From down-home Hopmonk Tavern, to uptown Cyrus Restaurant. From comfy-cozy Bruno’s on Fourth, to the haute Hana Japanese Restaurant. From rockin’ Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar, to laid back Zazu Restaurant & Farm.
When its culinary tents open on the sprawling grassy meadows at Healdsburg’s MacMurray Ranch on September 5, this year’s Taste of Sonoma will have something to appeal to every taste bud imaginable.
And likely some flavors few of us have ever considered before (I’m thinking of the pork belly BLT presented at last year’s Taste, by chef Janine Falvo of Carneros Bistro in Sonoma, for example. It was bizarre but insanely good, crafted from root beer braised pork belly with Oak Hill Farms tomatoes and brown butter hollandaise aioli).
As part of the annual Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, the 30th annual Taste of Sonoma is billed as Sonoma’s largest wine and food event. And indeed, the marathon gala features tastings, demonstrations, tours and seminars showcasing more than 200 artisan wineries, growers, chefs and food purveyors.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., it’s a non-stop feast, brought to delicious life by more than 60 chefs and paired with the best from more than 150 wineries pouring a deep, fruity ocean of fine Sonoma wines.
You’ll want to snap up tickets soon. Last year, a record crowd of 2,000 guests converged, starting their edible tour at the Bubble Lounge, a sparkling wine bar set up right inside the gates, courtesy of Gloria Ferrer, and paired with ahi tuna sliders, endive cups with brie, and quail stuffed with duck from Jesse McQuarrie of Feast Catering.
Remarkably, there was little jostling – the well-heeled crowd also tends to be surprisingly well behaved, even when there are goodies like expensive sushi and caviar being dangled about with endless mugs of Lagunitas beer, to boot.
Do plan to go hungry – these aren’t tiny toothpick tastings, but ample hors d’oeuvres, and winery staff doesn’t typically stint on the splashes.
This will be an opportunity to get a sneak peak, too, at a few Sonoma newcomers, such as the soon-to-open Jackson’s Bar & Oven (from Syrah owner Josh Silvers), and Restaurant Mirepoix (not new, but newly expanding into new space on the Windsor Town Green in the next few months, taking over what’s now Langley’s On The Green, and revamping the existing Mirepoix into a higher end classic French eatery).
Count out your pennies – for all you get, this is an incredible bargain. General Admission is $150 per person. Visa Signature cardholders receive a special price of $95 per person. Grand Reserve tickets are $195 per person, for special behind-the-scenes tours and tastings. Purchase your General Admission tickets here.
Details: sonomawinecountryweekend.com.
