Top 10 Fun & Unique Winery Experiences in Sonoma: Beyond Just Wine Tasting
For over 30 years, at Paradise Ridge they have been conscientious stewards of the land with vineyards and a winery here in Sonoma County, California passing the tradition down through the family. Unfortunately in the fires of 2017, the family strength was tested when the estate, tasting room and winemaking building were destroyed.
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Luckily the vineyards, art and Kenwood tasting room survived and has become a source of comfort to the Wine Country community and locals in the area. They are in the process of rebuilding the Santa Rosa Tasting room and until then, it is more important to support and visit their Kenwood location for a taste and an experience to life others up.
At the Paradise Ridge Winery Tasting Room in Kenwood, they have a unique and educational experience in their Herb Garden & Sensory Tour paired with their Premier Herb Infused Chocolate & Wine Pairing. Hint, hint, it includes lots of chocolate!! It also involves lots of fabulous wine… Sign me up.
Hosted by a culinary and wine specialist, this experience begins outdoors in the herb garden. You learn more about the winery while also learning about the chemistry of the wines and their relationship with herbs through food. Pick your own bunch of herbs and enjoy the garden patio while learning more about what each plant has to offer.
Next, journey inside the tasting room to educate yourself on the science of pairing food and wine, and learn more about sensory tasting through the nose and the palate too. Guests learn to trust their own palate and taste culinary pairings with wine.
Knowledge that can be used with an education of the chemistry of wine and food to practice for their next gatherings at home with family and friends.
They sometimes call it a “sense-ational experience” and I couldn’t agree more. The senses are tickled through touch, taste and smell during this tasting. Decadent treats from local producer, Wine Country Chocolates, are infused with herbs from the garden paired with five luxurious handcrafted Paradise Ridge wines.
An afternoon well spent. Wine and Artisan Chocolate lovers will relish this one-of-a-kind tasting showcasing herbaceous flavors in the wine and the chocolates. This experience does a great job of showcasing both. Sip and savour the wines and chocolate and learn something too!
For instance, DID YOU KNOW? – Soft herbs like basil, dill and tarragon tend to go better with white wine than ‘hard’ herbs like rosemary and thyme which are generally better with reds. You would know things like this if you visit Paradise Ridge, just sayin’.
Here, they create handcrafted, food friendly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir along with small lots of other vineyard designated wines, sparkling wines, and proprietary blends from their estate Russian River Valley vineyards and vines in the Rockpile viticultural area.
The bubbles are a total favorite of mine!! The blanc de blanc is great, so is the reserve bubbly, they even have a sparkling shiraz!! How cool is that? Really I enjoy all of their wines and can’t wait until the Santa Rosa tasting room opens again.
I live only 5 minutes away too, very convenient. I like to visit Kenwood in the meantime to support the family and rebuild.
While Paradise Ridge rebuilds their Santa Rosa location, they hope you will visit the tasting room in the small quaint town of Kenwood for a sip and an experience supporting the local community and a family with deep roots.
Yes, please.
Paradise Ridge Winery
WEB: https://prwinery.com/
ADDRESS: 8860 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA
PHONE: (707) 282-9020
FROM THE WEBSITE:
HERB GARDEN & WINE SENSORY EXPERIENCE:
Your wine country sensory tour takes place in our Herb Garden hosted by a culinary specialist. The tasting includes a flight of four Paradise Ridge wines. Created to showcase the chemistry of the wines and their relationship with herbs through cuisine. This will encourage you to trust your palate and create your own culinary pairings with wine, family and friends at home.
$30 per person for Herb & Wine Tasting – Refundable with joining Paradise Found Wine Club
PREMIER HERB INFUSED CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING IN PARADISE:
Concluding the Herb & Wine education experience, indulge in sense-ational experience. This passionate collaboration features decadent Wine County Chocolates infused with herbs from the garden paired with five luxurious handcrafted Paradise Ridge wines. Wine and Chocolate lovers will relish this one-of-a-kind tasting showcasing herbaceous flavors.
$35 per person for wine & chocolate – Refundable with joining Paradise Found Wine Club
$45 per person for wine, chocolate and guided education – 24 hour advance reservations for groups over 6 – Refundable with Joining Paradise Found Wine Club
$45 Per Person or $30 for Wine Club Members. At least 24 hour Advanced Reservation Required, Non Refundable. Please call 707-282-9020 for reservations or email Kenwood@prwinery.com.
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