At Jessup Cellars, we believe that wine is best experienced in harmony with food. This fall, we are thrilled to introduce our new Wine & Cheese Pairing Menu, crafted in collaboration with Laura Chenel, a pioneering name in American artisan goat cheese.
Founded in Sonoma over 40 years ago, Laura Chenel helped bring French-inspired goat cheese to California, championing fresh, tangy, and beautifully balanced cheeses that quickly became favorites among chefs and home cooks alike. Today, the creamery continues her legacy with a focus on quality, sustainability, and flavor, values that align perfectly with our own winemaking philosophy.
*Special Offer*
Laura Chenel is extending a special discount to replicate the pairings at home with your friends. Use promo code JESSUPFALL20 for 20% off the online store. > Limited to one time use.
The Pairings
Together, we’ve created a pairing menu that highlights the expressive character of Jessup Cellars wines alongside the artistry of Laura Chenel’s cheeses:
Chardonnay & Orange Blossom Honey Fresh Goat Cheese
Sweet meets bright acidity: The Honey adds sweetness that complements the fruit (apple/pear/citrus tones) of the Chardonnay, while the wine’s acidity cuts through the goat cheese’s tang.
Floral & citrus lift: Aromatic notes of orange blossom echo any citrus or tropical undertones in the Chardonnay, creating harmony on the palate.
Pinot Noir & Kalamata Olive Goat Cheese
Umami and minerality: The salty, briny Kalamata olives add savory oomph that amplifies Pinot Noir’s red fruit and earthy notes.
Acidity balances olive salt: Pinot Noir’s moderate acidity tempers the olive’s strength, ensuring the pairing doesn’t get too salty or one-dimensional.
Zinfandel & Cranberry Fresh Goat Cheese
Fruit-forward contrast: The tart-sweet cranberry flavors play off Zinfandel’s jammy berry and spice profile, giving balance and a refreshing lift.
Tang + spice combination: The goat cheese’s natural tang plus the cranberry’s fruitiness smooths out Zinfandel’s higher alcohol and spicy finish.
Merlot & Black Truffle Marinated Goat Cheese
Earthy depth & softness: Black truffle brings rich, foresty, umami notes that complement Merlot’s plum, dark cherry, and cocoa tones.
Fat content + oak interplay: The truffle’s oil and richness help soften Merlot’s oak- derived structure, making the wine’s tannins rounder and more integrated.
Cabernet Sauvignon & Four Peppercorn Goat Cheese
Spice vs spice: The peppercorn’s bite (spice) mirrors and elevates the peppery and spicy notes in many Napa Cabernets, reinforcing complexity.
Tannin meets fat & protein: Goat cheese has protein and some fat; the peppercorn adds flavor intensity. Together they soften the sharpness of tannins and let the Cabernet’s dark fruit, cedar, or tobacco elements show through more gracefully.
Want a sneak peek before you visit? We created a fun reel highlighting each pairing visually. Watch it below and get a taste of what awaits in the tasting room.
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This collaboration is a celebration of California’s wine country, uniting two artisan crafts that share a deep respect for tradition, terroir, and taste.
We invite you to join us in the tasting room this season to experience these extraordinary pairings. This is a limited-time offering, and one you won’t want to miss.
Book your tasting today and savor the art of wine and cheese, right here in Yountville.