Gualala Arts and Soroptimist International of Mendocino-Sonoma Coast present:
29th Annual
Architectural Tour, Wine Tasting & Auction

Gualala Arts and Soroptimist International of Mendocino-Sonoma Coast invite you to the 29th annual Architectural Tour, Wine Tasting & Auction to be held on Friday and Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, May 10 & 11, 2013.

The Architectural Tour features unique, innovative, dynamic designs and building techniques by some of Northern California's top architects, designers and builders in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This year's tour salutes one of the design pioneers of The Sea Ranch, Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA, who has been a part of the architecture of The Sea Ranch since its beginning.

The Wine Tasting & Auction complements the Tour by showcasing premium Northern California wines for both tasting and as silent auction lots. This premier wine event is hosted at the Gualala Arts Center, which is an architectural gem nestled in the redwoods with a dramatic auditorium and foyer where the tasting is held.

Complementing the tour, tasting and auction is a month long Architectural Show at the Gualala Arts Center. A display titled "A Family with Designs on Place" will showcase the talents of members of the Lyndon family and will be one of the highlights of the exhibit which opens May 3 and continues through May 26.

Champagne Preview

photo credit: Linda Morley-Wells

The weekend will kick off Friday night with a champagne preview of the raffle and silent auction items at the Gualala Arts Center from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. featuring Korbel California champagnes, including their Blanc de Noirs that was named Best of Class and Sparkling Sweepstakes Winner at the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Gualala's own Cremeria Pazzo Marco is creating a unique gelato designed to pair with the Korbel champagne.

You will be able to browse at leisure and without the crowds the wide selection of wine, gift certificates and other wine-related items available in the silent auction. Many local businesses have donated premium auction lots such as luxurious lodging packages, golf, kayak tours and other great items. You will also be able to preview our showcase raffle prizes, which this year include:

Original painting (at right →) by noted Sonoma county artist Sandy Ostrau, value $1,500; Handcrafted 54" tall vase (← at left) "Twister" made from exotic African red padouk and wenge woods by Robert Gauthier, value $3,200; Wednesday stay and cooking class at The Apple Farm in the Anderson Valley, value $400; Full case (2 bottles each) of Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery Reserve Pinot Noir from the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 vintages, value $800. You will be able to purchase raffle tickets for these great prizes (tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 and can be purchased at the Gualala Arts Center any time from now to the day of the event), and purchase tickets to the Tour and/or Wine Tasting & Auction. While enjoying your champagne and gelato, Rolf Thorson, a Court of Master Sommeliers Level 2 Certified Sommelier and the wine & spirits buyer for the Surf Market, will give a brief overview of how to effectively taste and thus better appreciate the wines being poured the following afternoon at the Wine Tasting & Auction. Rolf will also share some of his insights, anecdotes and special attributes of the wines being offered in the auction lots.

Wine Tasting & Auction

Following the self-guided Architectural Tour you can use your tour ticket as entry to the Wine Tasting & Auction at the Gualala Arts Center on Saturday, May 11 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. If you did not take the tour, you can still attend the Wine Tasting & Auction by purchasing a separate ticket for the event.

The elegance of the Gualala Arts Center has been the location for the wine tasting and auction since 1999. Last year Soroptimist International Mendocino-Sonoma Coast and Gualala Arts partnered to elevate the tasting and auction to a whole new level, making it the premier wine event on the North Coast.

You will enjoy a wide variety of outstanding wines being poured by 25 premium Northern California wineries, accompanied by a delicious menu of thoughtfully paired food donated by local businesses and carefully selected to complement the wines.

photo credit: Linda Morley-Wells

Browse the silent auction lots that feature an impressive array of award-winning wines from 40 Northern California wineries, gift certificates and other wine related adventures. Purchase raffle tickets to win the showcase raffle prizes listed above. View the Architectural Show in the Burnett Gallery and Jacob Foyer and enjoy the beautifully landscaped and art-filled grounds of the Arts Center while you sip your wine. Top off your day by making winning bids on auction lots that will help enhance your wine collection, or give you a new adventure to which you can look forward.

Ticket donations support Soroptimist International of Mendocino-Sonoma Coast and Gualala Arts' efforts to promote both women's programs and public participation in the arts. Tickets for the Architectural Tour, Wine Tasting, & Auction may be purchased for $55 in advance from Brown Paper Tickets or by visiting www.simsc.org. After May 1 tickets can purchased by cash or check at the Gualala Country Inn, 47975 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445 (707-884-4343). Tickets purchased on the day of the tour are $60 and will be available in front of the Stewarts Point Store and at the Gualala Arts Center.

This year we are also offering a Wine Tasting & Auction only ticket (no Architectural Tour) for $20 advance, $5 more day of event, available online at Brown Paper Tickets or in person at Gualala Arts Center and the Dolphin Gallery. For more information call Gualala Arts at 707-884-1138 or visit GualalaArts.org or www.simsc.org.

Gualala Arts and Soroptimist International of Mendocino-Sonoma Coast gratefully acknowledge the following wineries and businesses that are supporting the 29th Annual Architectural Tour, Wine Tasting & Auction through their participation in the tasting and/or donations to the auction and raffle.

Their donations, and your attendance, enhance our organizations' ability to promote both women's programs and public interest and participation in the arts.

Wineries that will be pouring at the Wine Tasting & Auction

Annapolis Winery Baxter Winery Bohème Wines Breggo Cellars Carol Shelton Wines Chalk Hill Claudia Springs Cline Cellars Dutton Goldfield Winery Elke Vineyards Emeritus Vineyards Flowers Vineyard & Winery Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery Frey Vineyards Graton Ridge Cellars Handley Cellars Horse & Plow Husch Vineyards Korbel Champagne Cellars Lazy Creek Vineyards Peay Vineyards Philo Ridge Vineyards Round Pond Estate Sbragia Family Vineyards Woodenhead Vintners Raffle prize donors Sandy Ostrau Master Woodworker Robert Gauthier The Apple Farm in the Anderson Valley Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

photo credit: Linda Morley-Wells

Wineries that donated auction lots

Donors of wine related auction lots

Donors of goods and services

photo credit: Linda Morley-Wells

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.