Pairings are everything at Ram’s Gate, one of the first wineries on the drive to wine country from San Francisco. First is the combination of sights: the wonders of architect Howard Backen’s open-concept tasting room in a refurbished barn and the panoramic vistas of Carneros and San Pablo Bay. Next is the marriage of wine and food—winemaker Jeff Gaffner’s single-vineyard designate chardonnays and pinot noirs matched perfectly with seasonal small bites from executive chef Taylr Benham Cuneo. The most popular tasting is called “Palate Play,” which marries five wines with five dishes from the kitchen. For a truly unparalleled afternoon, book the three-hour Vineyard Table experience, an immersion for four to 10 people that includes a glass of bubbly, a guided tour of the winery and on-site gardens, and a custom-designed meal with wine pairings served at a table in the vineyard. There are other, less involved ways to experience Ram’s Gate: seated wine tastings, stand-alone site tours, and picnics down by the pond. Whatever your fancy, just be sure to make a reservation before you go.
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
Ram’s Gate
Rachel Weill, AFAR Media
