Winemaker-turned-falconer John Hawley is leading one of Sonoma County’s most unique wine tasting experiences at Hawley Winery in Dry Creek Valley.At the winery’s organic estate vineyard on Branford Mountain, falcons play an important role protecting grapes from hungry birds during the growing season.

The Falconry & Wine Experience offers guests the opportunity to learn about the ancient art of falconry from Hawley during a guided vineyard tour, falconry demonstration and wine tasting.

A licensed falconer, Hawley developed a fascination with raptors as a teenager. After making wine for Clos du Bois and Kendall-Jackson, he launched Hawley Winery in 1996.

Since 2015, his sons, Paul and Austin, have headed the family-owned winery, allowing Hawley to devote more time to falconry. Over the past decade, he has trained a kestrel, a red-tailed hawk, a Cooper’s hawk and a goshawk and has raised peregrine falcons.

The falconry experience is offered at 10 a.m. on Fridays and lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Pricing is $85 per person, or $65 for wine club members. Guests must be at least 21 years old.

Hawley Winery: 6387 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg; 707-431-2705; hawleywinery.com

Gay Wine Weekend returns to Sonoma Valley

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Gay Wine Weekend returns July 17-19 for three days of fabulous fun in Sonoma Valley.

Hosted by Out in the Vineyard, a Sonoma-based event company serving the LGBTQ+ community, the weekend benefits Face to Face, a local nonprofit that supports people in need.

The festivities begin Friday, July 17, with a VIP opening reception and a selection of wine dinners. Highlights include the Girl & the Fig with Three Sticks Wines, an LGBTQ+ Women Winemaker Dinner at Beltane Ranch, El Dorado Kitchen and Brandon Gregory Estate, and Dead Letter with La Crema Wines.

On Saturday, July 18, guests can choose from several Sonoma County wine tours, including the Boutique to Estate Wine Tour (Hamel Family Winery, Imagery Estate and Little Vineyards), Discover Russian River Valley Tour (La Crema, Bricoleur Vineyards) and Gateway to Sonoma Tour (Ram’s Gate, Anaba Winery, Larson Family Winery).

Other highlights include Saturday’s Twilight T-Dance with DJ Ryan Kenney at Cornerstone Sonoma, a Drag Queen Sunday Brunch at The Lodge at Sonoma, Sunday’s Closing Pool Soiree, and Mary Lambert in concert at Sebastiani Theatre.

For tickets and information, visit outinthevineyard.com.

Sonoma County Vintners Pour + Explore: Sonoma Valley

Sonoma County Vintners’ monthly Pour + Explore series returns Friday, July 24, with a tasting highlighting the distinct wines of Sonoma Valley.

Hosted at Ram’s Gate Winery in the Carneros appellation, the walk-around tasting will feature wines from more than 25 Sonoma Valley wineries paired with light appetizers.

The series continues Aug. 20 with a tasting highlighting rosé and aromatic white wines from across Sonoma County.

Pour + Explore: Sonoma Valley: 5:30 p.m-8 p.m. Friday, July 24. Tickets are $75, plus tax and service fees.

Ram’s Gate Winery: 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma; ramsgatewinery.com. For information, call Sonoma County Vintners at 707-277-1041.