You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a great bottle of wine. Here are a few of our favorite wines, available at your local grocer or wine shop, for under $30. They’re affordable and delicious!

ACROBAT PINOT NOIR ($19.99)

If you’re looking for an approachable wine to drink, Acrobat Pinot Noir is the wine for you. With aromas of ripe cherries and strawberry pie, this rich Pinot Noir is superb for the autumn weather and your favorite cool weather foods such as mushroom risotto.

CHALK HILL SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY ($22.99)

The Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay displays aromas of tropical fruit and crème brulee. This is an excellent wine to entertain with. Serve this wine with triple cream brie, but don’t be surprised when your guests gobble it up in minutes.

ROTH ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON ($29.99)

Everyone loves a good Cabernet Sauvignon, so why not try this one with aromas of black cherry, cassis, wet stone, and sweet oak. This wine pairs well with a variety of meats such as lamb and steak. This is a juicy, mouthwatering Cabernet you won’t want to leave behind on the shelf.

THE FOUR GRACES PINOT NOIR ($29.99)

This elegant Pinot Noir has notes of raspberry, cherry, and earthy forest floor. If you’re looking for something to pair with a wide variety of dishes, The Four Graces Pinot Noir is going to be your best bet. Pair it with anything from fresh salmon to piping hot lamb stew.

To find these wines at your local grocer or wine shop, click on our Store Locator here.

Many wineries offer wine clubs that will send out quarterly shipments of wine. If you’re someone who has visited tons of wineries and are never sure whether you should sign up for a wine club or not, here are a few reasons why you should.

THE CONVENIENCE.

By joining a wine club, you get the convenience of having your favorite wines shipped to your doorstep. It saves a lot of time and saves you from having to transport the bottles home. When you receive your wine shipment, it eliminates the need to travel all the way to the winery you’re a member of just to purchase more of your favorite bottles!

THE PERKS.

As a wine club member, wineries will give you exclusive perks. For example, by joining a wine club from the Foley Family Wines portfolio of wineries, you get the benefits of being a member of that specific winery (discounts on wine and events, early access to new releases, complimentary tastings) as well as complimentary tastings at any of the sister wineries. You can also earn points for wine, cuisine, and experiences.

THE EXPLORATION.

One of the best things about signing up for a wine club is that in addition to receiving your favorite wines, you also get to try new-to-you wines that the winery offers. This is a great way to discover new wines that could potentially be your favorite. That way when your favorite wine sells out, you’ve got plenty of delicious options to fall back on. It also encourages you to try varietals you wouldn’t typically reach for.

Next time you’re contemplating joining a wine club, just do it! You get amazing wine, plus tons of other perks as well. Joining a wine club is a positive experience and isn’t it fun to come home to a box of wine ready to explore?

To learn more about the various wine clubs offered by The Foley Food & Wine Society and each of our individual wineries, click here.

On display at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery are twelve wood carvings – one for each month of the year – each depicting an important part of the winemaking lifecycle. We’re diving into each month and where winemakers have traditionally kept their focus during that time in our editorial series, The Vintner’s Calendar.

Sebastiani’s Vintner’s Calendar wood carving for October illustrates the process of fermentation.

The process of fermentation in winemaking is turning grape juice into an alcoholic beverage—wine. More specifically, the yeast converts the sugar from the grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide along with other by-products. More sugar in the grapes means that the wine will potentially have a higher alcohol level.

Red wines are typically fermented in contact with skin, seeds, and stems which is what makes them tannic. The skin, seeds, and stems also what give red wine its color. White wines on the other hand, are not usually fermented in contact with the skin of the grapes. Rose wine is commonly made with red grapes, but the skins and other components of the grapes are removed early in the maceration process.

Malolactic fermentation is a secondary fermentation where malic acid is converted into lactic acid. For this process, bacteria instead of yeast aid the fermentation. This reduces some of the acidity which makes the wine taste creamy and buttery. Most red wines and some white wines such as Chardonnay and Viogner will go through the process of maloactic fermentation.

Okay, so you know how to drink wine, but you’re not sure how to cook with it. No problem. We’ve got you covered with these few simple rules to follow to make the process more approachable.

USE WINE THAT YOU’D DRINK.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when cooking with wine is using cheap wine that they would never drink a glass of. Now, we’re not saying you should pour half that bottle of Romanee-Conti into your stew, but you absolutely should cook wine that you would enjoy drinking. Using wine that doesn’t taste good to you will give the dish nuances of that wine. This is the most important rule of cooking with wine!

