Imagine sitting in a French château on a warm summer evening, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a majestic mountain view. You’re sampling exquisite wines and delightful cheeses, taking the time to sip, savor and enjoy the moment. 

That dream can be a reality when you attend one of La Caille’s popular wine tastings. If you have a deep appreciation for wine, or maybe you’re a curious beginner, the tastings offer a mix of education and indulgence.

Angela Eltzholtz is La Caille’s wine specialist. She fell in love with wine during the time she spent working at a winery in Temecula, California. Eltzholtz's favorite thing is introducing people to the wines at La Caille which include two estate wines made with grapes grown, picked fresh, fermented and bottled at La Caille.

“People are very surprised to find out we have a vineyard here and we produce a great product,” she said. “We have the Seyval Blanc and our beloved Dornfelder grapes. Those are the two varietals that we grow.”

La Caille’s estate Enchante wine is defined as “Liquid sunshine in a glass.” It carries the aromas of melon, honeysuckle and subtle florals, with a palate of citrus flavors. The estate Château Rosé features a blend of the vineyard's grapes, with the flavors of blueberry, strawberry and a dash of spice.

Three red wines are also produced at La Caille, using juice from other wineries, but aged, blended and bottled on site. The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and the Choix Evident are all bottled under the Château La Caille label. 

“I’m a seasonal wine drinker, so right now I’m loving the estate rosé because that’s just what goes with the season,” Eltzholtz said. “I love it because it’s ours. We make it 100%. I love drinking a wine where I see the grapes grow throughout the year.”

The tasting features five La Caille wines, paired with Caputo’s cheeses, including Laura Channel goat cheese, blue and fig mostarda, and tartufo. 

Wine and cheese tastings are held every Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m., and Saturdays at 4 p.m. Seats must be reserved and only those 21 and older can attend. The cost is $29 for wine, plus $16 for the cheese pairing experience. Each attendee also receives a souvenir wine glass. To register for a wine tasting, or to order wine for pick-up from the estate, visit LaCaille.com. The wines are not available at the liquor store or in other restaurants. 

“The experience lasts 60 to 75 minutes but since everybody is always welcome to have a glass of wine after the tasting, sometimes that takes a little longer,” she said. “They’ll hang out and enjoy their favorite wine and go out on the patio.”

Located near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon at 9565 Wasatch Blvd., La Caille is celebrating 50 years of fine dining and magical experiences. While the restaurant offers upscale elegance, the wine tastings can be a more casual affair. 

“I talk to them about the wine, the cheese and La Caille. We often walk outside and see the peacocks,” Eltzholtz said. “The wine tasting brings them in but everybody’s so interested in this property, its history about what we do here. So we talk a lot about that, too.

“People will enjoy it wherever they are, from beginners who don’t know anything about wine, to people who already know a lot about wine. So really, I have the full spectrum. I will meet you, where you’re at.”

La Caille’s wine specialist, Angela Eltzholtz, hosts wine and cheese tastings three days a week, educating and enlightening people about the restaurant’s vineyard and products. (Photo courtesy of La Caille)