Eat, Drink, and Be Green Earth Day Event: April 20, Sebastopol, CA

For the dedicated wine drinker, every holiday is a wine holiday. Not like we really need an excuse to celebrate wine, of course, but if you're going to celebrate anything, its best to do it with wine. Of course, certain holidays lend themselves more to a wine theme than others, and Earth Day may be one of the most wine friendly around. When you're busy celebrating the Earth and our environment, what better way is there to celebrate than to drink something that is truly the product of that Earth? Add to this the fact that Spring is in the air, and the buds are just beginning to break vines all over Sonoma and Napa, and you've got the makings of a party.

This, presumably is what the winemakers of Green Valley in Sonoma's Russian River Valley had in mind when they decided to concoct an event that they're calling "Eat, Drink, and Be Green" taking place at Iron Horse Vineyards on April 20th just outside of Sebastopol in Sonoma County.

The event features a walk around wine tasting of the new releases from several Green Valley wineries, including Dutton Goldfield, Freeman Family Winery, Hartford Court, Deloach Vineyards, Iron Horse Vineyards, Marimar Estate, Orogeny and Patz & Hall. In addition the resident chef at Iron Horse, Christopher Greenwald, will prepare his version of "world street food," but with ingredients all sourced from within 100 miles of the winery. Presumably this means artisan lamb satay, organic pork lettuce cups, roasted vegetables on skewers, etc.

While you're eating and drinking, you will have the opportunity to listen to speaker Gil Grosvenor, Chairman of National Geographic speak about environmental education and his more than 50 years working at the organization.

Throw in a solar powered reggae band and a "green marketplace" featuring various eco products including the Tesla Roadster (check out the small touchpanel interface in the car that my firm, HYDRANT, designed), and there's more than enough to keep you busy for a few hours and make the $50 ticket a good value.

This is a beautiful time in Northern California wine country, and a great day to spend drinking wine and celebrating all the fruits of the Earth.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Solar Living Institute, the Louis Leakey Foundation, the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, and the National Geographic Society.

More information is available at the Iron Horse web site.

Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley
Sunday April 20, 2008
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Iron Horse Vineyards
9786 Ross Station Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472 (map)

Tickets are $50 for general admission or $250 for a VIP pass which includes a private reception, a goody bag, and raffle tickets, among other things. Tickets can be purchased by calling 707.887.1507 or by e-mailing or faxing this PDF order form.