Veraison Begins at Ruby Hill

Veraison is a color change process wherein our grapes turn into their mature colors. It’s a special season, and one of the prettiest things about the vineyard in July.

When the clusters begin to take on color, the countdown to harvest officially begins. Veraison is a signal to the winemaker that the grapes have finished their growing stage and are now ripening. 

The morning light captures beauty up close to these clusters. Veraison and sunlight often go hand-in-hand, with clusters that get more sun getting their color sooner. 

Some of our vines are taking their time, and that’s okay! These Cabernet Sauvignon vines are moving at their own pace, with just a few blushing berries for now. 

This time of year, vibrant contrast emerges all over the vineyard, as hues of violet, gold, bright green, and earthy red, and more. We love to see it!

A natural mosaic grows on the vines, as white wine grapes go from green to more transparent. Meanwhile, shades of violet and fuchsia emerge in the red wine blocks!  

These Sangiovese clusters are showing off their gorgeous side. We are incredibly excited to see what these look like come harvest time.  

Like the Chardonnay grape shown above, the white wine grapes are ripening and becoming more golden, transparent, and even juicy!

These Petite Sirah clusters are full to bursting with plump potential! veraison looks good on these vines. 

We hope you have enjoyed this look at the colors of veraison in the Ruby Hill estate vineyard!

Jul 29, 2022 at 6:56 AM Permalink

Tasting a Bottle of Gold

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce a new vintage of this golden favorite, our 2021 Sauvignon Blanc! In this vintage, you can enjoy all of the most delicious and refreshing fruit notes all summer long. Below, we’re breaking down some of the prominent tasting notes of this beauty. Crafted with an emphasis on tropical notes with a touch of old-world style, our Estate shows its signature sun-kissed California flair.  

Pineapple - Tropical Touch

Notes of the king of fruits dance on the plate, along with other tropical essences like ripe guava.  

Pomelo - Citrus Zing

The citrus tartness of this Sauvignon Blanc makes it both deliciously refreshing and ideal for pairing!

Blossom - Floral Flair

A meadowlike essence swirls in the aroma, reminiscent of wildflowers, honeysuckle, and apple blossoms.

Pear - Polished Sweetness

On the finish, the citrus melts away into lingering golden pear notes to please the palate. 

This Sauvignon blanc boasts a medium mouthfeel, especially rich for this varietal. The lush flavors come from the inimitable sunshine of the Livermore Valley, creating a Sauvignon Blanc that is not grassy or plain. Try it today!

Jul 22, 2022 at 5:21 AM Permalink

Summertime Food & Wine Pairings

Keep your pairings fresh, summery, and bright with this easy guide for Ruby Hill wines—you can even let your mood decide! With a little branching out, you’ll never have to worry about boring wine pairings and you just might discover a new favorite wine or signature dish. Cheers!

Feeling lighthearted?
Pair Sparkling Wine & Green Bean Tempura with Curry Mayonnaise

Feeling vibrant?
Pair Sauvignon Blanc & Grilled Zucchini Tacos

Feeling snappy?
Pair Reserve Chardonnay & Mexican Street Corn Salad with Chipotle Crema

From the Modern Proper & Spook Fork Bacon

Feeling lively?
Pair Grapeful Red & Grilled Sriracha Pork Chops 

Feeling artsy?
Pair Grapeful Rosė & Tomato and Avocado Bruschetta

Feeling inspired?
Pair Sangiovese & Margherita Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

From Real Simple, The Modern Proper, and The Girl on Bloor 

Feeling untroubled?
Pair 2017 Peacock Patch Zinfandel (Library Collection) & Dressed Up Baked Beans

Feeling optimistic?
Pair Armonia Lot #10 (Library Collection) & Lamb Kofta

Feeling impeccable?
Pair 2019 Patchwork & Soy-Ginger Pulled Pork Sandwiches

From the Modern Proper, Spook Fork Bacon, and Midwest Living

Many of the wines featured above are also featured in our mixed cases, which are available at an unbeatable price for a limited time. Whether you’re looking for a mix of White Wines or Red Wines, this sale is the perfect chance to get your cellar and wine fridge prepped for a summer of great food and stellar sipping! Click below to shop now.

