Wine Trade and Media Will Attend Events May 1-2
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (March 26, 2025) – Sonoma County Vintners and presenting sponsor American AgCredit are thrilled to announce that the auction lots for the 11th annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA) are available for viewing at SoCoBarrelAuction.com. The live auction events, exclusively for the wine trade and media, will be held for the first time at Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate on Friday, May 2, 2025. Members of the wine trade with a valid resale license may register to attend the live auction events. Proxy bidding is available for trade who are unable to attend in person.
“Our world-class vintners have once again created imaginative Never Before, Never Again wines exclusively for our Sonoma County Barrel Auction to share with trade attendees,” said Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director Michael Haney. “These wines are only available at SoCoBA and generate excitement among consumers for their creativity, rarity and exquisite quality.”
The diversity of Sonoma County wine is reflected in the array of auction lots including sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Zinfandel, as well as a special selection of exciting red blends. The Extra Brut sparkling wine “Ocho Reserva” from Gloria Ferrer rested on its lees for nearly a decade and was disgorged only when it was truly ready. A one-of-a-kind Pinot Noir named “The Ringmaster” from CIRQ features a blend from the Koplen and Graham Vineyards. “Sightlines” is a single-block Pinot Noir from the highest elevations of Sea View Ridge coastal estate from Flowers Vineyards & Winery.
It’s all about location, location, location in this year’s lots from Alexander Valley. The exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon lot from Aperture Cellars was sourced from one of the steepest hillside vineyards in their portfolio, “Block D” of the Del Rio Vineyard. “Essence of Estate” from Silver Oak was a unique opportunity to blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from their estate vineyards. Fruit from blocks 4 and 5 of “Fredson Ranch” were chosen to create a classic Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Ridge Vineyards. The grapes used in “Pocket Peak” were grown on the highest elevation site from which Skipstone makes wine, located in the eastern highlands of Alexander Valley.
A collection of ravens is known as a ‘conspiracy’—making it the perfect word to describe “The Conspiracy” Zinfandel, a collaboration between legendary Ravenswood founder, Joel Peterson, and its acclaimed current winemaker, Michael Eddy-Cort. The Italian heritage at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery provided inspiration for “Vivo Italiano,” an exciting Super Tuscan style Sangiovese and Syrah red blend.
Collaborative auction lots allow winemakers to join forces in passion projects and include “Terra Rossa,” a Pinot Noir from Cohn Vineyard, born from a special partnership between two incredible winemakers, Jeff Mangahas of Williams Selyem and Mike Sullivan of Benovia Winery. “A Lorenzo Legacy” from Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle Wines, highlights the legacy of Chardonnay from the historic Lorenzo Vineyard. “Tio Dieci,” another special Chardonnay lot, honors the more than 10 generations combined of the iconic farming families of Mauritson Wines and Sangiacomo Family Wines. “Fellowship of the Panther” from Joseph Jewell Wines, Panther Ridge Wines and Brooks Note Winery is an amazing Pinot Noir from Panther Ridge Vineyard in the windswept Petaluma Gap.
These first-time SoCoBA participants have included special lots for the 2025 auction and will be exciting new discoveries for trade attendees: Elaine Wines, Naidu Wines, Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Winery, Tamber Bey Vineyards and Vaughn Duffy.
The auction events will kick off with an all-inclusive lot tasting preview event for the wine trade and media on May 1 at Bacchus Landing, a venue featuring a collective of wineries and experiences located in Healdsburg, California.
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.
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) connects Sonoma County wine and the global marketplace for the sustainable growth and prosperity of our members and community. SCV represents over 250 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County and its world-class wineries through educational programming and marketing initiatives; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Celebration, its annual fundraiser, benefits nonprofit 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 Landmark Vineyards
Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in the Sonoma Valley, Landmark Vineyards epitomizes the rustic grace and beauty of Sonoma County. Since 1974, Landmark has been dedicated to producing handcrafted, ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourcing grapes from unique vineyard sites throughout California to create rich, balanced wines. Its Hop Kiln Estate is a registered California Historical Landmark and expands Landmark Vineyards’ presence with two tasting rooms and properties in Sonoma and the Russian River Valley. In 2024, Landmark Vineyards celebrated 50 years of winemaking excellence and unveiled refreshed packaging of the 2022 Damaris Reserve Chardonnay in honor of Founder, Damaris Deere Ford. Landmark wines may be purchased directly from Landmark’s Tasting Rooms, online store, or through membership in the Wine Society. To discover more about Landmark’s remarkable approach to winemaking, visit LandmarkWine.com. To learn more about their Corporate Social Responsibility work, visit https://csr.wonderful.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.
