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Savoring Sonoma Valley

Heart of Sonoma Valley Association is selling tickets for its premier event of the year – the 22nd annual Savor Sonoma Valley, happening Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

   During the event, 22 wineries throughout the Heart of Sonoma Valley will showcase their 2011 vintage straight from the barrels, offer samplings of new releases and award-winning wines paired with delectable food prepared by local chefs and restaurants.

   The event poster is on sale now as well, with proceeds to benefit the Kenwood Education Foundation.

   During the event, attendees can meet winemakers, taste reserve wines, sample barrel wines, mingle with wine lovers in caves and on crush pads, enjoy live music, and tour wineries and vineyards.  Most significantly, the event offers guests the chance to take an advance look at what the 2011 vintage is going to be like in bottle.

  “This year, participating wineries have worked diligently to select local Sonoma County chefs and create delicious pairings for their wines. Chefs featured are from restaurants and caterers including Olive & Vine Catering, the Girl and the Fig, Rosso Pizzeria and BBQ Smokehouse Bistro to name a few,” said Heart of Sonoma Valley Association Executive Director Josie Gay. “We invite wine lovers out to celebrate the bounty of Sonoma Valley. Twenty-one wineries are participating this year and they are throwing open their cellar doors for this authentic wine country experience.”

  Participating wineries are Audelssa Winery, Benziger Family Winery, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Enkidu Wines, Eric Ross Winery, Family Wineries, Imagery Estate Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, Kunde Family Estate, Ledson Winery and Vineyards, Little Vineyards, Loxton Cellars, Mayo Family Winery, Moondance Cellars, Muscardini Cellars, Paradise Ridge Winery, Ty Caton Vineyards, Valley of the Moon Winery, VJB Vineyards and Cellars and Wellington Vineyards.

  Participating restaurants and chefs are Rosso Pizzeria, Chef Jess McQuarrie of Feast Catering, Olive & Vine Catering, Doce Lunas Restaurant, the Girl and the Fig Caters, Chef Steve Rose of Vineyards Inn, Chef Teresa Garcia, Preferred Sonoma Caterers, BBQ Smokehouse Bistro, Executive Chef Clayton Lewis, Wine Country Chocolates, Yucatan Sunset Catering, the Girl and the Fig Café, Chef Robin Lehnhoff-McCray, Chef Maria Belmonte and Chef Ken Alary of Russian Rover Fine Foods.

   Admission is $65 a person for a Weekend Pass, which includes a souvenir wineglass and access to event tastings at all participating wineries. Advance ticket purchase is recommended, as tickets are limited.

   Tickets and detailed information may be obtained online at www.heartofsonomavalley.com or by calling 866-794-9463.

 Heart of Sonoma Valley Association is an alliance of 23 wineries and tasting rooms located on Sonoma Highway.