Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience 2026
May 13-17, 2026
Welcome!
The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience will bring together a variety of sommeliers for a week of learning, exploring and experiencing California wine. The program is designed to offer a deeper understanding of California wines through vineyard visits, tastings, master classes and more.
This site provides your itinerary, helpful travel information, and key resources on California wine.
Wednesday, May 13
Departure from SFO on Pure Luxury Shuttle to hotel (90 mins.)
Check your personal itinerary for your departure time slot. 10:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:00PM
Check-In
3:00-5:30PM
Note for earlier arrival: there is no guarantee that rooms will be ready before 3PM. Please inquire at the desk and if your room is not yet available, store your luggage until such time as the room is ready.
3:00PM
Check in at Harmon Guest House
3:00-5:30PM
Rest & Refresh
Location: 227 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA
Welcome Reception
5:30-6:15PM
5:30PM
Welcome Reception at Harmon Guest House, Creekside Deck
Please meet in lobby at 6:15 PM to depart for dinner.
Dinner at Copain Winery
6:30-9:00PM
6:30PM
Winery Tour with Winemaker Ryan Zepaltas
7:00-9:00PM
Dinner
9:00PM
Shuttle Departure from Copain Winery to Harmon Guest House.
Thursday, May 14
7:00AM – Complimentary breakfast on own in the lobby of H2 Hotel located adjacent to Harmon Guest House
7:45AM – Shuttle Departure from Harmon Guest House to SCW Offices
Sonoma County Winegrowers
8:15-9:30AM
8:15AM
Welcome Bubbles & Toast
8:30AM
Sonoma County Winegrowers Overview with Karissa Kruse, CEO of SCW
9:00AM
California Wine Institute Overview with Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing
9:30AM
Departure for Cooking Competition with Winemakers
Cooking Competition with Celebrity Chef Duskie Estes and Winemakers
10:00AM-12:00PM
Winemakers
- Julie Pedroncelli
- Yolanda Papapietro
- Rickey Trombetta
12:00PM
Departure to Benovia Winery for Lunch
Lunch at Benovia Winery
12:30-2:00PM
12:30PM
Winery Tour & Lunch
2:00PM
Departure to Sonoma County Winegrowers offices for Education Seminars
Seminar 1: White Wine Blind Tasting
2:00-3:15PM
2:15PM
Sonoma County Obscure Whites Blind Tasting
Moderator: Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine
Seminar 2: Zinfandel, Then & Now
3:15-5:00PM
3:15-4:45PM
Zinfandel Then & Now: A Sonoma Perspective on Age and Expression
Moderator: Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine
Panelists:
- Joel Peterson, Once & Future Wines/Ravenswood
- Clay Mauritson, Mauritson Wines
- Shauna Rosenblum, Ridge Winery
5:00PM
Departure to Harmon Guest House
Hotel Break
Harmon Guest House
Please meet in lobby at 5:45PM to depart for dinner.
Dinner at Appellation Healdsburg
6:00-8:00PM
6:00PM
Welcome Reception
7:30PM
Dinner
8:00PM
Last shuttle departure back to Harmon Guest House
*Note: shuttles will run on a continuous basis throughout the evening. Guests are welcome to depart at their leisure.
Friday, May 15
7:00AM – Complimentary breakfast on own in the lobby of H2 Hotel located adjacent to Harmon Guest House
7:45AM – Shuttle departure from Harmon Guest House to Sonoma County Winegrowers Offices
8:10AM – (on shuttle) Review of Showdown Dinner Procedures
Seminar 3: From Petaluma Gap to West Sonoma Coast
8:30-10:00AM
From Petaluma Gap to West Sonoma Coast: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Moderator: Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine
Panelists:
- Bob Cabral- Bob Cabral Wines
- Alex Kanzler- Kanzler Vineyards
- Steve Sangiacomo- Sangiacomo Family Wines
- Andy Peay- Peay Vineyards
- Melissa Stackhouse- Dutton Goldfield Winery
Truck Talks: vineyard tours around Sonoma County with winegrowers
10:00AM-12:30PM
Participants:
- Bret Munselle- Munselle Vineyards
- George Martinelli- Martinelli Winery
- Nick Briggs- Dutcher Crossing Winery
- Kylie Dutton- Dutton Estate Winery
- Katie Madigan- St. Francis Winery
Dutton Ranch Lunch
12:30-3:00PM
12:30PM
Reception & Dutton Ranch history with Steve & Joe Dutton
1:00PM
Luncheon
Catering by:
- Ari Weiswasser, Park Avenue Catering
- Glen Ellen Star, Stella & SMASH
3:00PM
Depart for Harmon Guest House
Hotel Break
3:30-4:45PM
3:30-4:30PM
Rest & Refresh
Please meet in lobby at 4:45PM to walk over to Dry Creek Kitchen with Rachel Thralls, Sonoma County Winegrowers.
Dry Creek Kitchen
5:00-7:00PM
Preparation for Sommelier Showdown
-
Open and proof wines
- Team and course assignments for Sommelier Showdown Dinner
6:00PM
Sommelier Showdown Dinner
7:00-10:00PM
6:30PM
Guest arrival & Opening Reception
7:00PM
Sommelier Showdown Dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen
Judges:
-
Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine
-
Evan Goldstein MS
-
Virginie Boone, Senior Editor & Wine Critic @JebDunnuck.com
Saturday, May 16
7:00AM – Complimentary breakfast on own in the lobby of H2 Hotel located adjacent to Harmon Guest House
8:00-10:45AM – Explore Downtown Healdsburg:
Enjoy your morning off to check out local bakeries, the farmers market, restaurants and shopping!
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting
10:45AM-4:00PM
10:45AM
Meet Rachel Thralls in Harmon House Guest Lobby. Receive your Healdsburg Wine & Food Badge and walk over to the Grand Tasting for VIP entry.
11:00AM-4:00PM
Taste the wines and visit celebrity chefs at the Grand Tasting.
Break at Hotel
4:00-6:00PM
Rest and refresh at Harmon Guest House.
Please meet in lobby at 6:00PM to depart for dinner.
Farewell Dinner at Orsi Family Vineyards
6:00-9:00PM
6:30PM
Our closing dinner will be fun, casual, and you will get to mingle with winemakers and winegrowers.
9:00PM
Departure to Harmon Guest House
Sunday May 17
Guest Departure Day
7:00AM
Complimentary breakfast on own in the lobby of H2 Hotel located adjacent to Harmon Guest House
8:00AM or 8:30AM
Check out & Shuttle Departure for SFO from Harmon Guest House
12:00PM
Check out time if you are driving yourself
Guest Travel Information
What to wear
Afternoons and evenings can be cool and windy. Bring a jacket or sweater with you at all times.
- Casual, jeans ok. Please dress for vineyard & winery visits with sturdy footwear – closed toe shoes
- Winery Dinners: Smart casual (Tip: Avoid wearing heels)
What to bring
- Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
- Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
- Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
- Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!
Tips
- Join the tour WhatsApp group for helpful reminders. Link to join below.
- Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. We kindly ask everyone to be on time.
What is not covered in your stay
- Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
- Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference and regional tours.
- Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance as Wine Institute is not able to do this for you.
Guest Travel Information
Stay connected on the Tour
If you haven’t joined yet, make sure to join the Sommeliers WhatsApp group! It’s a great place to connect with fellow tour members, share photos and updates, and stay engaged with our growing community.
Meet your fellow travelers
See the incredible lineup of sommeliers! Get to know your fellow travelers and the tour guides who will accompany you throughout the experience.
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