A Spotlight on 2021 Grapeful Rosé

Our Grapeful Rosé is one-of-a-kind. This playful, vibrant, and delicious Rosé wine has quickly become one of our favorites here at Ruby Hill. Crafted from our Estate-grown Sangiovese grapes, the color of this Rosé is stunning and the aromas and flavors are a delight. There's nothing more perfect for summertime than a sip of this. Below, we have unpacked a few of the elements from our winemaker's tasting notes on this wine—see if you can taste them too! 

Fresh Strawberry

Nothing says summer quite like a bright, juicy strawberry. These aromas and flavors flourish in each sip of Grapeful Rosé like many of its Provençal-style cousins. 
 

 

 

Watermelon Hard Candy

This signifies the tangy, concentrated fruit flavors that dance on the palate, giving the experience of hard candy without cloying sweetness.  

 

 

Ripe Raspberry

Vibrantly delicious! Provided by the food-friendly pleasant acidity of this Rosé, these notes balance between tartness and sweetness. 

 

 

Hint of Cucumber

Though perhaps unexpected, this note is a welcome guest in the bouquet of our Rosé, bringing summery freshness to each sip. 
 

 

Time for a taste test? Get it before the sale is gone, and stock up for summer while you're at it!

What to Pair with Our Rosé

The beauty of May has us ready for a summer of sunshine and good times, best accompanied by a glass of Rosé! This week, we’re taking a look at the best pairings for May's Wine of the Month: our gorgeous 2021 Grapeful Rosé. A playful nose rich with strawberry, watermelon jolly rancher, hibiscus, and a hint of cucumber leads into a full mouthfeel and balanced acidity. This Rosé reflects an elegant Provençal style, a refreshing profile, and best of all: it’s on sale! 

Our Grapeful Rosé is crafted from Sangiovese grapes, creating a rich and dry wine that's perfect on its own and deliciously enhanced by the right company, be it cheese, entrees, or dessert. 

 

Charcuterie

Soft Fresh Burrata

Cubed Honeydew Melon

Thin-Sliced Prosciutto

Sliced Ripe Strawberries

Fruit-Encrusted Goat Cheese



 

 

Proteins

Baked Salmon

Rosemary Roasted Chicken

Grilled Garlicky Shrimp

Seafood Paella

Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower 

 

 

 

Desserts

Vanilla Macarons

Strawberry Rhubarb Tart

Fresh Fruit Salad with Wild Honey

Raspberry Panna Cotta

Watermelon Slush

 

 

 

Happy May, friends! This is the season for Rosé
so get yours now while the sale is on!

Wine Tasting Basics: 5 Words you Should Know

Part of our mission at Ruby Hill Winery is for wine to be approachable and enjoyed by all. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the delight of a glass of wine without the pressure of pretense—enjoying wine isn’t just for wine snobs! To enhance your experience, we’ve listed a few simple words below and what they mean when tasting wine. 
 

"Vintage"

The vintage of a wine is simply the year of its creation, which will appear on the bottle. For example, we are currently pouring the “2020 vintage” of our Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, which means the grapes that went into this wine were grown and harvested in 2020. For wines that take a long time to age in barrels before they are bottled (generally red wines), quite a bit of time can elapse between harvest and when the wines are released. The 2019 vintage of our Jewel Cabernet Sauvignon was just bottled earlier this year and has not yet been released. The year that appears on a bottle of wine indicates its vintage. Wines that are a blend of multiple vintages, such as our Solera Dessert Wine or our Armonia Lot #11, are labeled as “Non-Vintage."
In context: “I think the 2018 vintage of our Reserve Cab is especially good.”
 

"Nose"

Referring to a wine’s “nose” is a fancy way of referring to its smell or “aroma.” In a tasting room, you’ll likely hear the aroma of various wines described in terms of all kinds of fruits or flowers. Smells matter in wine tasting! The nose will reveal a great deal about how a wine will taste and give you an idea of what to expect once you take a sip. If a wine ages well, its aroma becomes more layered and complex as time goes on, developing from an aroma into what the wine world refers to as a “bouquet.” To get a good sense of the nose of a wine (aroma or bouquet) give your glass a nice swill before taking a sniff to release more of the scent molecules into the air. 
In context: “The Petite Sirah has a very pronounced nose with notes of blackberry and cocoa.” 
 

"Legs"

After you’ve just swirled your glass to get a sense of the nose, hold your glass up to the light and look just above the surface of the wine. Likely, you will see lines of wine easing down the sides of the glass. These lines are called “legs” and can tell you a bit about the alcohol or sugar content of your wine. Generally, sweeter or higher alcohol wines will have more pronounced legs but the length or appearance of these legs is not an indicator of quality. 
In context: “You can see the subtle legs of the Sangiovese if you give it a swirl.”
 

"Body"

The body of a wine is how full, rich, or heavy it feels in your mouth. A thinner feel in the mouth would be referred to as “light-bodied” or simply “light” while more robust, dense wines are medium- or full-bodied. The texture that you sense in the wine’s body, be it smooth, rough, or velvety, is fittingly referred to as the mouthfeel. The differences between the body of various wines is not terribly different from other beverages—think of the different sensations between sipping skim milk vs. whole milk.
In context: “The Grapeful Rosé is much more full-bodied than the average Rosé wine
 

"Structure"

The structure of a wine is a combination of several features: alcohol level, acidity, sugar, tannins, and fruit. A wine that has a deliciously harmonious balance between these elements is referred to as “structured.” A wine that has a pleasant aroma, a smooth sip and mouthfeel, and flavors that linger after swallowing (called the “finish”) would be considered structured. Structure in wine has a great deal to do with tannins, which are compounds from the skins and seed of grapes that give wine its color, its ability to age, and a great deal of its texture. If a wine makes you pucker or makes your tongue feel dry, it is likely a more tannic wine. 
In context: “The structure of the Jewel Zinfandel is exactly the balance I’m looking for in a red wine.”

If you are looking for a chance to use your wine vocabulary, come taste what the Livermore Valley has to offer at Ruby Hill Winery! We're open 7 days a week and reservations are required on weekends only. 

Elevate Your Mimosas for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and we’re here to help you make it special. Classic Mimosas (or should we say Mom-osas) are a special treat for any day, but we think this is the perfect chance to elevate this simple libation! Below, we’ve suggested garnishes and add-ins of all kinds to make these Mimosas a signature staple. Enjoy every kind of spin on these drinks, from sweet and fruity to tart and zesty.

Step Beyond Orange Juice
Mix up some unforgettable combos for your base!

• Grapefruit Juice
• Pear Puree
• Pink Lemonade
• Pineapple Juice
• Watermelon Puree
• Cranberry Juice

Make it a Magnificent Mixer
It’s not just a party for Sparkling Wine! Try a touch of these:

• Tequila
• Peach Liqueur
• Vodka
• Grapefruit Sparkling Water (Non-Alcoholic option)
• Small Scoop of Sherbet

Infuse Your Sip with Whole Fruit
Mix and match these fruity delights!

• Raspberries
• Citrus Wedges
• Blueberries
• Mango Cubes
• Tart Cherries
• Pomegranate Arils 
• Kiwi Rounds

Jazz Your Glass With an Herbaceous Garnish
The flavor spins you didn’t know you needed

• Lavender
• Mint
• Rose Petals
• Rosemary 
• Thyme
• Basil

Make a sample flight of your favorite combinations, or set up a Mimosa buffet for a family Mother’s Day brunch! After all, nothing says “I love you” quite like thoughtful food and drinks.

To honor this holiday, we’re offering a sale on our Sparkling Wine, perfect for mimosas!