The Best Virtual Wine Tastings to Enjoy from Home Right Now

Far into our second month of social distancing, we're all continuing to take major safety precautions while cooking food and pouring drinks we love at home. Fortunately for us, wine purveyors have leaned into the times, with everything from virtual tastings via Zoom to tutorials on Instagram Live, and you can even find wine and recipe pairings taught by Michelin-starred chefs. So although most of us can't visit our favorite regional vineyards or experience new ones in person, we can enjoy a tasting or three from the comfort of our own kitchens, dining tables, or even desks (work is hard). We've rounded up a few of our favorite tastings from award-winning wineries, wine bars, and wine experts that you can experience in the weeks and months to come. Check out the Wine Institute's Discover California Wine website for more virtual events. Discover new favorites, enjoy some classics, and plan your next trip to visit the source once things return to normal.

Aperture Cellars

Winemaker Jesse Katz has set up multiple tasting packages, including "Dining In with Aperture" which includes both wine pairings featuring recipes from top chefs in the area. A portion of proceeds from the packages goes to Corazón Healdsburg to support those most greatly affected by COVID-19. The sessions are available at special members' pricing, with complimentary shipping. Chef sets rotate weekly, you can check the current schedule and purchase at Aperture's website. Katz and his team also offer private virtual tastings from Aperture, Devil Proof, and the Setting, guiding guests through the selection. To book a private tasting, call 707-200-7891 or email hospitality@aperture-cellars.com.

Jackson Family Wines

The expansive winery group Jackson Family Wines is currently doing a series through wine.com about their collections from Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and Oregon. This week features the "new wave" wines, with a guided tasting of Cambria Julia's Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, Diatom in Los Alamos, and Nielson in Santa Barbara. They will also recommend food pairings for all. The week of May 4 continues the experience with a virtual tasting from Willakenzie, Gran Moraine, and Penner-Ash from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Registration is available at wine.com/kjexperience, and you can always order the wines from wine.com or check your local stores via drizly.com. Looking for a basic crash course? Do a virtual tasting of Kendall Jackson Wines for just $53.99 any time you like.

Jenny & Francois Selections

Jenny & Francois, a natural wine distributor, has launched an Instagram Live Video chat series every week. This week is Calcarius wine from Puglia (Sunday 5/3 at 1:00 p.m.), where you'll take a live tour through the cellar and vineyard. Their website will point you to where to pick up the wines locally or order online to participate.

Orange Glou

Orange wine is all the rage now, and the founder of the world's first orange wine subscription service, Doreen Winkler, is hosting Instagram Live sessions on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. ET at @orange_glou. Participants can ask questions to Doreen and her winemaker guests, and get pairing recommendations and updates on how the regions are being affected. The 3-bottle subscriptions are $105/month and 6 bottles $195/month; non-subscription boxes are $115 for 3 bottles, and $205 for 6, each with extensive vinification, tasting, and food pairing notes.

Corkbuzz

New York City's Corkbuzz is hosting online classes with sommeliers (you can purchase for $10 via their website). All registered attendees can view the class, open the same style at home and drink along, where instructors will walk through the wines they are tasting. Use the "chat" section of Zoom to ask questions, submit questions ahead of time at orders@corkbuzz, or submit questions after via email.

Copper Cane Wines

Joseph Wagner, owner of Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, will host a virtual event on Friday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Copper Cane's Facebook page. He will talk through how his signature winemaking style came to be and will be tasting the six wines including pinot noir from Belle Glos, Böen, and Elouan, Chardonnay from Böen, and Napa Valley Quilt 2018 Fabric of the Land Red Wine. Tune in to learn or order some to try from coppercane.com or from your local store via Drizly.

Passalacqua Winery

If you're unsure about committing to a full bottle before tasting, Sonoma County's Passalacqua Winery has taken a different approach. The winery is offering personalized wine tasting flights delivered in three 2-ounce servings for $75 (shipping included). Appointments are made for a virtual tasting session with a Passalacqua wine expert in the format of your choice (FaceTime, audio call, etc.) within 1-2 days of receiving the wines. The cost of the wine flight also contributes towards a three or more-bottle purchase of your favorites from Passalacqua.

Wine.com Presents: John Legend and Jean-Charles Boisset and LVE Wines

Wine.com is hosting a live session on May 6 at 4:00 p.m. PT with musician John Legend and Jean-Charles Boisset tasting their rosé wines from France. You can purchase wines here to try out the French sparkling and a Côtes de Provence wine and learn the inspiration behind LVE. Wine.com also hosts a SIP in Place Happy Hour with Jean-Charles Boisset every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. PT.

K. Laz Wine

K. Laz is offering four different wine kits (with 2-day shipping included) with a scheduled virtual wine tasting through Zoom, Facebook, or Skype. Opt for a Cabernet Sauvignon trio or Pinot Noir trio for $235, a white wine trio for $195, or an elevated 100-point wine set for $1,045. You can also opt for a customized private wine tasting by purchasing selections from their website, and they'll host your virtual tasting with those specific wines. You'll also get special pricing on ordering wines tasted during the virtual tasting.

Taste Wine with José Andrés

Chef José Andrés will also be hosting tastings of Spanish wines on Instagram Live (@chefjoseandres) every weekend. The first will be Saturday, May 2th at 4 p.m. ET, kicking off with Ruter de Vink and Alvaro Palacios followed by tastings alongside ThinkFoodGroup's Master Sommelier Andy Myers and Jaleo's Head Sommelier Jordi Paronella.

FYI: California Wines' event map is updated daily with virtual tastings, cooking classes, and special discounts. If your winery is also offering regular virtual tastings and great deals for shipment, let us know! email: Megan.Soll@foodandwine.com