Sonoma crows for Year of the Rooster

More than 200 guests filled the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards’ Italian courtyard on Sunday to celebrate the Year of the Rooster and welcome Ambassador Luo Linquan, China’s consul general in San Francisco, all a fundraiser to build a “ting” in Depot Park to honor laborers from China who toiled long hours to help start the wine industry here.

Everyone was steered into Jacuzzi’s Barrel Room to view the silent auction items and drink wine to loosen up for the bidding. The Redwood Empire Chinese Association Choir sang three songs, followed by local soprano Morgan Harrington, who also sings fluent Chinese opera.

Glen Ellen historian Jim Shere talked about Chinese laborers in Sonoma. Chinese laborers built the original winery building and cave at Buena Vista Winery, as well as at Simi Winery. Apparently Chinese workers also built rock walls here.

Bruce Riezenman and his crew from Park Avenue Catering prepared the multi-course Chinese meal, including making the dough for both the scallion pancakes and steamed chicken dumplings (aka pot stickers) by hand. Among my favorites were the minced chicken lettuce cups served on the tables, the black bean shrimp with Chinese broccoli, bamboo shoots with Wood-Ear mushrooms and Chinese cabbage, and the melt-in-your mouth braised pork shoulder.

Nancy and Fred Cline were honored, Fred having originally suggested Sonoma link with Penglai as a sister city. Cline staffer Peggy Phelan Rubens chairs the Penglai committee, and everyone sat down to glasses of Jacuzzi Pina Prosecco. The Clines also provided endless bottles of their viognier, pinot gris, pinot noir, and Barbera wines. Former broadcaster Joel Bartlett served as master of ceremonies; George Webber served as auctioneer.