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Ruby Hill Winery
 
April 1, 2020 | Ruby Hill Winery

3 Ways To Celebrate the Good in Life

 

 

It is nearly impossible to go through the day without hearing one more news bite that adds another worry onto our already full plates. We watch as our family, friends, and community members navigate the new and ongoing uncertainties surrounding work, school, and life due to the global pandemic. In times like these, it is even more vital that we find ways to see the good happening around us. One of our favorite sayings is, “What you focus on expands.” We are trying our best to find ways to focus on all that brings a little smile to our faces at the end of a long day. Here are a few ways you can stay connected to joy and celebrate the good in life.

 

Start a Gratitude Journal

Many studies show the benefits of journaling on our mental health, but many avoid it because it seems hard or time-consuming. It doesn’t have to be! One easy way to stay connected to joy is with a Gratitude Journal. First thing in the morning or right before bed, simply write five things for which you are grateful. Keep this practice up every day and feel your heart fill with joy for all the little things in life.

 

Have a Candlelight Dinner for No Reason

Fancy dinners at restaurants are not an option, but why not bring the romance home? No need to wait for an anniversary or a birthday to create a special moment. Cook your favorite food or place an order for pick-up from your favorite local restaurant (check www.visittrivalley.com for a list of local restaurants and businesses with delivery and pick-up options). All you need are a few candles or a string of Christmas lights to add some ambiance. Pull out the cloth napkin and the fancy glasses. Use this time to talk about the best parts of your day. Pop open some sparkling and toast to the good in life. We're celebrating Wednesday with a bottle of Ruby Hill Sparkling.)

 

Send Handwritten Letters

Make a list of all the family and friends you miss, those near and far. Instead of sending a text or Facebook message, take a few minutes to write a quick note. Be it long or short, everyone loves a surprise letter in the mailbox. And since that’s as far as most of us can travel these days, you are bound to put a smile on their face.

 

How else are you staying connected to joy and celebrating the good stuff in life?  

 

 

Time Posted: Apr 1, 2020 at 12:44 PM Permalink to 3 Ways To Celebrate the Good in Life Permalink
Ruby Hill Winery
 
March 25, 2020 | Ruby Hill Winery

Creating the Ultimate Charcuterie Board at Home

The amount of creativity we’ve seen from all of you during shelter in place is inspiring. You’re learning how to play games, learn new hobbies, and host happy hours without ever leaving home. Today we wanted to share with you one more thing you can learn to do from home: making a charcuterie board the next time you open your favorite bottle of Ruby Hill wine.

Cheese and charcuterie boards are a wine country must-have. Everyone loves a tasty snack, and an adequately provisioned board is the ultimate treat. Make one this weekend, at home, and layer it with your favorite savory, salty, and sweet foods. You may not be able to go to wine country, but you can bring wine country to you. Here are a few things you need:

Boards

First, find yourself a cutting board or plate to hold your goods. At Ruby Hill, we have custom wooden boards; we found that these are the most durable over time when cared for properly. You may also see slate or marble slabs, but you can use whatever you have at home, even if it’s just a beautiful big plate. The most important thing is that it holds all the snacks.

Cheeses

The variety of cheeses available to you depends on what your local grocer may carry but try to find at least one soft and one firm. Brie is always a popular choice, but we also love herby goat cheese and blue cheese. For firm cheeses, Grana Padano, aged white cheddar, and Manchego are among our favorites.

Our Ruby Hill Sparkling and 2016 Reserve Chardonnay are excellent pairings for brie-style cheeses. The 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with aged cheddar and parmesan.

Meats 

Salty meats are a great addition to your boards. Thin slices of prosciutto are perfect for dropping straight into your mouth. A firm sausage like salami or chorizo is a heartier option. If you want to add a little bit of luxury to your charcuterie board, consider a pate.

Cured meats will need a wine with a little bit of acid to cut through the fattiness, so red wine lovers should consider the 2016 Sangiovese. 

Fruits

To keep the board balanced, always include fresh and pickled foods. Fan some sliced strawberries, figs, or small bunches of grapes next to the cheese. Dried fruits such as dried apricots, dried cranberries also add a little bit of sweetness to the board.

Additional Accouterments

It wouldn’t be a cheeseboard without olives. Our most favorite is Castelvetrano Olives, which are meaty, have a buttery texture, and not as briny as other olives. Marinated olives are also a great option. Add fig jam or mustard to add to your crackers before you top them with your selected cheeses and meats.

And of course, you can’t forget the crackers or your bread, a.k.a. the meat and cheese delivery system. For those that are gluten-free, there are great cracker options made of rice flour or parmesan crisps.

What are your favorite treats to add to your charcuterie boards? Tag us in your wine-country-at-home charcuterie boards (@rubyhillwines)! 

Don't forget, if you're still in need of wine to go with your next cheese board moment, we're offering complimentary shipping on all orders. Stock up on your favorite Ruby Hill Wines!

Time Posted: Mar 25, 2020 at 8:00 AM Permalink to Creating the Ultimate Charcuterie Board at Home Permalink Comments for Creating the Ultimate Charcuterie Board at Home Comments (1)
Ruby Hill Winery
 
March 17, 2020 | Ruby Hill Winery

St. Patrick's Day Recipes

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! While today would typically be a day full of lively parades and celebrations, due to the global health issue we’re experiencing, many of us are staying safe and staying in. The gift of this order is that many of us now have extra time to learn new skills, rediscover passions, and have quality time with family over a home-cooked meal.

Since we can’t share a glass with you in the tasting room, we thought we would share some of the recipes we will enjoy at home this week. If you are craving some St. Patrick’s Day bites, scroll down to find our favorite dishes and some Ruby Hill wines you can enjoy with them.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

Corned Beef and Cabbage by Tyler Florence

Seasoned brisket and herbed root vegetables come together for this mouthwatering classic. This recipe takes quite a while to prepare, but we’ve got nothing but time. We recommend a wine that has enough acidity to cut through the fattiness of the brisket but won’t overpower the flavors such as our 2017 Ruby Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc or 2015 Ruby Hill Intesa.

Vegetable Sheperd’s Pie

For the vegetarians in the house, this recipe replaces the classic ground beef or lamb with crumbled vegetable burgers or your vegetarian protein of choice. Pair this dish with a wine that has balanced acidity and a little bit of spice. We like the 2017 Ruby Hill Jewel Collection Chardonnay or 2016 Ruby Hill Reserve Sangiovese.

Beef Potpies with Cheddar-Stout Crust

Don’t let the homemade crust scare you off—it will be worth it. Savory braised beef and vegetables are tucked under a flaky cheddar crust. You want a wine with enough body and spice to match the weight of this dish. If you're thirsty for white wine, we suggest the 2016 Ruby Hill Reserve Chardonnay; red wine lovers will enjoy the 2016 Ruby Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

 

Still don’t feel like cooking? Many local restaurants are doing their part to stay safe and still provide our town with delicious meals. Check the Downtown Pleasanton Instagram page for information about to-go and delivery options offered by our restaurant partners.

 

Time Posted: Mar 17, 2020 at 9:00 AM Permalink to St. Patrick's Day Recipes Permalink

Enjoy complimentary ground shipping when you order 6 or more bottles.

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