California wine country destinations not only offer visitors a chance to taste world-class wines, they're also home to exciting cuisine. In recent years, wineries have taken food pairings to the next level by hiring resident chefs — including many top-tier chefs from acclaimed restaurants — to create elevated experiences for wine country visitors. 

“There are definitely more chefs doing it now,” notes Cakebread Cellars resident chef Brian Streeter, who joined Cakebread in 1989. “Tasting room experiences were pretty straightforward when I moved to the Napa Valley,” he says. “Today as customers' expectations grow, winery experiences are more varied, and many include culinary programs.”  

Chef David Frakes perpares a food pairing menu at Lynmar Estate. Courtesy of Lynmar Estate

“We wanted to create a platform for conversation," says chef Preeti Mistry of J Vineyards. “Shifting the Lens is our guest chef series showcasing people, cuisines, and flavors historically overlooked by traditional winery pairing programs. This year, we’re incorporating Vietnamese, Mexican and Indian influences in our cuisine, highlighting how our wines pair with these diverse flavors.”

Wineries across California are offering elevated experiences. Here are some food-friendly tasting rooms across the state for planning your next culinary adventure.

Elevated food pairing at Joseph Phelps. Credit, Alexander Rubin

NORTH COAST

At B Cellars in Napa, Derick Kuntz, formerly with Brix restaurant in St. Helena, crafts small bites to pair with wines from multiple Napa Valley appellations.  

Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley offers The Perfect Pair tasting, which begins with a tour of the estate vegetable garden and includes dishes created by winery chef Brian Streeter.  

Far Niente Winery in Napa Valley recently launched a culinary program with a pairing menu created by executive chef Phillip Moratin, formerly with Angèle Restaurant & Bar in Napa.

J Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma presents its iconic Bubble Room for "Shifting the Lens", the winery's 5-course culinary experience created by guest chefs. 

Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley has a Chef’s Tasting Menu created by chef Tod Kawachi, the former executive chef at Brix in St. Helena.  

Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena hosts a seated Wine & Food Pairing program featuring bites prepared by chef Stephen Barber using ingredients from the winery’s organic farm.  

Lynmar Estate in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley offers seasonal experiences inspired by the winery’s kitchen garden, created by chef David Frakes, formerly of Applewood Inn in Guerneville.  

Prisoner Wine Company in Napa Valley serves dim sum inspired culinary bites prepared by winery chef Brett Young.

At Ram’s Gate in Sonoma, the Seasonal Wine & Food Experience includes a guided wine tasting with dishes created by executive chef Ruby Oliveros. 

CENTRAL COAST

Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard in Solvang has a Farm Bites menu, crafted by executive chef Peter Cham using ingredients from the winery's farm and orchards. 

Halter Ranch in Paso Robles offers signature tasting menus and a farm-to-table menu prepared by the winery’s executive chef Paul Aragorn. 

Le Cuvier Winery in Paso Robles hosts wine and food pairing experiences created by Rachael Zollo, a veteran of area restaurants.  

Presqu'ile winery in Santa Maria features seasonal small-plates pairings from the estate garden prepared by winery chef Julie Simon, formerly at Foremost in San Luis Obispo. 

Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles pairs Cavern Select wines with a seasonal, organic menu of small plates prepared by chef Michael Learned. 

Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles hosts a wine-and-food pairing experience featuring small plates by winery chef Joshua Jones. 

SIERRA FOOTHILLS

Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys in the central Sierra Nevada foothills hosts Elevated Experiences, which pair reserve and limited-release wines with fancy canapés crafted by the winery’s culinary team. 

INLAND VALLEY

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards in Acampo in San Joaquin County offers an Elevated Tasting Experience with a selection of wines paired with savory bites by in-house chef Rebecca Forrest. 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bernardo Winery in San Diego offers pasta-making classes with wine and small bites in the winery barrel room with chef Ross Rizzo. 

FARMERS MARKETS IN WINE COUNTRY

Besides the fresh produce grown in their estate gardens, winery chefs source ingredients directly from local farms and farmers markets. On your next road trip, bring some local bounty home with you to pair with your favorite California wines. 

Mendocino County towns of Boonville, Mendocino and more.

 Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena hosts a November through April onsite farmers market featuring the ranch’s own organic produce, meat and honey. 

Napa Valley also boasts farmers markets in Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga. 

Sonoma County sells its local bounty at farmers markets in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Sonoma and more. 

In Sierra Foothills wine country, peruse farmers markets in Murphys and Placerville. 

California’s Inland Valleys host markets in Lodi and Fresno. 

Farmers markets abound in the Central Coast, including options in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and more. 

In Southern California, farmers sell their fresh produce at markets in Temecula and San Diego. 

For inspirational recipes with pairing suggestions, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWines.