August Mornings In the Vineyard

In the days and weeks leading up to harvest, the vineyards are at their most beautiful. One by one, our various varietals take on their mature color and ripen to perfection. With the glow of the sunrise melting away the fog, the early morning offers the best look at the beauty of the vineyard during this season. View the gallery below to see for yourself!

Our Sauvignon Blanc vines grow wildly throughout their season, as this varietal is known to do. We love the golden hue that this fruit takes on this time of year--an omen of the golden wine to come!

These clusters of Petite Sirah are hearty and hefty, ready to lend their bold flavor when it comes time to create our Reserve Petite Sirah wine. 

These Sangiovese grapes, along with their big protective leaves, are healthily enduring the high temperatures we have experienced in the Livermore Valley. 

In our Barbera block, the fruit takes its time to finish growing, changing color, and ripening. We know that good things come to those who wait, so we are in no hurry.

This section of our Sauvignon Blanc is both fruitful and picturesque, beautifully green yet anything but green!

On the ground is a rather sorry sight, but one that is invaluable. To increase the quality of our fruit, some clusters are cut off so that the vines can concentrate on fewer clusters-- a practice called "dropping fruit."

By dropping fruit, the clusters that remain on the vine will be fully nourished by the vine and deeper in flavor. In many varietals, the more fruit is dropped, the more intense the quality. 

When Chardonnay is nearly fully ripe, such as the clusters pictured above, the grapes resemble polished glass marbles. 

As sunlight spreads itself over each block of the estate vineyard, we are filled with thankfulness to see such a bountiful year and healthy vines. 

These clusters will be picked in a few weeks when they have reached perfect ripeness. In the meantime, the winemaker keeps a very close eye on their progress!

The sun has risen on yet another beautiful day in the estate vineyard. Onward into Harvest 2022!

Unlikely Pairings: Wine and Potatoes

Today is August 19th, which means it’s National Potato Day! This versatile food lends itself to such a huge variety of delicious preparations that it is certainly worth celebrating. Of course, we like to have a glass of wine with our celebrations, so we’ve rounded up some of the best pairings for 7 of our favorite potato dishes. Let’s appreciate all that spuds can do!

Potato Salad - Grapeful Rosé

For the deliciously creamy zing of homemade potato salad, an unctuous but approachable Rose makes a great companion. Enjoy each fresh sip and savor the flavors of summertime. 

Herbed Roasted Potatoes - Cuvée Dray

From the rich profile to the lingering finish, our all-new 2020 Cuvée Dray is a reliable pairing for heartily seasoned dishes. We like roasted potatoes seasoned with herbs and pepper, served with grilled steak.

French Fries - Sparkling Wine

This is a playful pairing you won’t soon forget! Sparkling wine isn’t just for New Year’s or fancy parties. Try homemade french fries or enjoy some bubbly wine with your next takeout meal. 

Creamy Mashed Potatoes - Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, and few wines are more classic than Cabernet Sauvignon. This pairing is especially perfect when served with a rich and savory gravy! 

Baked Potatoes - Peacock Patch Zinfandel

Make sure to add cheese, fresh green onions, a touch of sour cream, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce. Is your mouth watering too? Serve these beauties with our Zinfandel for a memorable match. 

Kettle Potato chips - Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Easy to eat, easy to drink—this pairing makes you happy! Enjoy that inimitable salty crunch of your favorite potato chip and a luscious sip of our locally grown Sauvignon Blanc’s tropical and citrus notes.

Sweet Potato Casserole - Jewel Chardonnay

This isn’t just a day for russet or yukon potatoes, we’re putting some sweet potatoes in the mix too! Enjoy the perfect harmony of butter, marshmallow, and light nuttiness between our Jewel Chardonnay and classic sweet potato casserole.

