Each Platypus Wine Tour offers guests the chance to explore wine country, taste fine wines from wineries in Sonoma and wineries in Napa, and dine on a picnic lunch at a scenic location. Our chefs prepare the picnic and when it’s lunch time, our tour guides prepare the meal. Recently, more and more guests have asked us “what is in that special sauce in the sandwiches?!”
We love getting these questions because it means folks enjoyed the food enough to want to recreate it themselves. The sauce is surprisingly simple so there’s no excuse not to try it at home. Pair it with your favorite wines Napa or Sonoma wineries too. Ladies and gents, by popular demand, we present Chef Carlos’ Balsamic dressing used for our sandwiches (but can have other uses too – get creative!):


Chef Carlos’ Balsamic Dressing

1 cup Balsamic vinegar
2 cups Olive oil
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
2 Tbs dry Italian seasoning
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
In a blender, add all ingredients except oil. Start blender in slow speed to blend first ingredients for a minute. Then bring blender to medium speed and start adding oil slowly. Half way pouring in oil, speed up blender to high, still adding oil slowly. When all oil is in, turn off blender and check that dressing is all together and slightly thick. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.


Easy enough, yes? Spread it on your sandwich and elevate your lunch! Use it for a salad or perhaps a marinade. There’s a lot you can do with this tasty dressing so if you choose to make it, share your creation and tag us!

Want to experience this special sauce straight from the source?

Book a tour with us and enjoy your tasty picnic lunch by Chef Carlos and his team. On our tours, you’ll visit incredible wineries in Napa and wineries in Sonoma followed by enjoying a lunch with your tour group. Finish off strong and take home some amazing wines to remember your adventure.
Journey through wineries in Napa when you choose a Napa wine tour. Venture into the charming wineries in Sonoma when you book North Sonoma or Sonoma Valley tours. Or create your own custom experience with our private tours. We look forward to discovering wine country with you.
Cheers to sammys, sauces, and wine!