Napa and Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tastings with Food
Sales of sparkling wines and Champagne have skyrocketed in recent years. We’re all looking for a reason to celebrate, right? But those bright, crisp bubblies make our tastebuds beg for salty snacks and other foods. California wine country is answering this call. Now you can enjoy a Napa and Sonoma sparkling wine tasting paired with a variety of classic partners, from cheese to potato chips to caviar. These seven wineries and businesses have created unique experiences with bubbly lovers in mind.
Napa and Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tasting with Food
SONOMA COUNTY
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Spoil yourself with a private table in Jordan’s grand dining room for a gourmet caviar and Champagne pairing. This by-appointment tasting experience features the Jordan Chef’s Reserve Caviar by Tsar Nicoulai, the winery chef’s traditional buckwheat blini and caviar accoutrements, Jordan Cuvée by French Champagne producer AR Lenoble, Jordan Russian River Chardonnay and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. High-quality, farm-raised caviar pairs marvelously with fine white and even red wines, not just Champagne. Your host will discuss the history of caviar, the rise of American caviar farms and quality levels of caviar production. Available only to silver, gold and platinum members of the winery’s loyalty program, Jordan Estate Rewards. You become a silver member once your lifetime spending reaches $500, so this luxurious private wine and food tasting is quite accessible. $50-$70 per person plus points.
Iron Horse Vineyards
The “Under the Palms” tasting at Iron Horse Vineyards in Sonoma’s Green Valley is a private, seated journey for two to four guests. Lounging at a “ringside” table under the palm trees, you’ll enjoy their fabulous view of pinot noir and chardonnay vineyard blocks while enjoying the fruits of those vines. The experience includes tête de cuvée bubblies, like Late Disgorged and Joy! served in a special flute, older vintages of chardonnay and pinot noir and a curated cheese platter to pair with the wines. Hosted April through October a few days a week with two tasting times per day. Be sure to visit their website for annual dates. $65 per person.
J Vineyards & Winery
In 1999, J’s Founder Judy Jordan established one of the first food pairing experiences in Sonoma County. Now operated by E & J Gallo Winery, J’s Bubble Room experience is a multiple-course, sit-down food and wine pairing that includes both sparkling and still wines. If you’re going there for the bubbly, be sure to check the menu, which changes every six weeks. Sometimes only one sparkling wine is featured, and in other months,the menu is exclusively paired with bubbly. $125 per person.
Sigh! Sonoma
Named one of the top 25 Wine Bars in the Country by Travel & Leisure Magazine, Sigh! was established in 2012 to fill the needs of bubble lovers looking for a wider array of choices. Guests can enjoy a Sonoma sparkling wine tasting or Champagne in the heart of the town of Sonoma. Choose from a variety of bubbles from around the world as well as from down the street. The selection changes often and they offer bubble-friendly cheeses, Tsar Nicoulai caviar and Ramekin’s truffle kettle chips. No reservations necessary. $25-$65 per food item.
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Spanish-owned Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma offers a relaxed experience at Bubbles and Bites. The tasting starts with a private tour where you’ll learn about the history of the Ferrer family and the intricate sparkling wine process. Following the tour, get comfy in their Vista room for a special pairing of seasonal bites and their Sonoma sparkling wine tasting guided by a wine educator. $60 per person.
NAPA VALLEY
Davies Vineyards
For a fun alternative to weekend brunch, Davies Vineyards has a bubbles and caviar seated tasting which is more like a decadent, three-course meal. Featuring six different bubblies from their sister winery, Schramsberg Vineyards, each guest enjoys an ounce of caviar with accoutrements (potato chips, cracker, creme fraiche, egg yolks) then, heavy appetizer courses served with the sparkling wines. Hosted in the upstairs tasting salon at the Davies’ family’s new Grayson Building in St. Helena. $130 per person, 48-hour advanced reservations required. Davies is also featured in Best Napa Valley Wine & Cheese Tasting Experiences.
Schramsberg Vineyards
This well-loved, family-owned Napa sparkling wine producer offers a Reserve Wines and Cheese Pairing experience that includes a very informative cave tour where you’ll learn about the traditional method of making sparkling wines. After the tour, taste five sparkling and still wines paired with select cheeses, and discover the nuances of wine and food pairing. $125 per person. Advance reservations are required.
Domaine Carneros
A stunning American outpost of France’s Taittinger as grand as any Champagne house. Pair your sparkling wine with a variety of local and imported artisanal cheeses, a charcuterie plate, smoked salmon or small-batch caviar by Tsar Nicoulai. With gorgeous views of the Carneros hills both inside and out, you can drink in spectacular lake and vineyard views from your private table on the terrace or in the salon. Prices vary. Also featured on Best Napa Valley Wine & Cheese Tasting Experiences.
