Award-winning wines to be showcased October 11th at 50th Anniversary Gala
October 8, 2025 (Santa Rosa, CA) — The Sonoma County Harvest Fair, now in it’s 50th year, has released the results of its annual professional wine competition. These wines, which represent an array of varietals and styles from every region of Sonoma County, will be available to taste alongside small bites from local restaurants, caterers and food purveyors at the Harvest Fair’s 50th Anniversary Gala on October 11th at Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
Wine judging was held over two days, September 24th and 25th. The competition is managed by longtime Professional Wine Coordinator, Sheila Quince, Chief Wine Judge, Debra Del Fiorentino and a panel of 21 wine professionals, including wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers, and local retailers. A total of 914 wines were submitted by 149 Sonoma County wineries to produce 114 double gold medals, 236 gold medals and 33 “best of class” awards. Of those 33 wines, three top Sweepstakes award winners will be named in the categories of red wine, white wine and “specialty” wine (typically a sparkling, rosé or dessert wine). Winners of the sweepstakes awards will be announced live on stage during the Harvest Fair 50th Anniversary Gala.
“It’s so exciting to be celebrating 50 years of local wine and agriculture,” said Rocco Cunningham, President of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Board of Directors. “This event has long been an opportunity for our local winegrowers and makers to come together during the harvest season, raise a glass and engage in a little friendly competition. There are wineries competing today who won sweepstakes awards as far back as the late 1970’s. That long history and the sense of community is what makes Sonoma County wine unique.”
In addition to a professional wine competition, the Harvest Fair continues to hold an annual amateur wine competition, an olive oil competition, and a professional food competition. Gold medal winners from those contests will also be sharing winning products at the gala as well as local restaurants, food trucks and caterers showcasing specialty small bites. Guests are encouraged to dress up for the event, where a “best dressed” contest will also be held.
The 50th Anniversary Gala will take place on Saturday, October 11th from 6-9 p.m. Tickets to the event are $100, non-inclusive of e-tix fees and include parking, food and gold medal wine tasting. Tickets are available at harvestfair.org, by phone (707) 545-4203 or by visiting the fairgrounds office at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, 95404.
The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is operated by the management and staff of the Sonoma County Fair and is overseen by a committee of the Sonoma County Fair Board. The event launched in October of 1975, and has been held annually at the fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA. The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is proudly sponsored by Bottle Barn, American Ag Credit and the Richard M. Kunde and Saralee McClelland Kunde Trust, Art House Hotel, A+L Events, Family Winemakers of California, Genco, Pure Luxury Transportation, Richard and Saralee Trust, Rojas Winery and Santa Rosa Hills Senior Living. For more information about sponsorship, please contact (707) 545-4203.
ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY HARVEST FAIR
The Sonoma County Harvest Fair highlights local agriculture, industrial and recreational growers, makers and crafters. From the Fair’s inception in 1975, it has become a treasured event for Sonoma County and visitors from around the world. The Harvest Fair Wine Competition is considered one of the premier regional wine judging events in the country, and is an important showcase for Sonoma County’s storied wineries, restaurants and farms.
Website: www.harvestfair.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SonomaCountyHarvestFair/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonomacountyharvestfair/
