Just returned from a friend’s wedding in Baja California, where a large crowd consumed copious amounts of terrific food and beverages (tequila, mezcal, cervezas and Taft Street wine). Tacos were ever present – here is one of my favorite renditions. INGREDIENTS: 1 3 pound boneless pork loin 1 white onion, chopped 1 pineapple; peeled, cored, …
What a difference a month makes! Over 10” of rain fell in just two days last week; more rain fell yesterday, and more is forecast for tomorrow. The drought may not be over, but fire season for this year definitely is. Here’s hoping this continues for a (long) while. Our 40th harvest ended just before the rains …
The fires have kept their distance (so far), the weather has cooperated nicely, and the grapes have been arriving in a steady stream. Maybe the finger crossing over the past couple of months worked, because it looks like an excellent year, though a bit light in quantity. Tomorrow is October 1st, and by the end …
This meatloaf is stuffed with meat, cheese and herbs. Delicious hot or cold, it is especially good for fall entertaining. We like it paired with our 2018 Alexander Valley Merlot, a recent GOLD MEDAL winner at this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup day old bread, cubed ½ cup cream 3 pounds ground …
In these first days of September the weather remains (too) dry, the skies are (sorta) blue, and our 40th harvest is in full swing. Unlike recent years, the wildfires that have plagued our state are for the most part not affecting wine growing areas. Though it appears the harvest will not be huge, grape quality …
Not only are we in the midst of our grape harvest, but tomato season is at its peak as well. Over the past couple of weeks I have put up 42 quarts of tomato sauce, with more to come. Here is a quick way to prepare a pasta meal worthy of the season. Any Taft …
A friend from Oregon just arrived with a big box of cherries. Pies, fruit shakes, cherry daiquiris later; we still had a pile left. Seared duck breast and cherry compote – easy and elegant. It also goes well with any Taft Street Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. INGREDIENTS: 2 5 – 6 ounce duck breast …
After a surprisingly mild July (which followed a torrid June), we are exercising an abundance of cautious optimism about our upcoming 40th harvest. Water is a major problem, as is the threat of another heat spike or two. And then there is the fire season. But this is California…we’ll keep you posted. The vineyards look good …
The pandemic appears to be at least partially under control, and in some ways life is approaching what used to be normal. But not quite, as the worst drought in decades has brought both a severe water shortage and a continuing threat of wild fires to our state. I live in Healdsburg, where mandatory water …
My sister in law is coming for dinner and she’s a vegan. What to do? I look up a recipe for the above and it’s a bit bland, so I add a dollop of tamarind paste. The dish is great with Taft Street Sauvignon Blanc. Pure vegans don’t do semolina pasta, but I draw the …
