This year has been a year of discovering the secret spots in Sonoma. Two of my favorites were Three Sticks (previous blog post here) and Texture, which is a speak easy style tasting in one of the beautiful back rooms of Pangloss Cellars on the Sonoma Plaza.
If you are looking for a hip, sophisticated pallet, type food and wine pairing experience, Texture is the place to go. It is perfect for foodies, educational in a non intimidating way and very instagrammable. What more could you ask for?
Make sure you make an appointment. Worth a little planning, trust me. You can call or email them here or go in to Pangloss and talk to someone personally like we did. They gave us a secret password that we used at the door to get into our tasting.
When it comes time for your exciting experience. You go to the side of the building, there is a big wood speakeasy door straight out of Wizard of Oz. You ring or knock and your host opens the window in the speakeasy door. You give them the password and will then be granted entrance.
Once inside you are whisked into one of my favorite rooms in the Sonoma Plaza. As you walk in, your breath gets taken away by the gorgeous chandelier that is the focal point of the room. There is a beautiful long table set, menu’s at each setting personally printed with the names of everyone in your party. The details are all there. Maps on the walls of Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and also a great one of Burgundy France. When you are in this room, it is almost like being disconnected from normal living, everything just stops.
You are a King and a Queen.
The food, did I mention those tasteful little bites? Wait! Did I mention they are made in house with their own chef and can vary with the seasons.
The first bite was a stunning purple Peruvian potato chip sliced thin and cooked crispy, with a dollop of creme fraiche, some yummy caviar and a little lemon zest. Oh…. so delicate and pairs with the 2014 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay so incredibly.
The second bite was this little rice chip with some truffled brie cheese and fried enoki mushroom, the earthy flavors of it are so fun with the 2013 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. This wine was just fun, I wrote in my notes that it was a “dancing wine”.
Third bite was a yummy square of polenta with duck confit and thin sliced mushrooms and those fun micro greens. This was paired with the 2014 Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. The rustic taste of this bite pairs perfect with the pinot and makes it so smooth and creamy. This wine I called a “piano bar wine”
If I had to pick a favorite it would be hard to decide between the caviar chip or the last bite which was this little round toasted brioche with Foie gras and raspberry peach preserves on top, decorated with the cutest edible flower. This bite of heaven paired perfectly with the 2015 Deer Meadows Vineyard Pinot Noir. This was the “OMG wine” I had a different name as well but could not write that down. 🙂
If you are a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir lover and a foodie, this is the perfect marriage for you.
Vicki's Journeys 