There was much to celebrate at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair’s 50th anniversary gala on Saturday, when more than 1,300 attendees — many donned in their sparkliest cocktail attire — gathered to sample award-winning wines and food from some of the region’s top producers.
The highlight of the event, which took place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, was the announcement of the top three sweepstakes wines in the professional wine competition.
“This is by far the best harvest fair gala we’ve ever had,” said Debra Del Fiorentino, the professional wine competition’s chief wine judge. “The energy is so awesome and positive — and the wines are stellar.”
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Among the winners was Breathless Wines (NV) Blanc de Noirs ($39) from Sonoma County, which was awarded Sweepstakes Specialty wine. Sweepstakes White went to Raymond Burr Vineyards 2024 Vermentino ($34) from Dry Creek Valley, while Sweepstakes Red was awarded to Bucher Wines 2023 Three Sixty Pinot Noir ($65) from Russian River Valley.
A total of over 900 Sonoma County wines from 149 wineries were entered into the competition, the only one of its kind to focus exclusively on Sonoma County wines. This year, 21 wine professionals blind-tasted the local entries, which earned a total of 114 double-gold medals, 236 gold medals and 33 best of class winners.
Ellen Landis, a certified sommelier who has judged the competition for 24 years, said the harvest fair is particularly special to her because Sonoma County’s wines are so “extraordinary.”
“To judge 100 wines crafted from Sonoma County’s 19 sub-(appellations) strikes a heavenly chord!” she said. “The wines are diverse and expressive, with unique terroir that displays a true sense of place. I can’t imagine any wine judge who wouldn’t treasure this experience.”
John Bucher, co-owner of Bucher Wines with his wife, Diane, was astonished that their Pinot Noir was among the top winners.
“For a small brand like us, this award means a lot,” he said, his voice wavering with emotion. “We couldn’t have done it without our amazing winemaking team, Adam Lee and Morét-Brealynn.”
Lee, Bucher’s winemaker for the past 15 years, was “thrilled.”
“Sonoma County has been my home for over 30 years, and this competition is a big deal,” said Lee, whose other projects include Clarice Wine Company, Beau Marchais, Étienne and Morét-Brealynn Wines. “The 2023 growing season was great for Pinot because nature allowed for wonderful ripe flavors without big sugars. It was a super easy vintage.”
Breathless Wines’ co-owner Sharon Cohn credits winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster for the brand’s award-winning sparkler.
“I am so proud of Penny – she has really brought our brand to the height that it is,” said Cohn, who owns Breathless with her sisters, Rebecca and Cynthia Faust. “We’re very excited to win. But at the end of the day, it’s all about just having fun, gathering people together and enjoying each other.”
Lori Florence, general manager at Raymond Burr Vineyards in Healdsburg, accepted the award for the competition’s top-winning white wine, a delicious Vermentino made by winemaker Adrian Manspeaker.
“I’ve been in this industry for more than 40 years, and now I can happily retire!” said Florence, laughing. “It’s been a very exciting evening.”
In addition to sipping the competition’s gold, double gold and best of class-winning wines, guests sampled food from over 30 food vendors, including Los Molcajetes, Goldfinch, Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club and Wooden Petal Pretzel Shop.
For a complete list of winners, visit harvestfair.org. To purchase the award-winning wines, contact each winery directly or visit Bottle Barn (3331-A Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa).
Best of Class winners
Benziger Family Winery 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Paradiso de Maria, Sonoma Mountain ($43)
Breathless (NV) Blanc De Noirs, Sonoma County ($39)
Bucher 2023 Three Sixty Pinot Noir, Bucher Vineyards, Russian River Valley ($65)
Carol Shelton Wines 2024 Coquille Blanc, Sonoma County ($27.99)
Carol Shelton Wine 2018 Petite Sirah Reserve, Florence Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($39.99)
Coyote Sonoma 2023 Tombstone Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley ($42)
Eco Terreno Wines & Vineyards 2020 Cultura Chardonnay, Lyon Vineyard, Alexander Valley ($27)
EHRET Winery 2022 Bella’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Bavarian Lion Vineyards, Knights Valley ($91)
Ektimo Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Russian River Valley ($38)
Banshee 2023 Pinot Noir, 2024, Sonoma County ($30)
Hans Fahden Vineyards 2020 Malbec, Shayna Vista Vineyard, Sonoma Valley ($65)
Imagery Estate Winery 2024 Aleatico Rosé, Serres Ranch, Sonoma Valley ($38)
J Rickards Winery 2024 Ava Rae Rosé, Alexander Valley ($32)
Kenwood Vineyards 2023 GSM, Sonoma Valley ($48)
Kobler Estate Winery 2024 Viognier, Russian River Valley ($36)
La Chertosa 2023 Don Silvio Sangiovese Reserve, Sonoma Valley ($38)
Mazzocco Sonoma 2023 Zinfandel, Briar Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $30)
McIlroy Cellars 2023 Pinot Noir, Three Vineyard Blend, Russian River Valley ($45)
Mill Creek 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley ($14.99)
Miro 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon aCURE eSTATE, Alexander Valley ($30)
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2024 Vermentino, Dry Creek Valley ($34)
Raymond Burr Vineyards 2022 Quartet, Dry Creek Valley ($80)
Rockpile Vineyards 2022 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Rockpile ($38)
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay, Sonoma County ($18)
Rojas 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Pavel, Dry Creek Valley ($45)
Saini Vineyards 2023 Zinfandel, Apple Block, Dry Creek Valley ($50)
Soda Rock 2023 Chardonnay Reserve, Alexander Valley ($42)
St. Francis 2022 Cabernet Franc, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley ($52)
Sunce Winery & Vineyard 2021 Grenache, Henny Vineyard, Sonoma Valley ($45)
Thirty‐Seven 2022 Petit Verdot Reserve, Petaluma Gap ($65)
Trentadue 2023 Montepulciano, Old Orchard, Alexander Valley ($32)
Trentadue 2023 La Storia Cuvée 32, Alexander Valley ($32)
Wilson of Dry Creek 2022 Syrah, Dorothy’s Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($36)