Wine Country Chinese Legacy Project

Many who live in our beloved wine country are unaware of the significant role played by Chinese laborers in the mid-19th century at the beginning of our world famous wine industry. Their legendary skills as vineyard workers, cave diggers, and cellar workers have been acknowledged by historians.

And now, our Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee has launched an ambitious effort to honor their contributions by building a small traditional Chinese-style pavilion, known as a “Ting,” in Sonoma’s historic Depot Park.

The project received unanimous support from the Sonoma City Council in March 2016 and the Council gave final approval in September 2016. It has received enthusiastic endorsements from: the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, the Sonoma Valley Historical Society, the Redwood Empire Chinese Association, the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and the Mayor of Penglai.

We invite you to help us realize our goal to honor the legacy of these early wine industry pioneers. We need to raise $800,000 (updated amount for 2022) to cover architecture and engineering services, permit fees and construction labor costs. In addition, approval by the City of Sonoma requires that Sonoma Sister Cities will be responsible for costs associated with maintenance of the structure on a permanent basis.

You can find out more information about the project by visiting tingsonoma.org.

Your support is critical. All contributions are tax deductible.

Join our mailing list and become a vital part of this important endeavor!

          Click “Donate” to see various levels and benefits packages.  

    DONATE

   Click Here to See Our Donors