Your journey begins here! Join us for a celebration as we unveil this year’s collection for the KVIE Art Auction. Explore over 250 works, meet inspiring local artists, enjoy fine wines from the Amador Vintners, and sample hors d’oeuvres and desserts from premier restaurants. Together we’ll honor award winning artists.
Tickets are $50 for KVIE supporters and $60 for the general public. Purchase Tickets

Big Crush 2008 Winery Events and Activities PDF Version

* Amador Cellars
Enjoy a festive harvest atmosphere and old world winery ambiance while observing wine-making in progress and tasting freshly pressed wine.
Food: Spicy harvest hors d’oeuvres
Music: Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. with “Over the Edge” and a second band TBD.
Specials/Activities: Watch wine-making in progress from fermentation in small bins to basket pressing and transfer to barrels. Taste freshly pressed 2008 wine, barrel samples of 2007 Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera and Sangiovese, and 2006 new releases. Enjoy special discounts on library wines, including 2003 Chardonnay and 2002 and 2003 Zinfandels, and futures pricing on the 2007 wines.

*Amador Foothill Winery
Put on your dancing shoes or just sit back and enjoy the great music and fine wine.
Food: Assorted wine-friendly nibbles from Andrae’s Bakery.
Music: On Saturday from noon to 4: 00 p.m., sway to the Brazilian rhythms of Gaia, a dynamic local trio. On Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m., Ron Bombardier and the Bayou Boys will perform
Specials/Activities: Savor the new releases of Ferrero Zinfandel, Esola Zinfandel, Katie’s Côte and Aglianico. Special discounts offered on all wines.

* Avio Vineyards
It’s a punch down party at Avio!
Food: Interactive gourmet food and wine pairings throughout the day.
Music: Live music Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: Harvest is in full swing, so it’s time to punch the grapes! We will give winemaking demonstrations and taste wine in the early stages of fermentation – right out of our punching bins – while sharing the punch down duties with our guests at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

* Bantam Cellars
Strut on in and taste what we’re crowing about.
Food: Barbecued chicken, homemade bean salad and pineapple coleslaw.
Specials/Activities: Discounts of 10% off six bottles and 20% off 12 or more bottles offered on all wines.

* Bray Vineyards
Experience the harvest in the heart of Shenandoah Valley, home of BrayZin Hussy Red.
Food: Grilled polenta and sausages and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit and cake to dip.
Music: Squeezebox Steve, accordionista extraordinaire!

*C. G. Di Arie Vineyard and Winery
We are a boutique winery. Taste our elegant, nationally acclaimed, award winning wines.
Food: A selection of “tapas” to pair with our elegant, luscious wines.
Music: Daddy Chillin’ performing both days from 12 noon - 4:00 p.m.

Charles Spinetta Winery
Specials/Activities: Come in and taste the grapes and the wine made from those grapes. Can you detect the similarities? Don’t miss out on our case discounts.

* Convergence Vineyards
We’re having a hoedown! Converge on our western-themed event and ride off with a few bottles of Convergence Vineyards’ finest.
Food: Cowboy campfire chili, Smokey Cornbread Muffins, Gazpacho Soup Shooters and Chocolate Double Decadence Cupcakes with Raspberry Port Surprise.

*Cooper Vineyards
Feast your eyes on the harvest at Cooper Vineyards.
Food: A selection of crostini, spreads and gourmet breads and cheeses.
Specials/Activities: New releases, including Primitivo, Barbera Reserva, Syrah and Sangiovese.

* Deaver Vineyards
Taste what the Shenandoah Valley is all about.
Food: Enjoy an appetizer feast offered by Gourmet Food Giant Robert Rothschild. Selections include assorted dips, spreads, dipping oils, bruschetta and our traditional apricot pepper jelly spread.
Music: Rock to the tunes of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s with the Joint Venture Band on Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., enjoy the cool, smooth jazz of Symposium.
Specials/Activities: 15% discount offered on mixed and full cases of wine (not including library and ports).

Dillian Wines
Taste our generations of experience crafting wonderful Amador County wines.
Food: Handmade Ravioli from Vinciquerra Ravioli Company.
Specials/Activities: Sample select 2007 vintage wines from the barrel and place your order for futures at discounted prices.

* Dobra Zemlja
Big Amador Reds, NO lightweights!
Food: Barbecue, salads, garlic bread, brownies and much more.
Music: The Steve Capitanich Band performing both days from noon to 4:00 p.m.

* Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Easton Wines
Visit the winery where the Rhone Valley meets the Sierra Nevada.
Food: Barbecue lunch on the patio with Zinfandel Shaved Ice for dessert.
Specials/Activities: Play the French version of bocce – “Petanque” – while viewing the harvest on our crush pad. Eight different case specials will be offered, ranging from 40% to 60% off.

* Drytown Cellars
Yes, there’s a winery in Drytown!
Food: Barbecue Tri-tip and Chicken served with sumptuous fall fare.
Music: Dance to the rhythm and blues of the Firebirds and Friends performing Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, tap your foot to the old-timey sounds of San Francisco’s Devine’s Jug Band, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

*Il Gioiello Winery
Enjoy autumn colors on the road less traveled – come to our Harvest Oktoberfest
Food: Oktoberfest grilled sausages with specialty mustards and other accompaniments.
Specials/Activities: Wine, estate grapes and aroma pairings – taste the freshly picked grapes from the vines while learning about small- lot winemaking from our Winemaker. All current and library wines and some barrel samples for future releases will be available for tasting and special pricing.

