Sweepstakes Winning Wines Announced for Sonoma County Harvest Fair

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – News submitted from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair coming soon to the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds:

The 2016 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Awards Night, presented by American AgCredit and Sonoma County Winegrowers, took place over the weekend at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

As the approximately 550 guests gathered, the atmosphere was equal parts comfort and anticipation, the comfort provided by a valued community tradition and the anticipation that comes before secrets are revealed—in this case, the winners of the 2016 Best of Show Restaurant and 2016 Sweepstakes Wine titles.

This annual event provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the Sonoma County Harvest Fair award winners, as well as to pay tribute to important and influential individuals in the region’s agriculture, wine and food industries.

At a reception prior to the main event, guests enjoyed the wines and culinary dishes that had earned high marks from this year’s Harvest Fair judges. (For a complete list of winners, go to www.harvestfair.org.)

Following the reception, attendees gathered in the theater to acknowledge the 2016 Agriculture Awards honorees and to finally learn the judges’ choices for the Best of Show and Sweepstakes titles. Those honorees and top winners are:

Agriculture Award Recipients

• Outstanding Young Person in Agribusiness: Shannon Donnell
• Outstanding Young Farmer: Marissa Ledbetter-Foster
• Friend of Sonoma County Agriculture: Karissa Kruse
• Lifetime Contribution to Sonoma County Agriculture: Buck Sangiacomo
• Lifetime Contribution to Sonoma County Wine Industry “Methuselah Award”: Robert Young Family
• Excellence in Local Food Production: Paul & Elizabeth Kaiser of Singing Frogs Farm
• Excellence in the Craft Beer Industry: Russian River Brewing Company
• Sustainable Farmer Award (sponsored by the Sonoma County Winegrowers): Redwood Empire Vineyard Management
• Sustainable Processor/Maker Award (sponsored by the Sonoma County Winegrowers): Jackson Family Wines

Best of Show Restaurant

• John Ash & Co.
• Bella Rosa Coffee S’mores Pie

Sweepstakes Red Wine

• Russian River Vineyards
• 2014 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Horse Ridge Vineyard
• Giovanni Balistreri, Winemaker

Sweepstakes White Wine

• J. Rickards Winery
• 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, Croft Vineyard
• Blaine Brazil, Winemaker

Sweepstakes Specialty Wine

• Gloria Ferrer
• 2007 Royal Cuvee, Carneros
• Steve Urberg, Winemaker

After the awards ceremony, guests savored a gourmet dinner provided by John Ash & Co., along with more award-winning wines. As is customary, the evening included a period of silence to honor those industry leaders lost during the past 12 months.

Come Taste the Winners and Enjoy the Bounty!

The 2016 Sonoma County Harvest Fair takes place September 30 – October 2 at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds.

Opening day hours are 4:00pm – 9:00pm, with the Grand Tasting Pavilion open from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Saturday and Sunday Harvest Fair hours are 11:00am – 5:00pm, and the Grand Tasting Pavilion hours are 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

This lavish Grand Tasting experience includes food and wine from the professional competitions, as well as local craft beers and ciders. Grand Tasting tickets are $55.00 and include gate admission. (Must be 21 or older to enter the Pavilion.)

Discounted tickets are available until September 29: Two tickets for $100 or a 3-day pass for $125.

Harvest Fair gate admission is just $5.00, with parking lot pricing ranging from $7 - $10. Admission includes entrance to the Wine Country Marketplace, a variety of workshops and seminars, cooking demonstrations and the World Championship Grape Stomp.

• Also see: Stompers, Swabbies Wanted For Grape Stomp Competition!

--Images via Sonoma Co. Harvest Fair