Alexander Valley Winery Debuts Interactive Food & Wine Experience Led by Chopped Alumni
GEYSERVILLE, Calif. (May 19, 2025) — This summer, the celebrated Alexander Valley winery Skipstone will debut the Skipstone Sonoma Cook-Off, an exclusive small-group culinary adventure inspired by the hit Food Network series Chopped. Set among the estate’s organically farmed vineyards and produce gardens, the experience invites guests to embrace their inner chef in a spirited cooking competition guided by Chopped contestants and husband-and-wife culinary duo Eric and Laura Lee.
The cook-off begins with a toast of Skipstone’s Rosé de Constance Champagne, followed by the reveal of a curated mystery box containing four to five seasonal ingredients. Guests may choose their challenge level—“easy,” “difficult,” or “insane”—with contents ranging from garden-fresh vegetables and herbs to fresh seafood or surprising gourmet staples. Some ingredients may even be harvested onsite. Participants will then craft appetizers judged by flavor, creativity, and execution to crown the group’s master chef.
Following the competition, chefs Eric and Laura return to the kitchen to prepare a beautifully plated family-style lunch and dessert, thoughtfully paired with a selection of Skipstone’s estate-grown wines for a complete culinary immersion.
“Skipstone’s Sonoma Cook-Off is the ultimate way to experience the energy and beauty of our estate,” says Brian Ball, General Manager of Skipstone. “It’s interactive, exciting, and unlike anything else in Sonoma—guests get to cook with stunning vineyard views all around them, taste the fruits of their labor, and enjoy a meal that brings together food, wine, and great company in a truly unforgettable setting.”
The Skipstone Sonoma Cook-Off is offered for private groups of six to ten guests at an all-inclusive rate of $500 per person. Pricing includes all ingredients, wine pairings, a relaxed three-course lunch, and exclusive access to Skipstone’s scenic outdoor kitchen and tasting gazebo.
ABOUT SKIPSTONE
Founded by Fahri Diner in 2001, Skipstone crafts limited-production Bordeaux-focused varietal wines and blends from its certified-organic Alexander Valley estate, set within the valley’s hillsides soon to be designated as an official appellation, Pocket Peak. The 200-acre Skipstone estate, located just north of Healdsburg, features a 27-acre vineyard, state-of-the-art winery, olive orchards, and the private Residence at Skipstone, available for overnight stays. The winery offers daily one-and-a-half-hour tastings ($125/person) for up to 10 guests by appointment only. For more information about Skipstone, please visit www.skipstonewines.com or phone 707.433.9124.
