Most of the events that I attend in Wine Country are quite enjoyable but a few always stand out from the others…
The Russian River Valley La Paulée is…
definitely one of them.
This event sells out every year because… it is just that special of an evening.
An overabundance of riches.
& OVER THE TOP FUN. Wine Shenanigans of a very special kind in Sonoma County, California.
Last weekend was the annual event. I was there along with a few amazing bottles that I had saved for the occasion. Friday, September 2, 2017 at Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate in Sonoma County, California, what a beautiful and historic location.
The wine lovers ‘dream dinner’ is hosted by The Russian River Valley Winegrowers each and every year. This is one of my favorite Sonoma County associations of wineries bar none. So much hospitality and camaraderie with this group of wine makers, owners and industry professionals.
As you approach the check in, a glass of Landmark Vineyards Chardonnay is poured. Landmark recently purchased the HopKiln Estate where the event was hosted. What a fabulous landscape with the sun setting over the vineyards and historic fermentation buildings.
Russian River Valley Winegrowers were there pouring world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc…
… plus soo many other wonderful bottles brought by guests… oh my! The guests also bring their own bottles to share pulling out some real gems from the back of the cellar.
The opportunity to taste some of these wines is well worth the ticket price alone. Not to mention the award winning chefs and their dishes.
The event takes its theme from the traditional harvest dinner in Burgundy, France each year where vintners all come together in celebration.
Wine bottles that are often too rare, too small batch, and too expensive to pull out for just any occasion…. This is the one. Grab that rare bottle and get your ticket to the next Paulée dinner in advance. See you there!
What is a “La Paulée” dinner?
- — A convivial Burgundian fête shared by growers and their guests
- — A special feature is that everyone brings an extraordinary wine bottle…
The FINEST “Bring Your Own Bottle” (BYOB) party
- –Paired with selection of extraordinary chefs
- — Sample current releases and older vintages from some of the most sought-after vineyards
The dinner is a grand gala attended by local wine growers and producers along with other wine connoisseurs, lovers, travelers and buyers.
It was a privilege to attend and an event that I intend to go year after year. What a great time to be had!
The Russian River Valley Paulée provides me with an opportunity to see some of my closest friends in the industry each year and to sample bottles that I may never have even seen without attending, or even know exist for that matter!
From an amazing Riesling from Germany to a 1977 Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, there is something for everyone here, not just Russian River wine. Although there is quite a lot of that RRVW Pinot going around… Chin Chin…
This annual event brings people together with winemakers, chefs and Sommeliers to taste and celebrate not only Russian River wines but wines of all kinds. Some of the greatest wine bottles paired with cuisine from a selection of extraordinary Sonoma County chefs.
Russian River Valley Paulée brings winemakers and collectors together to enjoy an elegant multi-course meal paired with rare and favorite wines from winemakers’ & guests’ personal cellars.
The truly engaging dining experience includes family style seating which fosters the spirit of community and an ideal format for the shared love of great wine. Prepare to be wowed by an array of wine personalities, exquisite food and, of course, amazing wines!
It was an outstanding event that creates life-long memories if you are one of those folks with a true “passion for wine.”
The wine bottles I have pictured throughout this article are from the Russian River Valley La Paulée Dinner, because the wines opened there were of the absolutely fabulous kind. I wish I had taken more photos, I missed so many… there were hundreds of people to say hello to and hundreds of bottles to sip…. Check out the RRVW social media pages for more photos, bottles and food treats….
Participating Wineries 2017:
Alquimista Cellars- Balletto Vineyards
- Benovia Winery
- Bucher Wines
- C Donatiello
- Christopher Creek Winery
- Davis Bynum Winery
- Davis Family Vineyards
- DeLoach Vineyards
- Dutton Estate Winery
- Dutton-Goldfield Winery
- EnRoute
- Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Hartford Family Winery- Joseph Swan Vineyards
- Kanzler Family Vineyards
- Korbel Champagne Cellars
- Kosta Browne
- Landmark Vineyards
- MacPhail Wines
- Ottimino
- Ramey Wine Cellars
- Russian River Vineyards
- Square Peg
- Ten Acre Winery
- Williams Selyem Winery
2017 Paulée chefs:
Farmhouse Inn, Chef Steve Litke
John Ash & Co., Chef Thomas Schmidt
Chef Tom Schmidt brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to Sonoma County’s wine country.
Russian River/Corks, Chef Ben Davies
Ben Davies started his culinary journey at 15 washing dishes at a local bakery and later found himself working for multiple pizza places around town.
Patisserie Angelica, Chef Condra Easley
Condra Easley is the co-owner and executive pastry chef of Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol.
Backyard Restaurant, Chef Daniel Kedan
Daniel enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America, in 2006, being part of the school’s first A.O.S. program on the Saint Helena campus.
Raising my glass to the Russian River Valley Winegrowers, the wineries, the attendees and the buyers alike in celebration of the wine growers of Sonoma.
Thank a Farmer.
And A Chef.
And A Winemaker.
And Your Fellow Wine-Lovers.
And the Russian River Valley Winegrowers… for throwing a fabulous party.
Until next year… big pours of the good stuff.
Chin Chin
CHECK OUT THESE FIERCE BOTTLES BELOW!!! wowsa.
