Summer 2012 Sonoma County Events (June, July, August)

Following are the bigger events for the summer of 2012. A number of these sell out in advance!

Summer in Sonoma County

Wine-related events

June

9-10  Russian River Passport to Pinot
Wine, food, and music at about two dozen Russian River Valley wineries. This is a new event. Info

30  All American Zin Day
Grilled meats and Zinfandel in Dry Creek. Vegans need not apply! Info

July

4  Many wineries are closed. Most others close early for the holiday.

6  Railroad Square (Santa Rosa) First Friday Street Party.
Food trucks, wine, music in the evening. Info

21 Rootstock
Food, wine and music in Santa Rosa's Vintners Square hosted by several small wineries. Info

22 Pinot Family Reunion
At John Ash north of Santa Rosa. Pinot and food then an optional dinner. Info

August

3  Eighth Street Wineries Open House
Yearly event for nine micro-wineries in Sonoma. Info

3 Railroad Square (Santa Rosa) First Friday Street Party.
Food trucks, wine, music in the evening. Info

3-5  West of West Wine Festival
It's all about west Sonoma County cool climate wines with winemaker dinners, seminars and a tasting. Info

18  Grape to Glass pre-harvest party
Wine, food, dancing with winemakers and grape-growers. Harvest is coming so it's their last chance to have fun until November! Info

25  Taste of Petaluma
Local wines, beers, foods along with art and entertainment. Info

31-Sep2  Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
"A wine, cuisine, and cultural event" presented by Visa Signature--check their website for discount tickets. Info

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Image from pureluxury.com

Non-wine themed events

Peggy Sue's car cruise

June

1-12 Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
2   Beerfest. Northern California's micro-beer scene.
2-3 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival (vintage race cars) at Sonoma Raceway (aka Infineon).
3   Ox Roast Community BBQ in the Sonoma Plaza
8-10 Peggy Sue's All American Car Cruise. Hundreds of old cars highlighted by a Saturday evening cruise in downtown Santa Rosa.
16-17 Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. You have to get up early for this one!
20-24 Sonoma-Marin Fair. Evening concerts, ugly dog contest, destruction derby.
22-24 Nascar at Sears Point Raceway/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway/whatever it's called now. If you're going to Sonoma or Napa this weekend stay away from the racetrack--there will be huge traffic jams.
23-24 Russian River Rodeo and Parade.

July

4   Lots of fireworks shows on or near the 4th. The big one is at the county fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.
14  Wine Country Big Q. Barbecue, beer, and music sponsored by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Sounds like a perfect summer afternoon.
14-15 Civil War re-enactment in Duncans Mills.
25-Aug12 Sonoma County Fair. Rides, corn dogs, concerts and thoroughbred horse racing.
27-29 NHRA Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

August

1-12 Sonoma County Fair continues.
18-19 Wings Over Wine Country air show put on by the Pacific Coast Air Museum.

Wings Over Wine Country
Image from pacificflyer.com

Ongoing Summer Events

Tuesday: Farmers' Market in Sonoma, Kids outdoor movies in Windsor, concerts in the Healdsburg plaza
Wednesday: Farmers' Market in Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa downtown market, Wines & Sunsets at Paradise Ridge Winery, Petaluma evening Farmers Market
Thursday: Wine Down Thursdays at Santa Rosa Vintners Square, St. Francis Winery outdoor film festival
Friday: Cloverdale Farmers' Market
Saturday: Farmers' Markets in Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Healdsburg