Trade Registration is Open for the Live Events May 5-6
SANTA ROSA, CA (March 16, 2022) – Sonoma County Vintners and presenting sponsor American AgCredit are thrilled to announce this year’s lineup for the Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA), which will be held in person at MacMurray Estate Vineyards on Friday, May 6, 2022. These “never before, never again” wines showcase the spectacular diversity of Sonoma County’s wine region. Lots are now available for viewing on the SoCoBA website, along with details about the 2022 events. Trade registration is by invitation only and open now. To learn more visit SoCoBarrelAuction.com or contact info@sonomawine.com.
“After two years of online auctions, we are delighted to be welcoming trade buyers back to Sonoma County for the live events. SoCoBA gives our Sonoma County wineries the opportunity to interact with members of the trade they might not normally have the time or resources to visit,” said Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director Michael Haney. “We’re honored that trade buyers will travel across the U.S. and from other countries to attend SoCoBA and bid on wines from our talented vintners.”
“We are incredibly excited about this year’s auction,” said Robert Merrifield, Chef and Proprietor of Polo Grill in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “We have been a supporter of SoCoBA since the inaugural event in 2015, bidding on these unique, one-of-a-kind wines to separate our restaurant’s wine program from others. Our extensive list of SoCoBA selections are only available to guests while dining here at Polo Grill.”
SoCoBA features wines ranging from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends and Zinfandel to Chardonnays, sparkling wines and more. Exclusive 2022 barrel lots include Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Oak with “The Big Four” crafted from their top estates in Alexander Valley and “Rock Arch Old Vine” from Pride Mountain Vineyards, sourced from the oldest vines located at the highest elevation of the entire property. Pinot Noir lots include “2021 Neighborhoods” from Williams Selyem Winery, which features the distinctive neighborhoods of Russian River Valley; “Pacific Cuvée” from Kosta Browne Winery, which spotlights the ocean’s majestic influence on the grapes; and “Welcome to the Circus” from CIRQ, showcasing the diversity and cooperative nature of two prized and contrasting vineyards. Rombauer Vineyards explores how vine age affects Chardonnay with “Age & Beauty,” and the solar eclipse of 2017 inspired the “Totality” sparkling wine lot from J Vineyards & Winery. Martinelli Winery’s “Martinelli Valley Zinfandel” celebrates multi-generational winemaking from their well-known family vineyards while Mauritson Wines makes light of how “petite” doesn’t mean “small” with their “Nothing Petite about Durif,” a 100% Petite Sirah wine. “Effervescence Cuvée,” a sparkling rosé from Freeman Vineyard & Winery, is their first-ever sparkling wine and “Emerald Barrica” from Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards celebrates an updated, barrel-aged return to the wine that was their very first release in 1986.
“It’s hard to pinpoint my favorite lots, as Sonoma County has been successful and innovative in producing a wide range of varietals. I enjoy marketing these SoCoBA wines that are exclusive and have interesting stories. More than anything, I enjoy attending the barrel auction each year because it’s fun and provides an opportunity to spend time with others who have an appreciation for and a commitment to Sonoma County’s tremendous wines,” said Glenn Siegel, President of the Wine Spectrum, based in Santa Rosa, California.
While the diversity of Sonoma County wines will be on full display, so will the spirit of collaboration and opening the world of wine to new audiences. Donald Patz of Maritana Vineyards and Isis Daniel, a sommelier and wine consultant known as “The Millenial Somm” on Instagram and TikTok, created a Chardonnay named “Isis Cuvée. It was Daniel’s first foray into winemaking, with the seasoned Patz showing her the blending ropes.
The in-person auction events will kick off with an all-inclusive lot tasting preview event on May 5 at Bacchus Landing, a curated collective of wineries and spacious new event venue located in the heart of Healdsburg. The event will give trade buyers the chance to speak with the vintners, taste and learn more about the barrel auction lots, and make notes about their favorites before the live auction the next day.
When asked why he attends SoCoBA every year, David Marberger, Owner of Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits in Annapolis, Maryland said: “First, and probably most importantly, it gives us an opportunity to network and communicate directly with the wineries and their teams. We often see a state or regional salesperson from Sonoma County properties but that is not the same as talking with those who are there at the winery each day. Secondly, we have become so much more aware of how many small wineries there are that just don’t have the marketing reach via a major distributor. This allows us to diversify our inventory for our customers who want a wider selection from small producers. SoCoBA also allows us to get a glimpse at how the new vintage is shaping up or any new trends that are happening.”
Proceeds raised from the Sonoma County Barrel Auction assist in creating Sonoma County Vintners marketing programs and initiatives that support the wine trade and community.
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 200 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, benefits non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit SonomaWine.com.
About American AgCredit
Founded in 1916, American AgCredit is part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fourth-largest Farm Credit Association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers throughout California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma – as well as to capital markets customers throughout the country. Financial services provided by American AgCredit include production and mortgage financing, equipment and vehicle leasing, crop and life insurance, lines of credit, and the Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Program. In addition, the Association provides interest-free loans for qualifying 4-H and FFA AgYouth programs, as well as college scholarships to young people interested in agriculture. Learn more at www.AgLoan.com.
About MacMurray Estate Vineyards
With vineyards in California’s most sought-after Pinot Noir regions, MacMurray Estate Vineyards is synonymous with one of the world’s most celebrated grape varieties. We grow our grapes where Pinot Noir thrives — in the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast. By carefully tending to each vineyard block and making discerning choices in the cellar, we create wines that reflect the unique terroir of each estate vineyard while showcasing the elegant flavors of the delicate Pinot Noir grape. Our namesake in the Russian River Valley, the 1,500-acre MacMurray Ranch, has a rich farming history that stretches back to the early 1850s. In 1941, actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch as an idyllic family retreat and cattle ranch. In 1996, MacMurray Ranch was transformed to include a world-class vineyard with 450 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines, ushering in a new era for the legendary Sonoma County property. Learn more at MacMurrayEstateVineyards.com.
About Bacchus Landing
Founded by siblings Monica and Francisco Lopez, along with their parents Al and Dina, Bacchus Landing is a curated collective of wineries representing a diverse spectrum of grape varieties and winemaking styles. It is located in the heart of Healdsburg at the crossroads of three of Sonoma County’s premier wine regions. Designed to reflect the Lopez family’s deep-seated passion for hosting family and friends, Bacchus Landing welcomes guests to come and stay the day, offering a relaxing escape from everyday life. The three-acre property boasts five spacious, open-air tasting rooms, an artisanal food market serving local wine-friendly bites, a more casual green space with picnic tables and bocce courts, a central piazza with café tables, a full commercial kitchen, and a variety of spaces for corporate meetings and events. For more information, please visit BacchusLanding.com.
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