23rd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Celebrates Heritage of Sparkling Wines
A new location for the three-day festival helps showcase both still and sparkling Pinot Noir grown exclusively in Anderson Valley
Philo, Calif., February 1, 2022 – Now in its 23rd year, the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will celebrate the region’s signature grape on May 20-22, 2022. The festival takes place throughout Anderson Valley, but the largest event, the grand tasting, will move to a new location at Scharffenberger Cellars.
By hosting the event at a sparkling wine house, the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association hopes to highlight Pinot Noir’s sparkling history in the Valley, alongside its exceptional still wines. In addition to the new location, the festival will also feature a VIP Bubble Lounge sponsored by the Roederer Estate Family of Wines (with wines from Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars and Champagne Louis Roederer), and an in-depth look at the versatility of Pinot Noir from still to sparkling during Friday’s educational seminars, a panel moderated by Virgine Boone.
“We have a long tradition of high-end sparkling wines here in Anderson Valley, so we are excited to explore the impact those wines have had and show how they may have changed over the past few decades,” says Courtney DeGraff, executive director of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association.
In conjunction with the VIP Bubble Lounge, the grand tasting will feature approximately 50 producers pouring Pinot Noir, ranging in style from sparkling to still to rosé. Wineries pouring include Anderson Valley producers, as well as more than a dozen Napa and Sonoma producers that source fruit from the region.
Other events during the festival include a technical conference with three distinct educational seminars led by industry experts (see full schedule, below), a gourmet sunset BBQ at Goldeneye Winery and winery open houses throughout the Anderson Valley.
A detailed schedule for the weekend follows. Tickets are now available on the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Web site at www.avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival. More information can be found online, or by contacting the Association via email at info@andersonvalleywinegrowers.com.
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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, 54 winery and 63 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 every year to local nonprofit organizations. For more information about the association, or for a list of association members, please visit www.avwines.com.
EVENT DETAILS AND COST:
Tech Conference: Friday, May 20, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $100
Location: Mendocino Fairgrounds, 14400 Highway 128, Boonville, CA 95415
Educational panel discussions, focused tastings, and more, with breakfast and lunch provided. Learn from winemakers, vineyard owners, wine educators and members of the wine media.
This year’s topics will include:
- The Willamette & Anderson Valleys: A Conversation Around Regional Identity. With David Adelsheim (Adelsheim Winery) and Thom Elkjer (Longtime Anderson Valley denizen and journalist). Moderated by Doug Frost, MS/MW
- The Many Facets of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir: Exploring Stylistic Diversity from Sparkling to Co-Fermentation. Moderated by Virginie Boone, The Wine Enthusiast.
- Future-Proofing: Preparing For Vineyard & Vintage Impacts on Quality
- Vintage Preview: 2019 Pinot Noir Preview (self-guided tasting). Followed by a roundtable discussion about the unique expression of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.
- Roundtable discussion about the unique expression of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
BBQ in the Vineyards: Friday, May 20, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $85
Location: Goldeneye Winery, 9200 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466
This year’s BBQ will feature live music and tons of great Anderson Valley wine! Join us amidst
the beautiful vineyards at Goldeneye Winery for tasty BBQ, live music and Goldeneye’s renowned Pinot Noirs, along with special bottles shared by the valley’s winemakers. It will be a night you won’t soon forget!
VIP Bubble Lounge: Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $115
Location: Scharffenberger Cellars, 8501 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466
The bubble lounge at the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival is sponsored by the Roederer Estate Family of Wines. Only 75 tickets are available to gain VIP access to this exclusive room on the beautiful grounds of Scharffenberger Cellars in Philo. You can taste wines from Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars and Champagne Louis Roederer. Snack on hors d’oeuvres and talk to winemakers and like-minded bubble aficionados while gazing out over the beautiful Scharffenberger Cellars vineyards, just steps from the grand tasting event.
Grand Tasting: Saturday, May 21, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $150
Designated Driver Ticket: $75
Location: Scharffenberger Cellars, 8501 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466
Taste world-class Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs approximately 50 producers and savor perfectly paired foods designed to complement the exceptional Anderson Valley Pinot wines. Bid on auction lots for charity and enjoy live music.
Winery Open Houses: Sunday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Varies by winery
Location: Throughout Anderson Valley
Meander along Highway 128 and stop at participating winery tasting rooms with the purple flags for a little extra wine tasting, more music, delicious bites, and special wine discounts. A great way to bookend the weekend before getting back to … the real world…
Media Contacts
~ Barbara Barrielle, Public Relations
barbarabarrielle@gmail.com
~ Courtney DeGraff, Executive Director
courtney@andersonvalleywinegrowers.com
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