ADVERTISEMENT
SONOMA AT HOME
Margo and Don don’t just make wines for a living—they live that lifestyle at home. “There’s an ease to
Sonoma County,” she notes. “It can be rustic, even charming, and it’s easy to be accepted for yourself.
Whenever I travel, there’s an almost involuntary sigh of relaxation when I arrive back in Glen Ellen.” To
celebrate that feeling, the couple often entertains at their farmhouse-style home, where the wrap-around
porch is ideal for a pre-dinner glass of Chateau St. Jean wine, and the open kitchen-dining-living space—
complete with centerpiece fireplace—is perfect for lively shared meals.
Even if you don’t have a wine country residence or vineyard views, it’s possible to re-create some of
that Sonoma and Chateau St. Jean magic at home—thanks to Margo’s easy entertaining tips:• GET CHEESY (AND CRUSTY)
Sonoma is home to incredible artisan cheese
mongers; some favorites include Cowgirl
Creamery’s Mt. Tam cheese, Cypress
Grove's Humboldt Fog, and picks from local
institution, Vella. Choose some of your favorite
cheeses at home and pair them with wine and
some great fresh bread—I love loaves made with
organic milled flour and sea salt. These pairings
are a true “Sonoma special.”- DESSERT FUN
Don is famous for making cookies, especially
oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip. He pairs
wine with the cookies, and also makes a game
of eating them: he puts a single dried cranberry
in every batch, no matter what kind he makes,
and whoever finds it is rewarded with an age
appropriate beverage. It’s kind of like finding the
baby in a King Cake at Mardi Gras time.
• KEEP CALM—AND ENJOY
I have goals when I entertain that are quite simple:
I want everyone to be comfortable, so I’m not too
fussy. (My wineglasses don’t all match!) Open
lots of different wines so your friends can explore
flavors and food combinations; put the guests at
ease with choices. And remember that the host
and hostess need to be able to enjoy the gathering
and the wonderful conversations going on—so
clean up, but later. Spend your time enjoying not
just the meal, but your friends. That’s Sonoma.- HONOR THE SEASONS
Living in bountiful Sonoma County, I like to
plan menus around what’s available in the season.
Freshness is key. Otherwise, keep meals simple.
Don and I both like to cook. My specialty is pasta,
because it’s so versatile. I love pasta primavera—
ideally with lots and lots of mushrooms (one of
my not-so-secret passions).
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP, LEFT:
A view of Sonoma County's famed vineyards;
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon paired
with Balsamic Steak and Arugula Salad; an
open-air corridor at Chateau St. Jean; the
European-style chateau at Chateau St. Jean.
THE FLAVORS OF CHATEAU ST. JEAN
The core of the Sonoma lifestyle is, of course, enjoying a perfect glass of wine—such as those
produced by Chateau St. Jean. But where to start? “We’re known for Chardonnay and Cinq Cépages,
but I think it’s smart not to overlook our Pinot Noir,” says Margo. “We have access to some of
Sonoma’s best Pinot vineyards, and they are worth seeking out.”
The most important thing of all, though, is to just explore and find the flavors you love. “Chateau
St. Jean is just like Sonoma County—we aren’t one thing. We have lots of varieties of wines, and all
of them are made with the Sonoma spirit of pairing well with food,” notes Margo. “There’s a saying
that’s popular here: ‘The French have a word for it: terroir. We have two words: Sonoma County.’”TO LEARN MORE AND CREATE YOUR OWN SONOMA CELEBRATION, VISIT CHATEAUSTJEAN.COM/DISCOVERMORE.