Happy Hallowine! Halloween Movies and Wine Pairings

 

It's that time of year. The weather is getting cooler, and we've been trying our best to keep our hands out of the candy bags. But Halloween is not just the candy and cool weather; it's the scary movies that we love too. We plan on curling up on the couch and bingeing on some scary movies. We thought we'd play around with pairing some classic horror movies and Ruby Hill wines. Make a list, and get your popcorn ready for Hallowine Weekend!

 

A Hallowine Weekend

 

The Addams Family and Ruby Hill Peacock Patch Zinfandel

 

       

We love the Addams' dark sense of humor and refined style. The inky color of Zinfandel reminds us of them: intense but with plenty of finesse.

 

Sleepy Hollow & Ruby Hill Patchwork

 

 

Constable Ichabod Crane comes to the town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the murders of several townspeople. It's up to him to piece together the clues to solve the case. Our Ruby Hill Patchwork is our winemaker's opportunity to sleuth out a perfect combination of grapes to create a delicious blend.

 

Carrie and Ruby Hill Reserve Sangiovese

 

We paired our Ruby Hill Reserve Sangiovese with this Stephen King classic for its color and its understated but powerful flavor.

 

Ready to stock up on wine for your Hallowine weekend? It's the last weekend to purchase our Fall Reds Case Special. You can order for pick-up or delivery today!

 

 

What To Do With Leftover Wine

Okay, okay. We can already hear you saying, "Who never finishes a bottle of wine?" Believe it or not, this does happen and we know that no one wants to throw away all of that good juice that's still left in the bottle. Believe it or not, there are still a few ways you can use up the last bits of wine in some new and creative ways. Here are five ways you can save every last drop!

 

5 Ways to Savor Every Last Drop

 

1. Stick it in the fridge and save it for a sauce. We love butter-based sauces for steak, pork, and fish dishes. Get fancy with your next meal and make a Buerre Rouge or a Buerre Blanc.

2. It's still a little warm so why not chill down that red wine and make a spritzer? This Tart Cherry Red Wine Spritzer is perfect for these warm fall afternoons.

3. Wine cubes. Pour the leftover wine into an ice tray and save them to add to sauces, soups, or if you need to chill down your glass on a hot day.

4. Simmer it down and make a wine syrup. Take your leftover wine, add some sugar, and then reduce it until it turns into a sweet syrup. Drizzle over cakes, ice cream, or fruit! This recipe seems simple enough!

5. Make your own...vinegar? Yep! You can turn your favorite red wine into a vinegar that will be perfect for making shrubs, viniagrettes, or pickling liquid! You can read how to make it here.

 

Have some other creative ways to work with leftover wine? Let us know what you come up with!

Introducing the New Ruby Hill Reserve Cabernet Franc

We are always thinking of new ways to surprise and delight lovers of Ruby Hill wines, and with this month's Club Release, we unveiled the new 2018 Ruby Hill Reserve Cabernet Franc! 

Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's lighter in body than Cabernet Sauvignon and is typically used as part of the blend in traditional Bordeaux-style wines. Cabernet Franc is often vinified on its own in France's Loire Valley, and its popularity is growing steadily in the United States. 

Our 2018 Ruby Hill Cabernet Franc is a blend of 83% Cabernet Franc, 9% Barbera, 4% Petit Verdot, and 4% Petite Sirah. A rush of cherry and red raspberry and savory herbs fill the nose. On the palate, vibrant sour cherries and hints of spiced chocolate. The addition of Barbera adds complexity and acidity to the overall wine, creating an ideal balance. We aged the wine in a blend of new and neutral French Oak for 20 months before bottling. The wine has a round mouthfeel with well-balanced acidity, complexity of flavor, and a long finish. It's a perfect pairing for barbequed meats, savory pizzas, and hearty fall stews. 

To celebrate its release, we've added it to the new tasting flight for October. Please stop by the winery to enjoy a tasting and let us know what you think! We're open to walk-ins Monday through Thursday and by appointment Friday through Sunday. Call us at 925-931-9463 to reserve your tasting at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, or 3:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you!

