Some of the wineries, winemakers, and topics we have covered over the years for Wine Tributaries often find their way as links on other wine sites. We decided to include some as a way to pay tribute to the wines and people who who have shaped the wine industry. The Sonona County Showcase is one such event that really shows the spirit of giving back to the commnity.

Taste of Sonoma Still Tops Sonoma Showcase in 2003

By John & Margie Koetzner
Photos by Margie Koetzner

The charm of dining and drinking fine wines amongst the vineyards gives the Sonoma County Showcase of Wine & Food its extraordinary appeal. Imagine our awe as we were invited to the Rodney Strong Vineyards Winemaker’s Food Fight as our first activity for the 2003 Showcase. The name flies in the face of elegance, but this wonderfully catered dinner prepared by the chefs at Zazu put the imaginations of the winemaking team up against each other, culminating in a vote for best food and wine pairing. Winemaker Rick Sayre walked away with the title, but the real winners were the guests, like our table mates from as far away as Georgia and Texas. We dined on delicate creations inspired by the fresh ingredients that are abundant in Sonoma County.

The following day was a tour of the Alexander Valley Vineyards wine cave led by Hank Wetzel and an accompanying luncheon amongst their gardens. Chef Jeff Young took time out time from a bustling kitchen to share his thoughts on how he approaches food and wine pairing. Then, he let the food speak for itself. Like Young’s reputation, it was fantastic. The Wetzel family’s gracious hosting let the afternoon glide by, and a leisurely walk through the garden was a wonderful way to complete the visit.

Although we did not attend the auction dinner on Friday night, we know from past experience that Fritz Hatton makes the auction dinners something to remember. He dressed up in a kimono in a past year when the theme was Asian. His enthusiasm for the auction lots has led to records being broken for this incredible fund raising event. In fact, the 2003 live auction and silent auction that benefited the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Education Program, the Sonoma County Farmworker Health Care Programs and agricultural support programs raised nearly $400,000. That’s not bad for three days of folks frolicking in wine country, partaking of some of the greatest wines in the world, and enjoying the Sonoma county terrain that makes such fine wines.

As always, our favorite part of the Sonoma Showcase of Wine & Food is the Taste of Sonoma event on Saturday afternoon. For the second year, it was held at Clos DuBois Winery. A mariachi band roamed under the big top as folks grazed their way around delectable delicacies created by chefs from different parts of the country who joined local Northern California talent from the San Francisco Bay area and wine country.
What makes this such a wine and food Mecca for us is how many great hors d’oeuvres were paired with numerous wineries. They helped highlight the way food and wine complement each other in ways that that often surprise the palate. With a Latin theme, many spicy Southwestern recipes were coupled with wines that we often refer to as having spice: Cabernet Sauvignons , Zinfandels, Merlots, and Syrahs, were partnered to show how well they could be paired. Likewise, Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, and sparkling wines highlighted that they too could accentuate those Latin flavors.

The finale for the three-day event was the San Francisco Symphony, hosted for a second year at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Michael Tilson Thomas provided an animated and inspiring show. With picnics spread before us, and lounge chairs and blankets to provide that country picnic feel, the majestic days of imbibing and grazing on the finest Sonoma County has to offer thundered to a close.

Of course, the party did not really end after the symphony. For the second year in a row, Dick Bright’s SRO provided dance music from the 70s and 80s in the Luther Burbank Auditorium. The wacky antics by Bright and his band provided one last chance to blow off a little steam and get a little exercise after a weekend of indulging in the best of Sonoma County. It will be interesting to see how next year’s Sonoma Showcase of Wine & Food tops this one.

Put the Sonoma Showcase of Wine & Food on your calendar and contact the showcase for more information at showcase@sonomawine.com. You'll be glad you did.