Make Your Plans: Sonoma Co. Harvest Fair Weekend Events and Schedule

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – It's that time!

The 42nd annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair opens today and runs through Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Always held during the first weekend in October, the Harvest Fair celebrates the region’s abundant season of growing and the delectable outcomes inspired by the area’s hard working ranchers and farmers, acclaimed vintners and noted chefs.

This year’s event highlights include:

Grand Tasting Pavilion: Tickets are available at HarvestFair.org, or at the Harvest Fair Box Office located at 1350 Bennett Valley Road,Santa Rosa. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event. Please note that the Tasting Pavilion is open to adults 21 and over. Infants and children not admitted.

Wine Country Marketplace: The Marketplace is the ONLY place that offers all of the gold medal-winning wines under one roof. Take advantage of clearance priced discounts,as well as special vintages that may not be readily available at the local grocer. The Marketplace building is also home to free Wine Tasting Seminars throughout the weekend, allowing visitors to learn the basics of tasting wine from local experts. Tasting is included! Seminars are free with gate admission and only open to guests 21 and over.

Chef Demonstrations are also prime attractions in the Marketplace. Chef Demos include food and wine
tasting, free with gate admission.

Wine Patio: Guests will enjoy café seating, live music and Port and Chocolate Pairing – $5 tastes of award winning dessert wines from this year’s professional wine competition paired with decadent chocolate delights. Don’t miss the Taste the Golds – a selection of 20 gold medal award winning wines. Choose which 4 you would like to taste for $20.

Harvest Workshops: These mini workshops are designed to teach you the basics of harvesting at
home.

World Championship Grape Stomp: . Teams will compete for three days (Friday-Sunday) trying to garner a coveted spot in the championship stomp, Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Gates open today at 4 p.m., with the Tasting Pavilion open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gates open Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. with tasting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit HarvestFair.org or call (707) 545-4200.

Schedule:

Friday, September 30

4:00 - 9:00 PM - Gates & Marketplace Open
4:00 PM - Taste the Golds on the Wine Patio
4:30 PM - Chef Demonstration
5:30 & 7:30 PM - Wine Tasting Seminars
6:30 & 8:30 PM - Grape Stomps

Saturday, October 1
11:00 - 5:00 AM - Gates & Marketplace Open
11:30 AM - Wine & Food Pairing Seminar

12:00 PM - The Drunken Alchemist Workshop
12:00 PM - Taste the Golds on the Wine Patio
12:00, 1:30, 3:00 & 4:30 PM - Grape Stomps
12:30 & 3:30 PM - Chef Demonstrations
1:00 & 3:00 PM - Wine Tasting Seminars
1:30 PM - Cheesy Beer School Seminar
2:15 & 3:30 PM - Live Music in Shade Park
3:00 PM - Olives Workshop

Sunday, October 2
11:00 - 5:00 AM - Gates & Marketplace Open
11:30 AM - Beer & Food Pairing Seminar

11:30 AM - Introduction to Home Brewing

11:30 AM - World Wrapped Cooking Competition
12:00 PM - Taste the Golds on the Wine Patio
12:00 & 3:00 PM - Grape Stomps
12:30 & 3:30 PM - Chef Demonstrations
1:00 PM - Coffee Education Workshop
1:00 & 3:00 PM - Wine Tasting Seminars
1:30 PM - Cheesy Beer School Seminar
1:30 PM - Kids Stomp (Ages 13 & Under)
2:15 & 3:30 PM - Live Music in Shade Park
4:30 PM - World Championship Grape Stomp Finals

• Also see: This Weekend In NorCal: Harvest Fair & Grape Stomp; Pumpkin Patches; Birthday Party At Pier

Previous coverage in recent week of this year's Sonoma County Harvest Fair:

• Award-Winning Local Craft Beers and Ciders To Be Featured Harvest Fair’s Grand Tasting
• Stompers, Swabbies Wanted For Grape Stomp Competition!
• Harvest Fair Names Winners of 2016 Professional Food Competition
• Jackson Family Wines Honored For Leading The Way In Sustainable Winemaking
• The Olive Press Takes 'Best of Show' Olive Oil Award
• Buck Sangiacomo Honored For Lifetime Contribution To Sonoma Co. Agriculture At Harvest Fair
• Third-Generation Winegrape Grower Named Harvest Fair's 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer
• Robert Young Family Honored For Lifetime Contribution To Wine Industry
• Redwood Empire Vineyard Management Named 'Outstanding Sustainable Farmer'
• Harvest Fair Names '2016 Outstanding Young Person in Agribusiness'
• Russian River Brewing Co. Receives Harvest Fair Award for 'Excellence in the Craft Beer Industry'
• Harvest Fair Names '2016 Friend of Sonoma County Agriculture'
• Singing Frogs Farm Takes 'Excellence In Local Food Production' Honor From Sonoma Co. Harvest Fair
• Mark Your Calendars For Upcoming Sonoma County Harvest Fair: Tickets On Sale

Photo via Sonoma County Harvest Fair