In case you haven't noticed...I really enjoy food and wine pairing experiences. So naturally, when I saw a deal on Ruelala for Artesa Winery's Spanish Tapas and Wine for Two, I bought it! A few weeks ago, Alex and I reserved our appointment at Artesa and drove out to the winery on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
The winery was a beautiful and interesting place built right into a hillside! If you are an artist, architecture, or sculpture buff, you will love touring Artesa. This large winery is owned by a Spanish family, who insists on having a resident artist, Beringer winemaker, and prayers on repeat in the barrel room. Our experience began with a glass of bubbly and a tour for just the two of us hosted by the Tasting Room Manager, Michael McKinley.
The Codorniu Napa Grand Reserve sparkling wine, was the perfect way to start the tour and it was actually the first wine that Artesa produced. We spent about 30 minutes learning about Artesa while touring the facility and enjoying the views. Then, we made it over to the patio for the food and wine pairing.
Michael began by pouring us a white spanish varietal, Albarino, and we started our pairing with a fresh scallop ceviche. It was really delicious! One thing that made this experience unique, was that Michael was able to enjoy the pairing with us. It was awesome! I felt as if we were spending the day with our own personal wine guru, and enjoying a nice meal together. The conversation was natural and informative, we felt so comfortable and relaxed. We tasted a total of seven wines, and enjoyed five unique pairings. One of our favorites of the day was their Artisan Series Cabernet Franc, (it was really good) and at $40/bottle we had to take one home! The overall experience was really fun and interactive, yet relaxing. It was a great way to decompress prior to a hectic week at work and we were so thankful to have found it! The Spanish Wines and Tapas experience is new to Artesa, but it is only one of the many tasting experiences that they offer. We will definitely be back to try the Chocolate Indulgence, Vino con Queso, or even a casual visit to taste and enjoy the views from the patio.
Tips - Artesa Winery:
- This winery does not require an appointment to taste, unless you are looking for a tour or pairing experience.
- The tasting room is open daily from 10am-5pm.
- The different tasting experiences range from $10 to $80, so find the one that suits your budget and desired experience.
- Keep your eyes on the look out for an upcoming tasting experience offering on Gilt City, Michael hinted that one may pop up soon!
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