There's still time to take part in Wine Country's recovery from the October wildfires. A group of community-minded people from Sonoma County and San Francisco have created Rise Up Sonoma, a fundraising dinner to be held at 4 p.m. December 3 in Santa Rosa. Dozens of local culinary stars will be on hand to serve gourmet food as well as local wine and beer. Tickets cost $500 and limited VIP seats sell for $1,500.
Each participating vintner will also provide a rare three-liter bottle of wine to be featured in a silent auction, which will take place throughout the evening. Musical entertainment is also part of the event, with a special performance in the works.
"Rise Up Sonoma is about rebuilding this amazing place," said Duskie Estes of Zazu Kitchen + Farm in Sebastopol. "Chefs from Sonoma and San Francisco and farmers came together during the fires to feed the firefighters and folks who lost their homes. This is about power and strength in the face of a terrible disaster that affected each and everyone of us here."
More than 50 chefs and restaurants will be participating in Rise Up Sonoma, along with 37 wineries and handcrafted beverage makers like Bear Republic Brewing Company and Russian River Brewing Co.
"For Rise Up Sonoma, we are paired with Nancy Oakes of Boulevard and Devoto Farms in Sebastopol," Estes said. "We are serving applewood smoked hog sliders, with devoto apple slaw and cider vinegar chicharrone."
All of the proceeds from this event will be donated to charities serving those affected by the fires.