Come to our Events.
Raise a glass in celebration.
Tastings, interviews, panel presentations, winery visits, and more.
Whether in the Wine Library, the vineyard, or the winery…
…our Association is proud to offer a robust and rousing schedule of events, including tastings, interviews, panel presentations, winery visits, and more. We look forward to welcoming you back at these one-of-a-kind extraordinary events destined to become some of your most memorable special occasions. See you soon!
COMING SOON
Thursday, August 4th
Sonoma Community Center, 276 E Napa St, Sonoma
Just one mile south of the former Ravenswood winery and tasting room
Doors open at 6:30pm, the event begins at 7:00pm
An appetizer platter will be provided
Tickets: $40 / $30 for Members, available soon!
A Visual Oral History with Joel Peterson
Peterson is a giant in the history of California Zinfandel. The founding winemaker of Ravenswood Winery, known for “No Wimpy Wines,” he helped launch Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) to promote California’s heritage grape. Joel studied with the renowned Joseph Swan, when on occasion he would work side-by-side with “the dean of American winemakers,” Andre Tchelistcheff. Ravenswood boomed with the introduction of his Vintner’s Blend and single vineyard wines. He eventually sold his 25-year-old business in 2001. Peterson started his latest venture, Once and Future in 2016, returning to his roots specializing in wines from special vineyards made with a sensitivity to place.
Prior to the Visual Oral History, Joel will pour his Once and Future Wine and will be available afterward for a Q&A.
The Visual Oral Histories
The screenings of our Visual Oral Histories are one of the Association’s most popular events. The VOH guest will be in attendance as you watch the video interviews hosted and produced by Jeff Davis for the Wine Library archives. The evening provides a unique opportunity to meet and pose questions to those who made an indelible contribution to the Sonoma County wine industry. Join us at each of our upcoming events and enjoy two glasses of premium wine with our compliments.
Celebrated Wine and Food author Linda Murphy interviews Sonoma County “Legends”.
Always anticipated every year, we are proud to bring back our “Legends” panel of five illustrious trailblazers of our Sonoma wine community. Linda Murphy, co-author with Jancis Robinson MW, of “American Wine: The Ultimate Companion to the Wines and Wineries of United States,” will lead what promises to be a rousing evening. Wines from the five guests will be poured and light appetizers served. Watch this space when we announce the 2022 panel.
Save the Date:
Mid October
Site and date to be announced
The 2019 “Legends” panel: David Ramey, Bob Cabral, Katie Wetzel Murphy, Linda Murphy, Ann Keller, David Stare
Past Events
Monday, June 13th
The Millie Howie Patio outside the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Center Street.
We will gather from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.
Korbel Winery is providing California Champagne, and sparkling cider also will be served.
Tickets: $5.00
Covid safety protocols will be observed. Proof of vaccination will be required.
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Sonoma County Wine Library Celebrates Founder Millie Howie with Tales and a Toast
Join us as Sonoma County Wine Library Association celebrates its founder, Millie Howie, with a special sparkling toast on the anniversary of her 100th birthday.
Special guests will share remembrances of Millie and her decades of achievements. Korbel Winery is providing California Champagne, and sparkling cider also will be served.
Millie worked non-stop to promote our region, our wineries and, with the help of other like-minded locals, created the Sonoma County Wine Library at the Healdsburg Regional Library. She campaigned tirelessly and her passion bore fruit – a wonderful collection of books, research material, labels, posters, maps and more, all focusing on wine and grape growing. We invite you to join us as we pay homage and cheer our founder, Millie Howie.
Visual Oral History –
Hank and Linda Wetzel
of Alexander Valley Vineyards
The Wetzel family has been part of Alexander Valley since the purchase of the initial property in 1962, which led to the planting of a number of grape varieties.
Hank and Linda Wetzel took the next step and founded Alexander Valley Vineyards in 1975. AVV quickly established a reputation for estate grown wines with distinctive varietal character. To this day, the winery has been a family business, now in the fourth generation. As they enter their 60th year on the property, the Wetzels continue to be deeply rooted in the history of the region.
