This holiday crept up on me and it actually happens to be my favorite one. This year we are not doing our usual trip because I just didn’t feel like traveling far with things to juggle close to home. It sure is refreshing to switch it up sometimes!

I enjoy the way this holiday brings together friends and family to celebrate gratitude with food and libations. This is a beautiful traditional meal to pair with wine, but many are writing about wine pairing lists at this time so for my first blog-giving holiday I rather mention what I’m grateful for in the world of wine. In seasons to come I will focus on specific items, places & people that are wine related to be thankful for.

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This year I’m keeping it simple. The biggest thing that I’m grateful for regarding wine is that it easily entwines itself into my insatiable love of always learning. There is so many grape varietals to be used, the influence of climate & topography, varied jobs in the industry, styles of wine-making, and new discoveries in wine products to keep the intrigue alive.

The next thing that I adore about wine is that it gave me a language to share that is much more appealing to people then taxes or mortgages. Most people won’t yawn and mentally check out during wine discussions. Chasing more knowledge has helped me step out of my shy introvert nature to enjoy the beautiful experiences surrounding wine.

As a person that loves the natural beauty you can surround yourself with I find vineyards to be a treasure trove of peaceful excitement. From a palatial chateau with over the top manicured gardens to farmhouses with friendly dogs to greet you, there is a haven for every mood. I find most people living their passion love to share their passion and that can be quite infectious.

So while you are enjoying a glass of wine with those you love, take a minute to tip your glass in gratitude to those that farmed it and all those that made it what it is.

Cheers!

Ah…one of my favorite Syrah bottles from this region in the beautiful cloak of 2007.

Every sip is like coming home to a warm blueberry cobbler fresh out of Nana’s oven.

Dark berries leap from the glass & frolic along the summer patches to pick bushels for fresh potluck pies.

Every sip is flag flying 4th of July wrapped into winters fireplace embrace. Deep purple tinted red, award carpet glamour with velvet blanket luxury makes this a succulent sip every time.

Cheers!

This rich blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Munger Creek Syrah, & Plaisance Ranch Syrah was an exciting find.  An ex dairy farmer turned cattle rancher & vine wrangler takes his hand at making balanced wines in the Applegate Valley of Oregon.  This was one of the simple beautiful yet exciting finds that made me feel like this tucked away dirt road was worth every minute & dime.
Aromas of plum & luxurious dark fruit waft up from the glass, run its fingers gently through your hair down your cheek & with a gentle first finger to chin lures you to the glass for an expectant sip. Charming family man in a glass.

Cheers!

For the 2015 Wine & Food Affair I needed a diverse offering of wine with a little food focus, as a group I was with desired to welcome their daughter into wine country on her 21st birthday week. Our 1st stop is one of my favorite dog friendly stops in Sonoma County, Topel Winery. I happened to pick up their annual dog calendar that benefits local charities for animals because family & friends almost expect them from me for Christmas by now. The lovely Donnis Topel was on hand to dish up some family recipe goodness for their wine pairing that was perfect for a fall day & a recipe I may be duplicating before year end for sure. The hearty white bean soup with their Palindrome Vineyard, Syrah was like fall comfort food for the soul.

My next favorite stop on our itinerary was a place I can’t stay away from, Holdredge Winery. This girl loves her Pinot, so I added this one to the list & actually stopped into visit both days of the event. Naturally, to buy wine & dine on another comfort food classic, bacon mac & cheese. My pick of the day, hands down, was the 2013 Bucher Vineyard, Pinot Noir with its rose petals & light berry beauty I couldn’t unbury my face from the glass. May I have another, kind sir (in my best British accent)? Not to mention, John Holdredge is a very entertaining gentleman.

The day also found fun pairings, such as, Gustafson Family Vineyard 2013 Estate Riesling with curried chicken tartlets. Merriam Vineyards Cabernet Franc paired with a chocolate pork stew with aerated yam, made by one of my favorite local chefs, Josh Silver of Jackson’s Bar and Oven. Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery paired their 2013 Estate Chardonnay with a savory flan with fresh herbs that was light & fluffy like a quiche. A delicate, almost poetic pairing.

The 1st day ended with a visit to Stehlmuller Vineyards to enjoy the view, the wine & one of the best duck bites I’ve had in a while. The 2012 Estate Zinfandel was married to a peppered duck breast with blackberry jam that complimented each other wonderfully. The pepper brought out the spice while the jam brought out the luscious fruit. On a day that you are enjoying a glass of wine solo, this was the moment reminding you why food & wine pairing is a great art of the senses.

Day 2 was launched with a revisit to Holdredge Winery to buy some more wine. The group headed to Mazzocco Sonoma Winery as it has been a wine club of theirs for a long time. They paired their 2013 Maria Zinfandel with a hearty duck & pork cassoulet. I was quite enraptured by all the rose blooms that greeted us.

My treasured find of the weekend was full of gorgeous wine country views, my food & wine pick of the entire weekend with a little sprinkle of rain for the thirsty ground. Cast Wines paired their Blanc de Noir sparkling with the most beautiful bite of spicy shrimp on smashed avocado with tobiko caviar & watermelon radish. That seems like a mouthful to read, but it was quite easily the best bite, as well as, the prettiest bite.

After discovering that view I wanted to share another favorite view with my group so we headed to Sbragia Family Vineyards. The views are always lovely & the deck is spacious enough to enjoy with a group. The pairing of their 2012 Andolsen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with Julia’s Chicken Cacciatore was Italian comfort food, like grandma used to make.

We had to bid ado to part of the group & spent the last few hours strolling through Healdsburg Square before heading our separate ways. This was one of the best years for the food portion of this event as chefs truly made the pairings a thing of artistic beauty with the wines. Well done!

Until next year,

Cheers!

Ruby red grapefruit bursts forth than gives way to red berry hints.

Berry glimpses around the corner of grapefruits hems begging for a little more,but as an elder she chided no.

Wisdom knows this balance is perfection and though nice on a warm day she is enjoyable on a cool evening.

International casual!

Cheers!