Foley Family Wines Announces a Slew of Cool-Season Visitor Experiences at Its Iconic Sonoma County Wineries

FFW Beckons Wine Lovers with Experiences Ranging from Outdoor Dining to Cave Tours 

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (October 24, 2022)—Harvest is underway in California wine country and Foley Family Wines has seized the season as inspiration to spotlight a slew of wine tasting experiences at seven of its Sonoma County wineries. Foley is rolling out the welcome mat with activities ranging from new outdoor tastings, on-site entertainment, and unforgettable epicurean experiences. Reservations are available online at each winery’s website, linked from www.foleyfamilywines.com.  

Holidays at the Estates, All Foley Food & Wine Society Wineries

The entire Foley Family Wines portfolio will be celebrating the holidays at its estates in Sonoma, Napa, the Central Coast, and the Pacific Northwest with delicious food, festive décor and lots of cheer. On Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, each of the Foley Food & Wine Society wineries will feature a special tasting flight paired with a festive holiday bite, plus exclusive wine specials to make holiday shopping easy. These experiences are best enjoyed as a progressive tasting, hopping from winery to winery. A complete list of participating wineries is at www.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/events; queries can be directed to concierge@foleyfoodandwinesociety.com. Tasting fees vary by estate.

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley

As a pillar in the Sonoma County hospitality scene, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery recently unveiled their newly opened Fontana Pergolas, surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees, gorgeous fountains, spectacular gardens and sweeping vineyards. Guests can enjoy a flight of five reserve wines in the privacy of a reserved Pergola setting. On Sundays, guests can savor an Italian-inspired Brunch featuring Prosciutto Benedict, Breakfast Pizza, Croque Madame and more, all well-paired with the Ferrari-Carano wine selections. Pergola Tasting, $95 per person, reservations available Monday – Saturday at 10 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3 PM; Sunday Brunch 10:30 AM – 1 PM, $95 per person, reservations required. Book online at https://ferrari-carano.com; 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Valley

New to the Foley portfolio this year, Chateau St. Jean invites visitors to sample its famed chardonnays or Cinq Cépages Bordeaux blend in a choice of unique indoor or outdoor settings. Inside the winery’s 1920s chateau, a wine educator will guide guests through a sample of five Reserve and winery-exclusive wines. Outside, guests can enjoy the Bocce, Bordeaux & Burgundy Experience, where groups can sip wines by the bottle in a private outdoor area equipped with bocce ball court, lounge furniture and picnic tables. Larger groups can consider two unique options that showcase the winery’s extraordinary views and historic property: the Chez Nous Experience, a seated, private tasting in the historic chateau’s elegant dining room for 7-15 guests, with a wine educator guiding the group through a flight of five wines and optional cheese & charcuterie board; or the Olive Grove Experience in the open-air pergola, where groups of 20-35 guests enjoy a private tasting surrounded by 120-year-old olive trees. Bocce Experience, $50 per person for two-hour reservation; Chateau Experience, $60 per person. Reservations available at https://www.chateaustjean.com. Group pricing varies; call 707-257-5784 or email concierge@chateaustjean.com for information. 

Chalk Hill Estate, Russian River Valley

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the 1,300-acre Chalk Hill Estate is a Sonoma County icon celebrated for its flagship Estate Chardonnay and limited production, estate-grown wines. More than 60 percent of the Chalk Hill Estate remains uncultivated, inviting exploration and adventure via the Chalk Hill Hummer. The Estate and Garden Tour and Tasting begins with a seated tasting on the terrace, followed by a Hummer ride through sustainably cultivated vineyards and organic gardens, offering stunning views of the Russian River Valley to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, and concludes with a seasonally inspired garden-to-table food and wine pairing. $105 per person. Reservations available Thursday-Sunday at 10:30 AM; Upcoming Events: Chalk Hill 2022 Harvest Celebration: Saturday, November 5,1PM – 4PM,  Holiday at the Estate: Saturday, December 3. Reservations and tickets at www.chalkhill.com. 10300 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Roth Wine Estate, Russian River Valley

Built on bold Bordeaux grape varieties, Roth Estate offers unique experiences at their picturesque location on Chalk Hill Road. Come hungry for their Ultimate BBQ Lunch experience where these wines shine alongside smoked barbecue short ribs and estate-grown potato salad, or enjoy a seated experience with their Premier Cave Tasting featuring wines from across the Foley Food & Wine Society portfolio paired with small culinary bites. Ultimate BBQ Lunch $90 per couple, reservations available daily 12 PM and 2 PM. Premier Cave Tasting, $90 per person, offered at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, Thursday- Monday. Book online at Roth Estate; 10309 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Lancaster Estate, Alexander Valley

Located at the confluence of the Knights Valley and Chalk Hill appellations in the southern tip of Alexander Valley, the 53-acre Lancaster Estate features an exceptional wine cave–which visitors can explore by booking the Hillside Cave Tour and Tasting. The tour highlights Lancaster’s library of estate-grown wines exclusively from classic Bordeaux varieties, including its esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Guests will learn about the winery’s detailed barrel aging process and taste four estate wines in an elevated indoor setting. Cave Tour, $100 per person. Reservations required; book at www.lancaster-estate.com.

Banshee Wines, Healdsburg 

When most winery tasting rooms are closing, Banshee hits its stride with daily happy hour from 5PM-7PM, featuring wines by the glass in its newly remodeled, lounge-style tasting room. Flights are available from 12PM-5PM by reservation for parties up to six people (last appointment at 4:30PM). Flights, $40 per person, reservation required; Happy Hour pricing varies, no reservation required.

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma

Now through October 30, Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery invites guests to kick back on the patio and enjoy wine and musical performance by local bands at its Sunday Afternoon Music series. Picnic reservations for up to six guests are also available and include a private, designated picnic area, where guests can bring a picnic to pair with wine from the tasting room. Sunday Music Series, 1PM-3PM now through October 30; wines by the glass or bottle available for purchase, along with charcuterie boards. Picnic, $25 site fee plus two-bottle minimum purchase. Reservations available daily from 11AM to 2:30PM at www.sebastiani.com. 389 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476. 

About Foley Family Wines

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly-acclaimed wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company’s portfolio has a distinct style and legacy. Encompassing more than two dozen wineries across the globe, Foley Family Wines is the proud steward of some of the wine world’s iconic brands and winery experiences. The Foley Food & Wine Society, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle community, provides members with a gateway to an unmatched variety of culinary, travel, and entertainment experiences around the globe, including the US, New Zealand, Italy, France, Argentina, and Chile. 200 Concourse Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403; (707) 542-4565; https://foleyfamilywines.com.