Harvest is the time to enjoy autumn's fresh air with friends and family, acknowledging all that the seasons provide us. Harvest Festival starts out with a morning of gentle apple picking in Fort Ross State Park's historic orchard, where we'll harvest fruit while enjoying the Eastern European harmonies of Kitka Women's Ensemble and Russian House Kedry. The celebration then moves to the historic Fort Ross compound where we'll enjoy the old-world charm of the 19th century Russian settlement. Harvest Festival runs from 10am to 5pm.
Grand Wine Tasting (12pm-4pm, $40 per person): Presenting a remarkable selection of wines grown in the FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW VITICULTURAL AREA that consists of the steep ridge top vineyards that overlook the Pacific Ocean and produce wines of structure, balance and finesse. The Grand Tasting features local grape growers and winemakers, and a chance to meet and greet the people behind the wines.
Includes cheese sampling with Omar Mueller of Freestone Artisan Cheese and Sonoma County cheesemakers.
Wineries Pouring in the Tasting Tent
Flowers Vineyard and Winery – Michelle Forry
Fort Ross Vineyard – Linda and Lester Schwartz
Kutch Wines – Jamie Kutch
Martinelli Winery – Mary Rodgers
Precious Mountain Vineyard / William Selyem Winery
Raen Winery
Tin Barn Vineyards
Wayfarer – Cleo Pahlmeyer and Todd Kohn
Wild Hog Vineyard – Daniel and Marion Schoenfeld
Wineries at Luncheon Only
Piazza Del Dotto
Grand Luncheon (1pm-3pm, $125 per person):
Includes a four-course meal of seasonal fare expertly paired with wines from the area, prepared by renowned local chefs and served on a marine terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Includes entrance to Grand Tasting and Fort Ross Harvest Festival activities. Grand Luncheon tickets are available by advance purchase only and will sell out.
Grand Luncheon Menu
First course prepared by Barbara Hom
Trio of Corn:
Chilled Soup of Corn Essence, Shellfish Oil
Corn and Crab Salad, Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, Cilantro Lime Dressing, Chive Oil
Corn and Cheese Tuille
Wine pairing: Flowers Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2013
Second course prepared by Andrew and Liya Truong, Michelin star chefs at Terrapin Creek Cafe
Marinated Black Cod served with sunchoke and potato puree, roasted mushrooms and celery
Wine pairing: Wild Hog Estate Pinot Noir 2011 and Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes 2013
Third course prepared by Michelle Ana Jordan
Grilled Sonoma County butterflied leg of lamb with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, smoked paprika, and a coriander and black pepper rub, accompanied by a warm farro salad with local Merguez, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Italian parsley, smoked paprika and preserved lemon
Wine pairing: Piazza Del Dotto Pinot Noir 2013 and Wild Hog Estate Zinfandel 2012
Dessert prepared by Jamil Pedan, Applewood Inn
Buttermilk panna cotta with chardonnay poached quince, candied orange zest, puffed amaranth, and brown butter
Wine pairing: 2013 Fort Ross Late Harvest Chardonnay
FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION is an association of local grape growers and wineries dedicated to farming "coastal cool" grapes on the very edge of the continent. Here the vineyards are like islands in the sunshine above a sea of coastal fog that nips at their edges during the long, slow and temperate grape growing season. The maritime climate of the area is ideal for growing winegrapes of the highest caliber. The vineyards here produce pure, focused fruit with lively acidity, minerality and nuanced tannins. These exceptional grapes produce internationally acclaimed wines of balance, character, structure and finesse that tempt the palate with their elegance. See www.fortross-seaview.org or email us at info@fortross-seaview.org.
Harvest Activities at Fort Ross State Historic Park
In addition to the spectacular Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Tasting and Grand Luncheon, the day offers a wide variety of activities suitable for all ages:
Song, dance, and gentle apple harvesting in the historic orchard
Horse and buggy ride
Interpretive talks by dedicated experts on the historic orchard, replica windmill, and the Alaskan marine history at Ross
Working demonstration of replica Russian-style windmill
Demonstration boat build of a traditional nigilax, an open kayak used by the Alaska Natives at Fort Ross
Food trucks with delicious seasonal fare for sale
Local samples of heirloom apples, apple cider, apple baked goods, Sonoma cheese, and more
Su Nu Nu Shinal Kashia Pomo dances
Lovely Eastern European harmonies of Kitka Women's Ensemble
Russian House Kedry demonstrating old world Russian cooking, song, and dance
Alaska Native demonstrate their crafts
Historic Russian crafts, cannon firing, communal dances.
Special Event Fees
Harvest Special Event Fee: $20 per car (includes $8 State Parks fee) for General Admission to Harvest Festival - PER CAR- Does not include food or beverage
Wine Tasting $40 per person. Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Tasting Tent - includes general admission to Harvest Festival when purchased in advance
Grand Luncheon $125 per person. Must be purchased in advance; ticket price INCLUDES general admission to Wine Tasting Tent AND Harvest Festival activities.
Special event entrance fee for small capacity bus (24 person or fewer): $100 - for entrance to Harvest Festival only (food and drink separate)
Special event entrance fee for large capacity bus (greater than 24 person): $225 - for entrance to Harvest Festival only (food and drink separate)
If you'd like to volunteer at the festival, email us at info@fortross.org. - four hours of volunteering gets you free admission to Harvest Festival.
California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact (707) 847-3437. We have one beach wheelchair available first come, first served.
Questions? Email Fort Ross Conservancy at info@fortross.org, call us at 707/847-3437. To see photos of past events or learn more, please see www.fortross.org.
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fort-ross-seaview-harvest-festival-tickets-16390907646?aff=es2
This event underwritten by Chevron and Russian companies Sovcomflot and Transneft.
LOCATION:Fort Ross State Historic Park 19005 Coast Highway One Jenner, CA 95450 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR