“Translating Terroir Into Taste” Will Explore the Connections Between Geology and Wine with Vintner Panelists on Sunday, May 4 in Sonoma
Sonoma, CA (April 1, 2025) – Reach for the Moon! the signature annual master class and grand tasting of Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District AVA today announces highly respected geologist Brenna Quigley will be the guest speaker at the master class on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at MacArthur Place in Sonoma, CA. Titled “Translating Terroir Into Taste,” Quigley will lead a discussion of how the AVA’s uniformly volcanic soils and the underlying geology of its steep mountain terrain are expressed in the resulting wines. She will be joined by a panel of vintners who will present a tasting of their current-release Moon Mountain District wines, grouped by variety, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, that are grown at different elevations and exposures.
The master class vintner panelists include Danielle Langlois of Lasseter Family Vineyards; Jason Jardine of Hanzell; Tony Biagi of Patria Wines; Mark Herold of Moon Hollow and Kamen Estate; Erich Bradley of Repris Wines; Alejandro Zimman of Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery; Massimo Monticelli of B. Wise Vineyards; and Korbin Ming of Korbin Kameron. Vintner Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain will serve as moderator. The master class will be followed by the grand tasting, where more than two dozen wineries will pour their Moon Mountain District wines.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this event and have loved the opportunity to dive into the details of the varied volcanic terroirs of the Moon Mountain District with this prestigious group of vintners. This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to see, taste, and discuss how the details of terroir are translated into the glass,” said Quigley.
One of Northern California’s premier wine events, Reach for the Moon! celebrates Moon Mountain District’s rich legacy of exceptional grape growing, while exploring the leading work of its farmers and winemakers who continue to set a benchmark for high-quality wines and sustainability. Tickets are available now with 15% savings at https://moonmountaindistrict.org.
Located on the western side of the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma, Moon Mountain District was officially recognized in 2013, making it one of California’s newest AVAs, but the region has a long and rich history of grape growing and winemaking that goes back more than 130 years. The District’s winegrowers are dedicated to producing the finest wines possible from the appellation’s diverse volcanic soils, using the highest levels of sustainable farming methods including organic, biodynamic and regenerative agriculture. They were early adopters of organic farming, and today, Moon Mountain District has one of the highest percentages of organic vineyards of any AVA in California.
While it’s enclosed entirely within the Sonoma Valley AVA, Moon Mountain District’s altitude, diverse volcanic terroir and topography set it apart from the valley floor. The shallow, rocky soils and elevations, ranging from 400 feet to 2,200 feet, stress the vines resulting in low yields of exceptional grapes that produce elegant, age worthy wines of great distinction.
Ticketing Options
Reach for the Moon! tickets are now available for purchase at www.moonmountaindistrict.org, and include two options to discover the distinctive terroir and artisanal winemaking behind Moon Mountain District’s small production, terroir-driven wines. Full Pass Tickets are available now with 15% early bird savings at $340 per person. The Full Pass includes a seated, guided Master Class that will explore how the rugged terrain, volcanic soils and various elevations of the Moon Mountain District express a diversity of complex and celebrated wines. The panel of vintners, farmers and geological experts will share their stories, both triumphant and humbling, about making wine in the Moon Mountain District AVA. The Master Class begins at 10:00 a.m. Grand Tasting Tickets, $212.50 with 15% early bird savings,include access to the Grand Tasting, beginning at 12:30 pm. The Grand Tasting will feature more than two dozen of the Association’s winery members pouring their wines alongside delicious bites showcasing the bounty of Sonoma. A silent auction showcase at the Grand Tasting will feature one-of-a-kind guest house stays, vineyard tours and Moon Mountain District wines.
Make it a Weekend with Moon Mountain District
In celebration of all that the Moon Mountain District has to offer, guests are invited to stay for the weekend and choose from among a host of special experiences being presented by the association members. Offerings include a Sunset Tasting & Hors d’Oeuvres at Kamen Estate, The Everything but Cabernet tasting presented by Winery Sixteen 600, Barrel Tasting with B. Wise, Amapola Creek and Muscardini Wines, a reception hosted by Repris Wines and Pangloss Cellars and more. For further information and reservations, visit the Moon Mountain District website.
For additional information and to learn more about the wineries and growers within the Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association, please visit the website at www.moonmountaindistrict.org.
About Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association
Moon Mountain District Winegrowers Association (MMDWGA) is a nonprofit trade association committed to representing and promoting grape growers and wine-related businesses in the District. The Association is responsible for the appellation’s 2013 AVA distinction. MMDWGA’s leadership board and its membership include some of the most experienced and respected viticulturists in the industry today. The Moon Mountain District represents over 130 years of independent minded realists who yet remain capable of pursuing what some would consider impractical dreams.
