Straight from Sonoma Valley to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, The Lake Estate on Winnisquam will host its first exclusive five-course wine pairing dinner on January 21. The event will bring together award-winning Kendall-Jackson winemaker Randy Ullom, New Hampshire celebrity chef Chris Viaud, and the estate’s culinary leadership for an evening focused on collaboration, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
The dinner will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Estate Ballroom. Tickets are $152.50 per person plus tax, with limited reservations still available.
Celebrating Kendall-Jackson and the Craft of Winemaking
Randy Ullom is a winemaker with over 30 years of experience.
Kendall-Jackson is one of America’s most recognized family-owned wineries, and Randy Ullom has played a defining role in shaping its identity for more than three decades. As head winemaker, he helped establish the style behind the Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, the most popular Chardonnay sold in the United States.
Ullom says his winemaking philosophy remains rooted in understanding the drinker. “Just to maintain the understanding of the consumer desires, tastes, and wants for a great wine that is pleasing, fruit forward, mouth filling with a long lingering finish, one that beckons for a second sip after that first sip and smile!” he said.
During the dinner, Ullom will guide guests through each pairing, offering insight into the wines and the regions behind them. When presenting outside of California wine country, he adapts his approach. “I try to give a broader overview of the state and regions,” Ullom said, noting that he saves deeper dives for more specialized audiences.
Chef Chris Viaud Designs a Menu Built for Pairing
Chef Chris Viaud, Director of Culinary Arts at The Lake Estate, created the five-course menu with balancing flavors and texture to complement each wine.
“The chefs and I use our knowledge of flavor pairings to round out what makes a complete dish by incorporating things like acid, spice, texture and fat,” Viaud said. “We then think of dish concepts that would work with the flavor profiles of the wine.”
The menu begins with hibiscus-cured tuna paired with a 2023 Vintner’s Reserve Rosé, followed by hand-cut pappardelle with smoked oyster mushrooms alongside a 2022 Dakel Pinot Noir. Additional courses include “Peking” quail, five spice duck breast with a 2021 Hawkey Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, and a honey pavlova dessert paired with a 2022 Grand Reserve Late Harvest Orange Muscat.
Chef Chris Viaud uses his culinary expertise to bring dishes to life.
Several pairings immediately caught Ullom’s attention. “First the pappardelle with the smoked mushrooms that would pair beyond belief organoleptically with the Chilean Dakel Pinot,” he said, adding that every course made it difficult to choose a favorite.
A Communal Dining Experience at The Lake Estate
Beyond the menu, Viaud hopes the evening offers guests a broader perspective on fine dining in New Hampshire. “I hope this dinner…helps challenge the guests perspective on what higher end culinary offerings can be,” he said, while encouraging diners to explore flavors they might not typically choose.
The communal tablescape is designed to create connection. “Our goal is to also instill a sense of community and gathering where guests can interact with each other and enjoy the company as they take in the beautiful setting,” Viaud added.
Why The Lake Estate Chose Kendall-Jackson
For Jim Hildreth, Director of Restaurants at The Lake Estate on Winnisquam, the partnership with Kendall-Jackson was a natural fit. “Jackson Family Wines is home to the number one Chardonnay brand in the world,” he said, pointing to the winery’s global reach and range of offerings.
Hildreth also highlighted Ullom’s influence across the industry. “Randy Ullom has been a winemaker for more than three decades, crafting wines on multiple continents,” he said. “All of the above made this a very easy decision.”
Event Details and Overnight Stay Options
The five-course wine pairing dinner will take place on Tuesday, January 21, in the Estate Ballroom at The Lake Estate on Winnisquam. Tickets are $152.50 per person plus tax, with reservations available online.
Guests may also extend the evening with special overnight room rates starting at $299 using the code WINE121. Additional wine-focused events are planned at the estate throughout February, including a Grand Wine Tasting on February 7 and a Napa Valley wine dinner featuring Duckhorn Vineyards on February 28.
More information and reservations can be found through The Lake Estate on Winnisquam. To learn more about upcoming events at The Estate, visit thelakeestatenh.com.
All photos credited to The Lake Estate on Winnisquam, and Kendall-Jackson Winery, 2026.
