Vineyards walks at Montemaggiore Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley at the Wine Blogger Conference

The 2009 Wine Blogger Conference was just hosted in Sonoma County in its second year. More than 275 wine bloggers from across the U.S., Europe and New Zealand attended the three-day event. It was comprised of tastings, seminars, winery visits and vineyard walks. The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Sonoma County Vintners sponsored the opening lunch and Sonoma County Grand Tasting while Sonoma County Tourism and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers presented the Friday dinner.

The conference began with an overview of Sonoma County and its AVAs by Chris Sawyer, sommelier at Carneros Bistro at the Lodge at Sonoma. This was followed by live blogging featuring more than 20 wineries where winemakers went from table to table and shared their stories and wines (very much like speed dating). It was a terrific way to meet winemakers from all of California and taste their wines. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard was there and it was great to see him. What a cool person who has helped made wine fun for all!

The Sonoma Grand Tasting was then held by the pool at the host Flamingo Hotel and 36 wineries poured their wines served with a fine selection of Sonoma County cheeses prepared by Chef/Owner Bruce Riezenman of Park Avenue Catering. Some of the wineries included Paul Hobbs, Skipstone, Quivira and Murphy Goode, with its new media ambassador, Hardy Wallace, winner of the “Really Goode Job” national contest.

Speaking of this promotion, at the dinner that night the wine bloggers went wild when Tim Zahner from the Sonoma Tourism Bureau previewed his new video, “A Fairly Decent Jobbe.”

After dinner, several top Russian River Valley wineries poured at an intimate wine and dessert tasting.

Saturday was Napa day. It started at the Culinary Institute of America where Barry Schuler, former CEO of America Online, provided an amusing history of the media and how bloggers are now reshaping this world. Today, Barry is in the venture capital business and with his wife Tracy co-own Meteor Vineyard, located in the Coombsville region of the Napa Valley, with noted winemakers Bill and Dawnine Dyer.

There were then visits to various wineries for lunch and dinner with a Grand Napa tasting at Quintesssa in the late afternoon. For a nightcap, there was a tasting of Portugese wines at the Flamingo.

Sunday was full of nuts and bolts seminars on wine blogging for wineries and individuals. Then there were several Sonoma County vineyard walks for the participants.

Overall, I attended the conference and was amazed at the energy and how serious wine bloggers are about wine and learning all they can about it. I think both Sonoma and Napa did a wonderful job of showcasing these important California wine regions.

A toast to Zephyr Adventures and the Open Wine Consortium for producing a terrific conference.

Next year, the Wine Blogger Conference will be held on June 25-27 in Walla Walla, Washington.

Nearly 280 grape growers, winery employees and Commission sponsors participated in the Commission’s annual BBQ and Tradeshow at SRJC Shone Farm. Growers learned about PD/GWSS treatment protocol, update on inspection programs, and overview PD/GWSS program research results, SCWC strategic planning Initiative and LBAM harvest quarantine issues during our morning session.

Forty-six vendors and organizations showcased an array of products and services and shared their product knowledge with growers. We thank them for their support of the Commission and the work we do. During lunch, SCWC presented awards to our Sonoma County Wine Stars and to the Sangiacomo Family recipients of the 2009 Viticulture Award of Excellence.

The event concluded with an afternoon discussion on planning your business in uncertain times. It was a beautiful day and an excellent opportunity to showcase SRJC Shone Farm and the Dutton Pavilion. Our thanks to SRJC Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for hosting the event, especially Merilark Padgett-Johnson and Chris Wills. We also thank the many volunteers, including Commission board members, for their work in making the event a success.

The 2009 annual bbq is coming up soon. Stay tuned for more information.

Update: See photos from the 2009 bbq & tradeshow.

Winery Owner Joe Dutton pouring barrel sample for Winemaker Mat Gustafson at Dutton Estate

This weekend, March 14 & 15 is Barrel Weekend again.

You can visit wineries in Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley and taste what has just harvested.

Fun to do with friends.

The weather is going to be gorgeous. Come to Sonoma County this weekend for fun in the sun and taste some awesome wines from the 08 vintage.

Or download the release here: Sonoma County Harvest Heads For Chicago (DOC)

• September 10: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – A Taste of Sonoma
• September 11: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Media & Trade Seminar & Luncheon
• September 11: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Sonoma Harvest Feast Dinner

Presented by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

All proceeds benefit Common Threads, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children discover the world through food.

Hosted by the recently renovated historic Allerton Hotel at 701 North Michigan Avenue

Limited space is available. Register Now!
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