What’s Haute: Harvest Events in Wine Country

SCHRAMSBERG FALL HARVEST CAMP SEPTEMBER 13-15

(800) 877-3623 EXT. 2408

You’ll bubble over in excitement when you take part in Schramsberg Vineyards’ s Fall Harvest Camp, where you’ll experience a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the making of sparkling wine. This three-day session gets underway with a beautiful and delicious sunset dinner in the mountainous vineyards. The next morning, you’ll harvest grapes and learn from Hugh Davies, a second generation vintner of Schramsberg, who personally hosts tasting sessions. A real treat are the interactive sessions studying the ever-growing science of food and wine pairings at the Meadowood Napa Valley with chef/enologist Holly Peterson. You’ll also learn how to open sparkling wine bottles with a saber. The camp experience closes with a small sparkling graduation on the resort’s lush grounds. What makes this small, sparkling camp particularly fascinating is it draws sparkling wine enthusiasts as well as wine and restaurant industry professionals. If you miss this one, there’s also a Spring Blending Camp from March 13 through 15, 2016.

PEJU HARVEST CELEBRATION SEPT. 19

PEJU PROVINCE WINERY
8466 ST. HELENA HWY., RUTHERFORD (707) 963-3600

“Heart of Harvest” is this year’s theme for the annual Peju Harvest Celebration. More than 30 years ago, Tony and Herta “H.B.” Peju established Peju Province Winery and dedicated themselves to welcoming guests and to crafting exceptional wines from their organically farmed estate vineyard. Each autumn, they personally host a harvest celebration dinner at their beautiful Rutherford Estate winery, and this year’s under- the-stars fête promises to be as enchanting as ever. Share in their love of great wines served with locally sourced cuisine, surrounded by good friends. The event begins with a reception and a barrel tasting followed by a seated, three-course dinner. The evening concludes with dessert and dancing in the stunning Peju tower, which features a massive 1906 stained glass window of the three Greek muses.

SONOMA GRAPE CAMP SEPT. 20 THROUGH 22
VARIOUS VENUES IN SONOMA COUNTY
(707) 522-5860

The ninth annual Sonoma Grape Camp, billed as the ultimate wine and food adventure, is where oenophiles and foodies can partake in an experiential vacation which offers hands-on experience harvesting grapes and blending wine on various vineyards. In addition, you’ll savor farm fresh foods and relish the stories of growers, winemakers and chefs. These three days are designed for you to leave with an in-depth understanding of the grape growing and winemaking process, along with the lasting memory of shared experiences, such as picking a cluster of grapes off the vine at sunrise, al fresco dinners in vineyards and a cooking class, with new friends from across the country. As an added bonus, you’ll stay at the Vintners Inn by Ferrari-Carano, although you’ll be so busy in the vineyards that you won’t have much time at the hotel.

PINE RIDGE VINEYARDS HARVEST DINNER CELEBRATION OCT. 24

PINE RIDGE VINEYARDS
5901 SILVERADO TRAIL, NAPA

(707) 257-4734

You must be a Pine Ridge Vineyards Club member (or a guest of one) to attend the Pine Ridge Vineyards Harvest Dinner Celebration, so we suggest signing up online if you haven’t already. This is, after all, the most exclusive event of the year for this winery, located in the renowned Stags Leap District. Adults—yes, you must be at least 21 years of age—can celebrate with Winemaker Michael Beaulac and his production team as they wrap up the season’s harvest. You’ll begin the evening at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres and specially selected Pine Ridge Vineyards wines. Afterward, enjoy a candlelit, gourmet dinner in the beautiful Cabernet Caves. These are three hours that you’ll remember forever.