Tessa Martinelli Gorsuch, will be hosting an unforgettable four course gourmet dinner paired with her family’s Estate wines on Friday, January 31st. Join us for this unforgettable dining experience showcasing their award winning Pinot Noirs. Wine Spectator magazine has consistently awarded Martinelli Pinot Noirs top scores in the high 90’s year after year. Executive Chef Juan Morales will be creating a meal for the ages that will pair beautifully with the Martinelli Family wines.

Today, Martinelli Winery specializes in estate grown, single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Syrah wines. All of their vineyards are meticulously farmed by Lee Martinelli Sr. and his two sons, Lee Jr. and George, continuing five generations of the proud family legacy of care-taking the land. With over 470 planted acres throughout the Russian River Valley and Fort Ross-Seaview AVAs, the Martinelli family sells the majority of the grapes they grow to other key Pinot Noir producing vintners, keeping a small portion of the fruit for themselves to make under the Martinelli family label.

The Martinelli family has been farming grapes and making wine in Sonoma County since the 1880s, when Giuseppe Martinelli came over from Italy to start his own winery. At the ages of 19 and 16, Giuseppe Martinelli and Luisa Vellutini eloped from their small village in the Tuscany region of Italy, making their way to California looking for land to farm and start a winery. Working side by side on a 60 degree slope, Giuseppe and Luisa planted a small area of Zinfandel and Muscat Alexandria vines, which later became known as the Jackass Hill vineyard. This vineyard with a south easterly exposure remains the steepest non-terraced vineyard in California today.

A special not to be missed winemaker dinner with David Hejl from Domaine Della. In collaboration with the Executive Chef and his staff at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, Winemaker and owner David Hejl will host this sensational dinner featuring the outstanding wines from Domaine Della.

In 2015, David Hejl left Kosta Browne Winery as their CEO and General Manager, to pursue his own luxury label, Domaine Della, which was his own project while CEO of Kosta Browne. Domaine Della’s missionis is to craft intense and adventurous wines, partnering with the very best growers, a true expression in harmony and balance from the place where they were grown. These wines are extremely limited production and sourced from the finest vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Lucia Highlands. Wine Spectator magazine has awarded top scores in the high 90’s multiple times to Domaine Della’s Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

David’s passion for fine wine began while putting himself through school working as a waiter, sommelier, and chef, but he found his true inspiration while living in Paris working for Nabisco in his early twenties. It was there that he first experienced the art of wine, food and culture in a way that was truly spiritual, all in the beautiful City of Light. His latest project is a culmination of three decades of experience.

Domaine Della sells 85% of their wines through the direct-to-consumer channel and has a waitlist, 10% is allocated for fine dining restaurants, resorts, and retail, and they hold back 5% as library wine for new customer acquisition or to participate in meaningful ways to give back to the community. Their wines are released three times a year, in the Spring, Summer,and Fall, over a three-week period to active “list”members. In the Spring (March), they release their appellaton wines, and, in the Summer and Fall, they release the Single Vineyard and Special Blend wines.

Prior to joining Kosta Browne in 2011, David accumulated over 30 years’ experience in growth-orientedstrategy execution within the food and beverage/consumer products industry. David is a noted speaker and on the Wine MBA faculty at Sonoma State University. He received his BS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Wally’s Desert Turtle, the desert’s most acclaimed restaurant proudly holding the Mobil Travel Four Star, AAA Four Diamond, and DiRoNA Awards, is excited to host the Sangiacomo Family Winery Winemaker dinner.

In this four-course dinner, experience an unforgettable culinary adventure created by Executive Chef Alan Lopez and his culinary team hosted by Steve Sangiacomo and Winemaker James MacPhail. Join us for an intimate conversation about farming, terroir and the unique impacts of a long-standing grower-winemaker relationship. This immersive event promises to be an evening of behind-the-scenes storytelling and exquisite food pairings, bringing together friends and fans, old and new. We can’t wait to share this special evening with

Sangiacomo has recently been recognized as one of California’s Greatest Vineyards by Wine Spectator, and the family passion for sustainability and stewardship is evident in every row of their vineyards.

From Carneros to West Sonoma Coast: A Tour of Sonoma County Pinot Noir is a captivating seminar that explores the rich diversity of Pinot Noir across Sonoma County’s distinct AVAs. Guided by Sonoma County Winegrowers and featuring renowned winemakers and winegrowers from the region, this event offers a unique opportunity to taste and compare exceptional Pinot Noirs from Carneros, Russian River Valley, West Sonoma Coast, and beyond. Discover the nuanced flavors and characteristics that each region imparts, and gain insights into the artistry behind Sonoma County’s world-class Pinot Noirs.

Join us as we kick off a weekend filled with the best of Sonoma’s Pinot Noir. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a curious newcomer, this seminar is your gateway to understanding why Sonoma County is revered in the wine world. Engage directly with the vintners as they share personal anecdotes and their passion for winemaking. Elevate your palate, expand your knowledge, and connect with the community of Pinot lovers at this not-to-be-missed event. Reserve your spot today and start the festival with a taste of the extraordinary!

Join us on Sunday morning February 2nd, 2025 for an unforgettable wine tasting brunch with the growers and winemakers from the Santa Lucia Highlands, the jewel of California’s Central Coast, at the Westin Rancho Mirage. Savor each sip of exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rose, Syrah and more alongside a carefully curated menu, designed to complement the rich, complex flavors of these world-class wines. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious newcomer, this event offers the perfect opportunity to explore the elegance and diversity of Pinot Noir from this exciting region in a relaxed and inviting setting. Don’t miss this exclusive celebration of the region’s finest vintages with the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans.