Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

The winners of the 2008 Sonoma County Wine Stars was announced at the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission’s annual BBQ on May 25. The Wine Star program was developed in 2007 to recognize Sonoma County restaurants and wineries that are committed to supporting Sonoma County winegrape growers and promoting Sonoma County’s premier wine and food regions and products.

In 2008, the Sonoma County Wine Star program was expanded to include all Northern California with different selection criteria for restaurants in Sonoma County from those outside the area. In Sonoma County, restaurants were stars that had wine lists with at least 50 percent or 50 Sonoma County wines. Four-star restaurants were those restaurants dedicating 75 percent or 100 of its wine lists to Sonoma County wines. For restaurants outside Sonoma County, wine stars had at least 25 Sonoma County wines and 50 wines for four-star honors.

Sonoma County Wine Star wineries must display “Sonoma” on their wine labels. This includes Sonoma County either alone or in addition to American Viticulture Area. Brands with Sonoma in the name also must be produced from at least 75% Sonoma County grapes and were recognized this year.
“The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was created to better promote Sonoma County grapes and the wines they produce,” said Nick Frey, commission president. “Wineries and restaurants can support us in that promotion by including Sonoma County on wine labels, and by providing restaurant patrons with a Sonoma County wine and food experience when dining at their establishments. These wineries and restaurants are truly Sonoma County Wine Stars to local growers who depend upon the sale of Sonoma County wines to sustain agriculture here for generations to come.”

Four-Star Restaurants

Applewood Inn, Guernville
Bluewater Bistro, Bodega Bay
Boulevard Restaurant, San Francisco
Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar, Sonoma
Cena Luna Restaurant, Healdsburg
Cricklewood, Larkfield
Cyrus Restaurant, Healdsburg
El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma
Epic Roadhouse, San Francisco
Farm House Inn and Restaurant, Forestville
Fifth Floor Restaurant , San Francisco
GTOs Seafood House, Sebastopol
Harris' Steakhouse, San Francisco
Healdsburg Bar and Grill, Healdsburg
Hotel Healdsburg /Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg
John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa
La Toque Restaurant, Napa
Lark Creek Inn, Larkspur
Manzanita, Healdsburg
Meritage-Martini Oyster Bar & Grill, Sonoma
Noonan's Bar & Grill, Larkspur
Pizzio's Cucina Italiana, Santa Rosa
Postrio Restaurant, San Francisco
Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club, Santa Rosa
Sante Restaurant, Sonoma
Sassafras Restaurant & Bar, Santa Rosa
Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant, Sea Ranch
The Brasserie, Santa Rosa
The Firehouse Restaurant, Sacramento
Village Inn & Restaurant, Monte Rio
Waterbar, San Francisco
Wildfox Restaurant, Novato
Willi's Seafood, Healdsburg
Wolf House Restaurant, Glen Ellen

Star Restaurants

Bistro Des Copains, Occidental
Blackhawk Grille, Danville
Café Europe Restaurant and Catering, Santa Rosa
Ella Dining Room & Bar, Sacramento
Equus Restaurant, Santa Rosa
Farallon, San Francisco
Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol
Josef's Restaurant & Bar, Santa Rosa
Langleys on the Green, Windsor
Mason's at the Park, Sacramento
Monti's Rotisserie & Bar, Santa Rosa
Northwood Restaurant, Monte Rio
Pazzo, Petaluma
Restaurant at Madrona Manor, Healdsburg
River's End Restaurant and Inn, Jenner
Scala's Bistro, San Francisco
Terrace Grille, Santa Rosa
Upper Fourth Bar & Lounge, Santa Rosa
Willi's Wine Bar, Santa Rosa
Zazu, Santa Rosa

Star Wineries

Acorn
Balletto Vineyards
Camellia Cellars
Chandell of Sonoma
Christie Estate Winery & Vineyards
DaVero Sonoma
Elements of Sonoma
Forchini Vineyards & Winery
Gopfrich Winery
Hawley Wines
Highway 12 Winery
Hughes Family Vineyards
Lake Sonoma Winery
MacLeod Family Vineyard
Magito Wines
Mazzocco Vineyards
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
Montemaggiore
Mounts Family Winery
Papapietro Perry Winery
Puccioni Vineyards
Quaking Hills Winery
Raymond Burr Vineyards
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Rued Winery
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Sebastiani Vineyards
Simoneau Vineyards
Sonoma Coast Vineyards
Sonoma Creek Vineyards
Sonoma Vineyards
Sonoma-Cutrer
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Stryker Sonoma
Super Sonoman
Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery
Windsor Sonoma

For 2009, any restaurant in the United States or winery meeting the Sonoma County Wine Star criteria are eligible for recognition next year. Go to www.sonomawinegrape.org/winestar for more information.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.SonomaWinegrape.org

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