California Wineries Are Pulling out All the Stops with Unique Tasting Experiences

Shuffleboard, falcons, sabres, oh my! We’ve got our eye on these unique wine tasting experiences in California.

Huichica Music Festival Attendees Toast
Charles Gullung/Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Now in its 11th year, Huichica Music Festival will set up three stages for the likes of singer-songwriter DeMarco, indie rock band Yo La Tengo, and more at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, Calif.
Written by Kristin Scharkey July 22, 2021

You know what pairs well with a Mac DeMarco jam session? A glass of gewürztraminer.

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At least that’s what the organizers behind Huichica Music Festival are banking on, as they prepare to host their 11th annual event this fall. Northern California-based producer (((folkYEAH!))) will set up three stages for the likes of singer-songwriter DeMarco, indie rock band Yo La Tengo, and more Oct. 15-16 at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, a Sonoma estate that’s grown gewürztraminer for decades.

“Sure, we managed to pull off a secret show with Metallica in 2020, but have been eagerly awaiting the return of our beloved Huichica Music Festival,” Jeff Bundschu, festival co-founder and Gundlach Bundschu president, said in a press release. “Huichica has always been about sharing intimate experiences around music, wine, and community—and we’re thrilled to bring live music back to the winery once again.”

Now in its 11th year, Huichica Music Festival will set up three stages for the likes of singer-songwriter DeMarco, indie rock band Yo La Tengo, and more at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, CA, this fall.

Charles Gullung/Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu Winery

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Single-day tickets are on sale this week, or you can grab two-day passes to make it a full weekend. It’s just one example of how California wineries are pulling out all the stops to offer unique experiences that take tasting to new heights. Ever wanted to pair your vino with a side of crowd-surfing? (Kidding, sort of.)

There are myriad options to enjoy wine in new ways ahead of harvest season, from art in Napa to sports in Sonoma. A flight over vineyards? Check. Meet-and-greet with falcons? Check. A game of shuffleboard? Got that, too.

While some wine tasting experiences offer an intimate encounter for a handful of people, others can be shared among a larger group. Be sure to check with each venue ahead of your trip to confirm availability as well as any details or guidelines that may have changed. 

Here are some of the unique wine tasting experiences we’ve got our eye on, from low-key pairings to a sky-high adrenaline rush:

Take Flight

Aileron Estates offers flights in a Boeing PT-17 Stearman, so you can cruise above Napa Valley before sipping the estate’s wines.

Bob McClenahan/Courtesy of Aileron Estates

Cruise high above Napa Valley during this 20-minute open cockpit flight in a Boeing PT-17 Stearman before heading to Brasswood to sip Aileron Estates sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon. As her schedule permits, estate founder Shannon O’Shaughnessy greets guests at the hangar or private tasting room. $650 per person, two-week minimum advance booking required. Call 707.561.9454 or email info@aileronestates.com.

Gaggle of Fun

Bouchaine winemaker Chris Kajani holds falcon Mariposa. You can learn how the falcons mitigate damage from birds and rodents at the Napa Valley winery.

Courtesy of Bouchaine Vineyards

Meet the falcons that mitigate damage from birds and rodents at Bouchaine’s Napa Valley vineyards before a glass of wine. Kate Marden, a master falconer with West Coast Falconry, leads the demonstrations for both small groups and private events. $75 per person.

Art Lovers

The work of Tom Everhart, who puts a neon spin on Charles Schulz’s iconic “Peanuts” characters, is currently on view in Cliff Lede Vineyard’s private art gallery.

Bob McClenahan/Courtesy of Cliff Lede Vineyards

Cliff Lede Vineyards hosts wine tastings in its private art gallery (among other experiences), where guests can take in rotating exhibitions. Currently up: the work of Tom Everhart, who puts a neon spin on Charles Schulz’s iconic “Peanuts” characters. $90 per person.

Learn to Saber

At Domaine Carneros, you can make an appointment to learn sabrage, aka the art of lopping off the top of a wine bottle with a saber.

Untapped Media/Courtesy of Domaine Carneros

At Napa’s Domaine Carneros, you can make an appointment to learn the “history, legend and technique” of sabrage, aka the art of lopping off the top of a wine bottle with a saber. It includes a demonstration and a flight of four estate sparkling wines paired with cheese, meats, and caviar from local artisans. You must be over the age of 21 to attend. $150 per person, $120 for members.

Crazy Eight

If sports and Sauvignon Blanc is your style, then Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile’s shuffleboard court is for you.

wool+son/Courtesy of Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile

Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile launched a Shuffleboard Social Club where guests can rent a court among the Sonoma Valley vineyards accompanied by a seasonal grazing board and a bottle of wine. $250 for two hours; $200 for members of Abbot’s wine club.

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