'Taste Alexander Valley' set for May 21-22

 More than 30 Alexander Valley appellation wineries and tasting rooms are busy finalizing plans for Taste Alexander Valley (TAV) -- the lively wine and food tasting weekend held annually against the backdrop of the Healdsburg area's inspiring mountainside vineyards. 

Hosted by the Alexander Valley Winegrowers (AVW), TAV has historically been held the first weekend in June. Beginning this year, the event will run the weekend immediately before Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

In addition, the winegrowers are hosting an Opening Gala on Friday night, May 20, at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. 

Each of the more than 30 wineries will offer gourmet foods, paired with their own wines and many will incorporate a party theme featuring musical entertainment. Special wine discounts will also be available at most venues. 

For example, Latin jazz, samba and rock fusion performed by Bautista will hold court at Alexander Valley Vineyards along with their smoky syrahs, spicy zinfandels and braised short ribs courtesy of Healdsburg’s Zin Restaurant.  

Other weekend hosts featuring live music include Clos de Bois Wines, Delorimier Winery and Hanna Winery & Vineyards -- playing off of Mardi Gras, Hollywood in Wine Country and Major  League Baseball themes. 

Lots of summertime BBQ favorites, summer salsas and chutneys, specialty pizzas, gourmet sliders and pulled pork sandwiches, artisan cheeses and luscious desserts will be featured alongside Alexander Valley’s world class varietals and blends over the fun-filled weekend. 
Ticket Information

Weekend passes (valid for both days – 11am to 4pm) are $65 per person in advance and $75 per person the day of the event. Tickets for the Opening Gala dinner event on Friday, May 20 from 5:00 to 8:30pm are $90/person.  All tickets, including Sunday only and designated driver tickets, are available now at www.alexandervalley.org or by calling 1-888-463-0207. Additional local event information is available at 888-289-4637.  

Participants

Winery participants are Alexander Valley Vineyards, Blue Rock Vineyard, Clos du Bois, deLorimier Winery, Field Stone Winery & Vineyard, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Garden Creek Winery, Hanna Winery & Vineyards, Hart’s Desire Wines, Hawkes Wine, Icaria Winery, J. Rickards Winery, Kelley & Young, Medlock Ames, Mercury Wine, Palmeri Wines, Pech Merle Winery, Pendleton Estate, Quaking Hills Winery, Robert Young Estate Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sapphire Hill Winery, Sausal Winery, Silver Oak Cellars, Simi Winery, Soda Rock Winery, Souverain, Starlite Vineyards, Stonestreet Winery, Stryker Sonoma, Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Trione Vineyards & Winery, Vintners Signatures and White Oak Vineyards & Winery.