Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival Draws Hundreds to Sun-splashed Tasting of AVA's Best

    JENNER, CA, November 01, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The second annual Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival and Fort Ross Harvest Festival on October 18. the premier wine-and-food event along the Sonoma Coast, drew an estimated 300 attendees to the scenic bluffs and historic setting at Fort Ross State Park in Jenner.

The event featured a tasting with eleven of the wineries from one of Sonoma County's newest American Viticultural Areas (AVA), pouring over 30 of their wines. Guests were also able to sample an array of cheeses from local artisan producers. In an adjacent tent a sold-out luncheon catered by the area's best-known chefs and restaurants provided a sumptuous meal prepared with locally produced ingredients.

The Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival was presented by the Fort Ross-Seaview Winegrowers Association, a consortium of wineries and growers in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, dedicated to farming "coastal cool" grapes "above the fog" on the very edge of the continent, and Fort Ross Conservancy. Participating growers and wineries included:

- Ca'Nani - a Del Dotto Family Winery - Cinghiale Vineyard
- Flowers Vineyard & Winery - Camp Meeting Ridge Vineyard
- Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
- Kutch Wines - McDougall Ranch
- Martinelli Winery - Three Sisters Vineyard
- Pahlmeyer - Wayfarer Vineyard
- Siduri Wines - Hirsch Vineyard
- Tin Barn Vineyards - Coryelle Vineyard
- WesMar Winery - Hellenthal Vineyard
- Wild Hog Vineyard
- Williams Selyem - Precious Mountain Vineyard

Although the area on the northern Sonoma Coast was among the first in California to produce high-quality wine, the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA earned its status as a distinct appellation in 2012. The AVA derives its name from two prominent local features: Fort Ross, which recalls the 1812 Russian-built fort (and the vines established on its site in 1817), and the Seaview community, located on the steep coastal ridges traversed by Seaview Road, which runs the length of the AVA and is one of the state's most scenic routes, offering spectacular views of the Pacific Coast.

In addition to the Grand Tasting, the festival offered the Grand Luncheon, which included a four-course meal of seasonal fare, expertly paired with local wines. Renowned local chefs John Ash, Barbara Hom, Richard Whipple, and Marianna Gardenhire created the menu. The meal was served at Fort Ross State Historic Park on a spectacularly scenic marine terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The event was anchored by the Fort Ross Harvest Festival presented by Fort Ross Conservancy, which included:

- Apple picking and interpretive talks in the historic orchard where the first grapevines in Sonoma and Napa counties were planted in 1817
- Samples of local heirloom apples, apple cider, baked goods, Sonoma cheeses, and more
- Horse and buggy rides and historic hands-on Russian, Kashia, and Alaska Native crafts
- Performances by Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble and Russia House Kedry Native California Kashia Pomo dances
- Russian communal dances, costumed interpretive re-enactments, and working demonstration of the authentic Russian-style windmill.

Fort Ross was established by Russian traders and explorers in the early 19th Century. Numerous dignitaries from the Russian Federation and its San Francisco consulate were on hand to participate in the celebration of Russia's historic presence on the North Coast, including Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador Vladimir Vinokoruv, Ambassador Kuznetsov, and Consul General Sergey Petrov.

About the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
By statute, the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area (AVA) is limited to plantings on land 920 to 1800 feet above sea level or higher. Of the 27,500 acres available in the AVA, only 555 acres are usable, given the ruggedness of the terrain. The AVA's elevation, mountainous terrain and proximity to the Pacific Ocean combine to create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, among other varieties. The region rises above the fogline to occupy a completely unique ecosystem--one that's dryer, sunnier and warmer than most. While this elevated, "coastal cool" maritime climate is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the region also has plantings of Pinotage, Roussanne and, further inland, highly acclaimed Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet.

For more information about the Fort Ross-Seaview Winegrowers Association and complete event information, visit www.fortross-seaview.org. For information on Fort Ross Conservancy, visit www.fortross.org.

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