Fire up the grill and open a bottle of the 2021 Top of Land Pinot Noir.
Recipe by Grace Parisi via Food & Wine Magazine
10 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
Salt
1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausages (or a combination of both), casings removed
4 slices of provolone cheese
1/4 cup sun-dried-tomato pesto
4 round ciabatta rolls, split and toasted
1. In a large skillet, bring 1/4 inch of water to a boil. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute; drain and press out as much water as possible. Wipe out the skillet.
2. In the same skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and anchovy paste and cook over high heat, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the spinach, season with salt and stir just until coated, about 10 seconds.
3. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Using slightly moistened hands, form the sausage meat into four 4-inch patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Brush the burgers with oil and grill over moderate heat until browned and crusty on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip the burgers. Top with the cheese and grill until the burgers are cooked through and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Spread the pesto on the rolls. Top with the burgers and spinach and serve.
The intensely concentrated dark fruit flavors of our 2021 Top of Land Pinot Noir provide a pleasing contrast to the spicy and savory characteristics of the Italian sausage.
With fava beans, pea shoots, and dandelion greens, this lovely green salad pairs beautifull with our 2020 Mother of Pearl Chardonnay. Place the bottle in the fridge for about two hours, then enjoy!
Recipe by Michelle McKenzie via Sunset Magazine
10 ounces (2 cups) shelled fresh peas (from about 1 lb. pods)* or frozen peas, thawed
12 ounces ricotta, preferably sheep’s milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup Preserved Lemon
Herb Oil (recipe at right) or best quality extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces (about 4 cups) mixed spring greens
1 ounce (about 2 cups) of at least 3 mixed fresh herb leaves
About 1/2 ounce (1 bunch) chives, trimmed and snipped into 1⁄2-in. pieces
Flaky sea salt
Edible flowers, such as Johnny jump-up violas, sage, thyme, or arugula (optional)
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt until it tastes like the sea. Set a large bowl of ice water near the stove.
2. If using fresh peas, boil until bright green and tender, 30 seconds to 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer to ice bath to cool. Drain well, spread on a kitchen towel, and pat dry. If using thawed frozen peas, dry them the same way, uncooked.
3. To 4 to 6 large shallow bowls, add a large spoonful of ricotta on one side.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, a pinch of fine sea salt, a few grinds of pepper, and 1/4 cup preserved lemon herb oil. Add peas, greens, herb leaves, chives, and another pinch of fine salt. Gently toss with clean hands. Season with more lemon juice, oil, or salt, depending on the greens used.
5. Mound salad next to cheese. Drizzle a spoonful of extra preserved lemon herb oil around each salad so that it forms a shallow, bright green pool. Top salads with flaky sea salt and a few edible flowers, if using. Serve at once.
The 2020 Mother of Pearl Chardonnay highlights the lemon and ricotta flavors excpetionally well, while dancing with the sweet greens and herbs that make this salad so refreshing.
It's soup season, and Chef John Vong has just the recipe for you. This creamy, seasonably appropriate soup is a delightful pairing with our 2019 Chardonnay - with it's subtle creaminess and balanced acidity, it's just the right accompaniment to your meal.
Recipe by Fort Ross Estate Chef John Vong
1lb celery root, peeled and diced 1’’
1lb Yukon potato, peeled and diced 1’’
2 large shallots, small diced
1 cup white wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon celery seed
2 teaspoon whole cardamom
6 black peppercorns, whole
3 sprigs fresh flat leaf parsley
2 quarts vegetable stock
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup crème fraiche
Celery leaves to garnish
Kosher salt to taste
1. Make a bouquet garni by tying up thyme, celery seed, cardamom, peppercorn, and parsley in a cheesecloth. Set aside.
2. Heat a 6-quart stock pot to medium heat. Add celery root, potatoes, shallots, and olive oil. Season lightly with kosher salt. Sweat vegetables for about 10 minutes, stirring often until shallots turn translucent.
3. Add wine to deglaze. Reduce for a few minutes until wine reduces by half
4. Add vegetable stock and bouquet garni and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes until celery root is fork tender.
5. Remove bouquet garni. Put soup in a blender with the butter, and blend until smooth. Pour soup through a strainer into a clean stock pot. Bring to a simmer. Add cream and stir. Season with kosher salt.
6. Ladle soup into a bowl. Garnish with a dollop of crème fraiche and celery leaves.
The body of our 2019 Chardonnay is rich enough to match the creaminess of the soup, while fresh, balanced acidity prevent it from being too heavy. Touches of baking spice from the oak play up the cardamom note, and ripe notes of apple, peach, and pear complement the earthier flavors of the celeriac.
Add some variety to your cooking with this zingy recipe for chicken thighs. Open a bottle of the 2018 The Terraces Pinot Noir along with it and you're in for a great night!
