Celebrating 40 Years at Iron Horse Vineyards in Sonoma County

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Iron Horse Vineyards, a quintessential California tasting room, for visitors who enjoy sparkling wine. And who doesn’t love a great glass of bubbly?!?

This milestone recently culminated in a celebration with wine, food and entertainment on the beautiful property atop the Sebastopol Hills.

Wine club members and winery fans alike commemorated the moment with glasses of fabulous cuvee! The overall theme here is… red, white and bubbly.

The event included live music, big pours of ‘Spirit of 76’ Iron Horse Vineyards bubbly and lots of amazing people.  With great attention to detail, there was also a carefully prepared special menu to go with the celebratory wines.

The winery is known for taking care of their guests.

Servers were pouring some delicious new releases as well as a few select Sonoma County library wines to reflect on the past harvests.

Purchased in 1976, Barry and Audrey Sterling, both California natives, planted the seeds of a dream that is still blossoming today.

Children, Joy Anne Sterling and Laurence Sterling are in charge of operating the winery facility…

… that has grown to 160 acres in vine upon the original estate property.

The founding partners, first saw the property in February of ’76. While they were driving down Ross Station Road, they thought they were lost in Sonoma, until they went over the next knoll and viewed 300 acres of gentle rolling hills…

Not too shabby!

“Incurable romantics with extraordinary vision, they bought the property in just two weeks.” — from the website.

Guests of the 40th Anniversary Spirit of 76 Celebration were greeted with bubbles, of course, and then spent an hour enjoying the original home and yard which is an oasis in and of itself.

After spending time sipping, enjoying the small bites and great company, as well as listening to stories from the owners themselves… it was time to start the real event shenanigans.

Led by a wonderful gentleman dressed as “Uncle Sam” and a 20 person brass band called The Hub Bub Club…

guests raised a glass and danced in celebration all the way to the winery corral with amazing vineyard views dotting the landscape along the way.

When visiting with attendees of the event; Partner, CEO and family member Joy Sterling, was seen telling guests–

‘Each of you has played a significant part in our Iron Horse Vineyards history, and we must thank you for that.’

Also heard around the winery… “the importance of small details in creating the extraordinary” Soo true.

An Extraordinary Show Indeed: Iron Horse guests even enjoyed a fashion show in an homage to 1776, 1876 and 1976 with five fashion models showing costumes from each era and joining the crowds of people, all in character of their time period.

Entertainment highlights included a number of live musical performances, amazing pours of sparkling wines ONLY found at the tasting room, actors in costume from each winery era, custom made bellini’s paired with caviar cowboys blinis…

… a terrific line-up of Pinot Noirs, a traveling oyster girls bar, fried chicken, bison sliders, lobster po’boys, watermelon stacked high, bbq corn, custom desserts by Angelica Patisserie and TONS of fun people!! Did I mention all the yummy WINE?!?

The winery even perfected a cocktail called the Iron Horse 76, which was make with their own brandy aptly named “Audrey”, distilled by Germain Robin using 1987 estate grown Pinot Noir. YUM.

 Recipe is on the Iron Horse Blog website…. HERE.

Visitors at the 40th Anniversary Event were able to view a collection of old photographs and a time capsule exhibit of memorabilia, including decades of winemaker dinners and White House menus featuring Iron Horse wines.

What a fabulous history!!

The exhibit truly showcased the Sterling’s dream and what is had become…

An Iconic Winery & Vineyards.

Iron Horse Winery has various parties throughout the year…

in the estate home and at the corral and tasting room including earth day shows, live music, winemaker dinners and release parties but this is one of my favorites to date.

Speaking of favorites… it is no secret that I attend quite a few winery events throughout the year…

and Iron Horse events are ALWAYS on my Top Ten lists of best overall.

They truly care about the experience and memory that guests take away from their parties and it shows in the attention to detail in decoration, entertainment planning and staffing.

A top notch event in Sonoma County. Watching Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer hold Audrey Sterling’s hand in admiration and friendship was a truly wonderful moment for me. Sonoma County famous.

Find the next winery event at Iron Horse, attend and enjoy a sip (or two) of wine and ….

Thank me later.