Savoring Success: North Coast Wine and Food Festival Celebrates Gold Medal Wines

A delicious showcase of the region’s finest wines and culinary talent, the North Coast Wine & Food Festival is set to return to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa on Saturday, June 13. This festival, highlighted by gold and double gold-winning wines from the 2026 North Coast Wine Challenge, promises a flavorful experience paired with seasonal dishes from 17 local restaurants.

The North Coast Wine Competition, which took place in April, featured 30 judges who blind-tasted over 1,000 wines from 220 wineries. Only wines made from fruits sourced from the North Coast appellation, encompassing Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano, and Marin counties, were eligible for the awards. The festival will present more than 100 top-scoring wines, including the Best of Show winner, Grey Stack Cellars’ 2023 Grenache from Sonoma Mountain.

This year’s menu will include tantalizing offerings such as grilled Tamales Bay Oysters with smoky black garlic, herbed smoked trout dip with Tsar Nicoulai trout roe, and shrimp and grits. Additional highlights encompass scallop dumplings with pancetta and chile-marinated shrimp paired with pickled cucumber salad.

Wine enthusiasts should take note of top selections, such as Grey Stack Cellars’ award-winning Grenache, Deodora Estate’s acclaimed 2023 Sonoma Coast Riesling, which has won Best of Show White Wine for two consecutive years, and Ra Ra Wine Co.’s trip of sweepstakes winners.

The North Coast Wine & Food Festival will run from 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, with VIP entry available at noon. Ticket prices are $78 for designated drivers, $143 for general admission, and $237 for VIP access. For tickets and more information, visit northcoastwineandfood.com and use code CHARDONNAY for a $20 discount.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!