From the Sonoma Mountain region to the Carneros district, Passport to Sonoma Valley will showcase more than 40 Sonoma Valley Wineries as they present exceptional wines, delicious food, live entertainment and more. Your passport and commemorative wine glass give you unlimited wine tasting, special discounts and entry to Sonoma Valley’s world renowned wineries as well as the hidden gems that are not normally open to the public.

The event will include food & wine pairings (even cigar & wine pairings), live music, exclusive tours and other exciting activities. This event is the first of its kind and includes the entire Sonoma Valley. Here’s a smidgen of what some of the participating wineries will be offering, compliments of the Sonoma Vintners and Growers Alliance:

Benziger Family Winery: A Journey to the Swiss Alps
The Benziger Family draws their heritage from Switzerland which may be one reason Sonoma Mountain feels like home. Taste what makes their beautiful mountain wine special and tour their biodynamic vineyards and gardens. Passport Weekend guests have a special opportunity to meet one of the winemakers, taste from the barrel and get a glimpse into the winemaking process. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442; benziger.com

Imagery Estate Winery Presents Taste of Italy
Imagery will spotlight their 2004 Lagrein, a little known Italian varietal native to the Trentino region. Lagrein is an inky full-bodied wine. Label Artist Filomena Coppola is flying in from Australia to sign bottles of this delicious wine. Guests are invited to enjoy a few limited-edition library wines, Imagery’s bocce ball court or play horseshoes on the lawn. 14335 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, imagerywinery.com

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery: Sonoma Heritage
Experience the heritage of over 100 years of winemaking in the Sonoma Valley with the Sebastiani family! Taste gourmet Italian foods from Sylvia’s Kitchen paired with Sebastiani wines. Pick up a copy of “Mangiamo,” a classic Italian cookbook by Sylvia Sebastiani, on sale this weekend for 25% off. Live acoustic guitar music will accompany your journey through their historical barrel room and beautiful picnic grounds. 389 Fourth Street East, Sonoma, CA 95476, sebastiani.com

Basque in the Sun at Bartholomew Park Winery
Join winemaker Dave Marchesi for a barrel tasting of 2006 vintage wines from the certified organic Bartholomew Park Estate Vineyard. Sample savory Basque treats paired with current releases before stepping out in the sunshine to enjoy the 400 acres of picnic grounds and hiking trails. 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma, CA 95476, bartpark.com

Gundlach Bundschu: A Taste of Thailand
Gun Bun’s much-awaited release of 2006 Rhinefarm Vineyard Gewurztraminer may be the perfect complement to Thai fare. You will also learn how to pair red wines with one of the world’s finest cuisines while celebrating the arts and traditions of a most graceful culture.
2000 Denmark Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, gunbun.com

Nicholson Ranch: A Trip to Ancient Greece
Drink in the classic sites of Greece while enjoying the best of Sonoma Valley wines at Nicholson Ranch! Purchased in 1962 by Socrates Nicholson (originally Nicolacopoulos), Nicholson now has a Greek amphitheater, a columned dock on the lake and a classic Greek chapel. Enjoy a taste of Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir while you tour the five-level gravity flow winemaking facility. A little bite of Baklava will send you happily on your! 4200 Napa Road, Sonoma, CA 95476,nicholsonranch.com

Ravenswood Winery:
Tennessee Barbeque and Zinfandel
Kick-off barbeque season than by visiting Ravenswood Winery to celebrate the marriage of two great gastronomic cult followings, “California Zinfandel and Tennessee Barbecue.” The Ravenswood’s chef will prepare authentic barbeque with a zinfandel twist to satisfy and inspire the backyard cook in your household. Enjoy live music and great summer wine deals. 18701 Gehricke Road, Sonoma, CA 95476, ravenswood-wine.com

St. Francis Winery: Mission Mercado
Join in celebrating the best of South of the Border cuisine paired with St. Francis full bodied wines. Saturday’s guests will enjoy lively Mariachi music and guests on both days will taste barrel samples alongside current vintages to experience the evolution of a wines progress. Special wine pricing will be offered to Passport attendees.
500 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409,
stfranciswinery.com

Little Vineyards Family Winery Presents a
Little bit of Country and Music
Blend a LITTLE passion for wine and a LITTLE passion for music...in this intimate country setting. Come by the tasting room and experience newly released 2004 vintages paired with live acoustic “stick” music by Rich Little. This will be a rare opportunity to meet the wine maker, Ted Coleman who will be offering barrel tastings. 15188 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, littlevineyards.com

Mayo Family Winery: Education Series
Mayo Family Winery presents a side by side tasting of 10 single vineyard wines. Taste the oak influence in Chardonnay while you compare and contrast an unwooded chardonnay versus a barrel fermented Chardonnay. Taste the elevation influence in Cabernet compared with a Valley floor Cabernet Sauvignon. 13101 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, mayofamilywinery.com

S.L. Cellars
One of the smallest production wineries on the Passport, with 1,000 cases produced annually. Try limited production and library wines only offered this weekend, including their new 2004 Cuttings Wharf Chardonnay, released just for this event. S.L. will also pair sparkling wines with chocolates from Vintage Sweet Shoppe. Fine cigars from the Squire will be paired with S.L. Library 2000 Merlot and 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon. 9380 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA 95452, slcellars.com

Landmark Vineyards: French Bistro
This elegant winery offers Madame de Fromage, a.k.a. Colette Hatch) and her fine cheese selections on Saturday, and savory crêpes paired with Burgundian and Rhône-style wines. Horse-driven wagon rides and a chance at door prizes. 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, CA 95452, landmarkwine.com.

Schug Carneros Estate Winery:
Passport to Pinot
An exploration of Schug Pinots past, present and future, featuring wines from their extensive library as well as current vintages and barrel tasting of upcoming releases. 602 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, CA 95476,schugwinery.com

Larson Family Winery: A Real Country Wine Experience
Come on down as for the Larson Family’s own rendition of America’s Wild Wild West! Meet winemaker Carolyn Craig as she offers a barrel sampling of some of their finest estate wines and a complimentary flight of their Gold Medal winners, including the 2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (“Best Cabernet in California” at the 2006 California State Fair), paired with dark chocolate made by chocolatier Peter Rabbit. Wine Country Trail Rides offers covered wagon tour through the vineyards. Enjoy barrel lassoing and a lucky horseshoe toss to test your skills.
23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, CA 95476,
larsonfamily winery.com

Ty Caton Vineyards with a European Flair!
Visit Winemaker Ty Caton for a unique tasting experience, blending wine, food and music. They will be pouring their award-winning wines paired with European cuisine. Enjoy a sense of Europe in Sonoma! 21684 8th Street E, #460, Sonoma, CA 95476 tycaton.com

Matanzas Creek Winery takes you to Provence
Matanzas Creek Winery’s vineyards and lavender gardens welcome you as you drive up to the Bennett Valley tasting room. Artisan cheeses will be paired for you to enjoy with their fine wine collection. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, matanzascreek.com

In addition to all the great happenings at the wineries, many of Sonoma Valley’s premier destination restaurants will waive corkage fees on Sonoma Valley wines purchased at the wineries during the two day Passport to Sonoma Valley weekend.

Advanced ticket prices are $50/weekend or $45/day, with $10 for designated drivers. Tickets purchased at the event are $60/weekend and $55/day. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact the Sonoma Vintners and Growers Alliance by calling 707-935-0803 or by visiting www.sonomavalleywine.com.