Tasting Boxes and a Virtual Passport Weekend Are Available

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Sierra Oro Farm Trail will celebrate its annual Passport Weekend in partnership with Chico State’s Virtual Alumni and Family Weekend on Saturday, October 10, 2020. 

In an effort to keep our community, visitors, farmers and wineries safe, the Sierra Oro Farm Trail is pivoting to a virtual effort this year with deliciously creative options in place. Instead of in-person visits, direct-order tasting boxes from farms and wineries on the trail will be available for delivery or curbside pick-up the first week of October. Boxes will arrive in time to coincide with the virtual farm-to-fork tasting opportunities presented through hosted interactive online tasting videos through a partnership with California State University, Chico’s Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement. 

“This year, residents and guests can tour, taste and toast their way through the Sierra Oro Farm Trail without leaving their homes,” said Nicole Johansson, organizer of the Sierra Oro Farm Trail since 2004. “A purchase of a tasting box supports family farms and wineries and allows everyone to partake in a variety of virtual tasting experiences that keep our ‘meet the farmer’ experience alive for loyal trail goers.”

California State University, Chico’s Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, a 16-year partner in the Sierra Oro Farm Trail’s signature passport weekend, is inviting parents and alumni to celebrate Virtual Alumni and Family Weekend by participating in the tastings and tasting box delivery. 

“This is a great way for us to engage parents and alumni in celebrating our local community and college atmosphere while students are distance learning,” said Shari Anderson, director of the University’s Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement. Plans for virtual family weekend can be found here. The site will be updated as plans unfold. 

Food, wine, and craft beer enthusiasts can now order a Sierra Oro Farm Trail tasting box. For less than the price of two passports and a tank of gas (valued at $150), guests can experience a virtual tasting experience by selecting from three tasting options at www.sierraoro.org.

Food Box $79.99: Will include farm-fresh products made in Butte County, including Lundberg Family Farm’s debut of its new Organic Rice Cake Minis;

Food and Beverage Box $124.99: Will include all food box items plus two bottles of wine and a limited-edition bottle of the new Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Farm Trail Harvest Baltic Porter. Farm Trail Harvest Baltic Porter will be available in limited quantity starting this fall. The first 500 Sierra Oro tasting box orders will receive the sample in their shipment. For more information on the beer collaboration visit www.sierraoro.org;

Sierra Oro Farm Trail Case of Wine $249.99: Will include a case of 12 wine bottles from Sierra Oro Farm Trail boutique wineries.

As part of the University’s participation, beef sticks from the California State University, Chico Meats Lab are included in the tasting boxes. The University Farm has also provided peaches from its beloved peach orchard for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Farm Trail Harvest Baltic Porter.

Virtual tastings will take place to coincide with the items in the tasting box. Interactive videos will run on the University’s GoToMeeting Platform; registration will be required to attend and space is limited. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will debut Sierra Oro Farm Trail Baltic Porter and a toast to Butte County. Maisie Jane Hurtado, Anders Lundberg, Dave Daley from the University Farm will participate in the video.

In addition, active participation and marketing support for Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend is provided by Explore Butte County, committed to generating awareness for local businesses, restaurants, wineries, breweries, destinations and lodging. John Pearson, executive director of Chico Velo and board member for Explore Butte County, will host the virtual tasting and provide an interactive question and answer format for listeners to participate and engage.

Proceeds from the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend benefit the Sierra Oro Farm Trail, dedicated to further developing agri-tourism in Butte County. For more information, visit www.sierraoro.org or call the Butte County Farm Bureau at 530-533-1473.

Passport Weekend is sponsored by Action News Now, Butte County Farm Bureau, California State University, Chico Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Explore Butte County, Lundberg Family Farms, Porter Communications, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Tri Counties Bank.