2025 will be their 200th Harvest, the Year of the Vintner, with a summer of events and festivities to mark the milestone
(May 29, 2025 – Sonoma, Calif.) – Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance is kicking off this year’s 200th Harvest celebration, with the Sonoma Spritz Soirée, a festive poolside party at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on June 5, 2025. This three-year celebration of the first Sonoma Valley vintage is in its second year, The Year of the Vintner, honoring the hard work of talented winemakers to guide each grape from vineyard to glass. From nurturing the vines to crafting the wine, their work is at the heart of every bottle. Throughout the year, the SVVGA will host monthly celebrations throughout Sonoma Valley leading up to the signature 200th Harvest celebration in late August.
The Sonoma Spritz party on June 5th will feature a signature light summer cocktail featuring Sonoma Valley Rosé. The event will be a great chance to soak up the laid-back energy of summer in wine country featuring live entertainment, tastings of Sonoma Valley’s most beloved wines, and vibrant food stations around the pool.
Monthly 200th Harvest themes and events include:
- June
- Sonoma Spritz month – Sonoma Valley participating wineries and local bar and restaurant partners will feature their own “Spritz”. Some wineries will also offer a complimentary splash of Sonoma Valley Rosé with tastings, including Laurel Glen Vineyard, Muscardini Cellars, Little Family Winery, Grand Scheme Wines, The Red Grape and MacArthur Place. Full list available here.
- July
- Scavenger Hunt & Friday Night Flights – wineries open late on Friday nights plus corkage specials at featured restaurants. Check the schedule each month and plan your night accordingly.
- August
- Your Sonoma video submissions depict “Your Sonoma Valley” – Fans of Sonoma Valley wine will be asked to submit 1-minute videos to showcase what they love about Sonoma Valley. Videos will be showcased on social media and throughout the month and harvest season. (details coming soon)
- 200th Harvest Mission Bell Ringing – date TBD based on actual harvest initiation
- 200th Harvest Flash Mob on the Square BYOB – August 27th, 6pm – Bring Your Own Bubbles photo op
- September
- 200th Harvest tasting flights at participating wineries, bars and restaurants
- 128th Vintage Festival Sept 25-27, 2025 – VIP packages on sale now! General admission tickets on sale June 5th
Want to take the fun home with you? SVVGA is sharing the Official Sonoma Spritz recipe so it can be enjoyed anywhere this summer. Sonoma Spritz Recipe
- 1 tsp. Fig Preserves/Caramelized Fig Syrup by Liber & Co.
- ¾ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz. Simple Syrup
- 3 oz. Sonoma Valley Rosé
- 2 oz. Soda Water
Instructions – Shake fig preserve (or syrup), lemon juice, and simple syrup together. Strain into a glass over ice. Then top with your favorite Sonoma Valley Rosé and soda water. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and enjoy!
“Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of the California wine industry. The 200th Harvest gives us the opportunity to showcase the people who carry on that two-century tradition today and continue to produce award-winning vintages that showcase their unique perspective while highlighting the exceptional quality and variety of grapes and wine that are produced in this distinctive region,” explained Robyn Sebastiani, Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance.
SVGGA’s 200th Harvest History:
Native Americans were the first viticulturists in Sonoma Valley. But, two hundred years ago, Father José Altimira, founder of the San Francisco Mission San Francisco Solano (Sonoma Mission), and Indigenous workers planted the first official vineyard with as many as 2,000 “Old World Mission” varietal grapevines to the North and East of the Mission in Sonoma Valley, California. Those vines yielded approximately 1,000 gallons of wine. At that time, the Mission grapes were primarily used as sacramental and table wine for the missionaries. The land where these original formal grape vines were planted is now part of Agoston Haraszthy’s Buena Vista Winery, and Gundlach Bundschu Winery. Sonoma Valley’s 200th Harvest will celebrate the bicentennial of this historical event.
The three-year celebration includes:
- 2024: The Year of the Farmer – 2024’s celebration paid tribute to the backbone of Sonoma Valley: the dedicated farmers who cultivate our fertile lands and preserve our agricultural traditions. It celebrated the vibrant tapestry of farming culture that has shaped the region for generations.
- 2025: The Year of the Vintner – 2025’s celebration will raise a glass to the artisans behind Sonoma Valley’s world-renowned wines. From vine to bottle, it will honor the craftsmanship, passion, and innovation of the vintners, whose dedication continues to define the region’s vinicultural excellence.
- 2026: The Year of Community – 2026’s celebration will honor the heart and soul of Sonoma Valley: its people. From artisans and entrepreneurs to residents and visitors alike, the celebration will spotlight the diverse voices, stories, and experiences that embody the vibrant spirit of the Sonoma Valley community.
About SVVGA
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. Sonoma Valley comprises six of the seventeen American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) of Sonoma County: Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Sonoma Valley. To learn more about the SVVGA visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