Cheers to the hearty, humble potato and everything it has to offer! If you try any of these pairings, make sure to tag us on Instagram @rubyhillwines

Announcing: Retro Night 2022

Discover the wines worth remembering at a night you won't forget. We are delighted to announce an event exclusively for members of Rubino Estates and Ruby Hill Wineries: Retro Night! 

Memories, love, and good wine only get better with time. That’s why we have a Library Collection! Many of our beloved wines from both Ruby Hill and Rubino Estates from years gone by have been saved in our cellar for special occasions. Now, it’s time to have a party: Retro Night! Below, we've listed a few of the wines that will make an appearance, available for both tasting and purchase, and what makes them special.

From the Rubino Estates Library :

2015 Nebbiolo ~ Riserva Collection
Limited Production, Italian Classic, Light yet Flavorful

2014 Amuleto ~ Famiglia Collection
Member Exclusive, Good Luck Blend, Bright Red Fruit

2015 Pinot Noir ~ Landmark Collection
Vibrant, Festive, Elegantly Romantic 

2017 Proprietary Red ~ Landmark Collection
Stellar, Mysterious, Rounded and Silky

From the Ruby Hill Library:

Armonia Lot #10 ~ Gem Collection
Aged Beautifully, Berries and Dreamy Layered Flavors

2017 Cielo Viola ~ Gem Collection
Ruby Hill Family Favorite, Elegant Complexity

2015 Petite Sirah ~ Jewel Collection
Bold and Rich, Bordeaux Beauty, Distinguished

2013 Petite Sirah ~ Jewel Collection
Profound,  Unctuous, Smoothly Creamy

These wines have been quietly waiting for their moment to shine. At Retro Night, it's your chance to enjoy these patient beauties in all their elegance and charm! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 17th from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM and get ready to enjoy timeless classics from both Ruby Hill and Rubino Estates wineries. Retro Night will feature special pricing on these exclusive Library wines, as well as a build-your-own Library wine 6 pack or case special, a Magnum Mania sale, and more. Many of these wines are limited production, so tickets are limited to two tickets per wine club membership and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

From our cellar to yours, Cheers!

 

The Summer Mello Cielo Flight

One of the most iconic and beloved activities at Ruby Hill is our Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience, a private bus tour through our scenic vineyard estate. This excursion includes a flight of wine showcasing our Estate's quality and legacy, and we've just released a new menu! Where are we going? Let's board the bus and see where this adventure takes us!

 

Tasting Room

We like to welcome everyone to the tasting room with a golden splash of our bubbly Ruby Hill Sparkling Wine! Crisp, refreshing, and fun, each sip enhances the festive excitement of the tour and gets everyone started off right. 

 

 

The Peacock Patch

Yes, it's a real place! Enjoy sipping our Peacock Patch Zin in its namesake vineyard block. You might even spot the ostentatious birds for which the block is named! This spot is great for seeing the vines up close and drinking in a view of the Livermore Valley.

 

 

Through The Vineyard

Your adventure continues past the acres of vines that change with the seasons. Right now, they are vibrant green, with huge clusters of ripening grapes as harvest rapidly approaches. See if you can spot which vines become your favorite wines!

 

 

 

Production Facility

This location is the ultimate peek behind the scene. If you want to be in the room where it happens, then this is your chance. Get an exclusive taste of a future wine, right from the barrel, and take a look at where the Ruby Hill magic is made!

 

 

The Water Tower

Nestled in our vineyards near the winemaker's home, the water tower is a little oasis. Waiting inside are 3 more wines and delicious bites for your whole group! Our Summer menu includes Chardonnay, Patchwork, and Jewel Cabernet Sauvignon. 

 

 

Tasting Room

You've made it back! To celebrate this adventure, we like to finish with a taste of our Solera dessert wine. This special port-style wine is the cherry on top of a fantastic day. Cheers to memories that last forever!

 

This tour is available for groups of 8-14 people and must be reserved in advance. If you are interested in booking a Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience, please reach out to us at info@rubyhillwinery.net and we look forward to having you! For more details, click here.