Beautiful Grapes
Note - this post was originally published 07.27.205
Grapes are looking great. Now we just have to keep them that way until harvest and keep the birds from harvesting before we do. Russian River Valley Fruit.
Harvest on the Horizon
Note - this post was originally published 07.06.2015
The grapes are turning color! Which means that harvest is in sight. And we're rounding the home stretch of another vintage. These are Pinot Noir grapes. Once the grapes have gone through veraison (changing color) they'll start to develop sugars. It's these sugars that will later be turned into alcohol/wine. Salut!
Grapes
Note - this post was originally published 05.28.2015
The grapes have set and in the warmer regions we farm are growing fast! All the grapes are green at this point. In another month or so they'll start to go through verasion - the process when the red grapes turn color and start developing their sugars. Looking good!
At Home in the Vineyard
Note - this post was originally published 05.26.2015
It seems every spring we come across a little nest of baby birds. We're always careful when we go through the vineyards, just in case, and then be sure to leave a buffer around these babes so they can grow and leave the nest on their own.
Salut! POE Rose
Note - this post was first published 05.23.2015
Rose wines are the most interesting thing this Spring. Refreshing, crisp, dry, fragrant, with inciting color. Also a great wine to pair for appetizers through the main course. Recently, we had one of our favorites so far: Poe Rose 2014.
POE Wines produces small production, single vineyard wines, focusing on Pinot Noir. This stunning Rose is unique because it is made from Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir (the grapes most often used together for champagne). Salut!
Our food pairing - The main course:
Roasted lemon chicken breast: recipe here
Side dish - roasted butternut squash with thyme
In the Vineyard
Note - this post was originally published 05.11.2015
Putting the brush between the wires and keeping the rows clean.
Backyard Tourist: Checkerboard Vineyards
Note - this post was originally published 04.29.2015
This week we had a chance to visit the exclusive, literally hidden gem of Checkerboard Vineyards. Our kind host, Beth, gave us a tour of the vineyards, winery caves (with their inviting aroma and clinically pristine walls), and tasting space.
Checkerboard's vineyards are all estate and at high elevation. They grow Bordeaux varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Each vintage is expertly crafted and cared for by hand, from vineyard to bottle. This row of barrels holds their 2013 red wines.
Tasting space with a view of the vineyards. Checkerboard's offerings are based around their showcase Cabernet - current release is 2011 and after opening up was a stunning, serious Cab, dark, rich, and lush. Tastings are by appointment only.
Salut!
Backyard Tourist: Bale Grist Mill
Note - this post was originally published 04.28.2015
Last week we went for a walk in the trees. Once the summer weather rolls in and the rains stop for the season, anything without deep roots turns withers away in the sun. So, it's nice to walk among the vines or head to a park and enjoy walking among trees.
The Wine. The Dinner
Note - this post was originally published 04.23.2015
Sauvignon Blanc is the latest grape gaining respect here in Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is still king and commands the highest price. Many of the top or cult wineries in the valley have added a stand out SB to their portfolio.
What I like about this change is the opportunity to taste site-specific SB's that due to selective vineyard sites show unique traits and elegance beyond the crisp, refreshing wine we enjoy. I hinted at this in our post about Rudd's Mt. Veeder Sauvignon Blanc. I also recommend checking out this article published in The Wall Street journal last year about serious SB's.
This leads to me to the SB we enjoyed this week with dinner.
The wine: SR Tonella Cellars Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2014. This wine is unique in that the grapes were sourced from the west bench in Rutherford and that the wine was aged in a combination of neutral French Oak, Acacia, and Stainless steel - resulting in a lovely SB with light aromatics, a round, lush palate, with minerality and acidity on the finish that won't tire your palate.
The dinner: Vegetable curry served with fresh cheese, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.
Salut!
Tended Vineyards
Note - this post was originally published 04.16.2015
Vines that are cared for are happier and healthier. They respond by growing and showing their green leaves and grapes-to-be. It is a great feeling to see, in this case literally, the fruits of your labor. The 2015 vintage is looking good.
Good Morning!
Note - this post was originally published 04.15.2015
Driving south through Napa Valley one morning, we had this beautiful view of hot air balloons taking flight. Good morning!
Salut! Covenant Cabernet
Note - this post was originally published 04.14.2015
Sometimes, a special not-so-little bottle doesn't need a food to pair with, just a little introduction.
This week we enjoyed a glass of Covenant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. Covenant Wines is located in Berkley and produces natural wines made with indigenous yeasts, and with out fining or filtration. Lush with refined tannins, beautiful color, and subdued red fruit flavors, this Kosher wine is ready to share.
Salut!
From Our Table to Yours
Note - this post was originally published 04.12.2015
I love nights when culinary inspiration strikes our kitchen and my mood lends itself to a great pairing. Tonight's wine: Rudd Mt. Veeder Sauvignon Blanc 2012. If you ever have an opportunity to enjoy this wine, take it. It is spectacular and not your every-day Sauvignon Blanc. The pairing: Salvadorean Pupusas with Pickled Cabbage. Yum.
This takes a little time, but is well worth the effort for this little satisfying meal. So pop the cork, pour yourself a glass, and make the beans ahead of time. We prefer pinto beans. Rinse the beans, and boil them for a couple hours until tender. Don't forget to add a little salt. (Can be done the day before and stored in the refridgerator)
Tonight I started with the Pickled Cabbage Salad. I used 1/4 the ingredients for our dinner for two, and this recipe from Smitten Kitchen.
Pupusas - I used a reduced version of this recipe: Fried the beans, made a mixture of corn meal and water, and lightly fried the pupusas in canola oil. No cheese, no onion, no masa. Delicious.
Salut!
Good Wine: Kale Rosé
Note - this post was originally published 04.01.2015
We have a unique opportunity here in Napa Valley - access to small production, high quality wines. From our dinner table to yours, we thought we'd start including some of our recent favorites.
Good wine: Kale Napa Valley Dry Rosé 2013
Juicy, lush, refreshing. This wine was an excellent accompaniment to dinner and enjoyable on its own to sip and relax.
"Who makes wine from kale?" Luckily, the answer to that is still, no-one, that I'm aware. Turns out Kale is the name of the winemaker; Kale Anderson (whose resume includes Colgin, Cliff Lede, and Pahlmeyer) produces wines with his wife Ranko under their own label Kale Wines. "I make wine with my senses, and I use science to gauge risk." - Kale
This Rosé is comprised of 68% Grenache and 38% Syrah. The fruit was sourced from Rutherford and Atlas Peak. The wine was bottled unfined. Only 176 cases produced.
Salut!
Suckering
Note - this post was originally published 03.31.2015
Spring is here and has brought with it summer weather. Now when we look out our windows, we are greeted by a sea of green! We've got good growth on the vines and this week we've started suckering in the vineyards. We sucker the vines to thin the growth and concentrate nutrients to achieve better quality fruit.
Backyard Tourist: Napa Valley
Note - this post was originally published 03.22.2015
It's great when you get a restaurant recommendation based on the wine list. Restaurants should have amazing food and presentation. But what if you want to start your meal with an awesome glass of wine and make your food selection based on the wine?
The Napa Valley Vintners organization released its "2015 Napa Valley Wine List Award" to recognize restaurants that support great local wines (the list isn't short - we are talking Napa Valley). Cheers!
Road Trip - Southern California
Note - this post was originally published 03.09.2015
Recently, we made a trip down to Southern California. And of course, we couldn't miss the view of the vineyards.