DON’T USE “COOKING WINE.”

Another common thing to avoid is cooking with wine that is specifically labeled for cooking. This is bad quality wine that usually has food coloring and salt added it to make it “suitable for cooking.” The quality of the wine will reflect in your dish, so use regular, good quality wine. This rule follows the first rule. If you wouldn’t drink salty cooking wine, then it’s probably not a good idea to cook with it.

ADD LITTLE BY LITTLE.

What we mean by this is to think of the wine as a seasoning. It’s there to add flavor to your dish the same way salt does. Too much salt can ruin a dish, which is why you add a little bit, taste, and then add more if needed. Using this strategy to cook with wine will help you use just enough to perfect your dish.

PAIR THE WINE YOU’RE COOKING WITH.

Try pairing the food you’re going to make with a wine that complements it. For example, if you’re going to make duck with a red wine sauce, Pinot Noir would be a good match because Pinot Noir is a beautiful pairing with duck. If you followed the first rule, the wine you’re cooking with would be a perfect wine to drink with the dish you’re making.

NOT ALL OF THE ALCOHOL COOKS OFF.

Contrary to popular belief, not all the alcohol cooks off when you’re using wine in the kitchen. It takes about two-and-a-half hours to cook off 95% of the alcohol. Keep this mind when cooking for people. It’s generally a good idea not to serve dishes with wine in them to children or non-drinkers.

By following these rules, you’re sure to create a delicious dish to share with friends and family. Familiarizing yourself with wine will also help cooking with wine seem less intimidating.

For more information about cooking with wine, check out this article from Wine Enthusiast and be sure to view our RECIPES section for some delicious recipes that include wine.

Led by three of its top producing vineyards, Chalk Hill, Roth & Sebastiani, Foley Family Wines continued to add to its honor roll with top scores from various industry publications and competitions awarded to several wines within FFW’s portfolio.

Roth Estate was recognized for three of its wines, starting with the 93 points awarded by the Los Angeles Int’l Wine Competition for the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley. From the winemaker’s notes…

“Displays mighty aromas of black cherry, cassis, wet stone and sweet oak. Rich and layered flavors of red currant, blackberry, dark chocolate and vanilla complement the firm tannins. Structured, and powerful, this Cabernet lingers on the finish.”

Shop 2016 Roth Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Roth also earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast for the 2016 Roth Heritage Red.

“Heritage is a red blend which celebrates the perseverant and relentless spirit of our forefathers. This wine is a tribute to our proud heritage and commemorates the many bold journeys that shaped our great country.”

Shop 2016 Roth Heritage Red

Finishing up the trio of awards for Roth was the 2017 Roth Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, awarded 91 points and named among the Year’s Best Chardonnays by Wine & Spirits.

“Rich and full. The nose displays aromas of apple pie, citrus blossom and passion fruit. The palate is expressive and round with golden apple, Meyer lemon, nutmeg, Asian pear and vanilla from the oak influence.”

Find 2017 Roth Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

The 2016 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley was also recognized by Wine & Spirits, earning 91 points and named as a “Best Buy.”

“Floral currant scents flatter this wine with gamey sweetness even as its structure is lean, with some bitter mineral intensity gripping the finish. It’s tightly wound and red fruited, with a cactus like green edge− a substantive take on the Alexander Valley: generously fruited, tightly built, delicious.”

Find 2016 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Learn more about the other Foley Family Wines earning recent acclaim by reading below.

ALTVS 2015 Napa Valley Chardonnay | Wine & Spirits, 90 points/Year’s Best Chardonnays

“This 2015 Altvs Chardonnay is beautifully balanced with a profile that is sophisticated and nuanced. Aromas of apple and pear are followed by integrated oak notes. This is a result of the small-berried clones of Chardonnay and the skin soaking method employed prior to fermentation. The palate is feminine in character, with delicate and elegant notes of apple, lemon meringue and a kiss of vanilla. The contribution of the grape skins is further evident in the rich and oily mouthfeel that gives the impression of great weight despite its modest alcohol.”

