The newly opened Roots In Sonoma tasting room, located here at Cornerstone Sonoma in the Carneros region of the county, will begin monthly wine and food pairings on Saturday, June 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with the series continuing on the second Saturday of each month. The wine and food pairings are $10 per person.

For additional information about the wine and food pairings, please call the tasting room at 707/934-4090.

Roots In Sonoma features two new labels developed exclusively for the tasting room by Larson Family Winery: Friendship Road and Roots In Sonoma. Meadowcroft Family of Wines includes the Meadowcroft, Magito, Thomas Henry and Foyt Family labels.

The food pairings are prepared by Chef Darbie Tarantino a graduate of Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork Ireland, the only cookery school in the world set in the middle of its own 100 acre organic farm. For the first pairing, Chef Darbie is creating a light summer fare to pair with four wines. The Magito Sauvignon Blanc will be paired with a summer salad with citrus vinaigrette, the Roots Pinot Noir Rose will be paired with prosciutto wrapped melon, the Meadowcroft Chardonnay will be matched with Irish Farmhouse cheese and apple chutney, and the Friendship Road Gewurztraminer will be paired with sweet and spicy nuts.

"We want to welcome summer by emphasizing our white wines and showcasing their versatility with food," said Roots In Sonoma tasting room manager, Phyllis Hyland. "We offer the pairings in a fun, relaxed atmosphere where the emphasis is on great wines and great times."

Roots In Sonoma is presently serving 24 wines on its daily menu. The tasting room is part of the Cornerstone Sonoma complex that features world class gardens, a gourmet cafe, art galleries and cutting edge design shops all set among acres of vineyards.

The Roots In Sonoma tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The venue is also available for private parties, private tastings, wine dinners and other events. With plenty of free parking at, the area is a perfect setting for any type of event, both indoors or outdoors.