Contact: Kristen Green: 516-983-5511 /[email protected] Laura Gardner Smith 339-788-0128 / [email protected] Join Sonoma County’s Annual Gathering of Vintners, Chefs and Producers for Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards July 22, 2014 -- Sonoma County, CA — As Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s flagship event, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards presented by Visa Signature® delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for oenophiles and foodies alike. The event takes place on Saturday, August 30 and celebrates the quality and diversity of Sonoma County wines with informative and entertaining wine seminars, lively cooking demonstrations, inspiring competitions and much more. Guests enjoy an enchanting afternoon packed with the best of Sonoma County living. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at http://sonomawinecountryweekend.com. The afternoon offers unique new ways to experience the wine and food cultures of Sonoma County. MacMurray Estate Vineyards ambassador Kate MacMurray personally invites guests to enjoy an afternoon on her family’s incredible historic property, while sipping and savoring the finest of Sonoma County’s rich wines and delectable cuisine. More than 200 wineries will be on hand pouring thousands of wines, and more than 60 local chefs will whip up divine pairings. A series of captivating wine and food events take place throughout the afternoon—like Wine Talks in the Barn, private wine tasting tours lead by the country’s hottest sommeliers, blind tasting challenges, and Crushpad demonstrations that allow guests to experience harvest firsthand. Guests may opt to stay cool at the Gloria Ferrer Bubble Lounge, where select sparkling wines will complement a series of delectable bites. Guests stroll through the Sonoma County Marketplace and get a glimpse of the high-quality, artisanal ingredients the local chefs and diners enjoy every day, and may pick and choose what to attend as they explore the grounds and satisfy their senses. The famed Sonoma Steel Chef competition returns again this year, emceed by Today Show regular and PBS’s Check, Please! TV Host, Leslie Sbrocco, along with Food & Wine’s Executive Wine Editor, Ray Isle. This is an extraordinary opportunity to watch Sonoma County’s best chefs face off in a fast-paced, fun and educational competition. This year, Jack Mitchell, Jack & Tony's; David Bush, OSO; Peter Brown, Jimtown Store; and Jake Ameral, Zazu Kitchen and Farm will compete for the coveted title of Sonoma County’s Steel Chef. Guests may also sneak away from the main stage excitement to visit with Sonoma’s chef’s grill stations set adjacent to the vines to taste more dishes from local chefs demonstrated throughout the day. Grand Reserve Ticket holders receive additional privileges throughout the event and exclusive access to venues featuring rare wines, gracious hospitality and special behind-the-scenes benefits. Additional benefits include the Club Reserve, which offers an opportunity to taste some of Sonoma’s most prized wines. The winemakers and owners of Sonoma’s iconic wineries will pour their limited production, reserve and award-winning wines from large format bottles and interact one on one with guests during tastings. Wineries that will be pouring include Arista, Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars and many more! Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is Sonoma County’s inimitable Labor Day Weekend event, August 29-31, celebrating the region’s winegrowers, winemakers and chefs. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend brings America’s leading wine and food destination to life while giving back to essential local charities. To date, more than $12 million has been raised to support the future of Sonoma County. The event offers unique, elevated experiences interwoven with the region’s indie spirit. It is inclusive and generous, mirroring the Sonoma County community, itself. Visa Signature is the Presenting Sponsor of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. To purchase tickets and plan your Sonoma Wine Country Weekend celebration, please visit: http://SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com/ Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards Event Information: When: Saturday, August 30 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Where: MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA Tickets: $165 per person (General Admission) / $195 per person (Grand Reserve) Buy tickets: http://sonomawinecountryweekend.com/events/taste-of-sonoma/ *For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com, like it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/winecountryweekend, Instagram at @SonomaWineCountryWeekend, and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SonomaWCW: @SonomaWCW. Hashtag: #SWCW. About MacMurray Estate Vineyards With estate vineyards in some of the world’s most sought-after Pinot Noir regions, MacMurray Estate Vineyards crafts an award-winning collection of Pinot Noir and cool-climate white wines from Sonoma County and the Central Coast. The winery’s namesake Russian River Valley vineyard, MacMurray Ranch, was once owned by actor Fred MacMurray, who purchased the land in 1941. Today, the winemakers at MacMurray Estate Vineyards are dedicated to Pinot Noir, overseeing everything from rootstock selection to barrel aging, to craft the winery’s signature varietal. The result is a portfolio of wines that illuminates the unique, nuanced flavors of each estate vineyard. About Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature. Visa Signature offers account holders a range of benefits that provide special access and can save time and money. In addition to points, miles, cash back and other premium rewards offered by Visa Signature partners, account holders enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and entertainment events. For more information on Visa Signature and issuers offering Visa Signature, visit www.VisaSignature.com. About 2014 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place over Labor Day weekend each year. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised more than $12 million in support of local charities dedicated to children, the environment and health in our local communities. The 2014 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature. For a complete list of beneficiaries and sponsors, please visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com. About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving more than 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised more than $8 million for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com. Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 250 wineries and affiliated businesses throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com. ###