Shop ALTVS 2015 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast | Wine Spectator Impact Global Newsletter, Impact Hot Prospect 2018 Award

“Since its founding in 1972, Chalk Hill has been Sonoma County’s benchmark producer. For over four decades the winery has produced exceptional wines that have received high acclaim from the trade, press and consumers. Nowhere else will you find such transitional terroir as this: nestled atop the cooler Russian River Valley, just over the ridge from the warmer Alexander Valley. Among the estate’s rugged hillsides, a scant few hundred acres make up a patchwork of carefully nurtured vineyards which rest atop the rocky soil where the Russian River once meandered. Here, nature is joined by artisans of the vineyard and cellar to bring forth wines that reflect the character and richness of this special place.”

Find Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast

2016 Kuleto Native Son | Las Vegas Int’l Wine Competition, 90 points & Gold Medal

“A collision of old and new world styles, the expected and not, this wine marries our juiciest and spiciest Cabernet Sauvignon and Melot, our most opulent, warm, fruit-driven Zinfandel, some dark peppery Petite Sirah, and our mouthwateringly grippy Sangiovese− just enough to drive your senses crazy. The resulting blend conjures up images of old head-trained California mixed field plantings. The 2016 Native Son showcases enticing aromas of red and black berries with hints of nutmeg, toasted wood, and a lingering spice. The palate is smooth with a silky mouthfeel that highlights the dark cherry and plum while notes of warm vanilla and baking spices give way to a length satisfying finish.”

Find 2016 Kuleto Native Son

2016 Three Rivers Syrah | James Suckling, 90 points

“Rustic and juicy. Crushed berries, cured meats and slightly dusty notes fill the palate. This is a full bodied wine with excellent balance and a array of flavors that leads to a lingering finish.”

Shop 2016 Three Rivers Syrah

Familiarizing yourself with common wine terminology will help you describe the wine you taste in more detail, as well as help with ordering in restaurants.

Here’s this month’s picks for top wine terms you should know.

ACIDITY: You can probably tell when something is very acidic. Your mouth puckers and waters at the same time. A wine is acidic when it makes your mouth salivate with each sip. White wines tend to have more acidity than red wines.

BIG: This is a term used to describe wine that has intense flavor or that is high in alcohol. Syrah is an example of a wine that is big because it is packed with bold aromas and flavors.

FRUIT FORWARD: A wine where its sweet fruit characteristics stand out the most is a wine that is fruit forward. Examples of sweet fruit characteristics are: jam, blueberry, blackberry, raisin, peach, and so many more.

OXIDATION: Oxidation is what happens when a wine is exposed to air. Some air can be helpful in opening up a wine, such as when you aerate it, but too much can cause a wine to become brown and ruin the flavor. Oxidized wines are wines that get too much oxygen.

OLD WORLD: When wines are from the Old World, this generally means Europe. France, Italy, Spain, and Germany to name a few. Grapes originated in these countries, coining the term Old World. Wines in the Old World will be named after the cities and regions they come from. For example, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is NOT made from the Montepulciano grape; it is actually made from Sangiovese. Old World wines typically taste more acidic and have less alcohol than wines from the New World.

NEW WORLD: When wines are from the New World, they are from countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It’s called New World because these countries had grapes imported from the Old World. Wines in the New World will be named after the varietal they were made from. New World wines typically are more fruit forward and have more alcohol than wines from the Old World.

Check out more wine terms here.

Delivering a toast can be a nerve-wracking experience for some, so we’ve compiled this list of tips to help you next time you’re asked to raise a glass and say a few words.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

You want to make sure you’re calm when you’re giving your toast. Taking a deep breath can help lower your heart rate and calm your nerves, making you more relaxed when you speak.

LOOSEN UP.

People can tell when you’re tense.  Make sure you relax your body before you speak. Remember to relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and stand up straight. Not only will you look relaxed, but you’ll look and feel more confident too.

KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE.

If you’re nervous about standing up in front of a group of people and speaking, the good news is that for a toast, you don’t need to speak for that long. A simple toast such as one you would say before starting dinner is usually less than a minute. For toasts honoring people at events and weddings, around 3 to 5 minutes is sufficient.

PLAN AND REHEARSE.

Like with most things in life, you should prepare for your toast. This means you already should know what you want to say and how you want to focus on the person of honor. A toast should also have a beginning, a middle, and an end just like a regular speech. It gives the toast structure and prevents you from going on a long tangent. End your toast with a thank you,  a “Cheers!” or similar valediction.

And while you don’t need to script your speech, rehearsing, even if in front of a mirror to yourself, will help you confidently deliver your toast.

