So, of all good things Rodney Strong…(I have an affair with the Sauvignon Blanc for sure), they do it again with the Terrace experience. I enjoyed a beautiful summer moment with friends while exciting all my taste buds! The low down…it’s a Friday – Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm kinda summer party. Wine Flights with local goods that look like this…

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That is what summer heaven looks like to me. The beautiful views of vineyards, green grass with corn hole (for those that can’t just sit still because sun brings playful spirits) & a bounty of seats to relax in while gaining a blissful summer memory. After a visit this will become a new summer retreat to stow away too! All good things in wine country lead me back to the love of food & wine. With a new chef on deck this year, Mat Petersen, you will love how the wine style is accentuated by the delicious foods. My favorite quote after meeting Mat, “I dropped the pen for the knife” as he refers to leaving the reporting life to join the chef life. After tasting his style on a plate…I think Mat’s food is a bite of good news.

I enjoyed wood fired pizza made of a dreamy menagerie of ingredients like potato & wild mushroom with fontina, as well as, pear & prosciutto with manchego. I enjoy wood fired pizza all year long, but there is something about relaxing in the sun with a great glass of wine that makes a warm, crisp pizza with fresh ingredients really sing to my soul.

However, the one thing I was fully enamored with in the food department, was leek fritters with scallion yogurt. This may go down as one of the best things I’ve ever eaten (I’ve enjoyed a lot of memorable best bites, but this is ranking in the a wish I had some more category). It was like crispy fair food went upscale with some sass. This is one of those dishes that I could enjoy all summer long with bountiful glasses of Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc. The crisp citrus swirls of this wine marry with stone fruit to enhance the flavors of the leeks & yogurt balanced by the crispy shell.

I am a rose fan around the globe, varietal & season, yet most people enjoy it the most during summer. I have a handful of go to pink glasses, but I love discovering more! There are two beautiful expressions available at Rodney Strong as if to say, there is a rose for anyone. The Rose of Pinot was a classic, or classy, example with hints of rosewater & cherries. However, those that know me best, understand it is the unique glass that become a memory for later that I fall in love with. That being said, I was taken with the Rose of Malbec. It was playfully fun with swirls of watermelon & strawberry that I could enjoy as a glass alone or with a beautiful spread of local charcuterie.

As harvest is in the air, whispering the grand finally of summer is abreast while the welcome of falls color changed cool mornings, I’m reminded I love that Sonoma County is blessed with great seasonal expressions. If I were you, I would not let this summer end with out enjoying some time at Rodney Strong Vineyards on there terrace. To make a reservation check out https://www.rodneystrong.com/visit-us#

Cheers!