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CALENDAR

Next Meeting

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Thursday March 13

Room 110 at the Sonoma Community Center.

Time: 6:30 Socializing, 7:00 Start

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Making Wine Adjustments at the Barrel

to Improve What Goes Into The Bottle

Katie Nydell, principal at VinLuxe Consulting will speak on fining techniques and tips. Katie Nydell is a dedicated wine producer with a wealth of experience gained from prestigious winemaking teams including Lambert Bridge, Skipstone and Knight Bridge.  Her presentation will include "Before and After" samples for our guests to taste and underscore how, many times, a simple fix can greatly enhance even save a wine. 

Sonoma Community Center - Room 110

Time: 6:30 Socializing,  7:00 Start

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This event is open to the public.

Just stop by if you are interested in the state of the wine business and/or home winemaking.  21+ only please as we will be tasting our member's wines during the event.

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Sonoma Home Winemakers meet the 2nd Thursday of each month except August and December. 

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We meet at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St. Sonoma, CA

Socializing at 6:30. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM


We encourage members to bring wines they are particularly proud of
or for which they want member assessments and advice.


Most meetings have a guest speaker who offers insights into viticulture and oenology. 

Upcoming Meetings

April 10,  2025

Speaker - TBD

Sonoma Community Center - Room 110

Time: 6:30 Socializing,  7:00 Start

Recent Meetings

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February 13 Monthly Meeting

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Adam Fey, SVP & Senior Relationship Manager, Global Commercial Banking Wine Team Lead spoke about The State of the Wine Business​"

What's really going on in the Wine Business?" A question on the minds of many of us. Adam brought up current trends, facts and analysis that has helped us understand more – nationally and locally - about this important topic.

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January 9th open house 

 

Over 40 members and guests attended our Open House on January 9th. Plenty of great wine including a sampling of the Indigenous red blend by Bellacana - the pioneering tribally owned winery in the United States.  

Thank you Leslie Hennessy for introducing us to this wine and telling the story behind its origins.

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Leslie Hennessy

 

What a treat! The owner of Gourmet Wines and host of KSVY-FM "Wine Around with Hennessy" shared secrets of winter vineyard management, industry stories and his personal journey. 

Past Speakers

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  • Adam Fey, SVP & Senior Relationship Manager, Global Commercial Banking Wine Team Lead spoke about The State of the Wine Business​" 
     

  • Leslie Hennessy, owner of Gourmet Wines and host ofKSVY-FM "Wine Around with Hennessy" spoke on winter vineyard management tips and secrets. 
     

  • Leo Prada, the owner of ReCoop Barrels spoke on the interplay of wine and wood, and advantages of re-cooping.
     

  • Dennis Stroud, owner of Vintage Supply Partners. Dennis shared his knowledge of harvesting preparation.
     

  • Mike Officer is an owner and winemaker at Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, known for high end Zin and Rhône style, old vines and superb quality.
     

  • Robyn Sebastiani spoke about the role of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance.
     

  • Allison Bettis, viticulturist at Silver Oak Cellars & Twomey Cellars. We would like to thank her again for sharing with us her methods of vineyard management.
     

  • Robert Rex, founder and winemaker at Deerfield Ranch Winer Talked about “How to make your wine better from handling the fruit through fermentation and aging.”
     

  • Eric Close, A Vineyard Manager with Enterprise Vineyard Management . Winemakers and vineyard owners call on Enterprise Vineyards when they aspire to the highest standards of responsible stewardship of land and resources.
     

  • Maggie Staines, Assistant General Manager of La Rochelle Winery.  She spoke about “The Tasting Experience - Past, Present, & Future.” We strongly encourage you to visit her at La Rochelle Winery.
     

