Gingerbread competition runs through Dec. 31

Sonoma Valley’s Vintners & Growers Alliance has announced the contestants in its annual Sonoma Valley Winery Gingerbread Contest where member wineries engage in a friendly competition to create the most magnificent gingerbread masterpiece.|

Sonoma Valley’s Vintners & Growers Alliance has announced the contestants in its annual Sonoma Valley Winery Gingerbread Contest where member wineries engage in a friendly competition to create the most magnificent gingerbread masterpiece.

For 2014, wineries were asked to draw inspiration from Sonoma Valley’s heritage-driven moniker “In Sonoma Valley The Roots Run Deep” with a holiday twist.

Continuing through Dec. 31, each winery will display these creations in their respective tasting rooms. Visitors can pick up a map of all participating wineries at any location, and are invited to vote for their favorites either via the on-site paper ballots or online on the Sonoma Valley Wine Facebook page. As an added bonus, each time voters cast a ballot either in person or online, they’ll be entered to win a case of hand-selected Sonoma Valley wines.

The 10 participating wineries include:

• B.R. Cohn Winery: The winery’s historic Picholine olive grove, old vine vineyard & rock and roll roots, are all highlighted in its 2014 gingerbread “tree” house. 

• Bryter Estates: Its gingerbread entry depicts a quaint Sonoma cottage resting peacefully near its pinot noir vineyards. Two linked wedding rings on the front of the cottage are symbolic of the marriage of the owners, Bryan and Terin (BRYTER).

• Chateau St. Jean: Its gingerbread house features its iconic winery, built in 1973 and inspired by the formal estate gardens of the south of France.

• Deerfield Ranch Winery: Defending champion Deerfield Ranch’s 2014 entry features the existing cave and its deep Sonoma roots are depicted by the gingerbread winegrowers many of whom they have partnered with for over 38 years.

• GlenLyon Vineyards and Winery and Two Amigos Wines:  GlenLyon and Two Amigos have partnered to create a grand gingerbread replica of their Estate Property and Winery that has been producing fine wine for nearly 30 years.

• Highway 12 Vineyards and Winery: Highway 12 have titled its 2014 effort “The Ride” which takes visitors on a tour of iconic landmarks situated on the historic Sonoma Plaza that the winery calls home.

• Larson Family Winery: Larson’s gingerbread entry is inspired by the deep heritage and history behind its property on Millerick road, which dates back to the 19th century.

• Meadowcroft Wines: Meadowcroft’s highly creative entry draws inspiration from its hallmark Honey Bee with a gingerbread beehive encapsulating a solitary grapevine. A tribute to the organically grown, sustainably farmed, Sonoma vineyards they have produced wine from for more than 10 years.

• Muscardini Cellars: Muscardini celebrates the historic Kenwood School house that is now home to its tasting room, by replicating the 1800s era building in a fanciful gingerbread creation. 

• VJB Cellars: In a creative twist to the traditional gingerbread executions, VJB celebrates its Italian roots by recreating their charming tasting room and Piazza out of pasta sheets baked on the premises. 

Additional Holidays in Sonoma Valley events are being added daily. For more information, visit the Event Calendar at SonomaValleyWine.com.

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