In this Visual Oral History, you’ll hear about the humorous mishaps and great successes they experienced – from being one of the first to grow grapes in Alexander Valley to becoming a beloved, highly awarded national brand.
Before the showing, Hank and Linda will proudly share their wine with attendees. A Q&A will follow the screening.
This Visual Oral History is presented in honor of Wine Library founder, Millie Howie, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on June 13th.
Thursday, June 9th
The Healdsburg Clubhouse located on the historic grounds of the Healdsburg Golf Club, 927 S. Fitch Mountain Rd.
Doors open at 6:30pm, the event begins at 7:00pm
An appetizer platter will be provided
Tickets: $40 / $30 for Members
Covid safety protocols will be observed. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Visual Oral History Event-
Zelma Long at Paradise Ridge Winery
Thursday, April 7, 7pm
Zelma Long is one of the female pioneers in California and has worked in both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. As a student at UC Davis in 1970, Mike Grgich convinced her to put her studies on hold and join him at Robert Mondavi Winery. She went on to become president of Simi Winery. While there, Zelma sourced grapes from Paradise Ridge Winery, who graciously offered to host Zelma’s Visual Oral History. She returned to Napa Valley and served as Executive Vice President at Domaine Chandon.
In 1997, following international opportunities, she and her husband Philip Freese co-founded Vilafonte Wine Estate in South Africa. However, Zelma is proud to call Sonoma County home.
She will be on hand for a Q&A following the presentation of her Visual Oral History. Don’t miss her tales of breaking barriers and seeking adventure.
Thursday, April 7, 7pm, doors open at 6:30
Paradise Ridge Winery
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Dr,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Tickets: $40, Members $30
Two glasses of Paradise Ridge wine will be included with your ticket. Wine will also be available for purchse following the event.
Special Author Showcase
Robert Camuto and his new book South of Somewhere: Wine, Food and the Soul of Italy
This is a must-read book for anyone who loves Italy and Italian wine and food. Named in the best wine books of 2021 by the New York Times, it’s a personal memoir of an American with a long history in Italy. Its focus is the Italian South at a critical time of wine renaissance — told through vivid stories animated by passionate and colorful characters.
Robert Camuto is a prize-winning American author and journalist who has lived in Europe for 20 years, where he has immersed himself in the food and wine traditions of Italy and France. A contributing editor for Wine Spectator since 2008, Camuto has written many cover stories and writes a twice-monthly column for winespectator.com called Robert Camuto Meets…. South of Somewhere is his third book and second from Italy, following his critically acclaimed: Palmento: A Sicilian Wine Odyssey (2010). He lives with his family in Verona, Italy.
His current book will be available on-site for purchasing at a special discounted price, and signing. During the evening Italian Colosi Bianco & Colosi Rosso wines, and Sonoma County Italian varietals from Acorn Winery and Pedroncelli will be served!
For this event we are returning to the Sonoma County Wine Library,
139 Piper Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Friday, March 18, 7pm, doors open at 6:30.
Visual Oral History Event –
Gary Heck, Korbel Champagne Cellars
Thursday, February 17, 7 pm; Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa
Gary Heck has spent nearly his entire life at Korbel Champagne Cellars. Continuing the legacy of his father, Gary is the owner, President, and Chairman of Korbel. During the hour long video, you’ll see images and hear stories about the property’s rich history. As you’ll learn, the Korbel Brothers were quite the inventive entrepreneurs prior to, and following their arrival in 1868.
Gary has experienced many changes since his father purchased the property in 1954, and expanded the business to produce nearly 1.6 million cases a year. That’s quite a success for a boy who used to ride his horse to the one room schoolhouse near Guerneville.
Joining for the evening will be Korbel’s Director of Winemaking, Paul Ahvenainen. He will bring California Champagne to share and will stick around for a Q&A after the screening. He’s been with Korbel over 40 years, so we’re pretty sure he’ll have the answers to your questions.
The Hyatt Regency will provide a glass of wine and light tapas when you enter the lobby. Then join us in the Dry Creek Valley Ballroom II for the event.
Tickets: $40 / $30 for Members
Director of Winemaking, Paul Ahvenainen
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