SPEAK FROM THE HEART.

When giving a toast, you want to provide context. Toasts are well-received when they have meaning behind them. No one wants to receive an impersonal toast, so why give one? Also, remember that humor translates differently for everyone, so opt for being meaningful over humorous. A toast should always come from a place of admiration and that’s the most important thing to remember.

These are just a few simple tips to help you confidently deliver that toast, next time you’re called upon. To learn more, check out toastmasters.org and scienceofpeople.com.

Looking for a great sparkling wine to accompany your toast? Try one of the following:

Foley Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine

Vibrant aromas of fresh strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry. Beautifully bright acidity of strawberry, raspberry, and honeysuckle flavors with a lively mouth-feel. Crisp on entry, the lively bubbles offer a persistent finish.

Shop Foley Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine.

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé

The flavors display nice strawberry and wild cherry fruit, with a touch of richness on the mid palate. It is balanced with dry, crisp acidity and complimented with a creamy texture and long finish.

Available in select wine shops and restaurants.

With recent coverage in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Wine Spectator, canned wine is quickly rising in popularity with consumers, and becoming a major focus for top producers. This is because the sales of canned wine has continued to grow exponentially since 2017. Acrobat Wines began releasing their highly-acclaimed Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Rosé, and Chardonnay in cans this year, and has witnessed an immediate positive response from consumers.

Here are some of the key reasons why canned wine is here to stay:

CANNED WINE IS CONVENIENT

One key reason for canned wine’s popularity is its convenience. Being more durable than glass bottles, cans allow wine lovers to travel with them more casually, without having to worry about the special packaging and transport considerations that come with glass bottles. You drop a bottle of wine, it’s most likely to shatter. In addition to losing an entire bottle of wine, you’ve now got a dangerous situation with shards of glass to cleanup. Not a concern with cans.

Another benefit to cans is that you don’t need to remember to bring a corkscrew to open one. How many times have you brought a bottle of wine to a picnic and realized you’d forgotten the corkscrew? Not a problem with cans. We’re also seeing the rise in popularity of cans lead to an increase in overall consumption of wine, as it has led to more wine lovers bringing wine with them to parties and other events, when they previously may have balked at traveling with glass bottles.

CANS’ SMALLER PORTION SIZE ALLOWS FOR MORE TRIALS BY CONSUMERS

Research shows that consumers are more likely to buy a bottle of wine if they have tasted it first. Standard can sizes are 375ml, which is exactly half of the standard 750ml bottle of wine.  That is equivalent to just over two 6oz glasses of wine. This smaller portion allows consumers to taste the wine before committing to buying additional cans, or moving on to a full bottle.

CANS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Another reason why cans are here to stay is because they are more environmentally friendly than glass bottles. One reason is because aluminum is more likely to be recycled than glass. Also, cans weigh less to transport, which cuts down on carbon emissions and reduces their carbon-footprint overall.

CANS APPEAL TO WINE DRINKERS OF ALL AGES AND EXPERIENCE

The recyclable packaging and friendly labels are encouraging a younger audience to enjoy wine. Canned wines are an approachable introduction to wine, as they are made ready-to-drink as soon as they are purchased. Not only that, but canned wine is more affordable, especially for younger, millennial drinkers, who are just starting their careers, and may not have the disposable income of their predecessors. Priced at $6+ for a can of wine, canned wine is a budget-friendly option for anyone looking to enjoy wine, but not commit to purchasing a full bottle just yet.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy some canned wine, because it’s here to stay and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

If you’re looking for a good canned wine to try, Acrobat’s canned wine comes in four varietals including: Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Find them with our Wine Finder.

NAPA COUNTY

SURREAL FRIDAY THE 13TH

Friday, September 13th, 5:30 PM to 7 PM
Napa Valley Museum Yountville | 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, CA

If you love surrealism, you’ll love the two exhibits showing at the Napa Valley Museum Yountville. Experience the amazing exhibitions of Surrealist Art: The Surrealist Revolution in America and Otherwhere: Juanita Guccione. Enjoy the wines from the JCB Collection while you take a journey through surrealism. Advanced ticket purchases are required.