 

Top 5 Golf Courses in Livermore Valley

The cooler temperatures are finally back, and what better way to start the weekend than with a round of golf? 

Here in the Livermore Valley, we're fortunate to have award-winning courses with beautiful views, and not too far from wine country. We've put together a short list of our favorite golf courses in Livermore Valley for you to look into for your next weekend getaway. Gather a group of friends for a morning tee time and then swing through to Ruby Hill and relax in the shade under one of our covered patios to enjoy a wine tasting. We always have something cold or something bold for you to sip on. We can't think of a better way to enjoy the weekend!

 

Top 5 Golf Courses in Livermore Valley

Poppy Ridge, Livermore, CA

Located in the heart of the Livermore Valley Wine Country, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of wine country while you play a challenging 27-hole Rees Jones designed golf course. 

 

Las Positas Golf Course, Livermore, CA

Las Positas Golf Course features a 27 hole facility in Livermore Wine Country. Choose from either The Signature 18 hole course or the equally challenging Links 9.

 

Callippe Reserve Golf Course, Pleasanton, CA

Enjoy scenic views of Mount Diablo and the Callippe Butterfly sanctuaries while you play this challenging and dramatic 72-hole course. 

 

Dublin Ranch Golf Course, Dublin, CA

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Tri-Valley, the Dublin Ranch Golf Course offers panoramic views of Livermore Valley and Mount Diablo. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, this par 63 offers quite the challenge. 

 

Ruby Hill Golf Course, Pleasanton, CA

Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Ruby Hill Winery, is Ruby Hill Golf Course. The only downside is that this is a members-only course. Make a new friend who can get in to enjoy this expansive 14-acre golf facility. And then bring them over to Ruby Hill Winery for a wine flight while you take in some vineyard views. 

 

Ready to put together your golf weekend? Schedule your tee time and then give us a call at 925-931-9463 to make a reservation for your tasting! We hope to see you soon!

Fall Activities in Livermore Valley

It's October, harvest is almost over, and we're excited to enjoy all of our favorite activities of the season. We love fall in wine country; the mornings are a little color and the light changes. The leaves on the vines start to change into those beautiful tones of orange and yellow and red, filling the valley with vibrant color. 

Things continue to look a little different in 2020 due to the pandemic, but the great thing about fall is that the temperatures are just right for being outdoors. There are some fun fall options to enjoy in Livermore Valley, and we're sharing a few of them here for you. Take a look and start planning your October fall adventures!

 

Fun Fall Activities in Livermore Valley

Witches Night Out! Moonlight Dining and Shopping! - This annual event has been revamped to ensure everyone's safety, but it will still be a blast! Gather a group of friends and reserve a table at a restaurant for dinner and wine while you get a head start on your holiday shopping. Participating retail shops will be open until 9 o'clock for the night. Wear your witch hat and cackle with your friends for a fun night out.

Family Fun at Joan's Farm - Head out to Joan's Farm for an afternoon of family fun at the pumpkin patch. Enjoy the lovely Sycamore trees while you pick out your porch pumpkins. They have a snack shack serving pumpkin pie and other fall favorites.

Weekend Ranger Nature Program - Trick or Treat in the Park - If you're looking for a socially-distant Trick-or-Treat option for the kids and grandkids, make a reservation with the Livermore Park District. Make a reservation for this special event where you'll learn about the spookier critters that live in the park while taking a lovely stroll after hours collecting treats.

Wine Tasting with the Livermore Wine Trolley - Enjoy the cooler temperatures with a ride on the Livermore Wine Trolley. Enjoy an all-inclusive wine-tasting tour to various wineries throughout the year, rain or shine, in the Livermore Valley. Visit three wineries and enjoy a pre-ordered lunch with your reservation. Perfect for small groups of up to 6 people. 

Drive Through Haunted House - For those who enjoy spookier adventures, the Alameda Fairgrounds hosts a Haunted Theme Park. This year, you and your friends will see who has nerves of steel as you drive through the haunted fairgrounds. 

 

Let's make the most of this season and enjoy all that Livermore Valley has to offer!