Jeff Runquist Wines
Come visit Amador’s newest tasting room.
Food: A selection of sweet and savory food bites paired with complementary Jeff Runquist Wines.
Specials/Activities: Test your skills at identifying different aromas and bouquets by taking our smell test.

* Karly
View out fabled vineyards and savor our legendary wines.
Food: Barbecue, baked beans, garlic bread and fresh fruit.
Specials/Activities: Take 10% off 6-12 bottles and 20% off 12 or more.

* Karmere Winery
Start your day at in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
Food: Karmere sparkling spritzers and mimosas served with assorted pastries and desserts.
Music: Jim Glantz will perform ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s Rock n Roll both days.

* Montevina/Terra de Oro
Enjoy our “Harvest Hoedown.”
Food: Harvest Hors d’oeuvres, including Artichoke, Pancetta and Basil Risotto Bites, Chicken Breast and Spinach Terrine Bites and Polenta Squares with Olive Tapenade.
Music: The Lucky Devils band will perform both days from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: $1.00 off all bottle prices, and barrel samples of our latest and greatest.

*Nine Gables
Like everyone else we are in full swing of the Harvest.
Food: We will be serving pulled pork on crostini, meatballs and scrumptious brownies.
Specials/Activities: Come by and check out the early stages of the wine making process from Crush to the barrels on Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The tasting room will be offering additional discounts.

* Nua Dair Vineyards
Come celebrate the end of summer and the 2008 Harvest with us.
Food: Tri tip Barbecue, various hors d’oeuvres and a special decadent chocolate dessert.

* Renwood Winery
We are “dedicated to the art” of fine winemaking.
Food: Join us in our VIP lounge for gourmet burgers, vintage wines and gourmet cheeses. A donation is required to the Renwood Scholarship Fund, (free for RSVP club members).
Music: Nothin’ Personnel on Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m. and the Cue Balls Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: Experience grape stomping. Bring out the Lucy in you. Sunday only, a donation to the Renwood Scholarship Fund is required.

*Shenandoah Vineyards
Join us for a celebration of our 32nd crush.
Food: Enjoy assorted hors d’oeuvres paired with our delicious wines. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic to enjoy under our new, shaded picnic area.
Music: Great Rock ‘n Roll by Crazy Chester Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Specials/Activities: The major grape varieties will be available so you can taste and recognize where the flavors in your wines come from. All new releases will be available for tasting; the art gallery will feature an outstanding exhibit of fabric art; and we will take the opportunity to brag about our new Solar Power system which generates 100% of our electrical needs for the winery, vineyard, tasting room and residence.

* Sobon Estate
The Sobon Family is your host for a celebration of the winery and vineyard’s 132nd year of operation.
Food: Delicious hors d’oeuvres will be served, and our knowledgeable staff will guide you through some very exciting food-and-wine pairings.
Music: Jazz tunes performed by DeWald Taylor Quartet Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: Meet our winemaker, Paul Sobon, who will discuss this year’s harvest and describe his winemaking philosophy. A varietal grape tasting will help you distinguish different grape flavors and how they’re expressed in wine. The museum, curated by Shirley Sobon, will be open for you to browse the early life and winemaking history of the Shenandoah Valley.

* Stonehouse Vineyards and Winery
Come by and try our 2004 Stonehouse Cabernet Sauvignon “Legacy” Shultz Family vineyards recently given 92 points by Wine Enthusiast.
Food: European food with Scandinavian flair.
Specials/Activities: Receive great discounts on our remaining 2003 Zinfandel and other selected vintages.

* Story Winery
Your travels down Bell Road will be greatly rewarded at Story Winery.
Food: Umami Hors d’oeuvres and Chocolate Fountain.
Music: The Bob Williams Jazz Quartet will perform from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m., enjoy the music of the Barry Duncan Jazz Band.
Specials/Activities: Case specials, library wine tasting and 2008 vintage Zinfandel barrel samples.

* Sutter Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Our harvest views are almost as spectacular as our wines!
Food: A variety of refreshing salads.
Music: The Tri Tone Subs will perform on Saturday from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: On Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., join a demonstration and discussion of various grape varieties and vineyard growing methods, which will include barrel tasting. Plan to spend some time enjoying the views and our new bocce ball courts.

*TKC Vineyards
Don’t miss a toe-tapping good time at TKC.
Food: A selection of hors d’oeuvres
Music: Enjoy the music of Remembrance from noon to 3:00 p.m. both days.
Specials/Activities: Barrel tasting, futures for sale, and special discounts on selected
wines.

*Vino Noceto
Catch some Tuscan sun at Vino Noceto.
Food: Feast on Andrae’s sandwiches, gourmet cheeses, biscotti and fruit.
Music: The Esquires, rockin’ blues music, both days from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Specials/Activities: Take a self-guided vineyard tour and, if you’re lucky, catch the crush in action. Sample the 2008 harvest in progress, including some refreshing, ice-cold Frivolo from the tank. Taste through the Noceto line-up, especially our world class Sangioveses. Special discounts and close-out specials.

*Wilderotter Vineyard
Come to Wilderotter Vineyards to enjoy great wines and a lovely outdoor setting.
Food: Tri-tip and assorted sausage samples along with barbecue chicken sandwiches and assorted cheeses.
Music: The Shamans perform classic rock favorites both days from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Specials/Activities: Discounts offered on selected wines.

* Wineries with tickets available at the door.