Sonoma Valley Marks 200 Years of Wine and Community with the 2026 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
The 129th annual festival on the historic Sonoma Plaza caps a three-year bicentennial celebration and invites the community to raise a glass to wine’s enduring power to bring people together
Sonoma, Calif., July 20, 2026 – The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival returns to the historic Sonoma Plaza September 25 to 27, 2026, closing a three-year celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Sonoma Valley Wine. The 129th annual festival arrives during the Year of Community, a theme that honors what wine has always done best: bring people together.
This year’s festival introduces several new experiences, headlined by a Friday evening harvest dinner for roughly 500 guests beneath the lights at the iconic Sonoma Plaza Horseshoe, with a multi-course meal from the girl & the fig, wines poured by Sonoma Valley vintners, and dueling piano entertainment.
Also new is a Vintage Car Show, launched in partnership with Presenting Sponsor INFINITI of Serramonte. Beautifully restored vintage automobiles and the latest INFINITI models will line the Plaza in front of City Hall, celebrating both heritage and innovation. Intimate harvest micro-events at local wineries round out the weekend, offering behind-the-scenes access to Sonoma Valley during harvest.
Two centuries ago, Father José Altimíra and Indigenous workers planted the first official vineyard in Sonoma Valley, the roots of California’s wine industry. That Mission Vineyard is still farmed today by Sebastiani Vineyards, which purchased the property in 1902. The bicentennial arc began with the Year of the Farmer in 2024 and the Year of the Vintner in 2025; the 2026 festival closes the chapter by spotlighting the diverse voices, stories, and people who embody the spirit of Sonoma Valley.
“Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of the California wine industry,” said Robyn Sebastiani, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance (SVVGA). “The final year of celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Sonoma Valley wine gives us the opportunity to showcase how wine creates community, whether through its cultivation or gathering people to enjoy it together with family, friends and future friends.”
Festival Weekend Schedule
Friday, September 25: Sonoma Valley Harvest Dinner at the Historic Sonoma Plaza
In a nod to the Year of Community, the Harvest Dinner moves to the heart of the Plaza. Connected tables form one grand harvest table wrapping the horseshoe driveway in front of Sonoma City Hall, bringing hundreds of guests together under the open sky.
Saturday, September 26: Daytime Festival on the Historic Sonoma Plaza
Free and open to the public, the day kicks off with the 5K Fun Run at 8 a.m., followed by the Blessing of the Grapes and the beloved Historic Grape Stomp Competition. The Plaza also features live music, an Artisan Fair, kids’ activities, food vendors, and the Wine Garden Tasting Experience, with five-taste passes through a curated selection of Sonoma Valley wines.
Saturday, September 26: Sonoma Valley Grand Tasting, 6 p.m.
An evening tasting under the stars at the historic Sonoma Barracks, featuring wines from more than 50 wineries across all six of the valley’s appellations, plus cuisine from top local chefs and artisans. Guests can meet winemakers and winegrowers and sample current vintages.
NEW! Sunday, September 27: Brunch & Bubbles, 10 a.m.–Noon
The weekend concludes with brunch experiences at wineries throughout Sonoma Valley—sparkling wines, seasonal fare, and vineyard settings, the perfect finale to the region’s signature harvest celebration.
Tickets are on sale now HERE. Proceeds benefit the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation. For the full schedule and tickets, visit valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org.