The Great Pumpkin: Fall Recipes & Wine Pairings

There’s nothing quite as comforting as your first bite into a warm, spiced confection. As the leaves begin putting on their flashy red, orange, and yellow hues and the weather adopts a chill, we are ready to begin fall baking. To celebrate October, we’re baking with pumpkin and spice 3 ways. Which one is your favorite?

 

Swirled Pumpkin Bread 

This moist and mouth watering pumpkin bread has a luxurious cinnamon swirl layered throughout, making it the ultimate autumn comfort food!

Recipe by Morgan for Host the Toast

 

 

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins 

Pumpkin and cream cheese are a match made in heaven. In this recipe, spicy and creamy coexist in all the right ways, all topped off with a tasty streusel!

Recipe by Toni of Boulder Locavore
 

 

Vegan Pumpkin Cookies 

These soft-baked cookies are an elegant treat any time of day. If it’s too early to enjoy them with a glass of wine, we recommend a cozy cup of tea!

Recipe by Jessica Hylton of Jessica in the Kitchen

 

Pumpkin Spice Wine Pairing Tips

Pair the warm flavors of pumpkin spice with wines like our Reserve Petite Sirah, Jewel Zinfandel, Cielo Viola, Jewel Petite Sirah, or the light creaminess with Chardonnay and Sparkling Wine! Really, just enjoy what makes you smile.

Spotlight on Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet is king for a reason. Like most of us, it loves the weather in California and enjoys a nice steak dinner. We are celebrating our award-winning 2018 Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon by unpacking the tasting notes you can expect while enjoying this wine. 

 

Marionberry

Delicate and packed with flavor, marionberry notes emphasize the depth of a wine from aroma to finish. 

 

 

Raspberry

The bright and snappy notes of raspberry entice the nose and balances the luxe mouthfeel, rounding out the experience.

 

 

Hazelnut Chocolate

Toasted hazelnut meets rich chocolate notes in this irresistible sweet, the profile of which dances in the flavor of this wine. 

 

 

Dark Fruit

Plush dark fruit notes like plum, huckleberry, and blackberry are characteristic of many deep, luxurious reds. 

 

 

Rosemary

These slight yet intriguing and savory herb notes add complexity to the flavor profile and finish of ageable Cabs like this one. 

 

 

We recommend pairing this wine with bacon-wrapped sausages, blackened chicken, steak salad with gorgonzola and black pepper, or double chocolate cake. Don’t miss out: today is the very last day to purchase our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon during our Wine of the Month sale!

Wine Inspiration For Plant Lovers

The third week of September is National Indoor Plant Week! For all our wine-loving plant moms, plant dads, and anyone else with a green thumb, this blog is for you. We’ve selected wines that match the personality of 9 common houseplants, since nothing can liven up a room quite like them!

Fiddle Leaf Fig  -

This gorgeous green beauty is hard to conceal, with its large shiny leaves and calming poise. We are reminded of the shine of our Jewel Chardonnay, always ready to catch your eye. 

Monstera Deliciosa -

Don’t let the “monstera” deceive you! Also called the “Swiss Cheese Plant” this easygoing houseplant is reminiscent of our Sangiovese: fun, quirky, and approachable for everyone. 

Peace Lily -

As its name suggests, this plant beautifully represents peacefulness, purity, and healing. Something so light and graceful is an excellent partner to our Sauvignon Blanc. 

Air Plant - 

The tiny miracles known as Air Plants don’t ask much from you. These stylish beauties look fabulous and don’t even require soil! We like that attitude--it’s just like our Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Golden Pothos - 

The Pothos goes by many intriguing names, including the Marble Queen and Money Plant. The beautiful designs and tenacious color are reminiscent of our Peacock Patch Zinfandel.  

Mini Cactus - 

They’re beyond cute, maybe a little prickly, but in a way we love! If you love a mini cactus, then something bold and fun like Riverbed Red might be right for you!

Snake Plant - 

Some argue that snake plants deserve the title of being the perfect houseplant, with some of the easiest care of all. When you want something delightful and easy, it’s time for Grapeful Red. 

String of Hearts - 

This one is for all of the romantic plant lovers! Heart-shaped leaves growing along a vine like beads on a string are your plant’s way of expressing love. Sweet romance? That calls for our Solera Dessert Wine!

Mini Succulents - 

Quaint and quintessential, miniature succulents like zebra plants, little missy, baby jade, and more are always a nice way to brighten a room and lift your spirits--just like a good Sparkling Wine!

This week, make sure to celebrate the little things that lighten up your life!

