring the historic Sonoma County wine region to life with access to rare and highly sought-after wines, gourmet foods, and locally grown produce from top Sonoma County chefs. Wine and food enthusiasts will enjoy intimate conversations with wine luminaries and winemakers as well as focused seminars covering a range of topics — from Sonoma County terroir to expert advice from chefs.

Set to take center stage at Taste of Sonoma will be some of Sonoma County’s most renowned chefs, including Executive Chef Thomas Schmidt of John Ash & Co Restaurant, Executive Chef Carl Shelton and Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock of J Vineyards & Winery, and veteran Kenwood Restaurateur and YouTube Chef Steve Rose of the organic and biodynamic Rose Ranch.

Sonoma County Wine Auction (September 15-16)

Sonoma County Wine Auction is Sonoma County’s largest charitable giving event, where savvy collectors will have the opportunity to acquire Sonoma’s elite wines and bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. The two-day event beginning September 15, features preview parties and vintners dinners, and culminates in the Sonoma County Wine Auction on September 16 at the beautiful La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard.

The celebration brings together Sonoma County’s top winemakers and growers, along with some of the area’s best chefs and has been named as one of the nation’s top five charitable wine auctions by Wine Spectator. Produced by Sonoma County Vintners, all proceeds benefit local Sonoma County charitable partners, with an emphasis on education. The event sponsors more non-profits than any other organization in the county.

This year’s much-anticipated auction lots include an exceptional jaunt to London that includes meeting the cast of Hamilton; a weekend at the Kentucky Derby; tickets to Hello Dolly! featuring Bette Midler and a backstage reception with the cast of the Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen; an MVP experience at the ESPY’s including access to the Players’ Party; VIP access to the 44^th Telluride Film Festival; and much, much more.

Sonoma County

While in Sonoma County, visitors should explore its diverse geography and numerous microclimates by visiting some exceptional wineries within the area, such as: Benovia, Buena Vista Winery, Donum Estate, Hamel Family Wines, Kosta Browne, La Crema Estate at Saralee's Vineyard, Ram's Gate Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, and Three Sticks Wines. The numerous microclimates are a key ingredient for creating spectacular wine, with each AVA reaping the positive benefit of Sonoma County’s ideal combination of weather, temperature, fog, and rainfall.

In addition, Sonoma County is home to a variety of outstanding restaurants, including three Michelin-starred restaurants – Farmhouse Inn (Forestville), Madrona Manor (Healdsburg), and Terrapin Creek Cafe (Bodega Bay). Other exceptional dining options include Boon Eat + Drink (Guerneville), Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria (Geyserville), Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen), The Girl & the Fig (Sonoma), and so many more.