Write Yourself Thankful

It’s Thanksgiving next week! What is your favorite way to express your thanks? This week, we’re looking at the practice of writing thank-you notes. In just a few minutes, you can write a note that fills you with a feeling of joy and a thankful spirit--perfect for this season. Even more, the recipient may just need that encouragement and warmth brought into their day. It’s time to spread thankfulness around!

Why Write Thank You Notes?

Your mental health will thank you! Little notes of thanks are one of the fastest and most sustainable ways of lifting your mood. Gratitude has been found to increase patience which is especially helpful to anyone who finds the holidays a tad stressful. If that’s not enough, grateful people are more likely to take care of their health and enjoy their relationships. If you need to recharge and keep loving, sit down and write a note or two! We promise: it’s less awkward and more powerful than you think!

Who Do You Thank?

You guessed it: anyone! It can be big or small. This isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about taking a moment to say thank you to someone who needs to hear it. If that’s family members in your own home, long lost friends, your spouse, your coworkers, a barista at your favorite cafe, or a wine ambassador you love, write to them! Say thanks for their hospitality, for the way they listen to you, or how they always remember your name. If you can hand-deliver the note, you can even add a smile when you hand it off.

How Do You Do It?

Write on real paper. In a time of speedy digital communication, a physical note has power. For the note, you only need a few sentences. Greet the individual, write a few grateful comments about the way they have made you feel or how you treasure or appreciate them, then say thank you directly. Embrace sincerity and simplicity! Don’t forget to sign your note and send it on its way. 

 

We hope we have encouraged you to write some words of thanks this week.
We promise it’s worth it. We’re thankful for you all!
-The Ruby Hill Winery Family

Petite Sirah Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, so we're putting on our aprons and pulling out our favorite recipes. It's time to get festive and a little bit boozy! The recipe below is as simple as can be and results in a cranberry sauce with the most delicious complexities, you'll never want it out of a can again. Infuse the sauce with the boldness of our Reserve Petite Sirah, and you've given it just enough of a boozy boost to add a layer of scrumptious flavor.

Petite Sirah Cranberry Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of Reserve Petite Sirah
• 1 bag of cranberries
• 1 teaspoon of orange zest
• ¾ - 1cup of sugar
• ½ teaspoon of fresh thyme, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine wine, cranberries and ¾ cup of sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil.
2. Add thyme and zest and reduce to simmer.
3. Simmer for about 10 minutes, cranberries will begin popping.
4. When thickened and jammy, remove from heat and taste. Add remaining ¼ cup of sugar if necessary.
5. Serve while warm.

Recipe from Talia Bunting

It's time to get "sauced" and bring all your favorite flavors to the dinner table this Thanksgiving! Of course, if there's another red wine you prefer, this recipe will take on the flavor with elegance. Give it a try with our gorgeous Peacock Patch Zin or our Reserve Cab, the Wine of the Month.  Let's get cooking. Cheers!

Quick Guide to Pairing with Cab

The beginning of November has filled us with festive joy. Between the rich colors of fall and the warm flavors of comfort food, we have so much to be thankful for. This week, we’re taking a look at the best pairings for November’s Wine of the Month: our award-winning Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich with notes of blue fruit, toasted oak, and vanilla and just the right amount of tannic grip, this wine is one for the cellar or the Thanksgiving dinner table. Best of all, it’s on sale! 

Cabernet Sauvignon is a timeless classic, perfectly enjoyable on its own yet deliciously enhanced by the right company, be it cheese, entrees, or dessert. If you are a Cab-lover like us, you probably have your favorite pairings. If so, feel free to ignore everything we say below! If you’re feeling curious or even adventurous however, try branching out into one of the options below—we promise they won’t disappoint. 

 

Charcuterie

Hard-aged savory Gouda

Clothbound aged cheddar

Italian Bresaola

Black Truffle Salami



 

 

Proteins

New York Strip Steak (serve medium rare)

Roast Leg of Lamb (serve medium)

Roasted Duck with complimentary glaze

Spice and herb rubbed tofu
 

 

 

 

Desserts

Hazelnut Cheesecake

Blackberry Cobbler

Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Black Forest Cake

 

 

 

Happy November, friends! This is the season for Cab (we say that every season, but it’s true)
so get yours now while the sale is on!