Sonoma's Hidden Gem Offers You a Passport To Explore The Terrain
Prinsley Photography for Passport to Dry Creek Valley
In the heart of northern California lies a hidden-in-plain-sight paradise for wine enthusiasts. Just 70 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, yet completely tucked away amidst rolling hills and lush vineyards, Dry Creek Valley is a 9,000-acre hidden gem boasting over 60 wineries within a compact 16x2 mile radius. For those seeking a taste of history and quiet luxury, the annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley event—scheduled from April 26 to April 28, 2024—offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the region with no reservations required, a rarity in today’s wine world.
Click here to purchase tickets to Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Today, Passport to Dry Creek Valley, Northern California’s premier wine & food experience, is also delighted to announce its landmark 33rd anniversary along with an exciting new sponsorship with Rivian—the innovative electric vehicle manufacturer. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the event’s celebrated history, as it continues to evolve and embrace sustainable practices.
Since its inception in 1989, Passport to Dry Creek Valley has been a staple event for wine lovers and culinary enthusiasts, offering an exclusive tour through the historic wine region known for its robust Zinfandels and picturesque vineyards. Each spring, the event attracts thousands of visitors from around the world who come to experience the exquisite wines, gourmet food, and unparalleled hospitality offered by over 30 wineries in the heart of Sonoma County. Click here to see participating wineries
Prinsley Photography for Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Passport to Dry Creek Valley started as a simple wine tasting event and has grown into a multifaceted celebration of culture, history, and community. This year, you’ll get the chance to soak up the rich history of Dry Creek Valley with vineyard tours and meetups with local winemakers and grape growers, many of whom come from a long line of family-owned vineyards spanning generations.
In keeping with the commitment to sustainability, this year’s weekend experience introduces Rivian as its premier partner, aligning with the event’s vision for a greener future. Attendees will have the chance to connect with fellow EV enthusiast, see their R1T and R1S up close and personal and a chance to enter a sweepstake.
“Partnering with Rivian is a thrilling step forward for Passport to Dry Creek Valley. It allows us to enhance the experience for our guests while staying true to our roots of innovation and sustainability,” says Executive Director, Lauren Fremont.
Each year during this special weekend we see the valley bursts into life, welcoming eager connoisseurs to California's longest-running wine event—but it's more than just a gathering to raise a glass—it's a journey into the region’s richness of over 140 years of grape growing and winemaking history. It’s a chance to practice the art of sommelier-ship and indulge in unlimited varietals throughout a region that has one of the densest concentrations of varietal plentitude in the world.
Courtesy of Dry Creek Vineyard | Kim Stare Wallace, President of Dry Creek Vineyard
“As a founding winery of Passport to Dry Creek Valley, we look forward to this event every year. Passport weekend is such a wonderful way to welcome new visitors to our winery and share our 52-year history. My father, David S. Stare, was really a pioneer, building the first new winery in Dry Creek Valley post-Prohibition and planting the first Sauvignon Blanc in the valley against the advice of many viticultural experts.
“As the second generation, my husband, Don, and I shifted the winery’s focus to appellation-driven, terroir-focused wines that showed Dry Creek Valley wines could rival the best in California. That included introducing sustainable farming as the best way to grow quality wine, developing new vineyards with Bordeaux varieties, and propagating heritage clones to preserve the legacy of Zinfandel.
“We’re proud of Dry Creek Valley, and we appreciate the spotlight Passport shines on the appellation and the stories of family-owned wineries like ours.” —Kim Stare Wallace, President of Dry Creek Vineyard
With over 30 multigenerational family-owned wineries participating, guests are invited to embark on private vineyard tours, barrel tastings, and savor sips of limited-production library wines. Each tasting is complemented by an array of culinary bites, ranging from wood-fired pizzas to artisanal cheeses, and fresh fruits to gourmet meals. For those seeking a deeper connection to the land, the event offers an intimate glimpse into the winemaking process — a chance to glean insights from experts and cultivate a profound appreciation for the craftsmanship behind each bottle.
Julie Pedroncelli, representing Pedroncelli Winery — one of the valley's enduring legacies as one of only two wineries in the AVA that survived prohibition — reflects on her family's journey producing wine for nine decades. “We are a fourth-generation family winery and grape growers, founded in 1927 by Italian immigrants Giovanni & Giulia Pedroncelli. Because of their legacy, we are here for the long term. Each generation has made his or her stamp on our family business.”
Click here to purchase tickets to Passport to Dry Creek Valley
Prinsley Photography for Passport to Dry Creek Valley
