Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

Sonoma County Winegrape Commission Brings Fresh Grapes to Big Apple: Three NYC Events, 24 Stellar Sonoma Wines, and a Whole Bunch of Grapes (Literally)

From October 3-5, 2007, the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission took a bite out of the Big Apple with its “Sonoma County Harvest Celebration in NYC.” In the series of three consumer, trade, and media events, East Coasters got a literal taste of Sonoma County, as they enjoyed great wines and foods from the region and sampled just-picked grapes flown cross-country overnight. The events, held at New York University’s Torch Club and the James Beard House, were led by Sonoma grape grower Jim Murphy (Murphy Vineyards), winemaker Joel Peterson (Ravenswood Winery), wine country chef Bruce Riezenman (Park Avenue Catering), and wine writer and educator Tyler Colman (DrVino.com).

“It was refreshing and enjoyable to be able to talk about the grape-growing history of Sonoma County, the AVAs, the vintage and winemaking in general to a knowledgeable audience,” noted Joel Peterson. “I would have to say that if someone left one of our events without an appreciation of Sonoma County or a desire to visit Sonoma County, they were not paying attention.”

The first of the three events was a Harvest Report, Grape Tasting, and Wine-and-Food Pairing Seminar held at NYU’s Torch Club in Downtown Manhattan on October 3rd. Grower Jim Murphy, winemaker Joel Peterson, and moderator Tyler Colman led consumers in the tasting of grapes picked in various Sonoma County appellations—from areas as diverse as Dry Creek and Sonoma Mountain, and grapes as different as Chardonnay and Syrah—and Bruce Riezenman educated attendees on the principles of wine-and-food pairing. The event also featured cheeses, meats, and other regional foods of Sonoma County, as well as eight different wines from throughout the county.

Lauren Wong, an attendee that evening, reported afterward in an effusive email: “The ‘flight’ of grapes was an incredibly unique and inventive experience. The wine-and-food pairings by Chef Riezenman were both delicious and educational, and Jim and Joel provided great insight into the world of winemaking in Sonoma County.”

On October 4th, Jim, Joel, and Tyler reprised the harvest report and grape tasting at a Sonoma Harvest Luncheon for 31 members of the media and trade at the James Beard House.

Following the hands-on lesson in ripeness levels, flavor profiles, and tannins in grapes, the journalists and wine professionals enjoyed an elegant three-course lunch prepared by Chef Riezenman (again, using all Sonoma products) and paired with six Sonoma County wines. Among the highlights of the wines were three bottles from Sonoma Valley AVA’s famed Old Hill Ranch vineyard, where Zinfandel vines are over 100 years old: 2005 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel and both the 2005 and 1995 Ravenswood Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel. The combination of Sonoma grapes, wines, and food truly demonstrated the diversity and high quality of products from the county—but the grapes themselves provided the most eye-opening experience for those in attendance: “The grape tasting was an especially terrific idea, as it’s a rare opportunity to taste and compare the various varietals and regional differences,” commented one wine and travel writer.

Lastly, the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission hosted a blowout Consumer Dinner at the James Beard House on the evening of October 4th. The sold-out crowd indulged in hors d’oeuvres and a six-course Sonoma Harvest meal from Chef Riezenman, as well as an impressive array of wines from Sonoma County: 10 different bottles, made from nine different grape varieties, and hailing from five different appellations. Throughout the meal, Jim Murphy and Joel Peterson walked the room, providing tableside chats about grapes, wine, and life in Sonoma County.

Promotional partners of the 2007 Sonoma County Harvest Celebration in NYC were the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau and Sonoma County Vintners.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 by local grape growers as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation 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.

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For more information, contact:

Larry Levine Sonoma County Winegrape Commission larry.levine@sonomawinegrape.org 707-522-5863