This year’s delightful event (May 16-19) showcased the region’s culinary diversity and sustainable farming practices while raising money for several foundations and non-profits, including Farm to Pantry, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos, Healdsburg Future Farmers of America, and the Hawaii Community Foundation.
The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience welcomed 2,200 attendees who immersed themselves in a celebration of food and wine, enjoying the creations of chefs and winemakers from Sonoma County and beyond.
Event highlights included “Maui at The Matheson,” a special dinner featuring Hawaiian chef Lee Anne Wong and host chef Dustin Valette. It drew notable guests like Cameron Crowe, director of Almost Famous, and raised funds for the Hawaii Community Foundation. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri, author and Emmy Award- winning television presenter, welcomed an enthusiastic crowd to Guy’s Big Bottle Party later in the evening and continued the spirit of giving, raising funds for those impacted by last year’s devastating Maui wildfires.
The sold-out outdoor concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards, featuring Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, drew fans from near and far.
Automotive event sponsor Mazda collaborated with Bricoleur Vineyards for a luxurious dining experience that centered around the Japanese concept of omotenashi – wholehearted hospitality, which Mazda says mirrors their philosophy. Before dinner, guests sipped rosé, enjoyed light bites, and viewed the new Mazda 2025 CX-70 on display.
Food Network star Maneet Chauhan headlined a Bollywood night at La Crema winery, captivating guests with her delicious Indian dishes and dancing.
“Our event exceeded every expectation we had and was more magical than we could dream. This year we leaned into priceless experiences that highlighted the beauty, majesty, agricultural bounty and culinary excellence of Sonoma County and all it has to offer,” said Steve Dveris, founder and CEO of Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience. “This wine destination is world-class and I am enormously proud of our team, which put together an event worthy of the region.”
The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience concluded with a refreshing Wine-Down Pool Party at Francis Ford Coppola.
The annual event welcomed both returning favorites and new faces among its lineup of chefs, including Bravo’s Top Chef winner Kelsey Barnard Clark; Iron Chef America regular Jeffrey Lunak; Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard; and Viet Pham, Food Network’s Chopped star, Food & Wine’s Best New Chef, and Iron Chef America winner. Local, beloved chefs included Domenica Catelli, Duskie Estes, Crista Leudtke, Tracey Shepos Cenami, Leah Scurto, and Ari Weiswasser.
Partners including Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Stonestreet Estate Vineyards, and the Foley Food & Wine Society contributed to the event’s success, alongside the co-founders, the Sonoma County Winegrowers.