Fall 2021 Releases & Recipe Pairings
September on the Sonoma Coast means that our grapes are ready for harvest. We officially began picking on August 27th, first selecting Pinot Noir destined for our Sea Stars Blanc de Noirs. Now we are starting to harvest Chardonnay & some of our lower elevation sites of Pinot Noir.
As the weather continues to cool down, we're ready to start making our favorite fall recipes. Enjoy these selected ideas along with a recommended pairing!
2019 "FRV" Chardonnay & Swiss Chard and Leek Gratin
"This gratin combines blanched chard and sautéed leeks, cooked until just tender in a creamy two-cheese sauce made with both Gruyère and Parmigiano-Reggiano." - Food & Wine Magazine
With it's subtly creamy texture and bright citrus & apple notes, our 2019 "FRV" Chardonnay complements the cheesiness of the gratin while creating delightful contrast in the acidity.
2018 Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir & Chicken, Wild Mushroom and Roasted-Garlic Sauté
"Marcia Kiesel, a self-described mushroom freak, uses porcini to make her delicious, earthy chicken thigh sauté with roasted garlic cloves. She finishes the dish with a sprinkle of chopped tarragon, which adds a light, herbal sweetness." - Food & Wine Magazine
The 2018 Stagecoach Pinot Noir is one of our fuller-bodied cuvées, featuring ripe black fruit layered over earthy spice. The savory characteristics accentuate the umami in the mushrooms while the fruit melds with the richness of the chicken thighs.
2016 Pinotage & Vietnamese Shaking Beef
"Here, the peppery, salty-sweet, juicy beef mingles with the light salad dressing to create a great sauce that pools on the platter, perfect for drizzling over rice. Watercress leaves warm and wilt under the Shaking Beef (so named for the back-and-forth shaking of the pan), while their stems remain crunchy." - Food & Wine Magazine
With its fine-grained tannins, savory, smoky character, and plum compote fruit flavors, Pinotage has a natural affinity for beef dishes. In this recipe, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, and honey add lifted acidity to the peppered beef that matches our 2016 Pinotage's structure precisely, highlighting the fruit.