J Winery’s “Shifting the Lens” program is shaking up the traditional wine and food pairing landscape, offering a unique opportunity for wine lovers to explore multicultural cuisine alongside expertly paired wines. This initiative is not only introducing new flavors but also redefining the wine industry’s approach to food pairings, incorporating dishes from various ethnic backgrounds.
A New Culinary Experience
Chef Rashida Holmes, known for her Afro-Caribbean cuisine, is one of the talents shaping this unique experience. Growing up with traditional recipes from Barbados passed down by her family, Holmes remembers her first codfish cake as a child, describing it as a “flavor bomb.” She now shares these memories with guests at J Winery, inviting them to pair the codfish cake with J’s 2017 Blanc de Blancs, a sparkling wine selected by winemaker Nicole Hitchcock.
The response from diners is overwhelmingly positive. Attendees were delighted by the unique combination, showing the powerful potential of pairing wine with non-European cuisine.
Shifting the Lens: Redefining Wine Pairing
J Winery’s “Shifting the Lens” program is now in its third year. The program highlights chefs specializing in ethnic cuisine, from Afro-Caribbean to Vietnamese, Mexican, and Japanese. These chefs spend a week at the winery, collaborating with winemaker Nicole Hitchcock to find the perfect wine pairings for their signature dishes.
The program offers several tasting experiences, including weekday afternoon seatings and special weekend dinners. These events provide a platform for chefs to showcase their culinary traditions while also educating guests on the cultural background of their food. The approach is a bold departure from the traditional European-centric wine pairings, aligning with trends that suggest younger, multicultural wine drinkers are eager to see their own cuisines paired with wine.
A Groundbreaking Initiative
J Winery’s initiative has earned praise from consumers and industry experts alike, including winning a 2023 Sonoma County Tourism Innovation Award for promoting diversity and inclusivity. The program’s focus on pairing wine with multicultural dishes not only appeals to a broader audience but also sets the winery apart as a leader in culinary inclusivity.
“We wanted to do something creative and inclusive,” said Michael Pollock, VIP Consumer Experience Representative at J Winery. “The feedback has been amazing. People keep coming back to experience new chefs and cuisines.”
Benefits for Consumers, Chefs, and Local Farms
The “Shifting the Lens” program extends its impact beyond just wine enthusiasts. Local farmers benefit as visiting chefs explore Sonoma County’s fresh produce and meats, creating dishes that blend local ingredients with global flavors.
The program also provides opportunities for students at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) to gain hands-on experience. J Winery donates $30,000 annually to the SRJC Shone Farm Agriculture Education Fund, supporting internships that give students valuable experience in sustainable farming.
The History Behind Afro-Caribbean Cuisine
During her residency, Chef Rashida Holmes shared insights into the history of Afro-Caribbean food, enriching the tasting experience with stories about the origins of key ingredients. For instance, plantains, a Caribbean staple, were first introduced as a cheap food source on slave ships. These narratives give diners a deeper connection to the dishes, making each bite a lesson in history.
Holmes’ passion for Afro-Caribbean cuisine was reflected in every dish, from her fried plantains topped with shrimp and curry spices to her smoked goat with peanut sauce. Paired with carefully selected J wines, each course brought out new dimensions in both the food and the wine, highlighting the art of cross-cultural pairing.
Conclusion
J Winery’s “Shifting the Lens” program is a trailblazing example of how the wine industry can embrace diversity and innovation. By pairing wine with multicultural cuisine, the program breaks away from outdated paradigms and opens the door for new, exciting food and wine experiences.
“It’s nice to be here in Sonoma County to slow down and enjoy food and wine,” Holmes said. “J Winery is leading the way in shaping the future of wine and food pairing in this country.”
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