Experience the final Pinot BBQ at Lula Cellars in a Weekend full of Wine, Fun, Friends and Food
From an Eco-Tour on Friday at Husch Vineyards to an array of open house experiences, Anderson Valley is the place to be May 16-18, 2025
(Note to Media : If you have a potential story, we are happy to provide tickets to the Grand Tasting, possibly tickets to other events to the event and tour, as well as cover hotel and dining expenses for a visit. Contact Barbara at the email address above.)
Philo, CA – April 23, 2025 – A perennial favorite among wine festival lovers attending the Pinot Noir Festival, guests flock from around the world for this casual, country celebration of superb Pinot Noir, solid local music, creative food pairings and a chance to get up close and inquisitive with the revered winemakers they have celebrated by enjoying Pinot Noir throughout the year.
Anderson Valley is the true essence of winemakers seeking the best fruit grown sustainably and with an eye to the future of the wines and the land. We know it is not easy to get to, but, once you are here, you feel time turn back, your shoulders relax, and an appreciation for the simple pleasures grows as your palate prepares for some extraordinary wines.
Lula Casual BBQ Offers Wines Found Nowhere Else
Traditionally, the barbecue was among neighbors and vintners and was known for the wines the guests brought out of their cellars to celebrate yet one more year of fabulous winegrowing. This tradition continues today, and, although Lula is in their last year of hosting the fun, there is still an opportunity on May 17th to watch the sunset over the vineyards as you sip the rare and aged wines the roving winemakers and wine collectors pour into your glass.
There is a reason the barbecue is quick to sell out. Not only is the food fantastic and the country music danceable, but this is a true private party with your favorite people; the ones that grow our wines, pick the grapes, make the wines then welcome you to their wineries or tasting rooms to celebrate the final, delicious product. When you’ve tasted a memorable wine, you never forget where and when you had it, the people you enjoyed it with and, now, the chance to drink it with the winemaker behind these memories.
Back Up Plan (But Just as Good)
If you miss tickets to the Pinot Fest BBQ at Lula, there is still another chance to celebrate good wines with a local winemaker at Weatherborne Wines. Cris Carter is also an accomplished chef and one of the most popular stops on any open house weekend. Join Cris, his wife and two kids (it’s truly a family business!) for a night you won’t soon forget. Sure to be incredible food, music and a lot of laughs. Yes, and wine.
Saturday VIP Bubble Lounge Welcomes Christina Jones and her Raw Bar
You know Christina from her beauty and grace creating menus for Goldeneye and Tsar Nicolai Caviar, but really need to try her new Japanese restaurant and saké bar, SÖBÖ, in Boonville. She will be taking our Bubble Lounge up a notch with an array of raw bar seafood including oysters, other delights and the caviar she has worked with for years, California favorite Tsar Nicoulai.
Open Houses Finish the Weekend on a High Note
Pinot Fest does not end with the Grand Tasting; it continues with a chance to visit wineries at the places where they make the magic. Throughout the Anderson Valley, opportunities to try local cuisines, winemakers’ culinary creations paired with the wines you love, are available by reservation and some by walk in if you get lucky.
Chef Sean at Brashley Vineyards with amaze with sliders and more, Foursight goes retro with a free (yes, free!) celebration of tri-tip, wine and music, Gowan’s quenches your Cider Curiosity with a tasting and picnic basket for $40, Rarely open Wentworth Vineyards is pulling out library wines and their highest-ever rated pre-release wines, and you can finish the weekend with “Anything but Pinot” at Meyer Family Cellars where Jay will be cooking up sliders while Matt pours Cabernets and Syrahs to mix things up.
Reserve here and read more about other offerings: www.avwines/pinot-noir-festival-vip-open-houses
Pinot Fest Schedule of Events:
Friday, May 16
8:30 -11:30 AM Morning Vineyard Seminar & Demonstrations at Boonville Fairgrounds
2:00 – 4:00 PM Eco-Tour at Husch Vineyard
5:00 – 8:00 PM Sunset BBQ at Lula Cellars
Saturday, May 17
10:00- 1:00 PM VIP Bubble Lounge, Hosted by Roederer Collection of Wine
11:00 -3:00 PM Grand Tasting at Scharffenberger Cellars
5:00-8:00 PM Maggy Hawk Winemaker Dinner at Stoney Bottom
Sunday, May 18
11:00 -5:00 PM Winery Open House Events
About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) was founded in 1983 – the same year as the appellation. Made up of 24 vineyard, 68 winery and 58 associate members, the nonprofit organization operates with the goal of supporting the region’s premier grape growers and wineries, as well as promoting the region’s distinguished wines. In addition to acting as a resource for its members, the association aims to better its community by donating funds yearly to local nonprofit organizations.
Media Contacts
~ Barbara Barrielle, Public Relations
press@avwines.com
~ Courtney DeGraff, Executive Director
courtney@avwines.com
