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Upcoming Events
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Taste of Sonoma
MacMurray Ranch
Saturday, September 5, 2015
See article at right for more info!
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Don't Miss Sonoma Wine Country Weekend!
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend  is Sonoma County's signature, and largest, charity event, bringing together over 200 of Sonoma's top winemakers and growers, along with a collection of the area's best chefs. Jointly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation, all proceeds benefit local Sonoma charities. Since its inception, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend has raised over $16 million for charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need in Sonoma County communities.
The PGWA is hosting a table with many Petaluma Gap wines for the Taste of Sonoma event on Saturday, September 5th, at MacMurray Estate Vineyards. Enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the historic MacMurray Estate Vineyards property while sipping and savoring the very best of Sonoma County's rich wines and delectable cuisine. With more than 200 wineries pouring thousands of wines, and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for oenophiles and foodies alike. Informative and entertaining wine seminars, lively cooking demonstrations and so much more make for an enchanting afternoon enjoying the best of Sonoma County living. Named one of the "10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States" by Celebrated Living magazine, Taste of Sonoma is a coveted ticket - Get yours HERE before they sell out!
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Harvest 2015!
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| | Harvesting at night has many benefits, including cooler working conditions for the picking crews! |
Harvest has arrived in wine country! You see the signs everywhere -- lights moving through vineyards at night, trucks loaded with bins traveling down the roads, tractors and equipment being transported from one ranch to another. After a season of nurturing grapevines, a grape grower's life and income hinges on these last few weeks.
Picking grapes at the right moment and delivering them to the winery in excellent condition is critical. The winemaker determines ripeness and maturity by measuring sugar, acid, and pH; watching for seeds to turn brown; and evaluating flavors. The winemaking process is usually easier if grapes come to the winery cold -- hence the night harvests you see going on. The picking crews prefer working at night also since the hard work is easier when the weather is cool, the wasps and yellow-jackets are asleep, and traffic noise is replaced by a serenade of owls and coyotes.
Harvest is a busy and stressful time for growers, winemakers, and vineyard workers, so we apologize for the lights; the clanking of tractors, mechanical harvesters, and forklifts; and the occasional loud singing and shouting of excited crews. It's an early harvest and will all be over in a few weeks. So keep in mind the final product (delicious Gap wine!) and know that we appreciate your understanding.
Thank you from the Winegrowers of the Petaluma Gap!
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Uncorking Sustainability
 Wine Institute has launched the California Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador Course, a new online certificate class that provides information about sustainable practices used in the majority of California vineyards and wineries. The free course offers wine professionals (winery staff, retailers, restaurateurs, media) and wine lovers an opportunity to learn more about sustainable winegrowing. The Ambassador Course is a great way for sales and other winery staff to better understand sustainable winegrowing practices and their winery's own practices. The course takes about an hour to complete and participants receive a personalized certificate upon completion
To get started, or learn more, visit: http://ambassador.discovercaliforniawines.com. |
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Member News
Sonoma Coast Spirits
 Petaluma's Sonoma Coast Spirits is Raising the Bar on Ready To Drink Cocktails! Operating in the hoppin' brew district in Petaluma, Sonoma Coast Spirits is a family owned 4th generation Sonoma County Distiller. Their family produced grappa and wine in Sebastopol before prohibition and they now carry on the tradition
with hand-crafted cocktails, liqueurs, and whiskey. They offer three all-natural craft cocktails: Lemon Drop Martini, Mango Tango,and Pomegranate-Lime. Their Whiskey Sour will be coming out this fall for all you whiskey lovers!
Clouds Rest Estate Clouds Rest Estate  is proud to present a unique opportunity to access their cellar of premium wine while also supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County. Clouds Rest has generously agreed to donate 20% of all wine and private tour purchases made on behalf of Boys & Girls Club of Central Sonoma County. To purchase wine, order securely through the Clouds Rest website and enter code BGCKIDS in the box labeled "Order Notes" at checkout. This special offer benefiting the youth of our community through Boys & Girls Clubs is available until September 20th and is open to anyone.
