Community Corner
Who's Who in Sonoma: Brenda Lhormer
She lives in Sonoma, but is launching the Napa Valley Film Festival in November. Yes, it's possible to be in both valleys!
Brenda Lhormer has had an exciting business career: She’s handled public relations for the 1984 LA Olympics, produced events for large Silicon Valley companies, coordinated half time shows for the San Francisco 49ers, run seminar-marketing programs at both Oracle and Microsoft, and helped launch a new cross-platform venture, NapaStyle, for acclaimed Napa Valley chef Michael Chiarello.
Now she lives in Sonoma, and co-directed the Sonoma Valley Film Festival from 2001 to 2008 with her husband Marc.
Brenda and Marc also produced "Bottle Shock", the highly acclaimed film about the team at Chateau Montelena that competed in the Judgment of Paris wine tasting in 1976 – the historic event that put Napa Valley on the map. Now Brenda focuses on developing new film projects, as well as working full time as the Co-Founder and Director of the new Napa Valley Film Festival, premiering November 9-13 in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga.
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
She crosses the Sonoma/Napa line regularly.
Sonoma Patch: How long have you lived in Sonoma?
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Brenda: We moved here in 1999. I still cherish every opportunity that I have to sit on our porch with a glass of wine and watch the sunset.
SP: What originally brought you here?
Brenda: Marc and I had been living in Seattle for nine years and after Microsoft, I was making films for non-profit organizations. I kept having to cancel shoots because it was always raining!
SP: How long were you and Marc with the Sonoma Valley Film Festival?
Brenda: Seven years! It was our life and it provided me the opportunity to get super involved in the community.
SP: What made you decide to leave the Sonoma Film Festival and start the Napa Valley Film Festival?
Brenda: I never wanted to leave. It was a sad time for us. But we had a vision for the festival that the board didn’t share, so we had to go.
SP: I have a history that crosses the Sonoma/Napa line as well. There’s that silly “rivalry” thing happening. What’s your take on it?
Brenda: Marc and I always had a vision to produce a Sonoma Valley Film Festival (in April) and a Napa Valley Film Festival in the fall (November) each year. We live in the wine country, and I don’t identify with Sonoma or Napa specifically.
SP: You’re “bi-valley.”
Brenda: As we were developing the Napa Valley Film Festival in the early stages (2009-2010), we heard a lot about Napa vs. Sonoma rivalry. Most of it is all in jest; but I must admit I have met a few people in both Sonoma and Napa who won’t go over the hill.
SP: Are you involved with any projects in Sonoma now?
Brenda: Any free time we have is spent on making our next movie. Once I get through November, I’ll try to spend more time in the community where I live. Most of all, I hope we can successfully build the bridge between Sonoma and Napa and get Sonoma residents to attend the festival. We did a “mini festival” in downtown Napa last November and I saw a lot of Sonoma residents at our screenings of "The Kings Speech" and "Blue Valentine". Even one of my favorite Sonoma Chefs, Rob Larman, is going to be part of the festival.
SP: Do your drink 50 percent Sonoma wine and 50 percent Napa wine?
Brenda: Yes!
SP: What do you do in your free time?
Brenda: I try to get to a few times a week. And Marc and I love to hike. Oh, and eat a lot.