The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is celebrating the 200th anniversary of California wine with its 200th Harvest celebration on August 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The community is invited to the Bring Your Own Bottle toast in front of the historic City Hall on the Sonoma Plaza. This month's first pick of sparkling wine grapes at Gloria Ferrer Wines kicked off the 200th harvest season. From nurturing the vines to crafting the wine, the vintners' work is at the heart of every bottle.

Throughout the year, SVVGA hosted monthly celebrations throughout Sonoma Valley leading up to the signature 200th Harvest. The Sonoma Spritz Soiree on June 5th featured a signature light summer cocktail featuring Sonoma Valley Rosé. A scavenger hunt across Sonoma Valley wineries with prizes for those completing the stops ran throughout the summer.

Upcoming 200th Harvest themes and events include:

• August 27, 2025, at 6:00pm
  • 200th Harvest Toast on the Plaza: Bring Your Own Bubbles community toast
• September
  • 200th Harvest tasting flights at participating wineries, bars and restaurants
  • 128th Vintage Festival Sept 25-27, 2025 - VIP packages and General Admission tickets on sale at https://valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org/

“Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of the California wine industry. The 200th Harvest gives us the opportunity to showcase the people who carry on that two-century tradition today and continue to produce award-winning vintages that showcase their unique perspective while highlighting the exceptional quality and variety of grapes and wine that are produced in this distinctive region,” explained Robyn Sebastiani, Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance.

Sonoma Valley's Harvest History

Native Americans were the first viticulturists in Sonoma Valley. But, two hundred years ago, Father José Altimira, founder of the Mission San Francisco Solano (Sonoma Mission), and Indigenous workers planted the first official vineyard, with as many as 2,000 “Old World Mission” varietal grapevines, to the north and east of the Mission in Sonoma, California. Those vines yielded approximately 1,000 gallons of wine, primarily for sacramental and table wine for the missionaries.  The Mission Vineyard continues to produce fruit today and has been owned and operated by Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery since 1904.

Sonoma Valley's 200th Harvest will celebrate the bicentennial of this historical event. Additionally, Rancho Buena Vista, established in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista,” was the first official winery in California, and operates today as Buena Vista Winery. Some of these historic vines are now also part of the Bartholomew Estate Vineyards. Gundlach Bundschu was established in 1858 and is the oldest continuously family-owned winery in California.

The three-year celebration includes:

• 2024: The Year of the Farmer – 2024's celebration paid tribute to the backbone of Sonoma Valley: the dedicated farmers who cultivate our fertile lands and preserve our agricultural traditions. It celebrated the vibrant tapestry of farming culture that has shaped the region for generations.
• 2025: The Year of the Vintner – 2025's celebration will raise a glass to the artisans behind Sonoma Valley's world-renowned wines. From vine to bottle, it will honor the craftsmanship, passion, and innovation of the vintners, whose dedication continues to define the region's vinicultural excellence.
• 2026: The Year of Community – 2026's celebration will honor the heart and soul of Sonoma Valley: its people. From artisans and entrepreneurs to residents and visitors alike, the celebration will spotlight the diverse voices, stories, and experiences that embody the vibrant spirit of the Sonoma Valley community.

About SVVGA

The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley's grapes, wine and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. Sonoma Valley comprises six of the seventeen American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) of Sonoma County: Bennett Valley, Los Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Sonoma Valley. To learn more about the SVVGA, visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.

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