Our day at a Kendall-Jackson Wine Tasting.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Tasting… One of the most exciting aspects of being a wine enthusiast today is the massive number of excellent wineries to try from around the world. To make things even better, there are so many right here at home in the US.
Even though I don’t believe I can possibly ever try every winery in my lifetime, Valery and I have decided to start this astronomic quest together. On this sunny day back in September 2021, we journeyed to the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Fulton California.
Founded in 1982, Kendall Jackson has built a solid reputation for producing a premium yet affordable line of wines that are readily found across the country.
Their history is fascinating and I recommend their website if you would like to go more in-depth at kj.com/history.
Valery and I walked around the grounds a bit before heading in.
Once inside, we met our guide Roberto who was very knowledgeable and introduced us to the following line-up for the day’s tasting:
2018 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
2019 Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands Chardonnay,
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
2019 Jackson Estate Outland Ridge Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
2016 Jackson Estate Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
2018 Jackson Estate Winemaster’s Red Wine Blend
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Now a principal caveat of wine consumption is that it is up to each individual to decide what they do or do not like.
I personally tend to gravitate towards Pinot Noirs from our nearby Willamette Valley in Oregon, but I am open to experiencing the flavors that other geographic locations and climates have to offer.
Every wine we sampled was very tasty but the Chardonnays shot to the top of my favorites list with the Camelot Highlands being my number one choice. The more complex oaky flavor of this wine gave it a greater dimension and lovely caramel back-note that lingered in my mouth. The Santa Maria Vally Chardonnay was nice and bright with a rich fruity flavor. Both of these wines will pair nicely with seafood, cream, or lemon dishes.
An additional bonus of our wine tasting experience was that the tasting fee was waived with the purchase of two or more bottles and their fabulous garden was open for us to stroll through and enjoy.
We especially had fun seeing all the varietal of grapes they use for their wines.
They do have a very enticing Wine Club that costs nothing to join and has many benefits. Check out kj.com/wine-club for more information.
Another great aspect of Kendal Jackson is that they source most of the produce from this garden for their pairings.
While we did not partake in a food pairing during our Kendall-Jackson Wine Tasting, we could see from our vantage point that it looked excellent and the people enjoying the experience looked very pleased. We will definitely include it in our plan for a future visit.
Kendall Jackson is very active in sustainable practices that have won them many awards including the Green Company of the year award in 2020.
They are currently working to conserve water, use Solar power, employ land preservation practices, and pay a $15 minimum wage to name a few.
Overall, we had an excellent wine tasting experience at the Kendall Jackson Estate and would strongly recommend it to anyone who is visiting the area and is looking for a place to start their wine adventure. Salud!
For more information, or to book a Kendall-Jackson Wine Tasting, visit online at kj.com