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Our Sumner Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé pairs beautifully with salty cheeses, and its lovely blush color is the very definition of romance. For a simple yet impressive Valentine’s Day dinner at home, this light soufflé is both festive and delicious…and leaves room for something deeply chocolate for dessert! Classic Cheese Soufflé Yield: 2-3 servings Grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons butter 2-1/2 tablespoons all purpose...

The last rain that our vineyards received was around Christmas, but this morning a new storm arrived. Forecasters said it’s just the beginning of a sub-tropical weather system that is expected to arrive in force later in the day, with up to a half-inch per hour in the Hayfork Valley through Monday. “It was a little slower start than anticipated but it is still on track to deliver pretty significant rainfall,” National Weather Service...

What does a winery do in the winter? The yearly cycle for our wines begins during the cold months as the vines’ energy moves to the roots to wait for spring. The rains come, blanketing the hills with moisture, and between storms we prune the vines, removing 95% of the previous year’s growth. Mike Sumner and Ryen Rourke move through the vineyards, selecting the wood that will not only give us fruit for the coming year, but...

With Valentine’s Day coming up in a few weeks, it may be time to consider laying in some romantic wines. Because we make a Pinot Noir Rosé, we’ll start there! Our Oliva Vineyard provides us with all the fruit for this lively wine, which is created entirely of Pinot Noir grapes. This wine displays heady floral aromas, featuring apricot blossoms, while flavors of wild mountain strawberries, stone fruits, and mint notes tease...

New Year’s resolutions are easiest to keep if they’re fun, and learning more about wine definitely qualifies! Here’s a list that you can use throughout the year… Build a collection or wine cellar If you don’t already have a spot to store your wine, find one. It can be as simple as a closet, space under the stairs, wine fridge, or kitchen cabinet. Or, if you have the space and the means, you can do a full...

Sometimes we toast the New Year with friends, and sometimes it’s just the two of us. A New Year’s Eve for two can boast more exotic ingredients, since the quantity is smaller, but can also be a more unique affair, crafted from your favorite flavors. Here are some ideas… Classic, Elegant, European Sparkling crystal, fine champagne, and some world-class seafood set the tone for this celebration for two. Buy the best...