Join us for a Kendall-Jackson Wine and Daphne Chocolate Pairing, Nov 8

With our upcoming travel writing workshop, we not only will spill the how-to beans on getting paid to travel, but we’ll also offer some tasty treats. Compliments of Kendall-Jackson wine via Sonoma Tourism, two wines will be served at the event this Friday night, November 8th, at the Writer’s Junction in Santa Monica. The Kendall–Jackson Avant Chardonnay and Kendall–Jackson Grand Reserve Pinot Noir will be paired with delicious chocolates by Daphne. Join us for night of fun travel tales, deep travel writing exercises by author Erin Bryne, hot tips on how to break in to travel writing and scrumptious sips and snacks.

And here is a little more ‘juice’ to entice you to join us:

Daphne Chocolates

All chocolate contains 70% cocoa, no dairy and no added sugar. Sounds like just the kind of chocolate we like. The natural dried fruits in many of Daphne Vandergrift Elizalde’s chocolates burst with natural sweetness; complemented with pecans, walnuts and almonds. And for those who are wheat-intolerant, Daphne Chocolates are gluten free.

“I hope to connect and engage others through my delicious and healthy chocolates. I want to help create sweet memories for my client’s special events, in the work environment or within a family setting,” says Elizalde.

Kendall-Jackson Avant

The Avant is a new twist on California Chardonnay. Bright, crisp and lean on the tastebuds, K-J Avant, ‘avant’ means before in French, has just a tinge of the typical oak flavors in Chardonnays from California.

With flavors that mirror California’s fog-laden coastline, this wine achieves a balance of vibrancy and complexity through gentle whole-cluster pressing and fermentation in a combination of older oak barrels and stainless steel. The subtle use of neutral oak adds a graceful structure while cool stainless steel fermentation preserves the fresh, intense fruit flavors inherent to Chardonnay grown along the coastline.

Kendall-Jackson Avant continues the winery’s nearly three decades of pioneering award-winning varietal wines from California’s cool coastal appellations like Sonoma County.

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Merlot

This wine scored a Gold the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and primarily sourced from vineyards in Sonoma County. A splash of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon add backbone and complexity, creating a beautifully structured, food-friendly wine.

Chocolate Pairing: The orange, cranberry, walnut chocolate.

Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintner’s Reserve means wine is made from grapes only found on their vineyard estates. The Vinter’s Reserve Cab Sauv, according to winemaster Randy Ullom, has notes of cedar, vanilla and a hint of mocha finish. Sounds delicious.

Chocolate Pairing: caramel, coffee chocolate

Sonoma Wine Country

Did you know Sonoma was voted as Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice for Wine Destinations? We tend to agree with Tripadvisor, as it’s truly a gem of an area – chock full of sumptuous wines, boutique hotels and insanely good local restaurants. Here are some of Lanee’s recommends when visiting Sonoma County: Farmhouse Inn Review; Sonoma’s Own Limoncello Maker; Sonoma’s Food Artisans.

Travel Writing Workshop

Wine, chocolate, travel – what else do you need for a fabulous Friday night?

Hope you to see you there. Tickets are $15. Get ’em HERE.

Product photos courtesy of Daphne Chocolates and Kendall-Jackson Wine.