For the Love of Wine

by Michael Westman

Love wine? Love meeting new friends from around the world? Looking for a fun new experience? Then “Gay Wine Weekend” in California Wine Country is for you! Sonoma is the beautiful backdrop for this LGBT weekend of wine tasting, touring, eating and partying.

Out in the Vineyard founders Gary Saperstein and Mark Vogler met when Gary was the GM at “the girl & the fig” restaurant. They started chatting with each other and realized that there was an untapped market within the LGBTQ community in the area.  Gary explains, “With Mark working in the Wine Industry he constantly had friends asking him which wineries to go visit, which restaurants to dine in and where they should stay while in town.” Mark adds that “Gary saw the rise in LGBTQ tourism while working at the restaurant along with the growth of gay men and women buying homes here in Sonoma.”

Out in the Vineyard began with doing one event called the Twilight T-Dance at Beringer Vineyards in Napa, and with only three weeks to market the event, 350 people showed up.  It was such a success, that Gary and Mark decided to do it again a year later in Sonoma at a private estate. “This time, many people attending were planning to stay overnight or for the entire weekend. That’s when the idea to expand to a three day weekend came to mind.  Now we have approx 600 people that come into town for the weekend attending one or all of the events that take place over the course of the three days,” states Gary.

In terms of the impact of LGBT tourists in the Northern California wine region, Gary says that progress is being made in Wine Country. Gary explains, “For the first time the industry is starting to put us on their radar. There is a ways to go but there is much more interest now then when we first began.  We are constantly asked by people in the wine industry to meet with them to discuss LGBT marketing, which we are more than happy to do!  Fortunately, there are some wineries that are putting dollars into marketing to our community. La Crema, is making huge strides with bringing this brand into the LGBT community.  Iron Horse Vineyards just came out with their 3rd vintage of the Rainbow Cuvee Sparkling Wine which is in honor of ‘Love & Equality!’ A new tasting room in Sonoma called Corner 103 has also come on board and been a very good friend and sponsor of our weekend.  The wine industry has made strides, but not yet at the level as the beer and spirit companies which have been on the forefront of marketing to our community for over four decades now.”

Over the course of the three day “Gay Wine Weekend” there are many events to attend.  Gary continues, “Our Winemaker Dinners and Winery Tours are very popular as we keep them intimate. We truly want our guests coming in to have the opportunity to not only taste the wines but meet and get to know the winemakers. We bring up a VJ from one of the most iconic gay bars in the Castro, the Midnight Sun for a festive late night party on the first day and of course the Twilight T-Dance is the signature event of the weekend where we lay a dance floor literally out in the vineyard.”  This year’s T-Dance will take place at the majestic Chateau St.Jean Winery with international DJ WayneG spinning.  On Sunday there is the Recovery Brunch and Wine Auction where, according to Gary, “we get a bit more serious and raise money for Face to Face, Our Sonoma County HIV/AIDS Network.”  The weekend is capped off with a closing Pool Soiree. What better way to end the weekend than with a pool party!

A portion of the proceeds from the event go to Face to Face, which has been on the forefront of the AIDS crisis in Sonoma County for the past 35 years, with their new mission to end HIV/AIDS all together in Sonoma County. To get more information on ways to help with this mission or to volunteer, visit their website at www.f2f.org.

As for their favorite varietals and favorite spots in Sonoma, Marks says his new favorite is a Vermentino from Via Giusti Wines; Gary is enjoying Roses right now with the MacRostie Vineyards Rose just being released.  Gary declares, “being Wine Country insiders I guess you can say our favorite spots to enjoy a glass of wine is with friends at some of their fabulous homes here in Sonoma. But when you come and visit, we will be certain to take you to some places off the beaten path to enjoy some great wines.”

The host hotel this year is the MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa (29 E MacArthur St, Sonoma, CA) located four blocks from historic Sonoma Plaza. Arriving guests can pick up their weekend passes at the MacArthur Place Hotel. To get all the latest on Gay Wine Weekend, visit www.gaywineweekend.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @ outinvineyard.