J Vineyards & Winery Shifting The Lens This Summer

For the past two year,  Shifting the Lens culinary series at J Vineyards & Winery has been a sell out success showcasing culture, cuisine and J wines.

J Vineyards & Winery offers a beautiful space and culinary platform that is rarely featured in winery environments. Now in its third year, Shifting the Lens actively builds a more diverse wine and culinary community by inviting acclaimed chefs to share their backgrounds, perspectives and styles during a one-week residency in The Bubble Room.

Continuing a Legacy of Innovation

Founded in 1986 in the heart of Russian River Valley, J Vineyards was the first in Sonoma County to offer wine and food pairing experiences at their tasting room. They established The Bubble Room in 2008, a dedicated tasting room offering an elevated, five-course pairing menu from J’s world-class culinary team.

Shifting the Lens

Led by Executive Chef Aaron Meneghelli and Estate Chef Forest Kellogg, Shifting the Lens explores techniques, local ingredients and exciting flavors prepared by invited Chefs-in-Residence.

Last year when 2023 Shifting the Lens resident Chef Tu David Phu became friends with Chef Forest, he inspired the J chef to embark on a culinary tour of Vietnam. Upon returning to J Vineyards & Winery, Chef Forest brought to life his culinary journey by preparing an exquisite sit down meal in the Bubble Room showcasing his own Vietnamese-influenced pairing menu.

James Beard Award Winning Chef

Chef Rashida Holmes is excited to share her Afro-Caribbean roots in August 29 through September 1, 2024 at J Vineyards & Winery. She has earned attention and acclaim as a James Beard Awards 2024 Semi- Finalist for Outstanding Chef, and 2023 Finalist for Emerging Chef for her appealing and flavorful Caribbean classic dishes.

She said that her goal during her upcoming Shifting the Lens residency is that “everyone has a really good time and that we all have a Caribbean party together.”

Chef Rashida will create five-courses paired with J Vineyards wines. She will also lead a 2.5 hours daytime experience starting at noon on Thursday through Sunday. “I want guests to feel the food in their soul and know that the love that went into it. I want to inspire guests to be adventurous eaters and seekers,” said Chef Rashida.

On Saturday and Sunday starting at 5 p.m., experience her Afro-Caribbean cuisine inspired by her own cultural and experiential journey. This three-hour dinner and dialogue will take place in the elegant Bubble Room with a fully curated five-course tasting menu. Courses will be paired with small-lot sparkling and still wines created by Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock. Chef Rashida will join diners in person to discuss her vision and inspiration for each dish.

Luxe and Elegance members can use the Bubble Room tickets included 
in their memberships for the Daytime Shifting the Lens Experience. Tickets start at $201 per person.

Upcoming Shifting the Lens

Top Chef Season 19 final four Chef Damarr Brown from Chicago will showcase ‘Second City’ culinary favorites on October 17 through October 20, 2024 at J Vineyards & Winery.

Receiving Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chef in America 2022, and the 2023 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef, Chef Damarr Brown brings Southern traditions and the cuisines of the African diaspora to the table. He believes that food has the power to connect people from a variety of backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and a culture of equity.

Through his Shifting the Lens residency, Chef Brown hopes to honor the women who raised him and will share their stories through every dish. By creating food inspired by his history, he also hopes to connect with guests on a deeper level. “I hope guests will feel like they know me…I’ve always felt like I communicate better through plates than with words,” said Chef Damarr.