Jul 15, 2022 at 8:07 AM Permalink

Barbecue Style Breakdown

It’s the season for outdoor eating, and there’s nothing quite like the savory bliss of fresh barbecue. Not all barbecue is the same, and knowing the difference is an important start to perfecting your preferences and methods! Who knows, it may also be time to branch out and try new styles on new cuts of meat. Barbecue can be everything from a rack of ribs slathered in thick, sweet sauce to a huge smoky brisket, so we are looking at these traditional barbecue styles, the sides you might find with them, and the wines that love them!

Memphis Barbecue:

This style specializes in succulent pork ribs or pulled pork. Memphis barbecue requires patience as meats are smoked and cooked slowly for optimum flavor. Sauces generally have tangy profile, which we love alongside our Grapeful Red. This signature red blend also works with classic Memphis barbecue sides like creamy slaw, hush puppies, and corn on the cob.  

Texas Barbecue:

The Old West roots of this state have blossomed into many signature beef and pork dishes, most notably Texas hot links, ribs, and brisket. Texas barbecue focuses less on sauces and more on technique, allowing the meats themselves to shine. Flavor is also infused through marinating or basting. Our not-yet-released 2019 Patchwork blend makes a mouthwatering match for Texas barbecue. Side dishes like Texas pinto beans, green beans, and creamed corn should be roped in too!  

Carolina Barbecue:

If you’re looking for a whole hog (or the best smoked pork shoulder you’ve ever had) then this style is for you. Carolina style barbecue has many regional specialties, but a few of the notable features include mustard or vinegar based sauces and rich, smoky flavors. Enjoy this stye with Cielo Viola, one of our member-exclusive red blends, and dig in with a supporting cast of side dishes like Carolina-style  red cabbage slaw, collard greens, or potato salad. 

Kansas City Barbecue:

Slow cooked meat and thick sweet sauces characterize the Kansas City Style. The pinnacle of this style is the beautifully tender, smoky, savory-sweet magic of burnt ends. Are you hungry yet? We certainly are! A style this rich pairs perfectly with our Jewel Collection Zinfandel. Signature soul food side dishes like baked beans, fried okra, and mac n’ cheese will round it all out. 

Korean Barbecue:

A different delicious style, Korean barbecue is interactive and social! This style can involve all kinds of meat, but the signature is bulgogi, thin slices of sirloin that have been infused with flavor and tenderized in savory salty marinade. Often served with kimchi, rice, green onion salad (called pajeori) and rich sauce that combines sweet, savory, and spicy. We’re pairing our Peacock Patch Zinfandel with Korean style barbecue for the best flavor combination.

When in doubt, when it comes to pairing wine with any kind of barbecue, go for a Zinfandel. All of the suggested blends here feature Zin, which holds its own around big, smoky flavors and delicious meats!

Jul 8, 2022 at 4:50 AM Permalink

Wine of the Month: Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

         July is here, and we’re ready to celebrate! Our Wine of the Month for July is our Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is a favorite of our staff and members alike, full of bright, summery notes of fruit and citrus. Of course, summer and white wines go together like 4th of July and barbecue, so there’s no better time to open a bottle and enjoy each refreshingly crisp sip! 

        Every wine deserves a friend, so we have a few recipe ideas for irresistible pairing with our Sauvignon Blanc.

Creamy Garlic Prawns
recipe from Recipe Tin Eats 

A luscious yet light coating of creamy garlic over these plump jumbo prawns makes for a balanced and luxurious dish. You can use Sauvignon Blanc in the sauce itself, or use some other cooking wine and save the precious Sauv Blanc for Sipping! Either way, we encourage you to enjoy this pairing all summer long! 

Baked Fish Tacos
recipe from Plating Pixels 

​These easy tacos are another flavor-packed option that deserves a spot on your dinner table this summer. Fresh, bright, flavors compliment our Sauvignon Blanc and vice versa. As a bonus, this dish is healthier and just as flavorful as tacos with fried fish. Enjoy all of the natural benefits of wholesome ingredients, all alongside a locally made Sauvignon Blanc. What could be more perfect?

Cheesecake Berry Tart
recipe from Dessert First

Of course, we wouldn’t want to imagine life without dessert. This tart brings together a few of our favorite flavors and manages to be both rich and light. With all the creamy tang of cheesecake and the colorful natural sweetness of berries, this dessert is a natural companion for the brightness and flavor of our Estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc.  

Jul 1, 2022 at 4:24 AM Permalink