The draw was obvious: more than 60 of Sonoma’s top chefs preparing sumptuous food, more than 170 wineries pouring thousands of wines, casual seminars hosted by respected sommeliers and food experts, live music performances, cooking demonstrations by celebrity kitchen talent, and behind-the-scenes vineyard tours.

All set in the spectacular cradle of mountainside beauty that is this historic 1941 property that actor Fred MacMurray started as a cattle ranch and his daughter, daughter, Kate MacMurray, turned into a winery.

For some guests, there was an extra treat. Rather than battle the traffic that naturally comes with thousands of people navigating the narrow roads leading to the Ranch, and finding parking in the makeshift lots fashioned amid the vineyards and redwoods, they took a Pure Luxury shuttle.

Which could read as a shameless plug for Pure Luxury, except that plenty of local media applauded the idea in print last year, widely promoting the shuttle option as a convenient, green, and importantly, safe, option for getting to and from one of Sonoma’s most significant events of the year.

This year, the shuttles are back, offering round-trip transportation to and from Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch on Saturday, September 3. Booking a ride is easy – just visit the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend website and when you purchase your event ticket, click on the options section (if you have already purchased your Taste ticket and still need a shuttle seat, please call 800-939-7666).

The “designated driver” service couldn’t be more friendly. Pick-up locations include Hotel Healdsburg (25 Matheson Street, Healdsburg), The Vintners Inn (4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa), Hilton Sonoma Wine Country (3555 Round Barn Boulevard, Santa Rosa), The Lodge at Sonoma (1325 Broadway, Sonoma), and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn (100 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma).

If you’ve been to the Taste event before, you know how spectacular the showcase is. Food stretches in endless array, laid out in mini villages of tables and virtual courts, and stretching under a virtual city of tents populated by the County’s best chefs and winemakers.

The good times roll, as Sonoma celebrity culinary types let their personalities loose, mixing and mingling with people who love great food and great wine, and it all comes together for a great time in the sunshine.

The food is remarkable – row upon row of boutique cheeses, savories like root beer braised pork belly BLTs and fresh-grilled beef brochettes, ahi tuna sliders, sushi, insanely rich cakes, and nibbles like fig-ricotta bruschetta.

One of the great pleasures is to wander around, peeking at other guests in all manner of fancy to funky dress, and peering at what they’re eating/drinking, as you dream of your next little plate/splash in a wine glass. And if you’ve scored on the limited number of Grand Reserve tickets, you’ll get access to Club Reserve, where the winemakers and owners of Sonoma’s iconic wineries will personally pour their limited production, reserve and award-winning wines.

Here’s some more advice: buy your tickets quickly – last year, people who dilly-dallied ended up on wait lists for admission.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
Winemaker Lunches
12:30 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

Winemaker Dinner Parties
6 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011
32nd Annual Taste of Sonoma
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | MacMurray Ranch, Healdsburg

Winemaker Dinner Parties
6 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

Honorary Chair Dinner Parties
6 p.m. | The Dutton Family or the Benziger Family

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
19th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction
1 – 7 p.m. | Cline Cellars, Sonoma

Winery BBQs
12:30 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

Details: sonomawinecountryweekend.com

The Lobby at Hilton Sonoma Wine County

One popular place where visitors stay is the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country. Located conveniently off the highway, Hilton Sonoma is located near busy downtown Santa Rosa, award-winning wineries, and great restaurants. For those who have spent all of their energy exploring Sonoma County by day, Nectar Restaurant & Lounge, located at the Hilton Sonoma, offers a convenient and delicious option for dinner. For those who are ready for the exploration to continue, the Hilton Sonoma offers something very special.

Nectar Restaurant & Lounge Executive Chef Rene Jakushak

Nectar Restaurant & Lounge Executive Chef, Rene Jakushak, has created an unforgettable menu to be enjoyed during a wine cave dinner offered by the Hilton Sonoma at Hans Fahden Winery in picturesque Calistoga. Meet the winemaker, tour the beautiful lush gardens before enjoying your candlelit dinner in the wine cave. Chef Jakushak has created a three-course menu using fresh local ingredients designed to compliment Hans Fahden wines.

The Wine Cave at Hans Fahden Winery

Click here to make your reservations soon – these special wine cave dinners will only be offered until September of this year. Make sure to make your reservations with Pure Luxury for private chauffeured transportation to and from your wine cave dinner and relax while we take care of the driving.

