Now Selling Tickets for August 15-18 Annual Wine & Fire Weekend
July 11, 2024 – Every winemaker and winegrower believes a bottle is meant to be shared; shared with each other and guests, with food and most importantly around the table. For centuries, the vignerons and workers of Burgundy commemorated the end of harvest with a celebration called La Paulée. It’s the modern-day version of “BYOB” where winemakers and guests share a special bottle to be enjoyed together — wine, a meal, conversation, camaraderie, “joie de vivre”!
In the spirit of Burgundy’s legendary harvest celebrations, La Paulée has become a cherished tradition at our annual Wine & Fire celebration in Sta. Rita Hills. Guests and winemakers gather together to share wine, stories and a meal in an intimate, yet casual, setting. Though we may be breaking with tradition in celebrating before harvest rather than after, it’s an event not to be missed.
This pre-harvest banquet is held during the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance “Wine and Fire” weekend. The evening kicks off with a sparkling wine reception, setting the tone for a night dedicated to celebrating the joy of wine, food, and friendship. The evening lauds Vintners of the Year Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley, whose remarkable contributions to the winemaking community, particularly through Hitching Post wines, have left an indelible mark. High on the Hog catering will create a delicious BBQ dinner to follow the reception, as appropriate for the gentlemen behind Hitching Post wines.
Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance member wineries will host tables and bring wines in the La Paulée tradition, and guests are encouraged (but not required!) to bring their special bottles to share as well. Wines shared do not need to be from Sta. Rita Hills, or even Pinot Noir. Adding as a Sideways twist, the first Hitching Post wine made in Frank’s garage was a Merlot!
The event is wine country casual with lots of mingling and table hopping. There are sure to be plenty of stories told as Frank and Gray are honored and presented with the Vintners of the Year award.
Tickets to La Paulée are available on the event website at https://www.staritahills.
The Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)6 trade organization formed in 2001 to promote and educate the vineyards and wineries of this unique American Viticultural Area.