  • Leigh Meyering, Enologist & Winemaker at myEnologist.Leigh's technical skills enhance her creative vision creating a diverse background in all levels of production. myEnologist
     

  • Ruben Calatayud, Second part of the seminar on "common winemaking mistakes". Rueben, the “Wine Doctor”,  presented 16 common problems and solutions. Ruben is Enologist at Kosta Browne Winery  that is part of the Duckhorn Portfolio.
     

  • Kelley Levin, Marketing Communications Manager for sister brands Marin French Cheese Co. and Laura Chenel.  Kelley conducted a class on the Art of Pairing Cheese and Wine. 
     

  • Mike Faulk, Lab Technician for Enartis discusses tips for the home winemaker- yeast strains, nutrients and wine adds. Mikes favorites yeast strain is WS.
    Enartis winemaker's solutions

     

  • Rick Tranchina, Co-owner of the new shop in town, Pomme Cider Shop & Tap Room discusses the changing trend towards lighter, lower alcohol and even alcohol-free beverages.  These beverages include artisanal ciders, Pét Nats, natural fermentations, and other styles of wines and ferments. 
     

  • Ruben Calatayud, Enologist at Kosta Browne Winery . Rueben has earned the reputation as the “Wine Doctor” and the solver of wine problems by fixing any wine issues that come his way.  Kosta Browne is part of the Duckhorn Portfolio.
     

  • Sam Baron, Winemaker GM at Kivelstadt Cellars -  California non-traditional varietal & style winemaking.
     

  • Jack Sporer, the co-owner and manager of Magnolia Wine Services -  Ways to make the vineyards better using natural, organic and regenerative farming methods.  Jack makes wine under the label Fresh Wine Co
     

  • Brian Casey, Sommelier at The Sonoma  Mission Inn - Wine varietals and history of local grape growers.
     

  • Taylor Serres, History of the valley through the eyes of The Serres Ranch Farm and Winery that spans six generations of growers and winemakers. 
     

  • Mike Benziger, Founder of Benziger Winery - Importance of pollinators in the vineyard and beyond. 
     

  • Mike Sangiacomo, 3rd gen. grape grower Sangiacomo Wines.
     

  • Robert Rex, Winemaker at Deerfield Ranch Winery - Use of sulfites in winemaking. 
     

  • Katie Madigan, Winemaker at St Francis Winery - Winemaking techniques.
     

  • Steve Hill, Grower and winemaker. History of winemaking and vineyard management. Durrell Vineyards
     

  • Alison Crowe, Winemaker at Garnet Vineyards, columnist, UC lecturer and author of the Winemaker's Answer Book - winemaking techniques.
     

  • Ken Wornick, Winemaker at Dysfunctional Family Winery - Fruits, tannins and the best time to pick grapes.
     

  • Bill Reading with Sonoma Portworks - The art and science of making Port.
     

  • Jeff Murrell, Director of Research at StaVin - Barrels, Oak,and Aging Techniques
     

  • Michael Jones, Fermentation Specialist at Scott Laboratories - Yeast and Fermentation.
     

  • Lydia Constantini, Manager of Sonoma Mission Gardens- Compatible local plants to support sustainable vineyard farming.
     

  • Jeff Gaffner, owner/winemaker of Saxon Brown - The business of wine marking and harvesting grapes.
     

  • John Rodrigues, Founder of Home Wine Lab - Testing and analysis to protect what goes in the bottle.
     

  • Casey Graybehl, founder and winemaker at The Grenachista Wine Company - Producing the Rhone-style varietal, Grenache.
     

  • Bob Peak, Writer/Editor for Winemaker Magazine - Critical decisions that need to be made on harvest and winemaking.
     

  • Doug Ghiselin, SHW member - Managing vine growth and removing suckers. 
     

  • Rich Treghillo, Chef and SHW member - Wine and food pairing.
     

  • Dennis Przybycien, SHW member - Vineyard pruning demonstration.
     

Sonoma Home Winemakers

sonomahomewine@gmail.com

"There can never be any substitute for your own palate nor any better education than tasting the wine yourself."
- Robert B. Parker

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