KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Sauvignon Blanc Experience takes place in less than two weeks at Chacewater Winery in Kelseyville.

The two-day event will bring together winemakers, sommeliers, growers, buyers, media and wine enthusiasts for learning, presentations, technical tastings and trials, food and wine pairings and a grand tasting.

The International Symposium on Friday, May 4, is sold out but tickets are still available for the Grand Tasting on Saturday, May 5.

Approximately 45 wineries, winery associations, and importers have registered to pour Sauvignon Blanc at the Grand Tasting.

Participants include New Zealand Winegrowers, Lodi Winegrape Commission, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Loire Valley producers.

Including the wineries these groups represent, between 50 and 70 wineries will be featured, including wines from New Zealand, France, Chile and all over California.

Some of the international wineries whose Sauvignon Blanc will be poured include Cono Sur from Chile, Kim Crawford and Loveblock Wines from New Zealand and Baudry-Dutour from the Loire Valley.

Domestic wineries will arrive from all over California – from Temecula to Mendocino, from Clarksburg to Napa. Notable California wineries include Honig, Rombauer, Clos Pegase and St. Stupéry.

Lake County, the leading region in California for growing and producing Sauvignon Blanc, is hosting the event and will be represented by more than a dozen wineries, including Steele Wines, Langtry Estate, Shannon Ridge and Brassfield Estate Winery.

In many ways, Kelseyville is an ideal setting for this event. The Lake County winegrowing region, part of the North Coast AVA, has long been known for producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc winegrapes and today makes up approximately 14 percent of the total Sauvignon Blanc acreage in California.

“Lake County winegrowers are some of the most experienced Sauvignon Blanc growers in the country,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “Sauvignon Blanc was one of the first varietals they reached for when post-Prohibition replanting began in earnest 50 years ago.”

The Lake County Winegrape Commission previously hosted two International Sauvignon Blanc Symposia in 2002 and 2005. The Sauvignon Blanc Experience expands on the original symposium concept by including a consumer-oriented grand tasting held in collaboration with the Lake County Winery Association.

“Sauvignon Blanc has been gaining in popularity among U.S. consumers faster than just about any other wine, according to Nielsen data,” said Maria Brunn, former executive director of the Lake County Winery Association. “Sauvignon Blanc has always been a favorite among viticulturalists and winemakers due to its versatility. And now, with the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Experience, consumers can experience the vast breadth of expression as well, with wines at the Grand Tasting ranging in style from bright and crisp to lush and creamy. I would encourage all Sauvignon Blanc producers to participate in this event.”