We’re obvious fans of food and wine, and when a full weekend is dedicated to celebrating the dynamic duo in Dry Creek Valley, you can absolutely count us in. April 28th – 29th, 2018, join 40+ Sonoma wineries and acclaimed local chefs as they mix and mingle for an unforgettable few days filled with themed parties, winemaker lunches and vineyard tours, and a side of deluxe food and wine pairings with Passport to Dry Creek Valley.

And if two days of winery get togethers are not enough for your inner oenophile, this year, they’re starting the fun on Friday, April 27th with Prelude to Passport, a day boasting curated lunches vineyard side and an intimate evening party with The Vintage Soiree.

The Passport to Dry Creek Valley is your all-access ticket to travel beyond the ordinary and experience unlimited mileage from the dynamic AVA. And we’ve collaborated with the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley to share one of many potential itineraries that await your arrival to Sonoma County over the April weekend, no travel agent needed.

How Passport Works

Passport to Dry Creek Valley can be experienced a few different ways. Attend Saturday and Sunday winery events from 11AM – 4:30PM with a 2-Day Passport or plan one day of fun with a Sunday Only Ticket. And, if you’re the gracious friend who has offered to play designated driver for the weekend, the festival even offers a food-only ticket at a special, daily rate.

Those looking to really adventure and extend their stay in the Dry Creek Valley for one weekend can add on special event tickets to Friday’s Prelude Lunches or Vintage Soiree and Saturday and Sunday’s behind-the-scenes, morning vineyard tours.

Friday, April 27th

2018 Prelude Lunches

Four Dry Creek Valley wineries will be the backdrop for the Friday lunches, and each offer an opportunity to connect directly with their winemaker, learn and swirl at the source, and enjoy a special lunch inspired by the region with a few using ingredients directly from their picturesque properties’ garden. Join A. Rafanelli Winery, Cast Wines, DaVero Farms & Winery, or Wilson Winery for this exclusive and intimate meal.

The Vintage Soiree

Hosted at the festival’s partner hotel, The Duchamp Healdsburg, the opening night affair will include a white wine and oyster reception alongside exclusive pours of library and large format wines, live music, and a fantastic roster of local chefs showcasing their skills with food pairings in perfect tune.

Saturday, April 28th

Don’t forget to pack your boots! Start Saturday morning with a tour of Pritchett Peaks with Cameron Mauritson. A Mauritson family-run vineyard, Pritchett Peaks skirts the line of the Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile AVAs, and at high-elevation, the vineyards offers epic views. Tour takers will enjoy a tasting and insight into the wineries who grow their grapes at this unique location.

Saturday morning vineyard tour also offered at: Peterson Winery

11AM – 4:30PM:

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

The days of disco are stayin’ alive at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery with their Boogie Wine Wonderland themed event. Rhonda Carrano, winery matriarch, will be getting down with delicious dishes to pair with the scenic Healdsburg winery’s vintages. Tunes will be groovin’, and the views will be too.

Seghesio Family Vineyards

A visit to Seghesio Family Vineyards may deserve a 7th inning stretch with their America’s Greatest Pastime party. Fun and games for all, win prizes and enjoy stadium fare care of Executive Chef, Peter Zaniak. We bet it will be a home run!

Gustafson Family Vineyards

Find such great heights with a Passport visit to Gustafson Family Vineyards. Located high above eye-catching Lake Sonoma, sip on all-estate wines, like the region’s famed zinfandel, alongside the owner and winemaker all off the beaten path.

Amista Vineyards

Going beyond their Sonoma Country roots, Amista Vineyards will be dancing their way back to their Spanish heritage with a party packed with scrumptious tapas alongside their three signature sparkling wines. Say ¡Olé! in celebration and join in on all the popping fun.

Mauritson Wines

With a celebrated, celebrity chef and 150 years of farming history in the region, Mauritson Wines has planned quite the Passport get together. Pours of Rockpile Zin and Charlie Clay Pinot Noir will mingle with bites from Chef Charlie Palmer, and guests will leave with full bellies and a deeper understanding of the taste of Dry Creek Valley.

Sunday, April 29th

Join the team at Frick Winery and begin the day in their vineyard backyard, Owl Hill Vineyard. Dedicated to red Rhône grapes, this vineyard tour is a sensory delight and a chance to feel, smell, and taste the terroir with winemaker, Bill Frick.

Sunday morning vineyard tour also offered at: Saini Vineyards

11AM – 4:30PM:

Dry Creek Vineyard

You’ll need your Passport, but not your passport, on this Rhine River tour through Europe at Dry Creek Vineyard. Nibble on German wursts and enjoy Swiss treats with the Sea Dogs singing your way down river. No transatlantic flight in your future, you can find this sensational affair tucked between Sonoma County’s vines.

Blanchard Family Wines

Hey youuu, this day’s not sad. Take a wine glass and fill it better… We imagine Pepperland, local Beatles cover band, will honor the famed British group at Blanchard Family Wines, and they’ll be doing so alongside traditional Brit pub fare and opportunities to let out your inner artist.

Geyser Peak Winery

With the Dry Creek Valley in full bloom, Geyser Peak Winery is celebrating spring with a classic garden party, corsages and all. American Grown Flowers will be supplying precious fleurs for an out-of-the-ordinary sensory flower and wine tasting, and guests will swing to the tunes of Junk in the Trunk.

Comstock Wines

Take off to Dry Creek Valley and grab your First-Class seat at Comstock Wines. They’re flying the friendly skies, and your onboard feast will include a connection of food and wine and plenty of sky-high fun that’s guaranteed to arrive on time.

Quivira Vineyards & Winery

With the winery’s organic, biodynamic garden as the stage, Quivira Vineyards & Winery will morph into Provence, France with a marketplace boasting artisan goods. Leisurely wander their scenic Healdsburg property and say oui to extraordinary tastings.

To see all participating wineries and weekend events, visit Passport to Dry Creek Valley, and before you go, plan out your three-day Sonoma County getaway with their interactive itinerary planner.