This past weekend, wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs from near and far descended upon Anderson Valley for a celebration of white wine that will be remembered for years to come. Despite the winter rains, the valley was alive with the spirit of discovery and delight as guests immersed themselves in the rich history of white wine production unique to our region during the 17th Annual White Wine Festival Weekend event. Winter rainbows were spotted when the storm broke, making the weekend all the more enchanting.
From the moment guests arrived, they were greeted with AV style warmth and hospitality, setting the tone for a weekend filled with memorable experiences. Our wineries pulled out all the stops, offering an array of food pairings and immersive experiences that left guests eager for more and anxiously awaiting next year’s event! A few experiences we heard guests excited about included:
Roederer Estate & Scharffenberger Cellars:
Roederer Estate treated guests to an exquisite selection of sashimi, nigiri, and rolls expertly paired with their sparkling wine flight. Meanwhile, sister property Scharffenberger Cellars delighted taste buds with ahi sliders, adding a savory complement to their offerings.
Meyer Family Cellars Cellar Tour & Spanish Inspired Tapas Wine Pairing:
At Meyer Family Cellars, guests embarked on a culinary journey inspired by the flavors of San Sebastián, Spain. Gourmet boards of bites perfectly complemented their assortment of wines from Anderson Valley, Yorkville, and Napa Valley, creating an unforgettable tasting experience.
Toulouse Vineyards Showcases Unique Aperitif Wines:
Toulouse Vineyards showcased their portfolio of Alsatian wines alongside a special aperitif lineup, including Rita’s Vermouth, Amaro, & Quinta Rita, paired impeccably with sauerkraut bratwurst, a true delight for the senses. This tasting room atmosphere is always upbeat and friendly, with tenured Toulouse hospitality professionals welcoming back familiar wine friends.
Foursight Wines & New Semi-Dry Sauvignon Blanc Chef Pairing:
Foursight Wines elevated the experience with gourmet chef bites by Chef Kim Badenhop, featuring Dungeness crab mélange and spicy-sweet walnut tartlet, perfectly paired with their new Semi-Dry Sauvignon Blanc and more, showcasing the artistry of food and wine pairing. The flight of Sauvigon Blanc three ways brought a unique educational component to the tasting, with their traditional SaviB, the new Semi-Dry and Evan’s Orange Wine, which is a project winemaker Joe does with his young son.
Lula Cellars Perfect Paella & Gewürztraminer Pairing:
Lula Cellars delighted guests with their infamous paella and Gewürztraminer pairing, alongside complementary charcuterie boards, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere despite the rainy weather. Also shared was their newest white wine, the Skycrest Chardonnay, coming from one of the highest vineyards in the appellation, which will quickly gain a following for similar to their always popular and often sold out Gewürztraminer.
Brashley Vineyards Gourmet French Fries:
Newcomer Brashley Vineyards made a memorable entrance with gourmet French fries and housemade dipping sauces by Chef Sean McTiernan, expertly complementing their Sauvignon Blanc, white Pinot Noir, and Finger Lake Riesling, with winemaker Ashley Holland adding a personal touch to the experience on Sunday.
Weatherborne Wine Corp. Keeps it Real With Gourmet Street Food Pairing:
Weatherborne Wine’s winemaker Cris Carter charmed guests with his special Pizza Fritta, a delightful street food topped with gourmet pistachio basil sauce, perfectly paired with his Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, rosé, and coastal red wine. His eight year old daughter Noelle stole the show by taking orders and hand delivering guests their food in the historic Philo Mill building.
Twomey Cellars Chicken Pot Pie & White Chardonnay Pairing:
Guests were treated to the brand new cave experience at Twomey Cellars, where an individual cast iron pot pie paired with their Sauvignon Blanc and Willamette Valley Chardonnay created a truly memorable tasting adventure. This stunning property is the former Lazy Creek Vineyards, and one of the first planted vineyards and wineries in the Anderson Valley in the early 1970s.
Breggo & Lichen Estate Gourmet Popcorn Pairings & Winemaker Dinner:
At Breggo and sister winery Lichen Estate, guests enjoyed gourmet popcorn made by owner Anna Stewart and paired with their wines, with unique flavor combinations adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the tasting experience.The combination of melted duck fat, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, and Piment d’Ville was complimentary to the new Breggo Gewürzatraminer. At Lichen, the coconut oil and piment was swapped out for truffle oil and was perfect with the estate Pinot Gris & sparkling wine flight.
Breggo, celebrating its recent opening, hosted an enchanting winemaker dinner in the aesthetic apple dryer of their new tasting room location. Teaming up with the culinary team of the beloved Bewildered Pig, guests were treated to gourmet bites and wine pairings that delighted the senses.
These are just a few highlights from the incredible experiences guests enjoyed in Anderson Valley during the White Wine Weekend. As the weekend came to a close, anticipation built for next year’s celebration, already marked on calendars for February 15th & 16th, 2025. Until then, memories of this year’s festivities will linger, reminding us of the magic of white wine in Anderson Valley. Cheers to another successful celebration!