Get acquainted.
Taste Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre on their own, with a little guidance from your Hamilton host.
Hamilton Family Wines / Kenwood, California
The Hamilton Blend.
A private wine blending experience in Sonoma Valley.
Bring your favorite people to Hamilton Family Wines in
Kenwood for a little friendly rivalry. Taste Grenache,
Syrah and Mourvèdre, work in teams to create your own
GSM blend, then compare the finished wines blind to
see whose recipe wins. A seasonal grazing board from
the Hamilton kitchen is part of the afternoon.
$110Per guest
6–12Private group size
90 minutesApproximate duration
By requestAdvance reservations
The idea
Everyone has an opinion about wine. Here’s your chance to prove it.
It’s one thing to appreciate a beautiful blend. It’s another to decide what goes into it.
With Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre as your starting point, you’ll work in small teams to create a GSM that suits your palate. A little more Grenache? A touch more Mourvèdre? Try it, taste it and see what happens.
Then we’ll serve the finished blends blind. Each team gets to weigh in on the favorite, and we’ll see which recipe takes the honors.
No winemaking experience necessary. Strong opinions welcome.
The wines behind the blend
Get to know the trio.
Three Rhône varieties, each with a personality of its own. Your team decides how they fit together.
Grenache
Blackberry, rose petal, herbs and black pepper.
Syrah
Red fruit, pomegranate and chocolate.
Mourvèdre
Boysenberry, tart cherry, violet and sage.
The experience
Here’s how it works.
Everything is hosted. You can focus on the wines, the people you’re with and, naturally, coming up with a winning recipe.
Make your blend.
Experiment with your team’s proportions, taste the results and refine your recipe.
Taste them blind.
The finished blends are poured without names. Everyone gets to compare the results.
Pick a favorite.
Celebrate the winning recipe, then enjoy a final taste of Hamilton’s GSM.
Bring your people
The best part? Everyone thinks they’re right.
The Hamilton touch
A little something from the kitchen, too.
There’s no reason to rush. Enjoy a seasonal grazing board while you experiment, compare notes and settle a few friendly differences of opinion.
- A private Hamilton host and dedicated group experience
- Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre to taste and blend
- Blending glassware and recipe cards
- A seasonal grazing board to share
- Blind tasting, team judging and Hamilton GSM finale
Private groups / Advance inquiry
Make it your blend.
Celebrating something? Bringing friends through Sonoma for the weekend? Tell us your preferred date and group size, and we’ll help arrange a private afternoon at Hamilton.
The Hamilton Blend
$110
per guest
- Duration
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Group size
- 6–12 guests
- Minimum booking
- $660
- Location
- Kenwood, Sonoma Valley
- Reservations
- By advance request
Experience details and pricing are subject to final confirmation. Custom bottled blends are not included.
Private experience inquiries
Tell us about your group.
Have a date in mind for The Hamilton Blend? Send us a note with your preferred date, approximate group size and occasion. We’ll follow up personally to confirm availability and the details.
Please mention The Hamilton Blend in your message. Inquiries do not confirm a reservation.
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Before You Visit
Good to know.
What exactly is a GSM wine blend?
GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre,
three grape varieties traditionally associated
with France’s Rhône Valley. Each brings its own
character to the finished wine. During the
experience, you’ll taste all three individually
before deciding how to combine them.
Do we need to know anything about winemaking?
Not at all. Your Hamilton host will introduce
the wines, explain the blending process and
help everyone get started. The fun comes from
experimenting, comparing notes and discovering
what your group likes.
How is the winning blend chosen?
Each team creates its own blend, which is then
served anonymously during a group blind tasting.
Everyone compares the results and votes for a
favorite. Your host guides the process and
keeps the competition friendly.
Can we book with fewer than six guests?
The Hamilton Blend is designed for private
groups of six to twelve guests. Smaller groups
are welcome to inquire, although the minimum
booking charge of $660 still applies.
Can we take our own blend home?
You’ll leave with a recipe card documenting
your team’s creation. Custom bottling and
take-home bottles of your blend are not
included in this experience.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
A seasonal Hamilton grazing board is included,
with selections that may vary based on
availability. Please mention any food allergies
or dietary preferences when you inquire so
our team can confirm what can be accommodated.
Whose blend wins?
Illustrative photography:
Denis Sousa
and
Caroline Attwood
/ Unsplash. Additional photography from
Hamilton Family Wines.