Top Picks of Sonoma Vineyards

While we went managed to fit in visits to about eight different wineries/vineyards while in Sonoma, there are three that stuck out and will remain favorites in our eyes.

Benzinger Winery:
While we almost didn't stop here because it seemed to be a tourist favorite, I am very glad that we did. The wine was more than really good and the people were great and friendly. This was the first wine club we signed up for! We didn't get to take the tram tour, but I suggest doing so if you have the time.

Imagery Estate Winery:
This is by far my favorite, but it plucked my heartstrings... wine + ART = heaven. They make roughly 25 different wines and each year, each one of those types gets a new label done by an artist. that means new labels and new art every year! On site is a gallery of all the original art. I have to say, I was extremely impressed with the work, there are A TON talented artists that have been chosen for labels. Obviously, this is the second wine club we signed up for.

Check out their online gallery here.

Ty Caton:
The wine that Ty puts out is in a category of its own. While this tasting room is in a mini shopping center, away from its vineyards, it is definitely a hidden gem. His Cabernet's are kicking some serious butt and his wines are climbing fast in notoriety. This was easily the best quality, taste and friendliness that we encountered on our trip. It is a must visit!

South African Pinotage

Again with the South Africa addiction, I know. But this one is a must. The latest wine that Justin and I are addicted to is the Pinotage. More specifically the "Chocolate Coffee Pinotage." We of course tried this for the first time at our favorite place, Tolani Wine Bar (see dofoodstuff.blogspot.com for full review). I have yet to find a red wine as comforting as this one. The Pinotage is specific to South Africa and is a blend of two grapes, Pinot Noir and Cinsault. There are Pinotages that are not coffee chocolate, these I seem to not like nearly as much.

Our first taste and favorite Pinotage was The Dark Lady from Doolhof, Wellington, South Africa. We have found it impossible to find in stores. With that said, we needed a replacement to feed our cravings. After trying a few we did not like, we finally stumbled upon Barista at the Whole Foods Wine shop. We have served it to our friends and family, all who have also enjoyed it. It pairs unbelievably with a hearty tomato sauce and pasta meal, or some delicious chocolate dessert. The bottle costs around $13 and so far we have only found it at Whole Foods. We ended up buying the last ten bottles and dishing them out to family members!

Easy Summer Cocktails

These cocktails are quick & easy to make and are excellent on a summer day (or any other time of the year really!) The recipes are listed per-glass.

Cucumber Grapefruit
1/4 grapefruit
Club soda
Organic Cucumber Vodka (such as Crop Vodka- http://www.cropvodka.com/)

Juice the grapefruit and strain the juice before adding it to your shaker. Add ice and 1-2 shots of vodka. Shake it up! Pour into a glass and add a few splashes of club soda. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit. This drink tastes best on the rocks!



Hard Ginger Ale
Club Soda
Skyy Ginger Vodka

Again, this one tastes best on the rocks. It is half vodka and half clubs soda... it pretty much tastes like ginger ale. I have tried a few ginger vodkas and Skyy is by far the best.



Easy Pom
POM Juice (any flavor, my favorite it POM-Mango)
Vodka
Sprite or Club soda

Again, on the rocks! Add equal parts vodka, sprite and pom juice. Garnish with a lime if you are feelin' fancy!

Frosted Lemon Lime Martinis

I helped throw an engagement party recently where the theme was "Frosted." Naturally, I offered to provide an appropriately themed alcoholic beverage. For this event I made a lemon lime martini. The goal was a frosted, semi clear-white martini.

Measurements are for 1 pitcher of lemon lime martini:

3-4 cups vodka (depending on strength desired)

1.5 cups sparking lemon-aide (Italian lemon-aide)

1.5 cups lime-aide

1/8 cup lemon simple syrup

1/2 cup club soda (or sprite for a sweeter taste)

Fresh slices for garnish

Rock candy sticks for garnish

Fill pitcher (or large seal-able container) 1/8 full with ice. Add the first 4 ingredients and shake. Mixture should turn slightly frothy. Add club soda and several slices of lime to the pitcher and stir gently. Each martini can be garnished with a lime slice and a rock candy to finish the job! Depending on how sour your lime-aide and lemon-aides are, you may need to adjust the amount of simple syrup.

Lemon Simple Syrup:

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Bring water to a boil. Stir in sugar and lemon zest. Boil until water becomes syrupy. Let cool before using in your martinis.