2019 Tempranillo and 2019 Zinfandel Food Pairings

 

Beef Bourguinon

A beef stew braised in red wine, often Burgundy and beef stock, typically flavored with carrots, onions garlic and a bouquet garni and garnished with pearl onions mushrooms and bacon. A perfect pairing with our 2019 Tempranillo boasts dark cherry red in color. Aromas of plum, balckberry and jam with varied spicy notes of vanilla cacao, the excellent balance of fruit alcohol , acidit and tannins. Smooth complex and long finish.

                            We hope you will enjoy this recipe at home with our Shadow Ranch 2019 Tempranillo.

Ingredients :
1 tablespoon good olive oil
8 ounces dry cured center cut applewood smoked bacon, diced
2 1/2 pounds chuck beef cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound carrots, sliced diagonally into 1-inch chunks
2 yellow onions, sliced
2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)
1/2 cup Cognac
1 (750 ml.) bottle good dry red wine such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir
1 can (2 cups) beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pound frozen whole onions
1 pound fresh mushrooms stems discarded, caps thickly sliced
For serving:
Country bread or Sour Dough, toasted or grilled and rubbed with garlic clove
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate.
Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the seared cubes to the plate with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned. Set aside.
Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper in the fat in the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol. Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with the juices. Add the bottle of wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork.
Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. Saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste.
To serve, toast the bread in the toaster or oven. Rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.
Copyright Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

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Smoked Pimiento Cheese

We love this recipe for smoked pimiento cheese with our 2019 Zinfandel! The bold flavors of this dish held up well to the peppery oak finish on our Zinfandel and the two complimented each other perfectly.

Yield: approximately 5 cups

Ingredients

4 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
1 (8-ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (8-ounce) block smoked Cheddar cheese, shredded
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1⁄2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1⁄4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1⁄8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place jalapeño and bell peppers on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven.
Place peppers in a large glass bowl; cover with plastic wrap, and let cool for 20 minutes.
Remove plastic wrap. Wearing gloves, remove skin from peppers. Discard skin.
In the work bowl of a food processor, combine all ingredients; pulse until smooth.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes:

Serve with crackers, if desired, or on toasted French baguette slices and top with bacon.

 

Why Barrel Wines?

Why Barrel Wines?

The oxygen that comes through the oak barrel helps the wine mature and tannins develop the structure of the wine over time. Barrels are a metaphorical spice rack when making wine. New barrels have intense aromas, and can impart cedar, vanilla and plenty of spice notes when a wine is aged in them.
New barrels will impart the strongest aromas and flavors to a wine. Each time a barrel is used, that influence dissipates a bit. After about three or four uses, the barrels are consisderd "neutral". Neutral barrels are still useful to winemakers, wine can be aged in them before bottling, but neutral barrels won't add a new barrels influence of flavors and aromas.
Barrels are also used for texture and mouthfeel, since they allow small amout of oxygen to interact with the wine. Winemakers using neutral barrels to get richer, creamier textures from wines. A new barrel cost upwards of $1000 so getting extra use is important and desirable.

New Wood Fired Pizza Oven - We are Fired Up!

NEW WOOD FIRED PIZZA OVEN, WE ARE FIRED UP!

Your choice Margherita, Pepperoni, BBQ Chicken, or Fig Walnut Gorgonzola. The vineyards never smelled 

so delicious. Next time you feel like a pizza and a bottle of wine stop by! The

patio is gorgeous and we really enjoy sharing our style with you.

Spring at Shadow Ranch

When it comes to the vineyards, spring is a beautiful time of year. Poppies and tulips are blooming between the rows, the vines are waking up, and the buds are bursting to break. Just as spring is the season of new growth, it is also the season to get to work. Spring into Sam’s world and see what he’s up to in the vineyards!

Pruning & Suckering

Precise pruning is one of the most fundamental vineyard tasks and is essential for the upcoming harvest as it helps to regulate growth, productivity, and the quality of the fruit. But pruning goes beyond the current harvest—excessive productivity may seem like a great thing, but it can cut down on the lifespan of the grapevine and quality of the fruit. Pruning is a balancing act between grape production and ensuring that the new growth will replace older, lignified wood.