Recipe by Dan Goldberg via Sunset Magazine
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
3 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1. Heat oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then turn over and cook an additional 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Pour off all but 1 tbsp. of pan drippings and return pan to low heat. Add garlic and sauté until soft, about 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate. Return chicken to pan and cook, covered, for 20 minutes.
3. Uncover, increase heat to medium-low and cook 15 to 20 minutes more, occasionally spooning sauce over chicken, until sauce thickens a bit and chicken is tender and nicely glazed with sauce. Remove bay leaf before eating.
The wild berry and plum flavors from our 2018 The Terraces Pinot Noir energize the tanginess of the chicken thighs, making for a vibrant dining experience.
This recipe is an easy go-to for a weeknight. Paired with our 2019 "FRV" Pinot Noir, it's a lovely way to enjoy a cozy night in.
Recipe by Chandra Ram via Food and Wine Magazine
1 (6-ounce) bunch Lacinato kale
6 thick-cut bacon slices
1 small (about 8-ounce) red onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1 (1-pound) whole rotisserie chicken, pulled into 1-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 pound potato gnocchi, or one (1-pound) package refrigerated or frozen potato gnocchi
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ ounce Parmesan cheese, shaved (about 1/4 cup)
1. Remove stems from kale, and chop stems (you should have about 3/4 cup); chop kale leaves (you should have about 6 cups). Set chopped stems and leaves aside until ready to use.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium until crispy, about 8 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time. Remove skillet from heat; do not wipe clean. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; let stand until cooled, about 5 minutes. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
3. Heat bacon drippings in skillet over medium. Add onion and kale stems; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and kale stems are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in kale leaves, and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken, and toss with onion and kale; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
4. While onion and kale are cooking, bring a large pot of boiling salted water to a boil over medium-high; add gnocchi, and boil until gnocchi float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Drain well. Add gnocchi to chicken mixture in skillet, and toss. Stir in lemon zest, salt, pepper, and reserved bacon. Divide gnocchi mixture evenly among 4 bowls, and top evenly with Parmesan.
Our 2019 "FRV" Pinot Noir maintains its youthful, fruity highlights, that add pleasant contrast to the richness of the dish. Developing aromas of earthiness mingle with the smokiness of the bacon and chicken, creating a pleasant harmony with every bite.
This easy, vegetarian curry is packed with flavor. Our 2019 Mother of Pearl Chardonnay, with it's superb creaminess, matches well with the rich nuttiness from the coconut and cashews.
Recipe by Elaine Johnson via Sunset Magazine
1 1/2 qts. peeled, 1 1/2-in. chunks kabocha* or other orange-fleshed winter squash (from a 3-lb. squash)
About 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 onion, halved and cut into half-moons
1 or 2 red or green serrano chiles, minced
1 cinnamon stick (2 1/2 in.)
20 fresh curry leaves* or 6 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 can (14.5 oz.) coconut milk
1 cup salted roasted cashews
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Steamed basmati rice
1. Sprinkle squash with 1/2 tsp. salt. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown half the squash in oil, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes; reduce heat if squash starts getting dark. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with 1 tbsp. oil and remaining squash.
2. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil in another large frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer half to the nonstick frying pan and reserve other half in a bowl.
3. Add chiles, cinnamon, and curry leaves to onion in pan. Cook, stirring often, until curry leaves are very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add turmeric, cumin, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Return squash to nonstick frying pan (with onion) and add coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in cashews and lemon juice, and add more salt to taste. Top curry with reserved onion and serve with rice.
*Kabocha peels are edible. Find curry leaves in Indian markets.
This mild, slightly sweet curry harmonizes with the fruit flavors of our 2019 Mother of Pearl Chardonnay, while the creamy, nutty notes of coconut and cashew are amplified by the subtle oaky roundness of the wine.
Stay warm and cozy this winter with hearty meals paired with our latest releases!
t's soup season, and Chef John Vong has just the recipe for you. This creamy, seasonably appropriate soup is a delightful pairing with our 2019 Chardonnay.
This recipe is an easy go-to for a weeknight. Paired with our 2019 "FRV" Pinot Noir, it's a lovely way to enjoy a cozy night in.
Add some variety to your cooking with this zingy recipe for chicken thighs. Open a bottle of the 2018 The Terraces Pinot Noir along with it and you're in for a great night!
Fort Ross Estate Chef John Vong offers his take on a classic autumn favorite. The richness of the squash and cream and completemented by sherry vinegar and lemon zest, making an ideal match for our 2019 Chardonnay.
Soup
1 butternut squash, about 2lb
2 quarts vegetable stock
2 cups cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
1⁄2 teaspoon ground green cardamom
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
Zest of one lemon
Kosher salt to taste
Brioche crouton:
2 slices Brioche bread, cut into 1 inch sticks
2 tablespoons olive oil
Zest of half of a lemon
1⁄4 teaspoon ground green cardamom
Soup
1. Split squash in half, and scoop out seeds. Season with salt and green cardamom. Roast at 350F for one hour. Set aside to cool, then scoop the squash out of it’s skin.
