SANTA ROSA, Calif. (January 18, 2024) – Registration is now open for the 10th Anniversary Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA), produced by Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) and presented by American AgCredit. The event hosts and barrel auction lot donors look forward to welcoming members of the wine trade from across the United States and around the globe to celebrate this milestone year for Sonoma County wine.
“As an agricultural banker, we understand the importance of fostering partnerships and supporting the growth of the wine industry,” said Cody Radelfinger, Head of Regional Banking for American AgCredit. “We are committed to providing financial solutions that empower winemakers to continue their pursuit of excellence. Together we look forward to a successful auction that celebrates Sonoma County wine.”
The live auction will take place on May 3 at the beautiful MacMurray Estate Vineyards, SoCoBA’s long-time generous venue host and supporter. Members of the wine trade will enthusiastically bid on one-of-a-kind five, ten and twenty case lots showcasing the depth and breadth of winemaking among the most esteemed Sonoma County winemakers. These distinctive lots from across Sonoma County provide trade buyers with original wines for resale to their customers and ultra-premium wine collectors. National bidders will be returning from across the United States, along with international trade from Japan and Norway, and first-time attendees from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The event will begin with a welcome reception, followed by a wine country lunch under the live auction tent and a special Sonoma County Icons & Innovators and Lifetime Achievement honoree presentation.
“We can’t wait to celebrate 10 years of the Sonoma County Barrel Auction with the continued support of presenting sponsor American AgCredit, vintner participants, trade guests, media, and event partners,” said Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director Michael Haney. “This exclusive event was created to provide our vintner participants with opportunities to make meaningful connections with visiting trade guests and raise the profile of Sonoma County wines. Since the inception of SoCoBA, over 650 incredibly special Never Before, Never Again wines have been crafted for trade buyers to showcase to thousands of customers nationally and globally.”
Bacchus Landing will again host the SoCoBA Lot Tasting Preview Event on May 2, where trade and media attendees will sample the 2024 barrel auction lots, learn more about the participating vintners and explore their wine portfolios. Trade guests are also invited to attend intimate SoCoBA Vintner Dinners held throughout Sonoma County the same evening.
“We have been a supporter of SoCoBA since the inaugural event in 2015, bidding on these unique, one-of-a-kind wines to separate our restaurant’s wine program from others,” said Robert Merrifield, Chef and Proprietor of Polo Grill in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Our extensive list of SoCoBA selections are only available to guests while dining here at Polo Grill.”
Trade registration for the 2024 Sonoma County Barrel Auction is by invitation. Only licensed wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs will receive a paddle to bid. To learn more or request a ticket, visit the Sonoma County Barrel Auction website at SoCoBarrelAuction.com. For trade buyers who are unable to attend the live auction in person, proxy bidding registration is also available.
Proceeds raised from the Sonoma County Barrel Auction assist in creating Sonoma County Vintners marketing programs and initiatives that support the wine trade and community.
Please see our online library for downloadable images. Photo credit: Erik Castro.
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About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 250 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, benefits non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit SonomaWine.com.
About American AgCredit
American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fourth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma and serves capital market customers throughout the United States. Learn more at AgLoan.com.
About Bacchus Landing
Founded by siblings Monica and Francisco Lopez, along with their parents Al and Dina, Bacchus Landing is a curated collective of wineries representing a diverse spectrum of grape varieties and winemaking styles. It is located in the heart of Healdsburg at the crossroads of three of Sonoma County’s premier wine regions. Designed to reflect the Lopez family’s deep-seated passion for hosting family and friends, Bacchus Landing welcomes guests to come and stay the day, offering a relaxing escape from everyday life. The three-acre property boasts five spacious, open-air tasting rooms, an artisanal food market serving local wine-friendly bites, a more casual green space with picnic tables and bocce courts, a central piazza with café tables, a full commercial kitchen, and a variety of spaces for corporate meetings and events. For more information, please visit BacchusLanding.com.
About MacMurray Estate Vineyards
With vineyards in California’s most sought-after Pinot Noir regions, MacMurray Estate Vineyards is synonymous with one of the world’s most celebrated grape varieties. We grow our grapes where Pinot Noir thrives — in the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast. By carefully tending to each vineyard block and making discerning choices in the cellar, we create wines that reflect the unique terroir of each estate vineyard while showcasing the elegant flavors of the delicate Pinot Noir grape. Our namesake in the Russian River Valley, the 1,500-acre MacMurray Ranch, has a rich farming history that stretches back to the early 1850s. In 1941, actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch as an idyllic family retreat and cattle ranch. In 1996, MacMurray Ranch was transformed to include a world-class vineyard with 450 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines, ushering in a new era for the legendary Sonoma County property. Learn more at MacMurrayEstateVineyards.com.
