Rosé Four Ways: Let's Get Cookin'

The summertime heat here in California has us sipping Rosé all day, and we thought it was the perfect time to get creative with our dinner menus. Inspired by our Grapeful Rosé, we've rounded up 4 fun rosé infused recipes to make the perfect dinner: cocktail, appetizer, entree, and dessert! Click on the photos for full recipes of these delectable delights. 

 

1. Lavender Lemon Rosé Cocktails

If you'd like a sip of summer, then this drink is for you! Refreshing and bright, this cocktail takes rosé to a whole new level, and might just transport you to a lavender field in Provence. Sweet, tangy, and deep all at once, it's the perfect opener for a delicious dinner. 
 

 

 

2. Rosé-Infused Peaches with Mozzarella

For an all-star side dish, lean into the ripe summer produce at the market. Macerate a few peaches in rosé then serve with a soft cheese like mozzarella or burrata and fresh herbs and enjoy the most simple and delectable dish.
 

 

 

3. Rosé Shrimp Scampi

This shrimp scampi sits at the crossroads of elegant and easy, just asking to be enjoyed! It's hard to go wrong when making a dinner with pasta and wine, and this dish will bring the combination to a whole new level. Flavorful and picturesque, this might become a dinnertime favorite.

 

 

 

4. Raspberry "Frosé" Popsicles

If summer weather calls for a chilled treat for dessert, then put us down for frozen rosé (frosé for short). These popsicles are customizable: add your favorite citrus and any fruit you like, and you've got a summertime spectacular. 

 

 

Feeling inspired to make something with your Rosé this week? Get our Grapeful Rosé at an unbeatable price in our Summertime Sipping White Wine mixed case before the sale ends!

National Wine and Cheese Day with Ruby Hill Wines

July 25th is Wine and Cheese day, so it's time to celebrate some pairing all-stars! 

Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and Muenster

Our Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is the answer to most of our summertime cravings, with its bright, aromatic, and drinkable nature. Thanks to the balanced acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc, each refreshing sip prepares your palate for the soft and mild creaminess of Muenster.  

Grapeful Rosé and Fresh Burrata

The crisp acidity of Grapeful Rosé is enjoyable anytime, but it’s especially unbeatable on a sunny day in July. With a luxurious aroma and gorgeous color, our Grapeful Rosé is perfect with the light freshness of Burrata cheese. Smear the cheese along a toasted French baguette, grab a bite, take a refreshing sip, and repeat.

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Aged Cheddar 

Possibly the most classic of pairings, you can’t go wrong with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and your favorite Aged Cheddar. If you’re looking to elevate each bite, try a pepper-crusted cheddar to build a natural flavor bridge between the cheese and wine. The savory bite of a well-aged Cheddar stands up to the tannic nature of the Cab, and as the flavors melt into your mouth it’s hard to not go back for more. 

Jewel Petite Sirah and Melted Swiss Cheese

Brimming with rich flavors and gorgeous aroma, every wine in our Jewel Collection is set apart. If you already enjoy the boldness of Petite Sirah, then the best way to improve it is with a perfect cheesy accompaniment. Whether you melt the cheese onto a burger or into a classic Swiss fondue, Jewel Petite Sirah is the pairing you need. 

Sparkling Wine and Parmesan

Our Sparkling Wine pairs with just about everything, and it’s at its best alongside fresh and salty foods. Whether you enjoy your Parmesan grated over pasta, cooked into a risotto, or just on its own, a chilled glass of our Sparkling Wine will have your taste buds singing. 

Solera in Perpetuum and Roquefort

Dessert wines like our Solera in Perpetuum offer deep, rich flavor and call for a strong, sophisticated pairing. The wine carries notes of blackberry jam, dried plum, and cocoa, which mingle beautifully with a blue-veined artisan Roquefort. 

2017 Patchwork and Smoked Gouda

Our Patchwork is a Club-Exclusive blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petit Verdot. This particular vintage boasts expressive aromas, silky tannins, and a lovely lingering finish. Now a part of our Library Collection, this wine is available only in our Mixed Red Case. When enjoyed alongside a fine smoked Gouda, this blend compliments the Gouda’s toasted nuttiness and accents both the sweet and salty notes of the cheese.

For a limited time, we're offering two exclusively priced mixed cases. Order yours now!

Don't Miss the Bus: The Mello Cielo Returns

Welcome aboard! It has been a blast to welcome back our retro bus, the beloved Mello Cielo, and we're proud to announce the return of our Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience, a tour unlike any other.  
On your tour, you'll have a chance to experience an inside look into the beauty of our wine-making process. From the scenic, serene vineyards to the thousands of barrels nestled in our production facility, you'll experience it all. And did we mention the wine? You'll have a chance to sip on most of our favorites along the way!The Mello Cello is a 1980's school bus with a storied past. After school bus service, it had a second life as a touring bus for a group of Dead Heads, who were among the droves of fans who followed the Grateful Dead on their tours. Later, this bus was restored once more, this time into its current form. The complete refitting of the bus included adding wine barrel seats, meticulously detailed metalwork, and a custom paint job, turning this vessel into a work of art. On this journey, your driver is your guide and resource. Knowledgeable, friendly, and reliable, every driver infuses the experience with their own flair, so feel free to take the tour again and again! You might learn about the history of the Estate, the process and science of winemaking, or why vines love the Livermore Valley so much. If you're lucky, you might learn a little bit of everything!One of the most noteworthy wines you will have a chance to enjoy on your tour will come right out of the barrel. This barrel tasting is an exclusive view into the story and process of crafting your favorite Ruby Hill Wines. When you step into the production facility, you are stepping behind the scenes, where the magic really happens. As you continue to ride through the vineyards, you'll have opportunities to stop and take in the rich, picturesque views of the Livermore Valley. The gentle, rolling hills and the curling vines laden with fruit are steeped in history and always ready to be enjoyed. The final stop on the journey is inside our Estate's historic Water Tower, where you'll be seated and treated to a flight of wines featuring favorites from each of our collections, alongside delectable food offerings. Your guide will walk you through the story and characteristics of each wine. Upon your return to the tasting room, your tour will finish with a flourish as you enjoy our Solera Dessert wine. Cheers!

