Gay Wine Week 2020
Out In The Vineyard’s Gay Wine Weekend has this year been expanded and is now Gay Wine Week, running from July 16-22.
After 8 years of the 3-day weekend, Owner Gary Saperstein is moving to a full week of LGBTQ+ events. “With this move I have the opportunity to showcase more of the region. Over the years many patrons have stayed over a day or two more so I figured it was time to offer them opportunities to add to their experience,” he explained.
For those coming into town early, the week will commence on Thursday, July 16th with a Gay Comedy Night, sponsored by the Laugh Cellar, at Landmark Winery. On Friday, the VIP Opening Reception takes place at the host hotel, The Lodge at Sonoma.
A highlight of the week are the Winemaker Dinners. This year, Gary is thrilled to be offering an all Plant-Based Winemaker Dinner at Charly’s Acres, a phenomenal Animal Sanctuary in Sonoma. It will be a true farm to table dinner.
The presenting sponsor for the weekend is Chateau St. Jean Winery. They will be hosting the signature event of the weekend on Saturday, the Twilight T-Dance. Here visitors get to dance the night away watching the sun set and the moon rising over the rolling hills and vineyards. New to this years T-Dance, Chateau St. John Winery will be serving their 90+ point wines will be served at the VIP Reception, while at the dance portion of the evening, Chateau St. Jean and their company Treasury Estates will be offering a number of wines in their portfolio. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to try different styles of wine in one beautiful location.
Last year’s first-ever Drag Queen Brunch & Auction was a resounding success and will return. San Francisco drag legend Ruby Red Munro and friends will entertain the crowd to start the day. Following the brunch will be a pool soirée at a private estate in Sonoma, sponsored by Virgin Cruises! All aboard for a fun afternoon!
For those staying over after the weekend’s festivities, there is a full schedule for the remaining days.
On Monday, relax and do a Wine Walk around the Sonoma Plaza. Stop in at the original Williams-Sonoma store for pizza from the outdoor patio brick oven and take in a little shopping spree for yourself, or a treat to bring home.
Then on Tuesday, Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the Marriage Equality case that won in the Supreme Court will be the Tour ambassador for a Russian River Wine Tour.
You’ll definitely have time for yourself to relax and unwind while still taking in more of Wine Country!
The host hotel is The Lodge at Sonoma where the VIP Opening Reception and the Drag Queen Brunch will take place. In addition, all shuttles for the weekend will depart from the hotel!
Small typo = It’s Charlie’s Acres, just an FYI. https://www.charliesacres.org/
I’m so glad Gary is offering a cruelty-free plant-based option as we all work to lower our carbon footprint. Plus, for the first time in years I get to go to a winemaker dinner! Hooray! See you there.