The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, and it has evolved into a cornerstone promotional event for the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association. The first event was held in 1997, and this festival serves as the primary fundraiser for the association and has grown significantly in prominence over the years, providing consumer and industry education and awareness around its beloved red grape, Pinot Noir.
The event was first hosted at Pacific Echo Cellars, formerly known as Scharffenberger Cellars under LMVH ownership, and the event underwent a transition in 2004 when the property was acquired by Champagne Louis Roederer. The Scharffenberger Cellars name was reinstated, focusing on a distinct style of sparkling wine separate from Roederer Estate.
Bob Nye, a local hospitality figure and active member of the Winegrowers Association, played a pivotal role in the festival’s launch and community organization. Bob’s dedication to the community was so influential that he has a memorial grove dedicated to him in the vineyard at Goldeneye Winery and a trade event he launched is still held every month to connect the vintner community with those on the Mendocino Coast.
The Iconic Venue of Goldeneye Cellars & Mud Fest at Camp Navarro
In 2006, the festival moved to Goldeneye Winery, coinciding with Bob Nye’s 2003 relocation. Bright Rentals specially designed a tent for the space, which happens to sit around the now Bob Nye memorial grove. The event had a capacity of 600 guests due to the space limitations, which always led to a sold out event. This venue served as the festival’s home until 2017 when it temporarily relocated to Camp Navarro for two years. The second year of Camp Navarro redwood forest event location, an atmospheric river dumped 8 inches of rain Wednesday through Saturday, thereby nicknaming the event “Mud Fest” This, along with a reduction in guests by as many as 150 in the first year, sealed the fate of this venue.
The Destined Return of Pinot Fest to Scharffenberger Cellars
Destiny led the event back to its roots at Scharffenberger in 2022, where it currently thrives amidst the vineyards and scenic hillsides of the eastern ridge. What began as a grassroots gathering has blossomed into one of California’s premier wine events, now attracting over 700 guests to its Grand Tasting each year. With its return to Scharffenberger, the festival introduced the VIP Bubble Lounge, a new addition to the schedule celebrating the region’s sparkling wine heritage. Hosted by Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars, and Champagne Louis Roederer, the lounge offers guests a unique opportunity to compare French and California sparkling wines
Beyond its role as a fundraiser, the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival serves as a vital platform for raising awareness of the region and its producers, highlighting Anderson Valley’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest Pinot Noir. This festival stands as a testament to the community’s dedication to wine culture and the pursuit of excellence in winemaking.
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