If you’re looking for something special for your Mother’s Day celebration, Pure Luxury has some suggestions for you in beautiful Sonoma County.

Sante Restaurant

Sonoma Mission Inn’s Sante Restaurant is offering an all day Mother’s Day Buffet menu and Mother’s Day Specials. Click here to view the full menu which includes Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Classic Caesar Salad, Smoked Salmon and Prime Rib Carving Stations, and a Dessert Station.

John Ash & Company at the Vintners Inn presents a special Mother’s Day Brunch featuring a Seafood Station, a Carving Station, an Egg Station where you can create your own egg dish or choose from Scrambled Eggs or Classic Eggs Benedict, and more. Click here to see the complete menu.

The Lodge at Sonoma’s Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar will be serving a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet with a twist – their chefs will assist your children in cooking and serving Pancakes to the special Moms attending! The Buffet will include dishes honoring the Mother’s of the Carneros Bistro staff. Click here to view this diverse, delicious menu that includes dishes from Mexico, Switzerland, Cambodia, El Salvador, Italy, and the United States.

Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar

Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar at the DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country hosts a Mother’s Day Brunch consisting of an Omelette Station, Cook to Order Waffle Station, a selection of salads and hot entrees, a Carving Station with Roast Beef and Smoked Honey Ham, a Seafood Station, and a Dessert Station.Click here to see all the tasty options.

The Hilton Sonoma’s Nectar Restaurant & Lounge will be serving a Mother’s Day Brunch complete with numerous stations offering soups and salads, seafood, entrees, desserts, and more. Click here for more details.

Add the finishing touch to your Mother’s Day celebration by contacting Pure Luxury for a special, unforgettable day your Mother deserves. Maybe buy some construction paper and crayons and write a heartfelt message to your Mom reminding her how much you appreciate and love her.

Bravissimo is a word used when describing something or someone splendid or excellent. It is also a great word for the annual fundraiser for The Healdsburg School. Last year the event was presented at Dutcher Crossing Winery. Guests listened to live music, enjoyed wine & food, and bid on raffles and silent & live auctions
for a chance to cook with Chef Douglas Keane of Cyrus Restaurant, a week’s stay at an Italian Villa, and more.

This year the festivities continue at Paradise Ridge Winery on Friday, April 16, 2010. Auction items include a 100 Bottle Instant Cellar, a Picnic for Eight at the Hog Island Oyster Company hosted by Chef/Restaurateur Ralph Tingle, a Blending Party for Ten at Artiste Winery and Tasting Studio, a week’s stay in Hawaii, and many more fantastic items!

Paradise Ridge Winery

The evening would not be complete without delicious food and wine. A three-course meal prepared by Bruce Riezenmen, Owner and Executive Chef of Park Avenue Catering will be paired with local wines from wineries such as Murphy Goode Winery, Chateau Souverain, Robert Mondavi, Kendall Jackson Wine Estates, and De La Montanya Winery. Click here to view the full menu, purchase your tickets, and to take advantage of a great discounted rate offered by the Hilton Sonoma Wine County for overnight guests. Complete your evening with private, chauffeured transportation by Pure Luxury and enjoy the event without worrying about appointing a designated driver. Bravissimo!

We all like to be first. The first in line wherever we are. The first to think of a great, new idea before anyone else has even an inkling of a notion. The first to step foot on a hidden piece of beach or forest. Now Sonoma County restaurants have given us all the opportunity to be first – beginning tonight until Sunday, February 28th locals and visitors to Sonoma County will be participating in the first Sonoma County Restaurant Week!

It’s not too late to make your reservations to visit any of the over 50 best restaurants in Sonoma County during this week-long event. If you’re looking for a good excuse to not make dinner at home, this is it! Three-course dinner menus are available for $19, $29, or $39 depending on the restaurant (or restaurants) you choose. This is your chance to enjoy a gourmet dinner at a discounted rate. Make reservations for a night out with friends. Make reservations for another night out with family. Don’t forget to make reservations for a romantic night out too.

Participating restaurants include; Sante Restaurant at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, El Dorado Kitchen, Syrah Bistro, Dry Creek Kitchen, Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar, Central Market, Tolay Restaurant at the Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma, Nectar Restaurant & Lounge at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Brasserie Restaurant at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek, John Ash at Vintner’s Inn, and The Girl & the Fig. Click here to view the full list of restaurants and menus.

Cheers and Happy Eating from Pure Luxury!