A Good Boy & A Good Cause

In a single month, the 2020 vintage of Cuvée Dray has already helped us raise over $5,000 for Valley Humane Society. To celebrate, we joined our beloved winery dog (and local celebrity) Draymond, as he spent some time in the vineyards and around the estate. As we work through the harvest season, it’s very important to keep an eye on the health of the vines and fruit. Most of all, Draymond keeps morale up, setting an example of exuberance and friendliness. 

The donations inspired and encouraged by Dray’s attitude and deep, soulful eyes go a long way to help our community. It is both a privilege and honor to support Valley humane society and the amazing work they do to enrich the lives of people and pets alike. In their words,

“At Valley Humane Society, we know that rescuing animals starts with helping those who care for them. We also firmly believe in the power of pets to inspire, comfort, teach, heal, unify. That’s why our programs reach beyond rescue and pet adoption to serve the people of our community.” 

Valley Humane Society's many programs include pet adoptions, Canine Comfort Pet Therapy, a Pet Food Pantry, and soon an all-new veterinary surgery center. This center will make life-saving surgeries more accessible and will also help adoptable animals get another step closer to finding their fur-ever homes! Find out more about Valley Humane Society on their website. 

We are so excited to see what the future of Cuvée Dray holds. Craving a bottle? Click here!

Re-Live Memories With Library Wines

     Have you ever had a moment in time that you wish you could freeze? A day you wish you could savor longer? Memories of these landmark events in our lives: a marriage, an important business accomplishment, a graduation, the birth of a child, and more carry us through difficult seasons and remind us why we do what we do. This incorporeal nostalgia is inexplicable and incredibly powerful, and this is the nostalgia that we like to store in bottles of wine. 

     Time is a crucial element in every area of life, including the wines we enjoy. Though many wines are ready to drink the day they are purchased, the truth is that modern wine bottles are designed with aging in mind. The anatomy of a wine bottle is such that when stored on its side, the wine is in contact with the cork, limiting air leakage and oxidation. As the bottle rests peacefully, tiny natural changes transform the wine little by little. 

     Memories take us back to a single moment in time, but also gain meaning overtime and remind us of the significance of maturity. Just like memories, wines have a twofold nature: the character of the wine when it was bottled, and what it earns along the way through maturation. An air of wisdom comes with time, expressing itself more dynamically with new and fascinating layers of taste. In fact, some characteristics can only be found with time, but whether you age a little or a lot is up to your personal palate. 

     Every moment until the cork is popped, the wine is changing ever so slightly and coming into its own, so it’s important to select the right one: one that will grow up into a mature and flavorful finish and allow you to reminisce. If you are choosing wines to age, look less at the price and more at the quality and your personal nostalgia. 

      Wine is so much more than a beverage to pair with your food. Allow wine to take you down memory lane. It is patient. If a year holds special significance, hang on to high-quality wines from that vintage. Buy a case of your favorite and open a bottle each time you reach a significant milestone, weaving the story and progress of that wine into your own story and progress.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the story of wine, then we have an event for you! We have opened up our own Library of special wines from the past, and they will be available for sale only at these events! Celebrate nostalgia and reminisce over some fantastic wines with unbeatable sales at Retro Night on September 17th.

Tickets available now. Click here!

Wine of the Month: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

We are thrilled to announce our Wine of the Month for September: 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon! Awarded 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and continually a Ruby Hill family favorite, the elegant beauty of this wine is not lost on anyone. Rich and deliciously tannic, this wine is a perfect companion for foods like bacon-wrapped sausages, blackened chicken, steak salad with cheese, or double chocolate cake. We can’t resist a flavor-packed steak salad, especially in warm weather, so let’s get cooking!

Grilled Steak Salad

Ingredients

• 2 filets or strip steaks
• kosher salt and pepper
• 12 ounces spring greens
• 2 baby cucumbers, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons roasted pepitas
• pickled red onions, for topping
• Gorgonzola or bleu cheese dressing.

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to the highest setting. Take the steak out of the fridge for at least 30 minutes to take the chill off. While the steak comes to room temperature, I make the dressing and the salad.
2. Assemble the salad by tossing the greens with a big pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add in the tomatoes, cucumbers and red (pickled) onions.
3. Place the steak on the grill grates and cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more. I like to cook mine until they reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Remove the steaks and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
4. Add the avocado and the sliced steak to the salad. Sprinkle with the pepitas. Drizzle with bleu cheese or gorgonzola vinaigrette and serve immediately!

By Jessica from How Sweet Eats  

“This bold and mouthfilling wine is delicious, deep and lingering. Light earth and leather aromas lead to ripe black-fruit and dark-chocolate flavors that accompany full body and firm tannins” - Jim Gordon for Wine Enthusiast.

Are you ready to enjoy Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon? Get it now on sale!

 

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.