FAITH, HOPE & LOVE
The greatest of these is love.
If there has ever been a time in recent years when we have depended on our faith to carry us through, this is it. If you never had to cling on to hope with all of your heart for yourself, I believe you just did for the rest of us. If anyone of us has taken another for granted, I know we have been redeemed. We have had to count on one another to get through this time. We have been surprised by the kindness of strangers, forged bonds with our community, depended on essential workers and have recognized heroes. We have felt the love of others. We have seen our kin struggle, our neighbors cry out, and our nation divided. In turn, you have been a kind stranger, a pillar in the community, essential to someone and have cared like a hero. You have done this out of love.
The wines chosen for this month are produced by vintners that had the faith to follow their dreams, the hope to make a difference and chose a labor of love to share with others.
Keller Estate “Casa” Rosé, Sonoma County 2019
Arturo and Deborah Keller fell in love with Sonoma after spending a leisurely day in the valley meandering around in a vintage car. They ended up in the Petaluma Gap. This area has the perfect climate for grape growing. They dreamed of owning property, growing grapes and building a winery. Their dream became a reality in the mid-eighties. Their daughter Anna took over operations in 1998 and has continued the family’s vision of producing wines expressive of their Estate.
Casa means house in Spanish and this wine is meant to be a “house wine”. What is a house wine you ask? A simple wine that you do not have to wait to open. It is meant to be enjoyed any day and just because. This is a Rosé of Syrah (I think Rhone varietals are the best for Rosé) that is fresh, fruity and bone dry. My style!
Pair with our Mortadella Sando, your sweetheart and Chip & Jo’s new shows.
Founders – Arturo and Deborah Keller Winemaker – Julien Teichmann
Retail - $18
Mike’s Beer Can Chicken
Cooking Instructions:
Pull whole chicken out of fridge at least 1/2 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse whole chicken inside and out. Pat dry. Sprinkle and rub generous portion of dry rub on chicken. Open 12oz can of lager or pilsner- take a couple sips. Place beer can on 1/2 or full baking sheet.
Place chicken on beer can tail side down, adjust until chicken is firmly placed on can and stands upright. Place chicken in oven, breast towards back of oven, bake 30 minutes, turn chicken around and bake another 15 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees. Crack open second beer and drink it.
Once chicken is removed from oven let rest 10 minutes (note beer can will be hot). Enjoy!
Beer Can Chicken Dry Rub Ingredients:
¼ Cup Kosher Salt
2 Tbsp Granulated Garlic
2 Tbsp Black Pepper
2 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbsp Powdered Onion
1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
13 Stripes Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara 2018
Mike Speakman was a self-employed painting contractor with a passion for wine. He and his wife had a dream of one day owning a winery and raising their two young sons Justin and Austin in the Santa Ynez Valley. That dream came true when they purchased Westerly Wines in 2017. Soon after, they started 13 Stripes. This is a passion project driven by the love of country and bringing hope to military families. A portion from all sales of this great little Pinot Noir goes to the Navy Seal Foundation. They provide immediate and ongoing assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and its families.
Doing a little something patriotic just seemed fitting at this time. This Pinot has all the punch that Santa Barbara so effortlessly gives at a fraction of the price. I never come across a Pinot that taste like a Pinot in this price point. Worth celebrating!
Pair this little beauty with Beer Can Chicken, cashew coleslaw, a comfy blankey.
Founders – Mike Speakman Winemaker – Adam Henkley
Retail - $18
Terra Savia Merlot, Mendocino 2016
“At Terra Savia, we partner with wildlife. We provide housing for owls in the vineyard, where they help us with pest management. Pollinators work the orchards and cayotes keep things from getting out of hand. Bats have home on our factory façade where they rest after chasing insects at night. And the sheep and the goats manage public relations.”
Owner / winemaker Jim Milone has been producing wine in Hopland, Mendocino for over 40 years. He was the first to open a winery in Hopland after prohibition. He and his family are true stewards of the land. Their vineyard and olive groves are certified organic, they grow their own food and manage production of wine and olive oil in a sustainable manner. A portion of proceeds from every bottle goes to wildlife conservation in Mendocino and Sonoma counties. You should feel good drinking this 100% Certified Organic, 100% Merlot because you are doing yourself and the planet good.
Great with filet mignon, eggplant parmigiana, a night with your quarenteam,
Founder – Jim Milone Winemaker – Jim Milone
Retail $24
Trefethen Family Vineyards “Dragon’s Tooth” Napa Valley 2017
“It’s important for people to understand the joy of giving and the joy of achievement…We have the responsibility of practicing in those things in the community we believe in.” Gene & Katie Trefethen
Founders Gene and Katie, their children and their children’s children all have a love of viticulture, community, sustainability and education. The three Trefethan generations have been and are active vintners and philanthropists. They have been involved, forged, endowed, volunteered, started and donated to causes such as: Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, UCSF, Mills College, UC Davis LEED Platinum Teaching and Research Winery (to name a few). AND they make damn good wine!
The name Dragon’s Tooth pays homage to the family’s Welsh heritage and Nana Katie. The fruit for this wine comes from the rockiest soils of the Oak Knoll Estate. A STUNNING blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot.
Enjoy this stunner with a blackened Tomahawk Chop and your Valentine.
Founders – Gene & Katie Trefethen Winemaker – David Whitehouse
Retail - $60