Sonoma Portworks founder to speak to home winemakers

Bill Reading to discuss the art and science of making port on March 14|

The Sonoma Home Winemakers will have guest speaker Bill Reading, founder of Sonoma Portworks, at their meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday March 14.

Reading is a veteran port maker and considered to be a masterful blender. He will discuss the art and science of making port, the special grapes involved and the unique way he blends his products.

Reading, a Sonoma resident, started Sonoma Portworks more than 20 years ago and it is the only winery in Sonoma County that specializes in ports and after-dinner wines. He has been creating and blending ports and dessert wines exclusively––often with essences of chocolate (DECO Port, a blend of petit syrah, zinfandel and dark chocolate) and hazelnut (DUET Sherry, a rich amber sherry with extract of hazelnut). When not making wine, Reading is regularly chatting it up with guests at his Petaluma tasting room and often performs at “West Side Stories,” a monthly story-telling event held the first Wednesday of the month at Sonoma Portworks.

“Bill is a renowned story-teller and should bring some fun and entertainment to the evening’s event,” said John Randazzo, President of Sonoma Home Winemakers in a press release announcing the meeting.

The Sonoma Home Winemakers meets at 7:30 pm on the second Thursday of the month at Vintage House (264 First St. East).

Sonoma Home Winemakers are a group of home winemakers whose charter is to promote the fine art of making wine and share information among its members. They meet once a month to share ideas and information, evaluate each other’s wine and host speakers from the wine community. Prospective members are welcome to attend.

For information or to become a member write to: grapes@sonomahomewine.org

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