SIP & SWIRL SATURDAYS

Saturday, September 14th, 12 PM to 4 PM
St. Helena Chamber Welcome Center | 1320A Main Street, St. Helena, CA

Visit the St. Helena Chamber Welcome Center for wine tasting! Every Saturday, a new winery will be featured and they will pour their wines for you to taste. This upcoming Saturday is a mystery, so you will have to find out what winery is pouring wines when you get there. This event is completely free and requires no RSVP.

ARTISAN MARKET

Sunday, September 15^th, 11 AM to 2 PM
Vista Collina Resort | 850 Bordeaux Way, Napa, CA

Enjoy live music while browsing the best food and wine Napa has to offer. Stop by the Foley Food & Wine Society featured tasting room at the Artisan Market and taste a few of our wines. This event is free and requires no RSVP.

SONOMA WINE COUNTRY

SEBASTIANI FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES

Friday, September 13^th, 6 PM to 9PM
Sebastiani Vineyards | 389 Fourth Street East, Sonoma, CA

The Poyntlyss Sistars are performing at this Friday’s Friday Night Music Series held at Sebastiani Vineyards. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and snacks to enjoy at Sebastiani while great music is being played. This is a family-friendly event where children and pets are welcome! The event is free and requires no RSVP.

ART & WINE SERIES AT FOLEY SONOMA

Friday, September 13, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Foley Sonoma | 5110 CA-128, Geyserville, CA

Discover new art, music, and aperitivo at this family-friendly event. Enjoy the artwork displayed in the veranda as you make your way to the tasting room. In the tasting room, you may purchase a bottle of wine to drink outside while you listen to music. The event requires no RSVP.

SEPTEMBER PICK & SIP SATURDAY

Saturday, September 14, 11 AM to 3 PM
SRJC Shone Farm | 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville, CA

Pick fresh seasonal produce while enjoying complimentary wine and oil tasting. While you’re there you can stock up on Shone Farm olive oil as well as purchase food to enjoy with wine. The event is family-friendly with activities for children! The event is free and requires no RSVP.

CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST WINE COUNTRY

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES AT FIRESTONE

Friday, September 13^th, 6 PM to 9 PM
Firestone Vineyard | 5017 Zaca Station Road, Los Olivos, CA

Relax with wine and good music at Firestone’s Friday Night Music Series. This Friday’s performance will be by Vineyard Byrds. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket to this event. The event is free and requires no RSVP.

FOLEY ESTATES’ CELEBRATION OF PINOT NOIR

Saturday, September 14^th, 2 PM to 5 PM
Foley Estates | 6121 E. Highway 246, Lompoc, CA

The annual celebration of Pinot Noir is back and Foley Estates wants you to join them! Enjoy delicious food pairings with various different Foley Estates Pinot Noirs from Stas Rita Hills. Network with fellow Pinot Noir lovers at this fun, Pinot-filled event. Advanced ticket purchases are required.

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE MARRIOTT: JURASSIC WORLD

Saturday, September 14^th, 7:30 PM
Santa Ynez Valley Marriott | 555 McMurray Road, Buellton, CA

If you haven’t seen Jurassic World yet, now is your chance to. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is doing a showing of Jurassic World. This event is family and pet-friendly and includes popcorn! The event is free to attend and no RSVP is required.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES WITH THE GEMS

Friday, September 13^th, 6:30 PM to 9 PM
Three Rivers Winery | 5641 Old Hwy 12, Walla Walla, WA

Have an entertaining, family-friendly evening at Three Rivers Winery listening to music from The Gems and drinking wine. The Gems are playing a one-time reunion show to conclude the Friday Night Music Series. Food and wine are available for purchase. Advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended, but not required.

The Basics of Pairing Wine with Food

Pairing wine with food may be intimidating to beginners, so we’re sharing a few basic principles to consider that will help you impress your guests at your next dinner party.

To begin, think about the weight or “body” of the wine. Consider pairing light with light and heavy with heavy. This serves to balance out the wine and food without one overpowering the other. You wouldn’t want to pair a heavy wine with a light dish and vice versa because it will make one seem underwhelming even if that’s not the case on its own.

Don’t forget to consider the sauce of a dish as well, because a light fish or pasta with cream sauce could overpower a light white wine. So, in this instance, pairing a heavy white such as Chardonnay would be an excellent choice.

There are two types of pairings. You have complementary pairings and contrasting pairings. Complementary pairings are pairings that mirror flavor profiles (i.e. acid and acid) or pairings that accompany each other (i.e. bitter and fatty). Contrasting pairings are pairings that contrast flavors (i.e. sweet and spicy; sweet and salty).

