Gay Wine Weekend – Bottoms Up!

Your eyes caress the verdant hillside, speckled with grapevines and a dusky glow. The lazy wind provides just enough cooling air to elevate your twilight experience in the majestic vineyard.

Then suddenly, a shocking pink hairdo appears in the distance. It’s marching directly towards you. But it’s not alone. Two, five, a dozen and a half – these neon wigs are on a mission. The heads to which the hairpieces are attached gradually come into view. They are bearded, sassy men sporting mumus and attitude.

Are we being invaded?

Relax, honey! It’s just Gay Wine Weekend.

The festivities recently sprawled across Sonoma County, leaving joy, empowerment and *minor* hangovers in their wake. It began with a mirthful meet & greet, where winemakers poured on the charm (not to mention a bevy of yummy vintages). Gay rights icon Jim Obergefell was proudly in attendance, radiating inspiration as he served the perfect Pinot. See, in addition to fighting for marriage equality, Obergefell also founded Equality Vines.

Man, we feel so unproductive by comparison. Oh well, more wine please!

Gourmet dinners heated up the night, connecting hundreds of foodies to a handful of A-list chefs who concocted culinary pairings for the ample vino. Stuffed and satiated, Wine Weekenders shook their proverbial groove things at after-parties galore.

As night turned into Saturday, the corks kept a-poppin’. Tours traversed several LGBTQ-friendly wineries, and naps abounded at the host hotels: The Lodge at Sonoma and Flamingo Resort. Guests rested their sexy bones before rallying anew for the T-Dance sponsored by Metrat Chateau St. Jean. Ooh la la!

The aforementioned pink-haired bros were out in full force, as were the crooners of HomoPhonics, an a cappella offshoot of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Libations lubricated the evening, making it a blast and a half!

Those who survived until Sunday gathered for a drag brunch, where Face 2 Face auctioned off a series of fabulous vacations and vintages. Generosity was at the top of the menu as eager bidders shelled out approximately $60,000 for the wonderfully worthy cause.

Gay Wine Weekend wound down with the Pool Soiree sponsored by GED Magazine. Sexy swimmers flocked to a private residence and love overflowed from every corner of the event, convincing us to book our tickets for next year’s shenanigans ASADP (as soon as damn possible). Cin-cin for the win!