A new, laid-back version of Sonoma County Harvest Fair's kickoff wine and food event made its debut Friday night, drawing 1,500 to Grace Pavilion at the fairgrounds.
Gone were the limousines, tuxedos and formal dresses. Levi's and cowboy boots were in fashion.
The casual scene was just fine with Tom Jackson of Santa Rosa, a long-time fairgoer. "It suits Sonoma County," he said.
Dubbed "The Grand Tasting," Friday night's event didn't include the fair's annual awards presentation. Winners of the wine and food competition were announced at an industry dinner last week.
That meant wine and food lovers could plan their tasting in advance, said Mike Martini of Taft Street Winery, who was pouring his gold medal 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris.
"You can go right to the winners," he said. "It's an opportunity to taste a lot of great stuff."
More than 150 gold medal wines were poured Friday.
The tasting was held earlier in the evening to attract an after-work crowd.
Award-winning restaurants and artisan food makers offered samples. "It's better for the consumers," Martini said.
This year's Harvest Fair includes other changes. There's the Marketplace, where the top-rated wines and foods are for sale. Food samples will be available.
Local chefs offer cooking demonstrations this weekend at the fair's Showcase Cafe.
Sonoma County's popular food trucks will join the fair's traditional purveyors today and Sunday. Chefs will vie in a Hispanic food cook-off Sunday at 4 p.m.
Other fair attractions haven't changed. Wine and food tasting continues today and tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m.
There's a microbrew tasting today from 1 to 5 p.m.
The fair's World Championship Grape Stomp is today and Sunday. Both days feature jazz music, an art show, farm animals, kids' games, a shopping hall, carnival, giant pumpkins, apple-tasting and farm displays.
General admission is $8 and $3 for kids 7-12.
Weekend wine tasting costs an additional $12, including a glass and four taste tickets. Additional tickets are four for $8 or $2.50 each.
The microbrew tasting is $15, including a glass and four taste tickets. Additional tickets are four for $12 or $3 each.
The complete schedule is available at www.harvestfair.org. The fair ends Sunday at 7 p.m.
You can reach Staff Writer Steve Hart at 521-5205 or steve.hart@pressdemocrat.com.
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