Hospitality lives large in wine country, and after all, that’s what wine is all about: bringing people together over food and conversation.  Whether you’re looking for brunch, oysters, caviar, picnic fare or a bona fide sit down food and wine pairing by a pro chef, we have you covered.

Take your Senses on a Journey

Think Cabernet is the dancing partner of beef alone? Chef Britny Maureze of Sequoia Grove will show you what a versatile dance partner Cabernet can be, even if you’re a vegetarian or a pescatarian.  “Everyone thinks that Cabernet pairs only with beef,” says Maureze. “Sure, it’s a fantastic match for beef’s richness and fat, but it’s my goal to show you how versatile it can be with a range of foods.”  She’s been known to pair crispy skinned black cod over caramelized parsnip puree, Beluga lentils and fennel and apple relish, with an earthy Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and duck confit with mole rojo and pickled vegetables with a Christian Vineyard Cabernet. With the winery’s flagship Cambium blend, Maureze nails it with Denver steak and a voluptuous Bernaise sauce.

Frank Family Vineyards in Napa just opened their brand-new Miller House, which is the site for the winery’s most exclusive and elevated experiences. Frank Family wines from winemaker Todd Graff are poured alongside the cuisine of celebrity Chef Christina Machamer. Each new pairing is hand-selected to demonstrate how the aromas, textures and flavor profiles of Frank Family’s estate-driven wines are accentuated by food.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in the Sonoma Valley was among the first to embrace wine and food pairing and was twice named “Best Restaurant in America” by Open Table diners. Today, gather in their estate’s dining room for a five-course, five-wine fine dining pairing experience. A lighter choice is four wines paired with tapas-style creations presented in their Estate Pairing hosted under their Vineyard Portico. Chef Janiak harnesses inspiration from the winery’s culinary farm.

Ram’s Gate Winery, located on a hill in Carneros with a splendid view, offers a seasonal wine and food pairing daily. Guests enjoy a seated five-course, seasonally inspired menu that offers unique and ever-changing plates, such as a lobster cappucino and miso carbonara, created by Executive Chef Ruby Oliveros to pair with the wines of Winemaker Joe Nielsen.

Lynmar Estate welcomes you to a lavish food and wine pairing experience, crafted by Estate Chef David Frakes, whose background includes Gary Danko at the Ritz-Carlton, Applewood Inn in Guerneville and Beringer Vineyards. Four savory dishes showcase seasonal estate ingredients, many farmed by head gardener, Justino Rosales. Among the pairings, Sparkling Rosé is served with warm organic popcorn seasoned with crimson rhubarb and anise hyssop salt; 2019 Monastery Chardonnay complements a chilled English pea, fava bean and mint soup with Persian lime Crème Fraîche; 2019 Adams Vineyard Chardonnay pairs with herbed Beggar’s Purse filled with Bellwether Farm’s ricotta and garden flowers topped with blood orange vinaigrette made with estate Frantoio olive oil; and 2018 Monastery Pinot Noir complements grilled Basque-spiced lamb tenderloin with heirloom carrot risotto cake. For the vegetarian option, 2018 Susanna’s Vineyard Pinot Noir pairs with herbed potato pavé, seared Trumpet Royale and conserved Mycopia mushrooms with black garlic.

Rooted is an immersive wine and culinary experience with a seasonal six-course wine and food pairing at a communal family table. Culinary Advisor, Chef Charlie Palmer teamed up with the team at Bricoleur Vineyards to create a sampling of six wines along with perfect pairings for you to enjoy. The menu is subject to change based on the Chef’s Seasonal Selection. Bricoleur also offers a small bites wine and food pairing as well as an exclusive, multi-course, after hours wine and dinner experience.

Three Sticks offers two ways to enjoy food and wine, including their special Food and Wine pairing in concert with the Consortio Group, held Friday—Sundays only at The Adobe in downtown Sonoma. Chef James Nobel and owner Chef Abri Chavira offer a guided educational experience paired with Three Sticks Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Craving oysters? Reserve the Merroir tasting of oysters and Chardonnays, Monday through Friday, May through October. Enjoy a flight of single-vineyard Three Sticks Chardonnays paired with three types (six total) of fresh oysters, provided by El Dorado Kitchen.

Let’s Do Lunch ... or Brunch!

V. Sattui is famous both for their enormous selection of wines and the multitude of options from their Artisan Deli, including sandwiches, panini, salads, pastas, charcuterie made in their own salumeria, along with 200 different cheeses, and fresh fruits.  On weekends, their food truck offers grilled seasonal entrees, salads, pizzas, and truffle parmesan fries, along with fresh-baked cookies, cannoli, and Tiramisu.  Food truck is available on weekends, 11:30am to 3:30pm, weather permitting.

Ferrari-Carano welcomes you on Sunday for “La Colazione Italiana” — Breakfast Italian Style, from 10:15am—1:15pm. Outdoors in the Sycamore Grove, February–October, except in inclement weather.  $95 per person/$76 wine club member. Price includes flight of wines, choice of one entrée, including Prosciutto Benedict, brunch pizza, Croque Madame, Glaum egg strata with greens and dessert. Selections vary seasonally. Sit inside or out and enjoy a flight of our reserve wines with a seasonal, Italian-inspired brunch menu. Reservations required.

The wines at Imagery Estate Winery are as food friendly as their lush lawns are ready for a picnic. The first Saturday of the month May through August, Imagery is hosting lawn picnics with different food trucks, from noon to 2pm.  Complimentary admission, no RSVP required. Wine by the glass and food available for purchase. Engage in fun lawn games, too.

VJB Vineyards and Cellars  is a stunning, Italian stone villa with an onsite deli and artisan goods shop, gelato and chocolate shop, outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and country kitchen boutique. VJB is perfect for a lazy afternoon with its inviting piazza and plentiful lunch options.

The Bruschetteria food truck at Clif Family serves a unique and ever-changing menu of bruschette, porchetta, rotisserie chicken, farm fresh salads and seasonal sides at the St. Helena tasting room. Chef John McConnell has taken a farm to food truck approach to cooking up some amazing bites using the freshest ingredients possible from farms and trusted local purveyors.

Here are more wineries worth exploring that are bringing people together over food and conversation:

• Ashes & Diamonds, Napa
• B Cellars, Napa
• Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, St. Helena
• Brian Arden Winery, Calistoga
• Cakebread Cellars, Rutherford
• Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards, Healdsburg
• Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena
• Davies Vineyards, St. Helena
• Domaine Chandon, Yountville
• Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg
• Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Sonoma
• J Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg
• Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg
• Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena
• Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Santa Rosa
• Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena
• Louis M. Martini Winery, St. Helena
• Mayo Family Winery Reserve Room, Kenwood
• Peju Winery, Rutherford
• Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves, Napa
• Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Napa
• Round Pond Estate Winery, Rutherford
• Russian River Vineyards, Forestville
• Stewart Cellars Tasting Room, Yountville
• Theorem Winery, Calistoga
• Trefethen Family Vineyards, Napa
• VGS Chateau Potelle Winery, St. Helena
• WALT Wines, Napa & Sonoma
• Williamson Wines, Healdsburg

Cheers to the endless possibilities that await us at the table and in the glass!