In addition to wine, Clouds Rest is also offering the rare and special opportunity for Boys & Girls Club supporters to acquire a certificate to bring a group of fine wine loving friends to enjoy "The Clouds Rest Experience" including an Estate, Garden and Vineyard Tour, Vintner's Grille Luncheon, and Library Reserve Varietal Pairing with the vineyard owner. Certificates are available for 6-10 @ $125 each, and 20% of the purchase price will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs. Certificates are limited, must be used within one year of purchase, and are only available by calling Clouds Rest directly at 707-765-0841.
Pellet Estate
 Join Pellet Estate in the Vineyard on Saturday, September 26th for their Annual Harvest Party with their always festive winemaker Tom Rinaldi. The dinner reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the beautiful grounds and Vineyard Deck (weather dependent), where delicious hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served. Then, retreat to their outdoor tasting lounge and patio at 7 p.m. and savor an unforgettable dinner with wine pairings created exclusively for the party by our chef team from the Culinary Institute of America! Mingle with other guests and members from the Pellet Estate wine making team to learn about the history of the vineyard and the wines we make. We will enjoy several vintages of both reds and whites. We'll wrap up the evening under the stars with music, Bocce and great company. Space is limited! Dress attire: Wine country casual. Tickets are $75 and available at http://bit.ly/1WHgLgT or www.pelletestate.com with options for a Heritage Club Current Release ticket (3 bottles of Pellet Estate current release wines at a 15% discount - 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Chardonnay, and the 2014 Un-Oaked Chardonnay) or a Heritage Club Cabernet Vertical ticket (includes a 3 bottle vertical of 2010, 2011 and pre-release 2012 Pellet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at a 15% discount).
Keller Estate
 Keller Estate's next brunch tasting will be on Sunday, September 6th at 11:00 am. Relax on the Terrace, take in the sweeping views of vineyards, olive groves and Mt. Tamalpais as you sip and savor a delicious light brunch, perfectly paired with a flight of five Keller Estate wines. Each wine compliments each of the foods, but try your own combinations and find your own personal favorite pairings. Reservations are required; please call at (707) 765-2117. Harvest will be in full swing as Keller Estate celebrates their
traditional Harvest Celebration from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on Saturday, September 26th. The event is Keller Estate's way of thanking their Club Members for their support and a great way to meet new friends and get re-acquainted with old ones. Back by popular demand, our friends at Paella del Reyes will be delighting us with their delicious paella!
Complimentary for Club Members. Open to guest of Members at $70. Reservations are required; please call at (707) 765-2117.
Atlas Wine Company
Atlas Wine Company is excited to announce that the 2013 Agnitio Sun Chase Chardonnay has just received a 92 point rating from Wine Enthusiast!! With only 190 cases produced, this Chardonnay is sure to sell out quickly!
Sojourn Cellars
Sojourn Cellars announces their Fall 2015 Wine Release! On September 1st, Sojourn Cellar's Fall Wine Release will begin for members of their mailing list. Join now to receive an allocation of their highly rated Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon limited production wines. This release includes four single vineyard, limited production Pinot noir wines from the spectacular 2013 vintage, as well as two vastly different Chardonnays from the Sonoma Coast and two luscious Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Join the List:
Bailiwick Wines now has 4 wine clubs for Bailiwick enthusiasts! Pick a club that's right for you, and let Bailiwick be your sommelier! Check out our new Tasters, Enthusiasts, Pinot Lovers, and Bon Vivants clubs here. Next shipment goes out end of October so don't delay...signup today!
Enriquez Estate Wines
Enriquez Estate Wines will officially be moving from Petaluma to their new Forestville location September 1st! Cecilia Enriquez is extending an invitation to their pre-opening party on Saturday, September 12th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Tour the property and share your input with Cecilia as she plans the new layout for the future tasting room and landscape. The event will be a potluck, so bring your favorite dishes to share! The new location is 5960 Eastside Road, Forestville, CA 95436. Please RSVP by September 8th for the September 12th BBQ and feel free to call 707-347-9719 or email cecilia@enriquezwines.com to book a future appointment or ask questions any time.
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