This weekend we attended a wonderful wine festival in Sonoma, California. I would highly recommend that you attend this annual event next year if you enjoy extraordinary wines paired with unique and delicious food bites, good music, a convivial atmosphere and vineyards whose beauty will take your breath away.
The third weekend in April, each spring is when Sonoma Passport weekend takes place. The event counts Sonoma’s top wine producers among its participants. Each participating winery (there are about 50 or so) opens its doors and tasting rooms welcoming you to sample it’s wines paired with delicious foods while bands play, gardens are adorned with chairs and tables, flowers are in full bloom and a relaxing atmosphere has you convinced you are truly in heaven.
We arrived in Sonoma on Saturday morning and proceeded to the ‘pick-up’ location. This is where you obtain your Passport for the two-day event. The Passport contains the name of each participating winery, along with a brief description of the wines they make and a history of the vineyard. There’s even a place to get your Passport stamped, once you visit a participating winery. The Passport is your entre into each participating winery and gives you access to as much food and wine as you can comfortably imbibe. No limits. You can choose to visit 6 or 7 wineries each day – or just focus on a few. It’s up to you.
Because I love to travel with friends and family to the event, I recommend reserving a van or limo – with a driver. The driver drops you off, parks and waits for you to complete your experience at each winery. And, no one needs a DUI.
Each winery has a unique theme: Mardi Gras, Caribbean, Wizard of Oz, Havana Nights, Italian Renaissance and many, many more. The food served by each winery is reflective of the theme. The servers are often dressed in period costume, carrying out the theme even further. There are palm readers, tarot card readers, games of chance, costume jewelry and other give-aways at each winery.
All in all, it’s a lovely event to share with family and friends. It’s a memorable weekend, to be sure.
