Monday, July 31, 2017

Fruit Wines

Most commonly, grapes are what wine is made from; however, wines made from other fruits are just as delicious as grape wines. Some decadent fruits that are frequently used to make wine include plums, pineapples, elderberries, peaches, and cherries. Wines made from other fruits than grapes are often referred to as "Country Wine."

Almost any plant matter that can be fermented can be used to make fruit wine, but since there are few foods other than grapes that have the correct balance of sugar, tannin, acid, and salts, the majority of fruit wines need to be adjusted at fermentation. For example, in order to increase the alcohol content, sugar or honey may be added to the wine since sugar turns to alcohol during the fermentation process.


Some popular fruit wines:

Pineapple wine offers a sweet flavor with a bit of zest; pair it with ham for a holiday or special occasion.

Peach wine is wonderful with spicy foods. It's also great with smokey foods which enhance it's sweetness.

Blackberry wine offers a deep, rich fruit flavor, very similar to what you would expect from a Merlot.

Strawberry wine works well with pasta, pork and veal.

Our recommendations:

Chateau Fontaine Cherry Wine

Carlson Vineyards Peach Wine

Smith & Hook Winery Elderberry Wine

Thursday, July 27, 2017

On The Road - July 2017

Wolffer Estate Vineyard
139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack, New York 11962 www.wolffer.com Tel: 631-537-5106
Hours: 11:00AM-8:00 PM Daily/11:00AM-10:00PM Friday & Saturday
Tasting Fee: YES – call for pricing. Flights start at $25.00, By the glass available.
Tripadvisor: #1 of 2 things to do in Sagaponack. Yelp: YES.

Famous for their delicious Summer in a Bottle Rose Table Wine, Wolffer Estate is located on the South Fork of Long Island in the Village of Sagaponack, Town of South Hampton.

With beautiful outdoor seating, enjoy stunning views of the vineyard while indulging in a flight of wine paired with delicious nibbles. Wine can also be had by the glass and there is a lovely indoor tasting room as well. Winery tours available.

Wolffer’s Wine Stand, just down the road, offers a laid back family friendly atmosphere where you can bring a blanket to picnic and enjoy live music on Fridays and Saturdays.





Bedell Vineyards
36225 Main Road
Cutchogue, New York 11935 www.bedellcellars.com Tel: 631-734-7537
Hours: Sun- Thurs: 11:00AM-5:00PM, Fri-Sat: 11:00AM- 7:00PM
Walk-ins welcome, groups of 6 or more reservation required.
Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #1 of 20 things to do in Cutchogue. Yelp: YES.

Bedell Cellars located on the North Fork of Long Island is a family owned vineyard that has been making exceptional wines for 35 years. Sustainably farmed, the 1919 historic barn serves as a magnificent tasting room. Enjoy a glass of wine or a bottle, paired with local food and cheeses at the outdoor pavilion or picnic area. A MUST!



Macari Vineyards
150 Bergen Avenue
Mattituck, New York 11952 www.macariwines.com Tel: 631-298-0100
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9:00AM-5:00PM, Fri-Sat: 10:00AM- 7:00PM, Sun: 11:00AM-6:00PM
Walk-ins welcome, groups of 6 or more reservation required.
Tasting Fee: YES: Tripadvisor: #2 of 19 things to do in Mattituck. Yelp: YES. R

Macari Cellars is also located on the North Fork of Long Island. A beautiful vineyard with a spacious indoor tasting room and lovely outdoor patio deck to sit, sip and enjoy a flight or glass of wine. Enjoy delicious edibles with your wine tasting while taking in the view of the vineyard. Dogs are welcome to this winery where the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. For a more intimate experience check out Macari’s tasting room in Cutchogue.



While in the area and not too far away...

Dining in Sagaponack/Southampton:

Bobby Van’s (American, Contemporary, Bar)
2393 Montauk Hwy
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Tel: 631-537-0590 (Open: Mon-Fri: 11:30AM-10:30PM, Sat: 11:30AM-11:00PM,
Sun: 11:30AM-10:00PM)

World Pie (Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten Free options)
2402 Montauk Hwy
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Tel: 631-537-7999 (Open: Sun-Sat: 11:30AM-12:00AM)

356 Montauk Hwy
Wainscott, NY 11975
Tel: 631-537-0633 (Open: Mon-Thurs: 10:00AM-6:00PM, Fri-Sun: 9:00AM-6:00PM)

Dining in Cutchogue & Mattituck:

Love Lane Kitchen (American, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten Free options)
240 Love Lane
Mattituck, NY 11952
Tel: 631-298-8989 (Open: Tues: 7:00AM-4:00PM, All other days: 5:00AM-9:30PM)

Cliff’s Elbow Too (Steakhouse)
1085 Franklinville Road
Laurel, NY 11948
Tel: 631-298-3262 (Open: Thurs: 10:30AM-10:00PM, All other days: 11:30AM-10:00PM)

Hallock’s Cider Mill (Farm Stand, Baked Goods, Soups, Takeout)
1960 Main Road
Laurel, NY 11948
Tel: 631-298-1140 (Open: Call for hours)

Lodging in Sagaponack/South Hampton:

