We dropped in on one of our favorite tasting rooms in Sonoma wine country a few weeks ago and once again experienced the hospitality, warmth, good humor and interesting conversation we’ve quickly learned to expect (but never taken for granted) at Williamson Wines. This time our host and guide was Sam Williamson, son of winery owners and founders Bill and Dawn Williamson. Sam shares with his dad the belief that, in his own words, "When the combination of your favorite wines and your favorite foods exists, a third set of flavors, above and beyond the enjoyment the two individual flavors give apart, is greater." To that end, when you taste wine at Williamson, you are also served a bit of "’fridge food" — usually a bit of cheese, a dollop of jam or bite of fruit or chocolate — that has been thoughtfully and specifically chosen to match with a particular wine. The concept is brilliant and makes a tasting here unique, leisurely,  educational and truly fun. (We spent a good hour and a half there and likely would have stayed longer but for our dinner reservations down the street.) Unlike most tasting rooms you’ll walk into, Williamson’s has plenty of seating, and your hosts don’t rush you from pour to pour but take the time to chat, share a little of their philosophy on food and their wines and treat you like a guest in their home instead of a consumer they’re hoping will buy a few bottles of wine. And really, when you’re treated so well and are allowed the time to savor and enjoy their wines, why wouldn’t you want to? The tasting experience I just described at Williamson Wines is complimentary (a fairly rare thing these days), but they do offer some special, seated, priced tastings featuring their Legacy and Icon wines (small-batch, handcrafted) paired with specially matched tapas-style plates. Even more tempting are their Epicurean Dinners, wherein Executive Chef Dustin Valette of Dry Creek Kitchen (amazing food) works closely with Bill Williamson to design a six- to seven-course meal pairing each dish with a special wine. Just might have to time our next visit to Sonoma for one of those . . . If you’re ever in Healdsburg, do stop in just off the town’s central plaza and visit the Williamson Wines tasting room. Whether you’ve never tried wine tasting before or you’re a true oenophile, I can guarantee you’ll have a great time and learn something new, too. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor