Five Course Food & Wine Pairing Experience
Blanc de Noirs, Russian River Valley, 2014
Albalone | Dungeness Crab | Salsify | XO
Vintage Brut, Russian River Valley, 2012
Rabbit | Foie Gras | Crosnes | Truffle
Vintage Brut, Russian River Valley, 2011
Wagyu | Rutabaga | Potato | Chantarelle
Brut Rosé, Russian River Valley, NV
Teleeka | Persimmon | Chestnut | Pear
Demi-Sec, Russian River Valley, NV
Chocolate | Dragon Fruit | Chestnut | Pear
Topped with real gold!
If you’re traveling through Sonoma County and are seeking a memorable & educational food and wine pairing experience, you must stop at J Vineyards & Winery. The J Bubble Room is gorgeous and is a dream come true for bubble lovers like me!
J Bubble Room is the backdrop for Chef Carl Shelton’s tasting menu of five courses paired with generous pours of winemaker Nicole Hitchcock’s sparkling and varietal wines. Each menu is built around what’s in season at the time and the dishes and wines change every six weeks. Executive Chef Carl Shelton sources sustainably-farmed ingredients from local Sonoma County and California farms. He also works closely with J Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock to create dishes that not only complement, but also enhance the wines.
Upon arrival at the J Bubble Room, we checked in at the hostess stand and were handed a welcome glass of bubbly. Walking through the room and to our table I noticed how it’s set up like an elegant restaurant. I especially loved the dazzling glass chandeliers sculpted into clusters of bubbles, they fit the ambiance perfectly!
Just like a fine dining experience, the staff was flawlessly attentive and provided world-class service. Our servers were always ready to refill our water glasses, remove our plates once finished, and switch out our silverware between every course. We had space to socialize and enjoy our meal intimately, but also learned some things about wine and food along the way. The entire experience was as delicious as it was educational.
The presentation of each course was beautiful and included special details. For example, wagyu beef topped with delicate truffles and for dessert, chocolate cake topped with real gold. It was my first time sampling truffles and eating real gold so it was a real treat!
J Vineyards & Winery began as a sparkling house in 1986, and have since made their sparkling wines using the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for expressive sparkling wines of distinction. Their unique Russian River Valley terroir contributes a vibrant character to sparkling wines with bright fruit, full mouthfeel and a balanced finish.
The J Bubble Room is the perfect place for a romantic date, a girl’s day out, or celebration. Enjoy exquisite wine, chef-crafted tasting menus, and seasonal pairings in the heart of the wine country.
Photography by Nikki Neumann