About the Harvest Fair

The Sonoma County Harvest Fair highlights local agricultural, industrial and recreational growers, makers and crafters.  From the Fair’s inception in 1975, it has become a treasured event for Sonoma County and visitors from around the world.  The Harvest Fair is considered one of the premiere regional wine judging events in the country, and is an important showcase for Sonoma County’s storied wineries, restaurants and farms.

The premier event, the Professional Wine Competition, recruits expert judges from throughout the United States to judge the entries.  Over three intensive days, more than 900 wines, all made from grapes grown in the Sonoma County growing region undergo a variety of tests to determine the best wines in Sonoma County. Many of the judges are writers from major publications, institutional wine buyers, professional chefs and restaurateurs.  Winners of the sweepstakes awards receive both local and national recognition and often herald this award as one of their key accolades.

The Harvest Fair, though very much in the national spotlight, is still able to retain its exclusively local flavor.  The majority of the exhibits’ competition is open to residents of Sonoma County only and most food vendors and crafters are local residents.  The Harvest Fair is a signature event that showcases the extraordinary wine, food and agriculture in Sonoma County and brings people to the region to celebrate the harvest season.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Board of Directors

Jason Schneider, Bottle Barn, Chair
Ag Commissioner – Andrew Smith, Ag Commissioner
Ag Commissioner – Rocco Cunningham, Barlas Feeds
At Large – Ethan Brown, Sonoma County Economic Development Board
At Large – Cindy Crane, Crane Melon Barn
At Large – Scott Goyne, Business Owner
At Large – Claudia Vecchio, Sonoma County Tourism
Fair Board – Neysa Hinton, Bello Gardens
Fair Board – Lisa Wittke-Schaffner, North Coast Builder’s Exchange
Honorary Fair Board – Pat Emery, Emery Law
Honorary Fair Board – Les Perry, Perry Law
SoCo Vintners – Michael Haney
SoCo Vintners – Jake Martini
SoCo Winegrowers – Karissa Kruse
SoCo Winegrowers – Jennifer Richards