When Heather and Dan Panella, owners of Oak Farm Vineyards, were tasting their way through Sonoma wine country, they had an ‘aha’ moment.
While touring Kunde Winery, they experienced a personalized wine tasting and an elegant cheese and charcuterie board to snack on while sipping.
Feeling inspired, the two returned to Lodi and began to brainstorm how they could elevate their own wine tasting experience at Oak Farm Vineyards. The winery is already the pinnacle of success—an expansive and architecturally impressive facility with quality Lodi wines and the historical property to showcase the wine in all its glory.
They did their research. They were deliberate in their decisions. The result? A culinary experience that would showcase the best of two worlds: Oak Farm and Cowgirl Creamery. If you love cheese, then you know Cowgirl Creamery is the crème de la crème. With over 200 choices in their wheelhouse, there is a cheese to please all palates.
Fans of Lodi wine that want to enhance their wine tasting experience can now reserve the Patio Tasting Experience at Oak Farm. The private tasting is poured on the east patio, in plush seating overlooking their vast lawn. It includes an incredible cheese and charcuterie platter paired with four 1 ½ oz pours of wine.
Talk about upping the ante; this cheeseboard showcases a hand-crafted selection of soft and hard cheeses, sliced dry salami, crunchy Marcona almonds, green olives, local honey and is accompanied by local, seasonal fruit. The board is partnered with two of Oak Farm’s current releases and two of their exclusive library wines.
Upon arrival, guests are guided to the east patio where their wine host or hostess will serve the current line-up of wine and cheese, a winning combination for the warmer days and longer nights. To start, sip on the refreshing 2017 Albariño and the Provence style 2017 Rosé before moving on to the 2015 Vapor Trail Zinfandel, a deep garnet wine that is as big as it is bold. Finish your tasting by savoring the Petit Verdot, an inky luscious wine fit for the finale.
So, what about the cheese? Oak Farm chose the best selection to munch on while sampling their wines. Let’s start with the Cascadia Creamery Sleeping Beauty, a certified organic cow’s milk cheese that is semi-firm with rich and buttery textures. Delicious right? Another foodie favorite is the Essex Street Cheese Company Wilde Weide Gouda hailing from L’Amuse in Amsterdam. The small farmhouse Gouda is delectable with the hallmark crystalized texture one would expect from a Gouda aged 15 months.
The last two types of cheese are equally impressive. The Bellwether Farms Blackstone is an Italian style combo of sheep and cow’s milk with scattered peppercorn and a flavor-packed rind of ground pepper, rosemary, and vegetable ash. Finish by sipping on the Petit Sirah with the bold and creamy Bay Blue, a blue cheese from Oregon that will knock your socks off!
We can’t think of a more perfect pairing than Oak Farm Winery and cheese from Cowgirl Creamery! Book the ultimate food and wine experience today just in time for summer vacay! Food and wine selections will change with the seasons and as wine production permits. Guests who purchase the tasting will also be able to buy wines that are exclusive to wine club members!
Oak Farm Vineyards
23627 Devries Rd., Lodi
OakfarmVineyards.com
Great article – and another Lodi winery I need to visit!