Like wine tasting? Of course you do. But admit it: The experience is so much better when the tasting room offers really good food to soak up all those tannins. Here are three we’re loving in Napa and Sonoma:
Benovia Winery, Santa Rosa
This small family-owned winery just announced a Benovia, Bubbles & Bites series to celebrate its first sparkling wine release, the 2012 Blanc de Blancs. Local chefs will provide the fare, which includes — wait for it — fried chicken from Forestville’s Backyard on Sept. 22 and a gourmet french fry bar by chef Austin Perkins on Oct. 27. In between, you can expect dim sum, pastries and more.
Benovia, Bubbles & Bites takes place the fourth Friday of every month through December. Cost is $30 and includes a plate of bites, a glass of bubbly and sips of four additional Benovia wines. Rsvp to nicolek@benovia.com. Find more details at benoviawinery.com.
Clif Family Winery, St. Helena
The folks at Clif are known for three things. OK, make that four things: Wine, energy bars, cycling and food. At the winery, the nourishment of choice comes from a bona-fide Bruschetteria food truck that churns out bruschetta ($11-$12) topped with everything from spiced lamb to porchetta, using seasonal ingredients from the organic Clif Family Farm. They also serve farm fresh salads and seasonal sides.
Find the truck parked most days next to the winery at 709 Main St. in St. Helena. Open 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (until 7 p.m. Wednesdays). To see the daily menu, visit www.cliffamily.com.
Merryvale Vineyards, St. Helena
Yes, summer is almost over. But that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to have Gott’s burgers with your Merryvale pinot noir. The winery’s proximity — 20 yards, give or take — to the legendary roadside burger stand had them offering a Burger Butler service until last month. For $65, you could get a burger of your choice (and fries or onion rings) delivered to the winery to enjoy with a tasting of three Merryvale wines.
Delivery is no longer available, but those burgers are still welcome at the winery. So go to Gott’s first to grab your California burger or Western Bacon Blue, then enjoy it at the winery — 1000 Main St., St Helena — with the purchase of a glass or bottle of wine. Find out more at www.merryvale.com.
