WASHINGTON COOKING CLASS FIELD GUIDE
15 Rules of Food & Wine Pairing — A Guided Tasting at Little Washington Winery
A focused, 90-minute class in Washington, Virginia that teaches how to match whites, rosés, reds and sweet wines with small bites to sharpen your palate.
15 Rules of Food & Wine Pairing — A Guided Tasting at Little Washington Winery.
Elevate your palate at an engaging Food and Wine pairing class in Washington, Virginia. This session walks you through matching wines and food in an educational, convivial setting — a tasting that doubles as a hands-on lesson in balance and contrast.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Led by the winemaker, Donna
The class is guided by the winery’s winemaker, Donna, who leads pours and explanations, making each pairing feel deliberate and revealing.
A spectrum from whites to sweet wines
You’ll work through a range of wines — whites, rosés, reds and sweet wines — pairing each with small, purposeful bites that highlight citrus, savory, spicy, salty, bitter and umami notes.
A tasting that feels like a culinary treasure hunt
The tasting unfolds like a treasure hunt: the table fills with nibbles and every sip teaches you a rule about contrast and harmony, leaving you with a recalibrated palate.
What the day feels like
What the class feels like
Over roughly an hour and a half you move through structured pours and paired bites while the instructor connects sensory details — citrusy sparks, savory anchors, spicy curveballs, salty jolts, bitter edges and umami swells — to practical rules for pairing. The approach is playful and instructive: some combinations flatter, some clash spectacularly, and each outcome becomes a lesson for your next meal.
THE TEACHER
Led by the winemaker, Donna
The class is guided by the winery’s winemaker, Donna, who leads pours and explanations, making each pairing feel deliberate and revealing.
THE PAIRINGS
A spectrum from whites to sweet wines
You’ll work through a range of wines — whites, rosés, reds and sweet wines — pairing each with small, purposeful bites that highlight citrus, savory, spicy, salty, bitter and umami notes.
THE EXPERIENCE
A tasting that feels like a culinary treasure hunt
The tasting unfolds like a treasure hunt: the table fills with nibbles and every sip teaches you a rule about contrast and harmony, leaving you with a recalibrated palate.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this class — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring curiosity and an appetite — the session is described as 'come curious, come hungry' and centers on many small paired bites.
The class occupies roughly one hour and a half, making it a compact, focused tasting experience.
The session is offered at a $60 price point and carries an age minimum of 21+, so plan accordingly.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the class?
The class runs about one hour and a half.
How much does it cost?
The class fee is $60.
Is there an age restriction?
Yes — participants must be age 21 or older.
Where does the class meet?
At Little Washington Winery, 65 Clark Lane, Washington, VA 22747.
Who leads the tasting?
The tasting is led by the winery’s winemaker, Donna.
Is the class social or instructional?
It blends both: the format is convivial and social while centering on educational pairing rules and tasting experiments.