2023 Ironstone Vineyard Concours d’Elegance
150 acres of sprawling vineyard and 300 classic cars
LACar's Harold Osmer reports from the 2023 Ironstone Vineyard Concours d’Elegance - as an invited guest.
By Harold Osmer
Sun, Oct 1, 2023 08:00 PM PST
Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, California hosted their 27th Annual Concours d’Elegance on September 23. Murphys is located in Calaveras County, the heart of California’s historic gold country roughly 140 miles east of San Francisco and 340 miles north of Los Angeles.
The 1100 acre Ironstone property has 150 acres of sprawling vineyard along with a large outdoor entertainment venue for concerts, gatherings, weddings, and (for 27 years running) a wonderful Concours d’Elegance. Just over 300 cars were entered this year in a multitude of categories. Best in Show went to Sacramento’s Kirk Bewley & Stu Laidlaw with their 1910 Stearns 30/60 5-passenger Touring.
(Video courtesy Harold Osmer)
Ragtime Racers were the day’s featured event. Consisting of eight vintage race cars from the first days of auto racing, Ragtime Racers recreated an actual race on several acres of dirt race track carved onto the hillside. The automotive display area emptied as spectators lined the course to watch 19-teens era racers lap side by each for ten laps at a spirited pace. These magnificent cars were then brought back to their display area replete with a fresh coating of dust.
Scheduling for the 2024 Ironstone Vineyard Concours are already underway.
About The Author
Harold Osmer works as a writer as well as a publisher in whatever spare time he can find. He’s authored award-winning books about auto racing in Los Angeles, has a Masters degree in geography, and holds a black belt in karate. He’s a regular at local car shows and race venues where he’s often seen setting up a table and selling books. His show ride is a 1951 Chevy pickup, dressed to emulate a Spec truck, complete with graphics, numbers, and sponsor decals.
