In early 1976, 11 wineries, one restaurant and a lodging joined forces and formed what we now call Wine Road Northern Sonoma County. In the ensuing four decades, the Wine Road has altered its name a couple of times, changed its logo, and more importantly increased its membership to nearly 200 wineries and over 50 lodgings.

Known for its quintessential wineries map and unsurpassed events like Barrel Tasting, Wine & Food Affair and the upcoming Winter WINEland, the Wine Road in 2016 will have a yearlong celebration to acknowledge and revel in turning 40!

The events and happenings are posted on the website, but here are a few highlights:

• A Ruby Affair, a gala event celebrating 40 years held on May 14 at Soda Rock Winery, plus the release of the documentary “A Road to Ruby” on May 7^th.
• Breakfast with the Winemakers—held the Saturday mornings before each of the major events (Winter WINEland, Barrel Tasting and Wine & Food Affair) starting with Winter WINEland on January 16^th.
• Magical Mystery Tour on June 14^th will be a day of tasting and touring, with a choice of the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, or the urban wineries—but the rest of the itinerary will remain a surprise to be revealed throughout the day.
• 40 Years of Cheers! will be an old-fashioned community festival in Healdsburg on July 23^rd.
• Appellation Tastings – Over the course of 2016, each of the appellations—Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley—will offer a specialized tasting to highlight their unique AVA and the wines they produce.

There are many, many other special events and happenings along the Wine Road in 2016, and each will be highlighted in the blog, in the Wine Road newsletters, and on the website, so you have a chance to participate in some or all of them.

The Wine Road has a long tradition of giving back to the community, and the 40^th celebrations will continue this tradition. The Wine Road has partnered with five non-profits—United Way of Wine County, Worth Our Weight, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts–Art Through Education Programs, Becoming Independent, and Redwood Empire Food Bank. At several of the events, proceeds will be going to the non-profit to contribute to their annual fund-raising.

We hope you can enjoy some of these upcoming happenings and help us celebrate as the Wine Road turns 40.

Happy Sipping!