2. In a large pot, sweat shallots over medium heat until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add roasted squash, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add sherry vinegar to deglaze.
3. Add cream and stock and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth.
4. Pour soup through a strainer into a clean pot a bring to a simmer. Season with salt and lemon zest.
5. Serve with crème fraiche on top and brioche crouton.
Brioche Crouton
1. Coat brioche with olive oil
2. Sprinkle on lemon zest and green cardamom.
3. Toast at 350F for 7 minutes, or until crispy
Our 2019 Chardonnay shows contrasting notes of creaminess and minerality; hazelnut and pastry dough flavors are layered with Meyer lemon and our signature minerality. This round, creamy texture is in perfect harmony with the weight of this soup, and the minerality brings out the subtle lemony notes in the soup.
As the weather cools down, embrace the sweet & savory sides of fresh produce and herbs in season.
In this recipe, fennel and dill harmonize to evoke a toasty beginning of fall. The roundess of the poached salmon & crème is offset by the fresh citrus and spice of the radish, matching the body of our 2020 Bicentennial Chardonnay.
This simple roasted chicken thighs recipe is great for any night of the week. A touch of sweetness from honey and carmelized figs accentures the ripe fruit of our 2019 Stagecoach Road Pinot Noir for a meal that will keep you warm on a chilly fall evening.
Take advantage of the last bit of warm weather this September by opening up the grill. This recipe recommends using a smoker to infuse fruit flavors into the rib-eye, a perfect match to our 2017 Pinotage.
Take advantage of the last bit of warm weather this September by opening up the grill. This recipe recommends using a smoker to infuse fruit flavors into the rib-eye, a perfect match to our 2017 Pinotage.
Recipe by Matthew Dillon via Sunset Magazine
2 beef rib-eye steaks, each 16 oz. and 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 in. thick, preferably well-marbled, grass-fed, and dry-aged
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, divided
2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
About 1 1/4 tsp. pepper, divided
1/4 cup butter, divided, softened
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
2 tablespoons honey, divided
2 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided
2 cups (5 oz.) Padrón or shishito peppers
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1. An hour before cooking, season steaks with 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper and set on a plate to come to room temperature. Then, brush steaks with 1 tbsp. oil. Meanwhile, soak 1 cup fruitwood chips in a bowl of water about 30 minutes.
2. Put 2 tbsp. butter in a shallow baking dish big enough to hold steaks. Add a few cracks of pepper and 1 tbsp. each thyme, honey, and vinegar; bring to grill area. Bring ingredients for peppers to grill: the Padróns; remaining 1 tbsp. oil, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 2 tbsp. butter; a dish with remaining 1 tbsp. thyme and the garlic; and another dish with remaining 1 tbsp. each honey and vinegar. Also bring a large cast-iron skillet, wooden spoon, grilling tongs, and foil.
3. For charcoal, ignite a very full chimney of hardwood mesquite charcoal on firegrate of a charcoal grill. Arrange coals on firegrate in a slope so there's a hotter area and a cooler one. Drain wood chips and scatter over charcoal. Set cooking grate in place. For gas, heat a gas grill to high (450° to 550°). Put drained wood chips in the grill's smoking box, or seal chips in a packet of foil, cut dime-size holes, and set directly on a burner. Cover grill.
4. When wood chips start to smoke (1 to 2 minutes for charcoal, 10 to 15 minutes for gas), set steaks over hottest part of charcoal fire (or anywhere on gas grill). Grill steaks covered, turning once and moving to cooler part of charcoal fire if they start to flare up, until well browned and done the way you like, about 10 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to baking dish with butter mixture, turn to coat, and tent loosely with foil.
5. Heat cast-iron skillet on cooking grate. When hot, add 1 tbsp. oil and swirl to coat. Then add peppers and 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook, shaking skillet and stirring occasionally, until peppers are browned and blistered, about 5 minutes. Add butter and let it foam and brown, 45 to 60 seconds. Stir in thyme, garlic, and honey-vinegar, then pour mixture over steaks. Let steaks rest about 1 minute more.
6. Transfer steaks to a cutting board, leaving juices and peppers in baking dish. Slice steaks crosswise into 1/2- to 3/4-in. strips. Using a spatula, pick up strips in original shape of steaks and set on a platter. Spoon about half of juices and peppers over steaks and serve the rest in a bowl on the side.
With its savory, leathery characteristics, our 2017 Pinotage is made for red meat off the grill. Its bold plum and blueberry notes mingle with the smoked, fruity character of the rib-eye, while firm tannins, cedar, peppercorn, and herbal spicy character are enlivened by the blistered padróns.