As the wine world evolves, one of California’s most storied wine regions is growing its community, welcoming new wineries and designing its signature event, APRIL 23-25, 2027, for loyal fans as well as a new generation of curious wine travelers.
October 12, 2026 (Healdsburg, CA) — At a moment when the wine industry is navigating meaningful change, Dry Creek Valley has reason to be grateful – and optimistic.
Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley continues to see its community of wineries, collaborators and partners grow, with both new members and longtime names choosing to be part of the conversation. That momentum will be on full display at Passport to Dry Creek Valley 2027, April 23-25, the association’s fundraising signature event, and one of California wine country’s longest-running annual traditions.
For the team behind Passport to Dry Creek Valley, Executive Director Lauren Fremont, Communications & Marketing Director Amanda Brower, and board of directors, the evolution of Passport reflects a larger philosophy: Dry Creek Valley is more than a wine region. It is a brand, a place, and a community worth protecting and thoughtfully sharing. “People are looking for real connection right now, and that’s what we’ve always offered. We don’t need to be loud about it. We’re quietly iconic” says Lauren Fremont. That phrase has caught on. WDCV’s Quietly
Iconic merchandise has become one of the valley’s most sought-after keepsakes. For the first time, merch will be available throughout Passport weekend.
Lauren Fremont and Amanda Brower approach the valley holistically, looking beyond individual wineries to tell the broader Dry Creek Valley story through wine, agriculture, food, travel, design, hospitality, and lifestyle partnerships. Increasingly, that means collaborating with brands and makers whose ethos authentically aligns with the valley and the people who call it home.
This year, guests will discover wineries new to Passport alongside familiar names returning to the event for the first time since before the pandemic. Experiences throughout the valley will put greater emphasis on connection to the land – meeting the growers, winemakers, founders and families behind what is in the glass and understanding the land and stories that make each stop distinct.
Local food remains an important part of the weekend, but with a more intentional role. Thoughtful bites and local flavors will complement each winery’s experience rather than turn every stop into a full meal, allowing the wine, people and place to remain at the center of Passport.
Friday evening brings a completely reimagined Twilight Welcome Party, with a culinary lineup that includes a Michelin-starred team and three acclaimed chefs new to Passport, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in discovery, hospitality and Northern California flavor.
Across three days, Passport will bring together 50+ wineries and 30+ grape varieties throughout the intimate 16-by-2-mile Dry Creek Valley AVA.
Passport is an invitation to explore the vineyard roads, discover a winery you may never have heard of, return to an old favorite, meet the person who grew the grapes or made the wine in your glass, ask questions and leave knowing Dry Creek Valley a little better than when you arrived.
Friday, April 23: Twilight Welcome Party at Bacchus Landing
Limited to 250–300 guests, the Twilight Welcome Party pairs pours from 20+ boutique Dry Creek Valley wineries with a live-fire experience: Wine | Fire | Flavor.
- Grazing Table | Quail & Condor and Troubadour Bread & Bistro: Melissa and Sean McGaughey are alumni of three-Michelin-star SingleThread. Their bakery was named one of America’s best by The New York Times, and their bistro earned its first Michelin star in 2026. Expect artisanal sourdough, house made spreads, pâté, and seasonal cheeses.
- LAND | Lee Desrosiers: The creator of cult-favorite Hell Chicken, praised by The New York Times, brings his custom grill and a few surprises.
- SKY | Nicolaus Balla: The acclaimed Bar Tartine chef and James Beard Award-winning
cookbook author fires up the Tataki grill with skewers, savory tare, and flavors from Hungary to Japan.
- SEA | Naomi McLeod: The founder of Field Day CA, Healdsburg’s beloved school-bus pop-up dinner series, serves cool crudo and playful seaside bites.
Saturday & Sunday, April 24–25: The Heart of Passport
Guests explore 30+ wineries across one of California’s most storied farming valleys. Gnarled old-vine Zinfandel, multigenerational family vineyards, and growers who still farm the land their grandparents planted set the scene. Vineyard tours, barrel tastings, local bites, music, and storytelling fill the weekend, with founders, farmers, and winemakers pouring alongside guests. Insider perks and hidden gems help round it out, and more surprises will be announced in the coming months.
With Michelin-starred dining and Appellation Healdsburg, Travel + Leisure’s 2026 No. 1 Resort in California and the continental U.S., just minutes away, there’s every reason to make a weekend of it.
Partners
Passport 2027 is made possible by heritage partners Bacchus Landing, venue sponsor of the Twilight Welcome Party, Insidehook, The Lounge, Healdsburg Chamber, Stay Healdsburg, Hotel Trio, Appellation Healdsburg, Sonoma County Airport, American AgCredit, and Region.
Tickets
Pre-sale tickets are available through December 31, 2026, HERE. Pre-sale offers the best price and first choice of starting winery. Prices increase January 1, and Twilight capacity is limited.
About Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley
Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley is a non-profit trade association representing the growers and producers of the Dry Creek Valley AVA in Sonoma County. Learn more.
