A Roaring Good Time

Wine lovers and history geeks will thrill to a behind-the-scenes tasting at the gated 50-acre Kings Mountain Vineyards estate in Woodside, built by the millionaire-turned-playboy, George Whittell Jr., whose father was the founder of PG&E. A new Great Estate Tasting, with library vintages of estate-grown pinot noirs and meritages, runs $100 per person with snacks. Historians quote Whittell as saying, “When men stop boozing, womanizing and gambling, the bloom is off the rose.” Whittell also kept a pet lion. (Times and attitudes have changed.) Other tasting options at the winery, which produces only 400 cases a year, include sips of current vintage and custom verticals, beginning at $50 per person, also accompanied by cheese, charcuterie and other historical nibbles. Minimum party of six, by appointment only through [email protected]

Originally published in the March issue of Silicon Valley