300 Montauk Hwy
Southampton, NY 11968
(631) 496-2268

49 Main Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
(631) 899-2195

31 West Water Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
(844) 227-6672

Lodging in Cutchogue & Mattituck:

7 Stearns Point Road
Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965
Tel: (347) 326-3259

81 Shore Road
Shelter Island, Crescent Beach, NY 11964
Tel: (631) 489-8596

4850 Sound Avenue
Mattituck, New York 11952
Tel: 631-315-6036

Monday, July 24, 2017

2017 Sonoma County Farmers Markets

Are you visiting Sonoma County, CA and looking for something to do? Visiting the local farmers markets is one thing that should definitely be on your list! Known for it's agricultural bounty, in the summer, Sonoma is a wonderful place to find apples, berries, apricots, plums, and all sorts of delicious fruits. The fall brings an abundance of pumpkins, squash, melons, and grapes. 

In addition to the fruits and veggies found at the farmers markets in Sonoma, you can find other goodies like cupcakes and sausages. Flowers and coffee can also be purchased along with gifts.


Here are some local farmers markets going on in Sonoma this year:

Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market 
Sundays (Memorial Day-October): 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2255 Highway 1 (behind the Community Center)

Cloverdale Community Market & Exchange
Tuesdays (April 4-Dec. 19, rain or shine): 3-6 p.m., 225 North Cloverdale Blvd. (in the empty lot next to Plank)

Cotati Community Farmers Market
Thursdays (June-August): 4:30-7:30 p.m., La Plaza Park (Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue)

Forestville Farmers Market
Tuesdays (June-October): 4-7 p.m., Forestville's new downtown park, 6990 Front St.

Healdsburg Farmers Market
Saturday (May-November): 8:30 a.m.-noon, West Plaza Parking Lot
Wednesday (June-October): 4-7 p.m., in the Cerri Lot on North Street between Grove and Foss streets
Kenwood Community Farmers Market
Sunday (June-September): 10 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Patricks Church, 9000 Sonoma Highway 12

Occidental Farmers Market 
Fridays (June-October): 4 p.m.-dusk, downtown Occidental

Petaluma East Side Farmers Market
Tuesdays (year-round), 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.

Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers Market
Saturdays (May 13-Nov. 18), 2-5:30 p.m., in Walnut Park, on the corner of D Street and Petaluma Boulevard

Petaluma Theatre District Farmers Market
Wednesdays (June 7-Aug. 30), 4:30-8 p.m., on 2nd Street between B and D Streets.

Rohnert Park Farmers Market
Fridays (June-August): 5-8 p.m., Rohnert Park Plaza, 500 City Center Drive (library parking lot)

Santa Rosa Farmers Market
Wednesdays (year-round): 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1351 Maple Ave.
Saturdays (year-round): 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the same location as the Wednesday market

Sebastopol Farm Market
Sundays (year-round): 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in Sebastopol Plaza on Weeks Way in downtown Sebastopol

Sonoma
Tuesdays (May-September): Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market, 5:30 p.m.-dusk, in front of and behind City Hall on the Sonoma Plaza

Fridays (Year-Round): Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Arnold Field parking lot at 241 First St. W.

The Springs Community Farmers Market
Sundays (July 9-Sept. 10): 4-7 p.m., Larson Park, 329 DeChene Ave., Boyes Hot Springs

Windsor Certified Farmers Market
Sundays (April to mid-December): 10 a.m.-1 p.m., on Windsor Town Green, 701 McClelland Dr.
Thursdays (mid-June through August): 5-8 p.m., same location as Sunday

Monday, July 17, 2017

The Best Way to Enjoy Canned Wine

If you're headed to the beach, on a picnic, on a boat, or camping, it may be difficult to lug around a bottle of wine and a couple wine glasses but luckily there's an easier option... cans of wine!


Drinking canned wine can mute the flavors of the wine so it's common for canned wine to contain residual sugar to make the wine taste fruitier. You may be hesitant that canned wine takes on the tinny taste of the can, but it does not. Just like other beverages that are served in a can, like soda and beer, the can does not affect the taste of the wine. One thing that does affect the taste is the way in which the canned wine is served. Due to the aroma being harder to smell, drinking the wine directly from the can isn't as good as when you pour it into a glass. It is best to serve canned wine chilled, in a glass, and right away as aging the wine does not improve it.

Canned wine comes in a few different sized cans, the most popular being:
• 500 ml can - containing 3.34 glasses of wine - 2/3 the size of a standard bottle
• 375 ml can - containing 2.5 glasses of wine - 1/2 the size of a standard bottle
• 50 ml can - containing 1.67 glasses of wine - 1/3 the size of a standard bottle

Monday, July 3, 2017

Wine Country Fireworks 2017

Independence Day is one of the best holidays that we celebrate in America and there's no better place to see beautiful fireworks than in wine country! Napa Valley and Sonoma County both provide some of the most amazing fireworks displays. Here are some places you can catch an awe-inspiring show at for the 4th of July:


Napa Valley
American Canyon
Veteran’s Park
Crane Park

Visit Legendary Napa Valley for more information.

Sonoma County
Weill Hall Green Music Center
Depot Hotel Restaurant and Garden
Sebastopol

Visit Sonoma County California for more information.

And don't forget to celebrate with your favorite bottle of wine!