Fandango Event at St. Francis Winery

Every year my wife and I look forward to celebrating our Anniversary at an event called Fandango out at St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, Ca. This year was no exception as we are celebrating 8 yrs of marriage. When we heard that tickets were on sale we jumped on the phone and placed our order. We have attended the last 3 years and every year the event has sold out. So what is Fandango you may ask? Every year around the summer solstice, St. Francis Winery appreciates their long term wine club members by putting on a special event at their Santa Rosa property. As you arrive you are welcomed with a St. Francis wine glass, filled with perfectly chilled Sauvignon Blanc wine. This year it was especially welcomed as the heat was well into the 90’s. Upon entering the tasting room guests get their first glimpse of the beautiful winery and surrounding mountain ranges that make up the Sonoma Valley.

What makes Fandango so fun is the music. In previous years they have hired lively New Orleans, Zydeco bands. This year the pace was a little slower but equally as impressive. I didn’t catch the name of Trio, but they were playing lovely Italian music to go along with the Italian food theme. This picture was snapped as I was waiting in the line for fresh shucked oysters from Hog Island. BTW they pair perfectly with the Estate Sauvignon Blanc.

As the evening progressed small bites of cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto and cheese puff pastries were passed around. At that point I switched to the red wines, and mingled with friends old and new.

Chris Silva – President and CEO looks like he is having a great time as he shares a chuckle with fellow employee.

Dinner this year consisted of fresh spring vegetables, candied walnut salad, pasta, polenta, and meatballs. St. Francis had a full staff pouring and mingling with guests.

Shortly after dinner, Chris Silva, and Aura Bland Director of Consumer Sales and Marketing recognized long term wine club members by giving them signed Magnums of what I can only image was the “good stuff”. They also raffled off other gifts and wine related goodies for the rest of the guests. We didn’t win anything this year, but we will be back again next.

Just as dinner was winding down, the Super Moon in all it’s glory arose over the Bald Mountain Range.  I was able to capture a few images just in time to make it back for fresh made ice cream and another sample or two of the delicious wines.

As the night wound on we got to visiting with fellow wine club members and now friends Richard and Pamela. We have sat at the same table as them for the past 2 years and it has now become somewhat of tradition to sit together. They are such a great couple that I had to snap a few shots of them.

All and all Fandango is a great event. It has all the right elements for a perfect evening –  food, wine, friends, music and scenery. We are so glad we attended and will be back for many years to come.

St. Francis does many events throughout the year including movie nights, music, and lobster feeds. Check out their schedule of events here – http://www.stfranciswinery.com/events/index.asp

I highly recommend becoming a wine club member, not only do you get discounts on wine, but you get first crack at attending all their 1st class events.

I’ll have to do another blog post about their wine food pairing with Executive Chef David Bush.

My wife and Chris Silva on the way out.

Thanks to St. Francis for such a great and memorable evening. See you soon, we’ve got a shipment to pick up 🙂

For more pictures from the event check out my facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.175489182627692.1073741863.136507666525844&type=3

All photos by Adrian Tamblin

Filled Under : Travel