Wineries are not allowed to be restaurants, as decreed by a decades-old ordinance that essentially says wineries are forbidden to make a profit on things that don’t promote wine sales. Yet the typical guest at an elevated tasting experience might never realize that, given the opulent meals prepared by big name chefs at many high-end Wine Country destinations.
For winery chefs, whether they are consultants or employees, the work balances a fine line. Technically, by law, only a handful of California wineries are allowed to have full-service restaurants, due to complicated permit restrictions. But local wineries can offer gourmet “bites” with flights of wine for “educational” purposes.
“We are not a restaurant. We are just doing food and wine pairings,” said Mark Hanson, founder of Bricoleur Vineyards. The winery offers Atelier Bricoleur, a five-course wine and food pairing from celebrity chef Todd Knoll at a private table overlooking the gleaming kitchen ($580 per person). “So when you come and do a tasting, we have a full culinary and food service license, which took about two-and-a-half years to get. That’s what the county will allow; we are not an ad hoc restaurant.”

The key word is “pairing,” so at this lavish Windsor estate, the meal’s price cleverly includes wine, and a staff educator discusses the crafting and nuances of each pour.
Now, some wineries are taking things further into the culinary realm, and hosting cooking classes. It’s a win-win for wine lovers, as they sip and learn about the great grapes while getting hands-on guidance through artful recipes they might recreate at home.
Should they want to purchase the complementary wines they tasted through each course at dinner — oops, the pairing — even better for the winery.
Note that winery cooking classes tend to sell out fast, so make your reservation early. Some wineries also offer exclusive activities to wine club members, such as access to special dinners and interactive culinary events with estate chefs.
Bricoleur Vineyards


Periodically, Bricoleur’s senior sous chef Rebeca Robinson hosts “Pasta Making with Chef Becca” classes in the winery’s Culinary Kitchen. An upcoming class on Feb. 28 ($125) focuses on the art of stuffed pasta. Its starts with crafting delicate pasta dough from scratch, then making savory fillings to be sealed inside ravioli and tortellini.
The three-hour classes include a welcome glass of Isla Rose Brut Rosé bubbles, a glass of wine while interacting with the class, and a glass of wine with the dinner you made, including focaccia, salad and dessert.
With just 10 seats available, the February and March classes have already sold out. Check Bricoleur’s events page for upcoming classes.
7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Cakebread Cellars

For a uniquely custom experience, the winery’s in-house culinary team leads private cooking classes where you can help plan the menus. Hands-on instruction is limited to parties of 10 to 12 guests for lunch or dinner, and features a full winery experience.
You spend the morning or afternoon working with your friends, family or colleagues as the chef shares secrets of the kitchen. Next, you tour the winery. Then it’s on to an appetizer reception and three-course plated meal featuring your own cooking, all paired with wine. Prices vary, and you can upgrade to library wines if you like.
8300 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, 800-588-0298, cakebread.com
Culinary Institute of America Greystone and CIA at Copia
The imposing St. Helena mansion was built as Greystone Cellars in 1889 as a gravity-flow cooperative winery serving upper Napa Valley grape growers. At the time, it was the largest stone winery in the world. After the Christian Brothers purchased the property in 1950, it expanded into more wines, plus brandies and ports.
Today, you can take food and wine classes in its stately (and now state-of-the-art) kitchen cathedrals, such as the upcoming March 2 session on “California Cheeses and The Wines That Love Them.” You’ll learn the basics of how cheese is made, and the best ways to buy, age, store, serve and cook with cheese. You’ll also taste a broad selection of California cheeses and California wines, evaluate each for flavor, texture and best (plus worst) pairings.


For a deeper dive into cooking, scoot down the road to CIA at Copia in Napa, where you can enroll in year-round classes like CIA Skills: Easy Entertaining (March 29, $175). It’s one hour of learning hands-on techniques to make elegant hors d‘oeuvres, canapés, spreads and artful cheese platters, plus an hour enjoying the meal with Greystone wine.
Then, sample more wines at each location’s wine bar, for high-tech, automated, self-serve experiences offering local and international wines.
Note that CIA classes fill up quickly and almost always sell out, so reserve quickly, and know that you can also sign up for the waiting list.
CIA Greystone, 2555 Main St., St Helena, 707-967-1100, ciafoodies.com/cia-greystone
CIA at Copia, 500 First St., Napa, 800-888-7850, ciaatcopia.com
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Gnocchi is a fun word to say (NYOW-kee), and even more fun to make.
Chef Oscar Bendeck, owner of The Wine Country Collective in Sonoma, is leading a class ($145) at the Sonoma winery on March 23, sharing how to put together the classic Italian dish traditionally made with mashed potato, flour and egg. The ingredients are simple, but the craft takes skill to result in pillowy, light and springy dumplings.
The class includes a wine-paired lunch on the winery’s patio overlooking a protected wetland preserve.
24724 Arnold Drive, Highway 121, Sonoma, 707-931-7516, jacuzziwines.com/events