Celebrate harvest, crush at these Sonoma County events

Like the corn brushing against the pumpkins in the fields and the viognier meeting the zinfandel on the crush pad, Sonoma County food and wine enthusiasts enjoy coming together in early autumn to rub shoulders and celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.

This weekend, the first weekend of fall, you can get up close to the delicious wine and food in your own back yard with all kinds of agricultural activities, from a hands-on grape harvest and an heirloom tomato festival to a visit to the barnyards of local farms.

There’s something for the whole family, including a full Harvest Moon watching on Sunday organized by Sonoma County Landpaths. So grab your overalls and your garden gloves, your high heels and hiking boots. It’s time to head out to experience harvest.

Sonoma Valley Crush Festival: Thirteen wineries throughout the heart of Sonoma Valley will open their doors for an array of hands-on harvest fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Sunday, Sept. 25 to 27. Activities include grape sampling in the vineyards, crush pad tours, fresh pressed juice and grape tasting, a lesson on reading refractometers and meet-the-winemaker opportunities. Cost is $35 for a three-day pass. To reserve, visit heartofsonomavalley.com or call 431-1137.

Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival: A Sonoma tradition since 1897, this granddaddy of harvest festivals kicks off Friday, Sept. 25, with an Opening Night Gala at the historic Sonoma Barracks that includes live music, wine tasting and food from local restaurants. On Saturday, Sept. 26, the whole family can enjoy the firefighters’ water fight, grape stomp competition, live music, food and kids’ events, culminating with the Bear Flag reenactment in front of the Sonoma Barracks at 7 p.m. and the “Get Your Glow On” Parade at 8 p.m. on the Plaza. On Sunday, Sept. 27, there’s a 12K and 5K run, plus more competitive grape stomping, food, music and kids’ events. Gala tickets are $90. VIP Weekend Pass is $199. Wine tasting tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $20. eventbrite.com.

Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival: The 19th annual ode to the juicy fruits of fall takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, 5007 Fulton Rd., Santa Rosa. Taste through the more than 150 varieties of tomatoes grown in the estate’s culinary gardens, take a garden tour, enjoy a wine and food pairing, check out the popular Chef’s Challenge and vote for your favorite tomato dish prepared by nearly 50 chefs. Tickets: $95, to benefit Ceres Community Project. kj.com. 866-287-9818.

Weekend Along the Farm Trails: Families from all over can get a free “Peek Behind Barnyard Gates” during the Sonoma County Farm Trails’ annual open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27. Meet with farmers and artisan producers, pet the animals, take a cooking demo, go on a hayride and enjoy tastes fresh from the source. Many farms will offer snacks, lunches and picnic sites. Bring a cooler to take home your farm-fresh treasures. To register and receive an itinerary and map, visit farmtrails.org. Note: Some of the farms are only open one day of the weekend.

Hike at the Seghesio Family Vineyards’ Home Ranch: Explore the century-old vines at the Seghesio Home Ranch in Cloverdale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The winery’s own outdoors enthusiast will lead an adventure through the historic zinfandel vineyards to the top of Rattlesnake Hill. Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with a delicious lunch and wine on a scenic perch overlooking the Alexander Valley. $55. 395-3609. vinovisit.com.

Harvest Fair Awards Dinner: Find out which wineries will win this year’s coveted Sweepstakes and Best of Class awards at the Harvest Awards Dinner 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. The evening begins with a wine reception featuring food from the top winners in the Harvest Fair Professional Food Competition and an awards ceremony celebrating Sonoma County’s agricultural leaders, followed by a gourmet dinner by John Ash & Co. of Santa Rosa, Cocktail attire recommended. Tickets are $125 at harvestfair.org. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa.

Ode to the Harvest Moon: LandPaths has organized an evening hike and picnic at Occidental’s Bohemiam Ecological Preserve at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, during the full moon. Led by Sandy Fisher, the hike is geared toward adults but can accommodate kids. Bring sturdy boots or shoes, clothing layers, binoculars, flashlights and a picnic dinner and water. Hikers will meet at the Bohemian Ecological Preserve, 6773 Bohemian Highway, just past Westminster Woods. Registration is required at landpaths.org. For questions, e-mail outings@landpaths.org or call 524-9318.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.