Sonoma filmmaker’s ‘Call of the Valley’ doc screens in D.C.

“Call of the Valley: The Enduring Lure of Sonoma,” the new historical documentary film about Sonoma Valley, traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. where it screened before a well-attended bi-partisan Congressional audience on Jan. 8.

Co-hosted by the Congressional Wine Caucus and the Wine Institute, the event drew over 100 people including 25 members of Congress from across the country. It took place in the Rayburn House Office Building and featured a wine reception of Sonoma wines and a private screening of the film.

Congressional Wine Caucus co-chairs Rep. Mike Thompson (R-CA) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced filmmaker Julie Morrison and discussed the special role that the Sonoma Valley has played in the history of the state of California and early development of California’s wine industry. Thompson founded the Congressional Wine Caucus more than 20 years ago to protect and advocate for the interests of the American wine industry and its economic impact in the country.

Morrison wrote, directed and produced the film, which was three years in the making.

Thompson described it as an “honor” to bring the filmt to Capitol Hill.

“(Julie Morrison’s) moving history of our region has helped to bring our story to our nation’s Capital and I was proud to stand with her,” said Thompson in a press release following the screening.

Morrison added that she was “deeply touched by the warm reception and the acknowledgment of the outsized role that our little valley has played in the history of California and of the wine industry.”

A second event for the film was held on Jan. 11, at the Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, also on Capitol Hill.

In the film, local historians and longtime residents share tales of cultural clashes, political maneuverings and the rise and fall of Sonoma’s fortunes, sparking the birth of the state of California and the emergence of Sonoma as a renowned wine and food destination.

The film will screen again at Sonoma’s Sebastiani Theatre on Sunday Feb. 16, at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at sebastianitheatre.com, or at the box office. For more information on the film, visitcallofthevalley.net.