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Planning for new Sister City in Tokaji

Count Agoston Haraszthy, the famous Hungarian who founded Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma in 1857 and is known as “the father of California Viticulture,” was born on Aug. 30, 1812. To honor this most famous of Sonomans on his 200th birthday, a grand celebration at Buena Vista Winery is being planned for Sept. 1. A committee is forming to include the Count’s hometown of Tokaji, and create a Sonoma-Tokaji Sister City relationship.

  Buena Vista Winery is hosting an introductory meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. for anyone interested in hearing more or joining in this volunteer effort. The meeting will be held at the historic press house at 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma.

  The idea was sparked when a group of Hungarians visited Buena Vista on a trade and tourism mission in November. Participants included government officials and several wine company principles from Tokaji, Hungary’s famed wine district.

  Dr. Sandor Fazekas was in Sonoma creating commercial and social relationships with California agriculture companies and tourism agencies, and pledged his government would assist in creating a Sister City relationship between Sonoma and Tokaji.

  The group is specifically looking for Hungarians living in the greater Bay Area, who could help make the Hungarians feel at home and converse in their own language. The Sonoma-Tokaji Sister City Committee would be formed under the auspices of the Sonoma Sister Cities Association.

For information, call George Webber at 694-5097 or email thecount@buenavistawinery.com.