Our Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience is now available for booking! If you are interested, call the tasting room at (925) 931-9463 or send us a message at events@rubyhillwinery.net anytime. 

Savory Summer Salad with Grapeful Rosé

No matter where you’re at, July sunshine calls for fresh and exciting meals and your favorite light wines. This week, to commemorate our Wine of the Month, we’re making a light and satisfying Spiced Chickpea salad to pair with our 2020 Grapeful Rosé. This simple recipe involves seasoned & baked chickpeas with fresh veggies, tossed in a homemade tahini dressing. It’s delicious, healthy, perfect for a summer afternoon, and happens to be vegetarian!

Carrot Tahini Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

Ingredients

For the spiced chickpeas:

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Pinch of salt and pepper

For the dressing:

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• Water to thin if necessary

For the salad:

• 3 cups shredded carrots (from 3 to 4 medium-sized carrots)
• 1/2 small red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup fresh parsley, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss the chickpeas with the oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Place on a prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the pan several times throughout baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. (You can do this either by hand or with an immersion blender.) Add water if the dressing is too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings if need be.
3. In a large salad bowl, toss the shredded carrots, onion, raisins, and parsley with the dressing. Mix well. Season with a little salt and pepper. Right before serving (to ensure the chickpeas stay crispy) top with the chickpeas and enjoy. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Now, grab an ice bucket and your favorite picnic blanket and head outside! This recipe is ideal for enjoying alongside our Grapeful Rosé in the shade on a warm day. For our friends who prefer white wines, this dish will also taste fantastic when paired with our refreshing 2018 Sauvignon Blanc. 

Thinking of giving this recipe a try? Let us know @rubyhillwines!

Your Wine Needs to Chill

        As the weather heats up, more and more of us might be reaching for a crisp, cool white wine or a refreshing rosé for our summertime sipping. A mild evening might even call for a luscious glass of your favorite red. No matter the wine you’re drinking, it’s important to consider the temperature that you store and serve the wine. If this seems a little overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve put together a guide of basics so you can enjoy your white wines, rosés, and yes, even reds, at their best. 

        Part of the magic of wine is the way it gets more delicious with time. This requires, however, that the bottle remain sealed, and relies on the integrity of the cork. The most significant enemies of wine storage are temperature fluctuations and excessive heat because they may cause wine to escape around the cork, or the cork to dry out and allow air to seep into the bottle. This causes a process called “oxidation” which spoils the experience of the wine. Similarly, too much heat for too long can also result in your wine tasting “cooked” which flattens the flavors and complexities of the wine. If we have made you nervous now, let us put you at ease. Wine isn’t delicate quite like an orchid or exotic plant and can hold up to some stress, but try to store your wine where it is happy, especially if you will be aging it. 

        Though there are a number of schools of thinking when it comes to the optimal storage temperature, the best compromise is about 55°F, or 13°C. If your storage runs colder or warmer than this, that’s okay; most wines store well anywhere between 45° and 65° F. If you don’t have a wine fridge or cellar, try to store your wines on their side in a box or cupboard, away from exterior walls and rooms that fluctuate in temperature. 

        When it comes time to serve the wine, there’s some easy tips to make your wine express its qualities perfectly. The most important distinction is between red and white wines. White wines (and rosés too) are generally best when cold. Temporary storage in the refrigerator before serving will help these wines shine as balanced, aromatic, and refreshing. Fuller-bodied white wines like our Reserve Chardonnay give the optimal sip as soon as the chill wears off, but before the wine reaches room temperature. Other wines, like our Wine of the Month, Grapeful Rosé, taste delicious when chilled and unfold with gorgeous aroma as the temperature rises a bit in the glass. 

        The aromas and structure of red wines, on the other hand, will be at their best when served around 60°, just under room temperature. Of course, red wines are enjoyable at a range of temperatures, partially due to the delicious diversity within red wines. Lighter bodied wines with higher acidity, like our Sangiovese, can actually benefit from a few minutes in the refrigerator before serving. Heavier-bodied, tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Sirah are perfectly enjoyable at a higher temp.

As a rule of thumb, try this for your summer sipping:
Light White Wines (like Sauvignon Blanc) - refrigerate 45 mins before serving
Fuller White Wines & Rosés (like Chardonnay or Grapeful Rosé) - refrigerate 30 mins before serving
Light-to-medium-bodied Reds (like Sangiovese) - refrigerate 15 min before serving
Heavier-bodied / tannic Reds (like Cabernet Sauvignon) - refrigerate 5-10 mins before serving. 

Remember, these are guidelines. Drinking wine is about enjoyment, so if you have a specific preference, go for it! If you want to experiment to find your favorite temperature, we've got a great sale for you! Our Wine of the Month is Grapeful Rosé—it's perfect for all your summer fun.