The Lodge at Sonoma Launches 'Women in Wine Country Series'

  • August 25, 2022
The Lodge at Sonoma Launches 'Women in Wine Country Series'

Just in time for Wine Country’s famed harvest season, The Lodge at Sonoma, an Autograph Collection Resort has announced the debut of a new social lobby experience, ‘‘Women in Wine Country.” The series will kick off in September timed to California Wine Month with renowned winery owners and sisters, Lisa and Ariana Peju, and Peju’s acclaimed winemaker, Sara Fowler.

Honoring the resort’s commitment to community and craft, the series will feature some of Wine Country’s most talented women to showcase their achievements and share their journeys as a way to uplift and inspire guests and locals alike. Attendees can mingle with the featured women in the revamped lobby while hearing their stories and enjoying light refreshments. 

The ‘Women in Wine Country’ series will come to life through Thursday evening “fireside chats” - hosted by featured female guests - collectively bringing together both esteemed locals and curious travelers to partake in an evening of connection and creativity in an inviting, social atmosphere. 

The first ‘Women in Wine Country’ events will take place on September 8 and September 22, 2022 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Sonoma. The social hour will feature Lisa and Ariana Peju, owners of renowned family-owned brand Peju Wines, along with the winery’s award-winning winemaker, Sara Fowler.

Lisa and Ariana will share their experience with Peju Wines along with their Vice President of Winemaking & Operations Sara Fowler, who has been named Best Local Winemaker by Napa Valley Life Magazine. Guests will enjoy samples of Peju wines and hear from three of the wine region’s pioneers offering expertise in the wine industry, sustainability, creative brand marketing and more. After their social hours in the lobby, the Peju team will transition to Wit & Wisdom - Michael Mina’s first wine country restaurant located at The Lodge at Sonoma - to host exclusive, intimate winemaker dinners for reserved guests on September 8 and September 22 at 7:00pm. Reservations are required and available via Tock.

“We are very excited to launch the Women in Wine Country series and create a space for the Sonoma community and our guests to learn from strong leaders in the wine region, and are honored that we are able to spotlight the unique talents of these women,” said Chris Wingerberg, General Manager at The Lodge at Sonoma. 

The ongoing series will feature monthly rotating guests of local female winemakers, content creators, artists, chefs, entrepreneurs and more who have infused Wine Country with their leadership, ambition and lively spirit. The events will take place each month on select Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. with an upcoming schedule (to-date) as follows:

  • October 13 and 27 - Ana Diogo-Draper, Director of Winemaking at Artesa Vineyards and Winery 
    • Born and raised in Portugal, Ana moved to California in 2005 seeing an opportunity for women in the wine business. She joined Artesa Vineyards & Winery in 2013 and has taken the brand to new heights since. Her passion for wine and emphasis on collaboration has propelled her to much success. With roles at Artesa ranging from laboratory analysis and quality control assurance to sensory analysis and blending, Ana is one of wine country’s most knowledgeable winemakers.
  • November 17 - Duskie Estes, Celebrated Chef, Owner of Black Pig Meat Co. and Executive Director of Farm To Pantry 
    • Duskie’s vibrant energy and effervescent spirit is only surpassed by her compassion, especially as it pertains to nourishing people with ethically sourced food. She is the former owner of farm-to-table restaurant, ZAZU Kitchen + Farm, current owner of her family’s meat company & food truck, Black Pig Meat Co./The Black Piglet, and is also the Executive Director of Farm To Pantry, which fights food insecurity and waste. Under her leadership, Farm To Pantry has quadrupled its ability to expand food access, get Michelin Star-grade, nutrient-rich foods to those who need it most and help farmers reduce waste. A graduate of Brown University, Estes was crowned Queen of Pork at the Grand Cochon at Aspen Food & Wine (the first woman to earn the title) and with acclaimed-chef Tom Douglas, she co-authored Seattle Kitchen, which received the James Beard Award in 2001. She was selected to compete on Food Network’s Next Iron Chef, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and serves as a judge on Guy’s Grocery Games.

For more information or to place a reservation, please call The Lodge at Sonoma at (707) 935-6600 or visit thelodgeatsonoma.com. Room rates start at $569 per night.