Think about the mood you’re in and if you want to complement or contrast flavors. For example, Riesling is a lightly sweet wine that would complement an entrée with fruit aspects such as pork loin and grilled peaches. Riesling would also contrast a spicy dish such as curry without taking away from the heat or the spices.

To make it a little bit easier to understand, consider that wine has five basic traits. They are:

1. Sweetness
2. Acidity
3. Tannin
4. Alcohol
5. Body

Similarly, the five established basic tastes are…

1. Sweetness
2. Sourness
3. Saltiness
4. Bitterness
5. Umami (or Savoriness)

Breaking wine and food down into their flavor components make it easier to pair them together. From the example above, Riesling (sweet) paired with pork loin and grilled apricots (sweet and salty) make it a delicious complementary and contrasting pairing in one.

It’s also okay to experiment. In fact, it’s encouraged. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to stick with white with white and red with red. While red wine typically has more tannins making it a good pairing with fatty red meats, a light-bodied, earthy red wine would pair beautifully with chicken marsala. The key is to really pinpoint the flavors of the wine and the dish. Again, that means to think about and break down the flavor components.

There is no such thing as a wrong pairing. There will be pairings that you like and your friends don’t and there will be pairings that an expert puts together that you don’t think taste great. If you personally love the flavors of Malbec with buttery lobster, then that means it’s a successful pairing. Don’t worry too much about getting that perfect pairing because wine and food is not meant to be stressful. Wine and food is supposed to bring people together and be enjoyed.

Click here to view some of our favorite recipes and wine pairings!

On display at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery are twelve wood carvings – one for each month of the year – each depicting an important part of the winemaking lifecycle. We’re diving into each month and where winemakers have traditionally kept their focus during that time in our editorial series, The Vintner’s Calendar.

Sebastiani’s Vintner’s Calendar wood carving for August illustrates the process of preparing vats.

In winemaking, a vat is any type of vessel used to hold processed wine grapes before they go into the bottle.  Sebastiani’s tasting room contains some large and historic wooden vats dating back to some of their earliest years prior to the Prohibition era.  The largest vat being 59,600 gallons is one of two purchased by August Sebastiani in 1950 from the Christian Brothers’ Winery in St. Helena. It was taken apart for transport and reassembled at the winery in Sonoma. Without nails and glue, it was held together by the steel bands surrounding the wine expanding staves. Today, the second vat is recycled into our beautiful redwood ceiling.

The twelve wooden carvings used in The Vintner’s Calendar series are currently attached to one of these vats and are on display at Sebastiani. A portion of it is visible in the background of the image used in this article.

Given that most winemaking equipment is used for only a few weeks a year, most of it sits idle. And so in August each year, preparation is under way to ensure the “crush pad”, multiple fermentation tanks, clamps, and hoses are clean, and in proper working condition. And a general buzz of excitement around the winery begins to take place as harvest approaches.

Enjoy Chalk Hill Wines during a special six-course wine dinner presented by Vernon’s First Coast Kitchen & Bar, located in the world-famous Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, this Thursday, August 15. Chalk Hill wines to be featured include…

The cost of the dinner is $125.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 904.373.2098 or email emily.costa@marriott.com.

Read below to view the full menu.

HAPPY HOUR 6:00 PM 

CHARCUTERIE AND EVERGLADES 

TOMATO ARANCINI stracciatella, basil aioli 

Paired w/2017 CHALK HILL ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 

DINNER 6:30 PM 

WATERMELON SALAD cotija cheese foam, summer greens, spicy pecans, pickled watermelon rinds, bee hill honey vinaigrette 

Paired w/2018 CHALK HILL ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR 

CAVATELLI short rib carpaccio, summer vegetables, herbs de Provence, Parmigiano-Reggiano 

Paired w/2016 CHALK HILL ESTATE CHARDONNAY 

SMOKED-DAY BOAT-CAUGHT SWORDFISH honey-braised–pickled eggplant 

Paired w/2015 CHALK HILL ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR

HOUSE-AGED TOMAHAWK CHOP STEAK pee wee potatoes, St. John’s charred vegetables, black garlic butter 

Paired w/2015 CHALK HILL ESTATE RED BLEND 

AMARENA CHERRIES vanilla impastata, pistachio gelato, Marcona almond crisp 

Paired w/LIMONCELLO