Napa and Sonoma Harvest Fall Fun

On a beautiful September afternoon, members of the LGBT networking group Dot429 enjoyed wine-tasting and lunch prepared by Iron Chef America star Dominique Crenn, as well as art-viewing and scenic schmoozing at Ma(i)sonry, a stylish restaurant in Napa.

This was just one of many Wine Country events that welcome gay visitors. And with the harvest season upon us, daycations and weekend excursions to the gorgeously verdant Napa and Sonoma are ripe for the picking.

Dot429's the new kid on the block for gay groups enjoying the harvest of rural social outings. For the past few years, Napa Guerilla Gay Bar has been organized events ranging from tastings to holiday parties.

In 2009, Rick Turko started Napa Guerilla Gay Bar, an informal gathering of mostly gay men and lesbians who visit local restaurants, wineries and other venues.

After moving to Napa from Seattle with his partner, "I was looking for more social opportunities, and had read about guerilla bars in other cities," said Turko. "I thought, why not do a guerilla event here in Napa? It was a success and since then, we've done probably 90 events in the past two years."

Upcoming events include Big Gay Bingo October 8 at Alexis Baking Company; a screening of the acclaimed AIDS documentary We Were Here October 12; and the 20th annual Napa Valley AIDS Walk, October 29.

Turko estimates attendance to be about 60/40 men to women. Most members are Napa or Sonoma residents, but city-dwellers are more than welcome. Guerilla Gay Bar events range from festive parties with two hundred fifty attendees, to intimate gatherings of a dozen, like their recent Christmas night 'orphan' party. "It's always a real nice mix of people."

The group's recent Pride party was hosted by Clos du Bal Winery, who, Turko said, approached them after a staff member heard they were looking for a venue.
"It was phenomenal," said Turko. "They usually fly an American and French flag. They took down the French flag and put up a rainbow flag instead."

For a lavish, all-inclusive weekend vacation, Out in the Vineyard offers experiential three-day and six-day vacation packages with room, meals and other amenities in Sonoma. The LGBT company also hosts fundraiser events for various nonprofits.

Gary Saperstein, who co-owns the company with his partner, Mark Vogler, said October's "Crush" month is the perfect time for an autumnal visit. Millions of grapes are harvested and pressed for conversion into the painstaking process of making wine. Numerous vintners offer tours during the season, which include visits to cavernous cellars and -in sunny contrast- expansive gardens and vineyards.

"The last few years have seen the growth of LGBT tourism here," said Saperstein of his inspiration for Out in the Vineyard. "Also, a huge number of people are buying homes here. The community has grown by leaps and bounds."

But at the same time, Saperstein saw few, if any vineyards marketing to them. "We really want to open wine country to the community and make it a destination like Key West and Provincetown," he said. "The liquor and beer companies figured us out decades ago, but the wine industry hadn't. Now they're responding so positively to what we're doing. It's really heartwarming how they've opened their doors to us."

With restaurants, inns, wine galore, and scenic relaxation, Saperstein sees Napa and Sonoma as all-inclusive vacation opportunities. And you don't have to be a wine aficionado to enjoy yourself. "We've had people from all over the world visit who are simply wine lovers," Saperstein said, adding that the tastings and events are, of course, educational.

Out in the Vineyard's previous events, including the popular Gay Wine Weekend held in June 2011, have grown in popularity. The next Wine Weekend is scheduled for June 15-17, 2012. With more than 100 attendees, and perfect sunset scenery, the outdoor events, including receptions, tastings, and a T-dance, were what Saperstein called " the most gorgeous nights of the summer; just stunning."

Upcoming events include "I've Got a Crush on You," the experiental tour and lunch where you can help with the wine-making process. No, it's not at all like the classic I Love Lucy episode, said Saperstein. The "punch-down" these days is performed in giant stainless steel vats. Participant activities will vary, "depending on what the vintners are doing that day," he said. Along with that fun, enjoy some wine-tasting and a delicious lunch at the Deerfield Ranch. Oct. 8, 11am-3pm. $95. (707) 495-9732.

In addition to Guerilla Gay Bar and Out in the Vineyard, Sonoma Gaydar, the county's informal LGBT group, hosts monthly social gatherings. Explains Sapperstein, "Every month we pick a restaurant, bar or winery and support them and go there. It's been hugely successful."

And for a festive mix of Halloween and wine, Sonoma Gaydar is also hosting its annual Halloween Bash, October 29 at Deerfield Ranch Winery ($25. 7pm-11pm. 10200 Sonoma Highway). Set in the cool underground tunnels of the winery's storage caves, the superhero-themed costume party, with live and DJed music, hors' d'eouvres, and of course, wine, should provide fun opportunities to kick back in colorful Spandex and capes. Added Sapperstein, "With the cave setting, they don't even have to do any d�cor."

For more information:
www.dot429.com
www.napagaybar.com
www.outinthevineyard.com
www.facebook.com/sonomagaydar