Luxury Wine and Food Experiences in Sonoma County

Wineries throughout Sonoma County offer their own food and wine pairings, but several go a step further, creating unique presentations of their premium vintages with chef-designed farm-to-table delights in exclusive settings. Here are just a few of these special opportunities.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Santa Rosa

Stunning vineyard views and a fine-dining experience blend in the multi-course Wine & Food Pairing at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, set just off Highway 12 in Santa Rosa.

In a relaxed, fun, and unforgettable Sonoma Wine Country experience, guests gather at a shared table, to enjoy an assortment of small dishes created by executive chef Peter Janiak, paired with hand-selected artisan wines.

Trip Advisor called it "the best Wine & Food Pairing we've ever experienced," and Bite Club Eats said the small plates "rival the kitchen of any Michelin-starred restaurant." Each seating is hosted by a friendly wine expert, and the dishes change daily to reflect seasonal markets.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg

Get the ultimate inside look at Jordan Vineyard & Winery on its Estate Tour & Tasting, a three-hour, farm-to-table, wine-and-food-tasting excursion showcasing foods grown on the property.

In addition to extensive vineyards, this nearly 1,200-acre property in beautiful Alexander Valley is a working ranch with chickens for eggs, cattle for beef, bees for honey, olive oil, and a cutting garden for floral arrangements, as well as a culinary garden.

More than three-quarters of the estate is dedicated to natural habitat, creating an oasis where craggy oak trees surround the vineyards, herons and geese swim the lakes, and rabbits and deer roam the rolling hills.

After riding in style to remote areas of the estate, enjoy a sit-down wine and food pairing in a glass-encased pavilion atop a knoll at 650-feet elevation, with a 360-degree view of the Mayacamas and Vaca mountains. The tasting includes current release Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, special vintage selections, estate extra virgin olive oil, and an array of delicacies prepared by the estate chef.

Ram's Gate Winery, Sonoma

Set in the hilly Carneros region at the southern end of the Sonoma Valley, Ram's Gate makes great Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and a rainbow selection of other wines.

The 90-minute Seasonal Wine & Food Pairing highlights Executive Chef Stacey Combs’ vision through five courses of delicious food paired with Ram's Gate's single-vineyard wines. 

Additionally, the private, six-course Arbor Experience is served beneath the terrace arbor, featuring a guided tasting of six of Ram's Gate wines paired with a seasonal menu designed by Combs. Allow three hours for this experience. 

Other High End Wine and Food Pairings to Consider:

• Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, in Healdsburg, offers customized and private seated wine tastings. 
• Mayo Reserve Room, in Kenwood, presents seven reserve wines paired with seven artisan bites.

Written by Sonoma Insider Patricia Henley