SONOMA, CA (July 18 , 2019) – The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA), a non-profit trade association representing more than 100 wineries and 140 grape growers in Sonoma Valley, kicked off the 195th winegrape Harvest in Sonoma Valley with a celebration at The Donum Estate on July 17th.
The second annual Harvest Kickoff Party celebrated our industry and valley’s most anticipated time of year, Harvest. The Harvest Kickoff Party recognizes the hard work and unprecedented dedication of Sonoma Valley vintners and growers in producing the highest quality winegrapes and world-class wines.
Former SVVGA Board President and vintner, Squire Fridell of GlenLyon Vineyards & Winery, introduced Chuy Ordaz of Palo Alto Vineyard Management and Ordaz Family Wines, a long-time grape grower and farmer in Sonoma Valley who was voted the Honorary Bell Ringer of the commemorative Sonoma Valley Harvest Bell. The mission-style bell ringing symbolizes the beginning of Sonoma Valley’s most anticipated time of year and signals to the community that Harvest has begun
“Chuy Ordaz has contributed greatly to quality grape growing and organic farming in Sonoma Valley, working with many Growers and Vintners. Having emigrated from Mexico, he was the first full time employee at Kenwood Vineyards and Winery. He transitioned from working with their many growers to establishing his own Palo Alto Vineyard Management and has worked with many Sonoma Valley vineyards including Beltane Ranch, Montecillo Vineyard, MacLeod Family Vineyard, and more. As both a grower and a vintner with a deep investment in the Sonoma Valley vineyards, his workers, and our community he is a great representative to help us ring in and celebrate the beginning of Harvest together as a community,” said SVVGA Board President Prema Behan of Three Sticks Wine. “Our heritage of leadership in California winemaking, exceptional growing conditions and iconic vineyard sites, and commitment to winegrowing and winemaking world-class wines is especially evident in the grapes and wines we are producing.”
Further commemorating the new tradition, Squire Fridell led a toast with the audience of more than 250 vintner, grower and wine professional members for a safe and bountiful Harvest.
The Sonoma Valley wine community enjoyed the beautiful evening surrounded by the incredible art collection in the picturesque Donum Estate. A delicious wine country dinner prepared by Catherine Venturini and her Cuvee Wine Country Events team was served at a long Kings table and the group enjoyed entertainment by singer and song-writer Tanner Walle.
The entire Sonoma Valley community is invited to participate in a valley-wide bell ringing at the Tuesday evening Sonoma Valley Farmers Market near the first day of Harvest. When the first winegrape ‘pick’ is announced, members of the Sonoma Valley community can participate by ringing their own bells and horns. SVVGA encourages community members and the public to follow along on these Social Media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and news alerts on the Sonoma Valley Harvest and the first winegrape pick.
Special thanks to our generous Harvest Kickoff Party Event Sponsor American AgCredit, our Official Culinary Partner Cuvee Wine Country Events and The Donum Estate for hosting the event.
About SVVGA
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit organization serving over 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. Sonoma Valley comprises six of the seventeen American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) of Sonoma County: Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Sonoma Valley. To learn more about the SVVGA visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com or call 707-935-0803.
