Chalk Hill and Ferrari-Carano Wineries Announce a Slate of Summer Sipping Experiences Aimed at Sharing Special Spaces at Both Estates
SONOMA, Calif. (April 18, 2023)—After a winter of record rainfall, two iconic Sonoma County wineries are celebrating what promises to be a stunningly beautiful summer travel season, announcing eight ways to explore both estates in all their lush, warm-weather splendor. Chalk Hill Estate and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery invite visitors to enjoy an array of events and experiences highlighting special spaces, encompassing guided vineyard hikes, a mountaintop soirée, Sunday brunch, caviar pairings and more.
SUMMER BUCKET LIST EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES:
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards
Estate & Garden Hummer Tour & Tasting: This immersive Hummer tour and wine experience exposes guests to the natural beauty of the 1,300-acre Chalk Hill Estate. Guests are greeted with a seated tasting flight of a selection of white wines including Chalk Hill’s trademark Chardonnays on the terrace before embarking on a behind-the-scenes journey to explore the Estate’s vineyards, gardens, and hilly terrain, enjoying seasonally paired bites along the way. Daily, Season-long: 10:30am and 3:30pm.
Vineyard & Garden Hike Series with Lunch: Guided by Vineyard Manager Brian Malone, visitors will join this scenic educational hike through the estate vineyard followed by a coursed lunch featuring select Chalk Hill wines. After indulging in a garden-fresh lunch, guests will then take part in a sensory experience of the four-acre, onsite culinary garden led by Estate Gardener Brad Agerter. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Select dates: April 29, May 20, June 10, and July 15, starting at 10:00am.
Soirée Blanc: Chalk Hill’s signature summer bash is back this year to celebrate the newly released white wines in this one-of-a-kind fête. Dressed in all white, guests are invited to be among the first to taste the new releases, sample pre-release wines in barrel, indulge in gourmet hors d’oeuvres from the garden, and revel in live music, dancing, and lawn games in attire that points to the Estate’s white wine-focused Chardonnay roots. The event is hosted on the grounds’ highest point Ridge Park with 360°-panoramic estate views overlooking the Mayacamas Mountains. August 5, 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Vineyard Overlook Experience: A luxury signature tasting offered all season long, the Vineyard Overlook Experience includes a seated, educational tasting with sweeping views of the Estate. Guests have the opportunity to elevate the experience with an artisanal cheese and charcuterie platter that includes the winery’s specialty house-made Pinot Gris mustard as well as an optional American White Sturgeon Caviar pairing with Chef Alec’s fresh potato chips. Season-long; Thursday – Monday, 10:00am-5:00pm.
Chalk Hill Estate experiences require advance reservations; book at www.chalkhill.com.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
A Taste of Spring: Ferrari-Carano and spring were made for each other. A Taste of Spring is an event that celebrates blooms and wine. With live music, lawn games, catered small bites, and Ferrari-Carano wines, guests can enjoy this garden-party style event with expanded access to the estate’s grounds, Villa, and flower and culinary gardens. Guests can chat with winemakers, sip wine amongst the Fontana Pergolas and fountain, Sycamore Grove, and Villa Fiore Salon. Saturday, May 2, 2023 1:00pm- 4:00pm. Guests can reserve a spot and purchase tickets here.
Sunday Wine & Brunch: Ferrari-Carano’s beloved, consistently sold-out Sunday Wine & Brunch returns to the Sycamore Grove for the season, providing patrons with tastes of La Colazione Italiana, an Italian-inspired brunch harking to the winery’s heritage, served in addition to a flight of reserve wines. Outdoors season-long; Sundays, 10:15am-1:15pm.
Fontana Pergola Reserve Tasting: Ferrari-Carano’s newest tasting space reveals breezy pergolas situated among a towering Italian fountain and 100-year old olive trees in an area previously reserved only for family use. Parties of up to eight can sip from a flight of five reserve wines with the optional addition of a cheese and salumi platter highlighting seasonal ingredients from the Estate’s nearby culinary gardens. Outdoors, Monday through Saturdays. Season-long.
Caviar Pairing: With this new offering, guests have the opportunity to indulge in the ultimate “Chips & Dip” with a caviar add-on. This luxurious offering features an Italian FC twist with a 1-ounce tin of premium Sterling Caviar, sauce Gribiche (dip), and house made focaccia (chips). This add-on can be paired with any wine flight. Year-round.
Ferrari-Carano experiences require advance reservations; book at www.ferrari-carano.com.
About Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
Nestled in picturesque Dry Creek Valley, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery has been home to award-winning wines, exquisite gardens and breathtaking vineyard views for more than 40 years. At the beautiful Italianate hospitality center, Villa Fiore, guests may stroll lush gardens and taste wines in the Villa Fiore Wine Shop, at the Enoteca bar in the underground cellar, outside on Il Terrazzo, under the Fontana Pergolas, or during Sunday Wine and Brunch on the Sycamore Grove. Spanning 1,200 acres across three counties, Ferrari-Carano’s 21 certified-sustainable estate vineyards provide the grapes that go into its esteemed wines. Ferrari-Carano is one of the region’s leaders, setting the bar for the highest standard in hospitality, wine quality and sustainability. More information is available online at www.ferrari-carano.com
About Chalk Hill
Family owned and operated since 1972, Chalk Hill is known for its celebrated chardonnays, its legendary status as a member of the ‘Class of ‘72,’ and decades of clonal research that led to the development of the signature Chalk Hill Clone. Founded in 1972 by Fred Furth, Chalk Hill was acquired by Foley Family Wines in 2010. Located in the Chalk Hill sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County, the estate is found at the convergence of numerous naturally defined winegrowing regions in eastern Sonoma. Under Bill Foley’s leadership, the iconic 1,300+ acre estate includes 314 acres of California Certified Sustainable vineyards, a winery, a hospitality center, culinary gardens, residence, stables, estate pavilion, and a wilderness area. The winery name has become synonymous with high-quality, distinctive and terroir-driven luxury wines with a winemaking team led by esteemed Winemaker Darrell Holbrook. More information is available online at www.chalkhill.com
