Sonoma, CA: The Napa Sonoma Wine and Food Festival (NSWandFF) celebrates the coming together of the two most infamous areas for wine production in its inaugural event. Wine, food, design, art and lifestyle experiences will be presented October 14 – 16, 2010 at the legendary CornerStone Gardens. The event brings together world-renowned wineries, celebrated chefs, local artisans, influential designers and industry insiders for a medley of signature experiences designed to entertain, educate and inspire you, your family, friends and colleagues in a unique setting that only CornerStone Gardens can provide!
Sip, Savor and Sense
The Festival will present up to 60 wineries and winemakers, including a collective of boutique and small-production wineries and vintners, without tasting rooms open to the public. Napa and Sonoma area chefs, restaurants and caterers will each participate in guiding attendees on a unique “passport” culinary adventure throughout the CornerStone Garden spaces. Communal dining tables offer experiences to wine and dine throughout the gardens and retail showrooms while soaking up the acoustic sounds of local favorite music entertainers.
The Festival Culinary Pavilion will host an array of chef demonstrations and seminars. The Artisan Collective will feature fine art for show and sale from a select number of local artists. The Designer’s Pavilion will feature seminars and demonstrations including a Riedel Crystal Stemware Symposium. And, the Farmer’s Market Collective will provide an opportunity to sample and take home the very best of the area’s freshly-harvested, organic produce, cheeses and fresh flowers. There’s something for everyone!
The Site
CornerStone is nestled into the tip of the legendary Carneros region and situated along the main gateway between Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. The Gardens at Cornerstone are a series of walk-through gardens showcasing new and innovative designs from the world’s finest landscape architects and designers. When commissioned, these artists were given the freedom to create anything from traditional gardens to modern, conceptual installations.
Each designer was provided a garden parcel of approximately 1,800 square feet, a few practical considerations and infinite opportunity. Cornerstone Gardens was recently included in 1001 Gardens to See Before you Die by Rae Spencer-Jones & Elizabeth Scholtz.
In addition to providing a showcase for landscape architecture and gardens, CornerStone is now home to several unique events including the Napa Sonoma Wine and Food Festival. More information on CornerStone can be found at www.cornerstonegardens.com.
The Celebrities
Festival attendees are sure to enjoy an array of experience with Master Sommeliers, executive chefs and couture designers. A “Taste with the Masters” will seat you at the table with the likes of Sommeliers Gilles de Chambure, MS –Director of Wine Education at Meadowood Napa Valley, Larry Stone, MS and General Manager –Rubicon Estate and Peter Granoff, MS – Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant / Culinary Institute of America. A reception, dinner and fashion show launching the fall and resort collection of haute couture designer, Azadeh. A “Dine on the Vines – Celebration of Harvest” event – one not to be missed. And, a cooking seminar featuring Janelle Weaver,, whose unique style has been featured in several publications, including The San Francisco Chronicle and Savor magazine, as well as on television shows such as “Eye on the Bay”. Executive Chef, Kuleto Estate Winery
Be it wine, food or fashion; it takes a commitment to the craft to become a premiere and celebrated designer. The NSWFF has garnered international attention by bringing in Azadeh, an accomplished couture designer of women’s clothing. Women of all ages will not want to miss the evening Fashion Show to see her current collection!
How to Attend
The Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission/advance purchase tickets are $65.00. Advance purchase is highly recommended as the Festival will sell out! To purchase tickets to the Festival and all other events go to the website at www.nswandff.com or call (805) 688-1434. Events take place from Oct. 14 – 17- please see the website for a complete calendar and details.
The Beneficiaries
The NSWandFF has chosen some very worthy beneficiaries with the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance and NapaLearns.
The Sponsors
The NSWandFF is produced by Festivals Unlimited, LLC and sponsored in part by Riedel Crystal of America, Food and Beverage Magazine and Wine Country Party & Events. For sponsorship information please contact Tim Bigelow at tim@nswandff.com.
