The destination of choice this winter is The Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, located just north of Santa Rosa, in the heart of Sonoma County.  Spending a day at the education and tasting center for Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates is like going on a getaway to a gorgeous chateau in the wine country of Bordeaux, but you don’t have to buy an expensive plane ticket to get there, and you get to eat and drink your way through an amazing educational experience. Plan on spending quite some time at this lovely winery, where all of your senses will be delighted. There is so much to do and see. Start your educational experience in the three-acre organic demonstration gardens. These beautiful, bountiful gardens reflect the heartfelt commitment by KJ, to teaching people about food and wine pairing.

The White Wine and Red Wine Sensory Gardens is an amazing kind of living laboratory, where visitors can explore new flavors.  See, smell and taste the different vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers that make up the wine tasting descriptors. The gardens also include vegetable trials and a medicinal herb garden.  Many of the varieties planted here are heirloom plants and KJ participates in seed saving and the exchange of seeds with other Heirloom growers. Garden Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. (weather permitting). Private garden tours and wine tastings are available for groups of 10 or more at $10-$20 per person.

After a stroll in the gardens, it’s time to have a classic wine country culinary experience.  The Kendall-Jackson Food & Wine Pairings is not to miss! The wines are sensual, the presentation elegant, and the pairing, impressive. Take your pick of three exceptional tastings: The Wine & Cheese Pairing, The Wine & Dessert Pairing, and the Reserve Wine & Food Pairing. The crème de la crème? The Reserve Wine & Food Pairing! Kendall-Jackson Executive Chef Justin Wangler has created a visually sensual and gastronomically sumptuous, seven course pairing, focusing on the winery’s small-production, limited release wines. The winter menu is heavenly!

The rich Lobster-Pumpkin Bisque complemented by the creamy 2009 Grand Reserve Chardonnay is a stellar start!

Next up is the 2010 Vintner’s Reserve Riesling combined with a Buckwheat Crepe with Prosciutto, House-made Apple-Pear Butter & Bellwether Farms Carmody Cheese. The local cheese is melted, along with grilled green onions and prosciutto, and creates a creamy almost quesadilla-like concoction which plays in perfect harmony with this crisp Riesling.

Then comes a wonderfully earthy 2007 Highland Estates Seco Highlands Pinot Noir  that creates a symphony of flavors with the succulent Seared Trumpet Royale Mushrooms with Fried-Shallots.

A yummy Sweet Tea Brined Niman Ranch Pork Belly Slider with Syrah BBQ Sauce brings out the beautiful long finish of a 2006 Highland Estates Alisos Hills Syrah.

Not to be missed is the 2005 Highland Estates Trace Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon paired to perfection with the incredibly tender Cabernet Braised Short Ribs. The shift from savory to sweet comes in the last two delectable dishes.  

Spiced Carrot Cake with Ginger Foam with a complex 2008 Late Harvest Riesling, and finally, homemade Caramel Corn paired with the lush 2007 Late Harvest Chardonnay. What incredible indulgence for only $30 per person ($35 per person for groups of six or more). Club members get 25% off on all pairings.

Looking for a little lighter fare? Try the Wine & Cheese Pairing of Artisan Cheeses from Sonoma and Marin counties with six of Kendall-Jackson’s food-friendly wines. Each farmstead cheese and created accompaniments from the estate culinary garden is paired with a different wine that enhances and compliments its flavor and texture to provide a perfect balance. Cost is $25 per person ($30 per person for groups of six or more).

The Wine & Dessert Pairing makes for a fantastic finale, or just satisfies your sweet tooth. Enjoy five unique dessert wines paired with seasonally-focused sweet bites in this unique dessert-focused tasting flight. Cost is $20 per person ($25 per person for groups of six or more)

With advance notice, most dietary restrictions and food allergies, including vegetarian/ vegan and gluten-free, can be accommodated. To make an appointment, call (707) 576-3810.  

For those who want to only indulge in a favorite Kendall-Jackson wine, enjoy the Classic Tasting, which offers special limited-production and small-lot releases available only direct from the winery. For more than 20 years in a row, the Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay remains America’s favorite Chardonnay.  The cost is only $5 per person and complimentary for club members plus three guests. For only $10 more upgrade to the Reserve Tasting, which includes four limited reserve releases from the Highland Estates series and Stature releases, when available. Check out the website and get a complimentary tasting for two coupon, good on the Classic Tasting at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center located at 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By the way, see the President of Kendall-Jackson, Rick Tigner, appear as one of the next bosses to go undercover during the upcoming season of the Emmy Award-nominated reality series, “Undercover Boss.” In response to his doing the show, Tigner says, “This company was built on Jess Jackson’s passionate commitment to quality, so it was important for me to make sure we are continuing the work Jess started by building on the family legacy of quality, taste and unparalleled winemaking.” The episode will air Sunday, January 29, (check local listings). To celebrate, through the month of January, a complimentary Undercover Boss “bite” will be offered to every guest who does a tasting at the Wine Center.  Call for more information 1-866-287-9818 or email  kjwines@kj.com.