When I think of the 16th Annual Grape to Glass Hog in the Fog Pre-Harvest Party, I think of that saying, “Some things just never get old.” I never get tired of sipping outstanding Russian River Valley wines, eating delicious Sonoma County cuisine, and spending time with friends in a beautiful location.
This year’s event presented by Russian River Valley Winegrowers takes place at Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard on Saturday, August 20, 2011. The celebration begins with a reception that combines a Farmer’s Market with wine tasting. This unique combination gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy over 70 Russian River Valley Winegrowers’ wineries, growers, and artisan food producers. The list of wineries includes Arista Winery, Hop Kiln Winery, Kendall Jackson Wine Estate, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Sonoma Cutrer, and many others that you can view by clicking here. Along with fresh, local produce, visitors will also be able to sample tasty creations from local restaurants and caterers. The reception includes a feast for the eyes with artwork created by local artists. On hand will be a selection of one-of-a-kind silent auction items to bid on.
Beautiful Russian River Valley
After the reception, dinner will be served. The menu features barbecued chicken, steak, and pulled pork. Dessert will be homemade Gravenstein apple pie served with vanilla ice cream melting slowly over the top. The evening continues with a live auction. Live auction lots include a 46 bottle KitchenAid wine refrigerator stocked with wines from Russian River Valley Winegrowers’ members, a Surf & Turf dinner for 24 people served with Dutton Ranch wines at Dutton Ranch, a tasting of Kosta Browne Winery Pinot Noir wines paired with a dinner for 8 people prepared by John Ash & Co. Executive Chef Tom Schmidt, and more.
Urban Oasis will Perform on Saturday, August 20.
The party continues into the night with plenty of live music by Urban Oasis. The fusion of Rock, Blues, Latin, and Jazz from this five-piece Sonoma County band will have more than a few toes tapping.
For visitors looking for something extra, there will also be seminars offered before the reception begins on Saturday. At Saralee’s Vineyard, white wines such as Gewurztraminer, Viognier, and many others will be up for discussion by a panel of experts and for the tasting. Leras Vineyard hosts a vineyard tour with owner, Nick Leras that includes a tasting and a BBQ lunch. At Dutton Ranch, multiple winemakers will be available for a seminar that allows guests to delve deeper into their tasting experience by tasting and questioning the experts themselves. Click here to find out more about each of these seminars.
Inside the Thumbprint Cellars Tasting Room
During the weekend of Grape to Glass, several wineries will host special events. On Saturday, August 20, Balletto Vineyards winemaker, Anthony Beckman will guide a vineyard tour at 1 p.m. and another at 3 p.m. From Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21, Longboard Vineyards invites guests to enjoy a complimentary tasting and a game of bocce ball. Thumbprint Cellars will offer gourmet wine and food pairings from Friday, August 19 through Monday, August 22. Click here to view the entire list of wineries’ special events.
Contact Pure Luxury Transportation for safe, private transportation to and from this event. It’s the good things in life that never get old. Here’s a chance to enjoy one of them.
If you liked this article, “Like” us on Facebook or subscribe to our blog.
