Tyler’s Feast for the Senses

Travel+Leisure | Photography by Peggy Sirota | Original Article Link

UNIQUE WINE EXPERIENCES

In California, wine lovers have literally thousands of options for touring and tasting. It’s that access that drew chef Tyler Florence to make California his home.

Tyler Florence has been a student of wine for a long time. “But then I fell in love with regional Northern California wines themselves,” he explains. “There’s Sonoma and there’s Napa, and a lot of other micro regions that produce fantastic wine as well. It’s a huge part of why I love living in San Francisco.”

There are hundreds of wineries in Tyler’s favorite region, so to help you navigate your way through, here are some suggestions for wineries that shouldn’t be skipped. These by-appointment-only tastings and tours will help you discover the hidden side of wine country.

PALMAZ VINEYARDS PRIVATE TOUR & TASTING

With its 18-level wine cave, gravity flow system and high-tech fermentation dome, Palmaz may be the most distinctive winery in the Napa Valley. You’ll be guided through several levels of the cave to learn how the wines are made, using both innovative and traditional techniques. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of the remarkable Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and Muscat Canelli wines, expertly paired with hors d’ oeuvres.