PREMO Club hosts an afternoon of cocktails, conversation, wine, and dinner with Nelson German and co-author Andréa Lawson Gray at Aldina Vineyards in Healdsburg on July 11
June 30, 2026 (Healdsburg, CA) — Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and Top Chef alum Nelson German will celebrate the release of his debut book, Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks & Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora (Ten Speed Press), with a special afternoon event in Sonoma wine country on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Hosted by PREMO Club at Aldina Vineyards in Healdsburg, the gathering will feature cocktails, wine, an author conversation, book signing, and dinner experience, with net proceeds benefiting Sprouts Chef Training, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through culinary education.
From 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., guests will gather at Aldina’s tasting room at Bacchus Landing for an intimate afternoon with German and his co-author, James Beard Award–winning culinary writer Andréa Lawson Gray. The experience will include a wine reception, bites inspired by the book, a conversation exploring Caribbean and Afro-Latino food traditions, a book signing, and a multi-course dinner featuring seasonal ingredients and Aldina Vineyards wine pairings.
Published by Ten Speed Press, Caribbean Cocktails is a celebration of the Afro-Latino diaspora, exploring ancestral ingredients, traditions, and stories through cocktails and bites meant to bring people together. The book highlights ingredients including sorrel, tamarind, kola nut, Grains of Paradise, and plantains, while honoring the histories and cultures behind them.
“This book is about where I come from, and the people and flavors that made me,” said German. “To celebrate it surrounded by good food, great wine, and community in Sonoma — and to support the next generation of culinary talent through Sprouts Chef Training — makes this event especially meaningful.”
German is the chef-owner of alaMar Dominican Kitchen and Sobre Mesa in Oakland and executive chef and partner at Meski in San Francisco, where he was brought on as a culinary partner by Draymond Green. A Top Chef Season 18 alum, German has built a career celebrating Afro-Latino identity and the richness of the diaspora through food, storytelling, and hospitality.
Event Details
- What: Caribbean Cocktails Book Release Celebration, Author Talk & Dinner Experience
- When: Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 3:00–8:00 p.m. PDT
- Where: Aldina Vineyards, 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 100/201, Healdsburg, CA 95448
- Hosted By: PREMO Club
- Featuring: Nelson German, Andréa Lawson Gray, and LJ Maingard of Little Saint Farm
- Benefiting: Sprouts Chef Training, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Ticket Options
- Author Talk & Book Signing — $75
- Includes:
- 3:00–3:30 p.m. — Wine reception, canapés & bites inspired by Caribbean Cocktails
- 3:30–4:15 p.m. — Author conversation
- 4:15–5:00 p.m. — Book signing
- Includes:
- Dinner Experience — $250
- Includes everything above, plus:
- 5:00–6:00 p.m. — Reception for dinner guests
- 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Multi-course dinner with Aldina Vineyards wine pairings
- Includes everything above, plus:
Tickets & Information:
https://premoclub.com/events/caribbean-cocktails-book-release
About Caribbean Cocktails
Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks & Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora (Ten Speed Press, June 2026) is the debut book from Nelson German and Andréa Lawson Gray. Part recipe collection, part cultural celebration, the book explores the ancestral ingredients, traditions, and stories of the Afro-Latino diaspora through cocktails, bites, and gatherings designed to bring people together.
About Nelson German
Nelson German is a Dominican-American chef, restaurateur, and television personality known for celebrating Afro-Latino culinary traditions through food, culture, and storytelling. He is the chef-owner of alaMar Dominican Kitchen and Sobre Mesa in Oakland and executive chef and partner at Meski in San Francisco. German appeared on Season 18 of Top Chef and has built a career around showcasing the richness and diversity of the African diaspora through hospitality and cuisine.
About PREMO Club
PREMO Club is a global membership platform that provides curated travel, food and entertainment recommendations, and experiences to our exclusive global community of interesting and inspiring individuals seeking premium experiences.
PREMO Club creates one-of-a-kind culinary and cultural experiences that bring together chefs, winemakers, authors, and creatives through intimate gatherings designed to foster connection, conversation, and community.
About Sprouts Chef Training
Sprouts Chef Training is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through culinary education, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and career development opportunities that inspire the next generation of food industry leaders.
