Sonoma County Food and Wine Pairing

Many Sonoma County wineries boast extraordinary wine and food pairings — from cheese plates and small bites to sumptuous five-course mini-meals. These tasty experiences are a lot of fun as you learn how the flavors on your plate complement those in your glass to highlight the delicious bounty of Sonoma Wine Country.

Seghesio Family Vineyards, Healdsburg

This winery was founded in 1895, during the original heyday of California Zinfandel, and today, their Sonoma County Zinfandels are well-regarded. It’s true — this vineyard knows wine, and lucky for us, this family and their Italian heritage also know good food.

You can experience ideal wine and food pairings in the tasting room, where the executive chef helped to create tasty temptations like artichoke and piquillo pepper tapenade, Zinfandel mustard, and Zinfandel barbecue sauce to pair perfectly with some of their best wines. These gourmet treats are delicious, one of a kind, and available to take home at the tasting room in a tree-shaded setting just north of downtown Healdsburg.

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Santa Rosa

Zinfandel with barbecue may seem like an easy pairing to some — but what about cured California sturgeon with radish? Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens have that covered with their five-course wine and food pairing.

To complement Kendall Jackson’s limited-release wines, food creations arrive on small platters as intricate bites designed by the head chef. Curated plates often contain seasonal treats grown onsite by head gardener Tucker Taylor. A course may include knock-outs like roasted salmon and artichoke barigoule with sorrel aioli alongside select wines that highlight the synergy of each flavor.

J Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg

Beloved for their distinctive Sonoma County wines, including popular sparkling bottles, J Vineyards also boasts a gorgeous Bubble Room, where they serve culinary masterpieces in artistic bites. The elevated 5-course pairing menu is a seated two-hour experience that you can think of as a fun and flavorful lunch!

Sip and savor treats like fried squash blossom or a tender slab of white sturgeon with caviar-topped melon. Other special courses may feature rabbit with chanterelle or beef ribeye. Vegetarians will delight in tasting winter truffles and wheat berries or roasted eggplant. The kitchen is happy to help with dietary restrictions.

More Sonoma County Wine and Food Pairing

There are many other food and wine pairing opportunities at Sonoma County wineries, and they deliver much enjoyment for only a modest multiple of a regular wine-tasting fee. Plus, you’ll get to snack on expertly curated bites that enhance your wines and your overall tasting experience.

Relax and Stay the Night

Make it memorable when you take your time and get comfy for the night. Experience the magnificent Sonoma Wine Country lifestyle at the Vintners Resort, a 78-room luxury hotel that includes the legendary John Ash & Co. restaurant, the River Vine restaurant for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and The Front Room Bar & Lounge, as well as the relaxing and luxurious Vi La Vita Spa.

Also nearby, the Hilton Garden Inn – Sonoma County Airport offers comfortable and spacious rooms, and its onsite restaurant and bar serve casual, freshly prepared American cuisine.

If you’re feeling a bit retro, head to The Astro Motel — it’s affordable, urban, and extensively redesigned. Enjoy delicious eats at the nearby Spinster Sisters, a popular favorite.

For more fun things to do during your stay, check out Sonoma County’s outdoor activities to enjoy the gorgeous scenery, trails, vineyards, and coast of Sonoma County.

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Written by James Knight