Mike’s Kitchen

The days are heating up and lighter meals are of the order. This dish serves both as a brunch or a light dinner on a warm summer’s day. It pairs nicely with both out Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Rose of Pinot Noir. INGREDIENTS: 9 inch pie crust 2 large leeks, washed and thinly

I love springtime with its fresh air, warm temperatures and lengthy days. Spring rolls are the perfect treat during this time of year. They are light, healthy, adaptable; and best of all they accompany the year’s newest bottlings of Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Rose of Pinot Noir. INGREDIENTS: 8 rice papers 4 large

For some reason I associate mussels with springtime. Maybe it’s the thought of eating outdoors, or maybe it’s an excuse to sip the new vintage of Taft Street Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Maybe both! INGREDIENTS: 1 leek, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded 1 cup Taft Street Russian

Last week in our picnic grove we hosted a tasting/ luncheon for our new NorCal sales team. Pulled pork tacos with a tomatillo/avocado sauce was the headliner. Over the weekend I used the sauce again; one time over scrambled eggs, and again as the base for a salad dressing. It’s a handy thing to have

In Northern California we usually call crab and shellfish stew Cioppino. However, most recipes don’t call for a pinch of saffron, which I find an important element. Whatever you call it, the dish is the traditional Christmas Eve meal around our house. We were happy to see crabs available this year, even though they came

After two weeks of wining and dining here in Paris and Lyon, I’m yearning for the basics-you know; things like butter, sugar, eggs and flour. With Christmas coming, try these sugar cookies. They are easy to make and go well with any Taft Street wine. INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2  cups flour 1/2 tsp baking  powder 1

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

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