As the days warm up and the shoots begin to grow rapidly, it’s important to revisit the vines for suckering. Like all living things, grapes need plenty of light and oxygen. Suckering removes the shoots that do not produce fruit and helps determine the shape of the vine, preparing it for summer maintenance. The goal is to avoid overly packed foliage and to cut down on canopy management in the coming months.

Planting & Replanting

After the snow melts in the early spring, the soil temperatures in the vineyards finally begin to warm up. This is the time to plant new vines, allowing them to acclimate and get their roots settled before the growing season. Prior to planting, these vines are typically dormant, just beginning to wake up in the sun and begin bud break after they are planted. In addition to expanding vineyard acreage, new vines may be used to replace older vines that aren’t producing or have died. More fruit production = more wine for you to uncork!

The Release

Along with all the excitement in the vineyard, there are exciting things happening in the winery, too! Our 2nd Quarter Wine Club release is available for pickup now and we have two exciting wines to share with you. First, our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that is quintessentially spring. White peach and grapefruit notes jump out of the glass while the fresh, juicy, and vibrant qualities make it the perfect pairing for our gorgonzola and walnut stuffed endive appetizer. Secondly, you’ll be enjoying the 2016 Grenache with ripe cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and subtle hints of white pepper. The soft tannin and lush acid make it a match for some chorizo, Manchego, and Spanish olive skewers!

Want to try these pairings yourself? Join us for our 2nd Quarter Food Pairing on May 26th from noon - 4! If you’re not a club member now, don’t miss out on our 3rd Quarter release—check out our 5 O’clock Shadow club options here. Cheers to the spring season!

 

Your Guide to California Wine from El Dorado

 

A quaint county in the Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County brings together some of the best aspects of California: gorgeous landscapes, endless outdoor activities, a rich history, and of course, fantastic wine. Nestled between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County has grown from a historic mining town to a widely undiscovered rustic destination bursting with adventure.

Explore

Beyond gold mining and wine tasting, you may not know that El Dorado County is one of the greatest places to explore in California. No matter your preferred mode of outdoor transportation, there’s something for everyone in the foothills. With over 100 miles of horse trails, you can journey through Gold Country on horseback or opt for taking in the sights via a mountain bike ride or rafting expedition. Experience the wonders of spring with a hike through the wildflowers and waterfalls from the recent snow melt. Slow things down with a leisurely afternoon in historic downtown Placerville or take a trip to the local breweries and cideries. Like we said—there is no shortage of activities!

Eat

El Dorado County has a long history of agriculture due to its fertile and rural landscape. Throughout the area, you can find countless farms growing cherries, apples, wine grapes, and more. And with these farms comes, you guessed it, farmers markets! From spring through fall, you can visit our local markets and grab your fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and eggs from four different locations.

If you’re less of a DIY kind of chef, worry not. There are plenty of foodie spots from diners to fine dining in the greater El Dorado County. Check out some local favorites from!

Play

What better place to play than in Fair Play itself? Tucked away in the foothills, Fair Play is a small designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) and is home to over 20 family-owned boutique wineries that focus on the land. Known for its robust, high-elevation wine, Fair Play is widely recognized for growing and producing Zinfandel but is planted with varietals ranging from Barbera to Chardonnay to Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and so much more.

Built in 1888, Shadow Ranch Vineyard is located in the heart of the Fair Play AVA and is built on the original rustic buildings with a Gold Rush era feel. Owner and winemaker Sam Patterson focuses on small batch, single-vineyard wines that highlight the high-elevation sites he farms throughout El Dorado County. Currently, approximately 350 acres within the Fair Play region are planted to grapevines, and this award-winning wine scene is gaining popularity and acclaim.

El Dorado Passport

To celebrate this diverse winegrowing region and the wineries within it, El Dorado Wines is hosting two back-to-back Passport Weekends. The wineries of El Dorado will bring out limited bottlings, obscure varietals, live music, food, and unique tasting experiences to share with Passport holders, and is one of the best ways to experience the qualities of the area. Join us at Shadow Ranch for mouthwatering barbecue paired with some of our favorite wines, including the fan favorite “Sheriff” Red Wine Blend. Or, elevate your tasting experience to a VIP offering and enjoy an exclusive taste at our vintage library bar. Two limited edition Shadow Ranch wines will be poured and available to take home!