If the idea of visiting an escape room appeals to you and you happen to be a fan of wine, we may have found the perfect excursion for you. “Unlock the Chateau” is an experience at Chateau St Jean, a winery in Sonoma Valley, California, and it declares itself to be an “escape room like no other.”
There’s an escape room with wine at Chateau St Jean Winery in California. Image: George Rose/Getty Images
Available for groups of six to 12 people, visitors have 60 minutes to solve a variety of puzzles and riddles. This is done by using clues and hints to unlock the “secret of the Chateau,” like old photographs, maps and wine barrels. To lubricate the whole experience, they get a welcoming glass of sparkling wine, a glass of wine when they unlock the second room, and a selection of tasting wines once they escape.

The Unlock the Chateau experience is available at Chateau St Jean in California. Image: Chad Springer/Getty Images
The chateau is a two-storey, 3550-square-foot historic home and is located at the centre of the Sonoma Valley estate. It was built as a summer home in the early 1920s for the Goff family, who made their fortune in iron mines and lumber. Though the surrounding land was initially planted with white wine grapes, prohibition soon curtailed grape growing throughout the valley, and the property was replanted to prunes and walnuts.
There’s an escape room experience at Chateau St Jean Winery in California. Image: George Rose/Getty Images)
When Chateau St Jean was established in 1973, the decision was made to preserve the Goff legacy and the chateau was fully restored and opened to the public. It has since been listed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Unlock the Chateau experience is available from Friday to Monday each week and costs US$60 (€52.91) per person. Further information is available here.
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