Perfect summer weather has finally come to the Russian River Valley, with daytime temperatures in the mid-eighties, and nighttime temps 30 degrees less. The harvest is well behind schedule, at least two weeks by most estimates. Most growers foresee a smaller than average crop this year, especially on valley floor vineyards. Many of the larger […]
The Waiting Game, Take 2 Read More »
Here’s the Gold Medal Wine Club review of our 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Gold Medal Wine Club Video Review Read More »
Summer is barbeque season, and there is nothing like ribs and Zinfandel to celebrate. Here’s how we do it at Taft Street. Ingredients 4-5 pound rack of pork ribs, trimmed 1 gallon brine (1gallon water + 1 cup salt + ½ cup brown sugar) 2 tablespoons cumin seed 1 tablespoons coriander seed 2 tablespoons ancho
Ribs Taft Street Style Read More »
Fine summer weather has been the rule for the past several weeks, but the damage may have already been done. Late rains during flowering caused shattering in many vineyards, and growers are predicting reduced crops this harvest season. But predicting crop size and quality is a notoriously difficult proposition, so we shall wait and see.
Don’t laugh, this stuff rocks, Try it on burgers, or smoked turkey or… Ingredients 1 lb bacon 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup coffee ½ cup maple syrup 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp mustard Chop bacon and cook. Drain most of fat and cook onion and garlic
The crazy weather continues. An inch of rain in the last week of June is unheard of; 100 degree temperatures over the 4th of July weekend are not. The effect on the vines is varied. In some cases the fruit set was uneven; a number of growers have reported shatter in the clusters; yet quite
More awards for Taft Street! At the Orange County Fair Wine Competition, Taft Street was awarded one gold medal, two silvers, and three bronze medals! Gold Medal – 2010 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc Silver Medal – 2008 Garagistes Chardonnay Silver Medal – 2010 Sonoma County Rose of Pinot Noir Bronze Medal – 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris
2011 Orange County Fair Wine Competition Read More »
Another great showing at the California State Fair! Our 2007 Garagistes Pinot Noir was awarded 98pts, Double Gold, Best of Region – Red North Coast Appellations, and Best of Class – North Coast Appellations! A few other Taft Street wines also took home some hardware: Gold Medal, 94pts – 2008 Garagistes Chardonnay Silver Medal – 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet
California State Fair Wine Competition Read More »
At the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience last week this recipe from Chef Michael Farrell at Bistreaux at the Maison Dupuy Hotel won a Gold Medal for Lagniappe (something extra). It’s fun and easy. Ingredients Cream Base: 5 cups shallots 3 cloves garlic chopped 16 oz mascarpone cheese 2 qt heavy cream 1 oz
Truffle Mac & Cheese Read More »
We’ve had a good wet winter, the reservoirs are full, so it’s time to dry out. But no, Mother Nature has decided to mix things up a bit. May was cooler and wetter than usual; not the greatest of starts for the 2011 vintage. However, it is still early, and there will be lots of
