2007-09-28
Tasting Room of the Week:
LEDSON WINERY
& VINEYARDS
by Millie Howie
Wine adventurers traveling around the Sonoma County Wine Country have discovered that they don’t have to go to Europe to enjoy a visit to a castle. They merely need to head to Highway 12 outside of Kenwood to be captivated, by the sight of Ledson Winery and Vineyards.
Originally designed to be the family home of Steve Ledson, the public became so intrusive, even climbing the fence to peer through the windows, that the Ledsons went through the complicated permit process and transformed the beautiful building into a winery, producing small varietal lots of outstanding wines.
The approach from the parking area is down a path lined with white tree roses. Then the door opens to reveal an imposing staircase leading to a second floor where club members and visiting dignitaries may enjoy a (90 minute) private tasting with a personal wine consultant, and where a magnificent pair of suites await brides and grooms celebrating their weddings at the Castle. Those who would like to may enjoy wandering around the Castle by starting in front overlooking the 14-acre Merlot vineyard and lead past the array of picnic tables shaded by a grove of century-old oak trees. Back inside, there are three comfortable and elegant tasting salons where visitors are offered a choice of the Knights Tasting for a fee of $5, the Nobility Tasting for $10 or the Royalty Tasting for $15.
While sipping the wines, the guest may wish to sign up as a member of one of the winery’s five wine club levels, particularly when it is pointed out that one of the benefits is participation in special parties at the Castle.
In the Crystal Room, a display of the major awards Ledson wines have received is a dazzling sight, including honors as best of show, best of class and multiple gold medals.
As the visit continues past a tasteful display of high quality logo-wear, the scent of freshly baked bread wafts on the air, demanding that a trip through the Market Place be the next leg of the exploration. Here are salads, desserts, made-to-order sandwiches and a tempting selection of cheeses, many from local producers. All the foods are prepared fresh daily in the Castle’s kitchen.
With wine by the bottle or glass it is easy to create a spur-of-the-moment gourmet lunch or snack. After lunch would be a good time to scan the shelves and fill a shopping bag with some of the unusual salsas, wine sauces, jams, oils, vinegars and other local specialties to enjoy along with your favorite Ledson wines when you get home.
Tasting room hours at Ledson Winery & Vineyards are 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily at 7335 Highway 12 in Kenwood. Great descriptions of the Castle and its offerings are available at a comprehensive website: www.ledson.com.
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