Elegant October 12 Party Features Wine, Food and Harvest Fun
The Sonoma County Harvest Fair, a 49-year-old Wine Country tradition, will welcome guests to its Grand Gala celebration on Saturday, October 12, 2024. A return to harvest parties of years past, the glamorous affair will feature wine and food from some of the county’s most revered producers.
Dubbed “Taste, Toast & Celebrate,” the evening will feature a red carpet welcome and an exclusive announcement of the winners of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition. Pouring for your pleasure will be medal-winning wines from well-known and beloved wineries along with exciting up-and-coming producers. All told, at least 130 Sonoma County wineries will be present, serving medal-winning wines from this year’s competition.
Harvest fair wine entries are limited to only wines made in Sonoma County and with Sonoma County grapes. Year after year, winners represent the best of our world-renowned AVAs, microclimates, vineyards, and winemakers. Making the night extra special, attendees will be the first to learn the year’s Sweepstakes Winning Wines: Best Red, White and Sparkling Wines.
“When the Harvest Fair first started, wine winners were announced at the gala. The suspense built up and the party was an emotional release,” says Debra Del Fiorentino of Wine Competitions Management & Production, which took over management of the Harvest Fair Wine Competition this year. “We’re returning to that with a bang this year.”
She adds, “The Harvest Fair is always special for the Sonoma County wine community. I’m honored to be part of it this year — and into the future.”
Food and Wine
The evening will be emceed by the team of restaurateur Mark Stark and radio personality Landon McPherson (KZST). “I was the second person hired by Mark and Teri Stark at WiIli’s Wine Bar,” says McPherson. “We have a long history; they’re like family to me. I’m excited to share the stage with Mark for this uniquely Sonoma County celebration.
“I think the anticipation of the Grand Reveal [of wine competition sweepstakes winners] will bring a whole new energy to the room,” he continues. “We will all be sharing the excitement of that moment.”
In addition to culinary creations provided by winning submissions in the Harvest Fair Professional Food Competition, select local food establishments will be offering small bites to patrons throughout the venue. Participating restaurants include Campanella (Sebastopol), Sonoma County Catering Company, Kin Windsor, Kin Smoke (Healdsburg), El Rincon del Sabor, Flamingo Lazeaway Club (Santa Rosa), Goldfinch (Sebastopol), Loro Di Napoli (Santa Rosa) and Maison Porcella (Windsor).
Celebrate Sonoma County
This highly anticipated fête will transform the Grace Pavilion (at Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa) into a prime time-worthy venue complete with two lounge areas sponsored by the Richard Kunde & Saralee McClellend Kunde Endowment Fund. Guests are encouraged to dress for the theme, as this year’s soiree promises to be a return to Grand Tastings of the past. So dust off your best party attire and prepare to join the festivities (which includes a Best Dressed contest).
“We really want everyone to lean into the glamorous aesthetic,” says Hope Marshall, premium and exhibit coordinator, Sonoma County Harvest Fair. “After all, this is a night celebrating the Best of Sonoma County’s agricultural bounty. Let’s make it an occasion to remember!”
From its inception in 1975, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair has become a treasured event for Sonoma County and visitors from around the world. Highlighting local agricultural, industrial and recreational growers, makers and crafters, the Harvest Fair is considered one of the premier regional wine judging events in the country, and is likewise an important showcase for Sonoma County’s storied wineries, restaurants and farms.
