Written by Kasey Caminiti

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch, $145

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch is a wine worth savoring and cherishing! The iconic family legacy winery in Napa Valley, offers their Dancing Bear Ranch, a 100% estate grown single-vineyard wine. A wine that constantly receives high marks, enjoy Dancing Bear while cozying up to the fireplace or paired alongside a seasonal roast.

“Cakebread "Dancing Bear" is a great pairing with braised meats. I love Cabernet heavy blends with the earthy flavor of lamb in particular.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Trinchero Napa Valley’s Forte Red Wine, $70

A unique red blend from one of Napa Valley’s most iconic winemaking families, Trinchero. An exceptional wine to open up and enjoy with friends and family, this wine has distinct character, with a vibrant body and layers of rich flavors as a result of the Malbec, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot blend. A wonderful wine enjoyed alongside a roast with potatoes and perhaps creamed spinach or some turkey dark meat and Brussels sprouts with bacon.

“Trinchero Napa Valley’s Forte is a blend of lesser known Bordeaux grape varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. Cabernet Franc in particular has a lot of very herbal flavors and nicely complements the flavors of Malbec. Take advantage of these savory tones to match it with a dish that is also heavy in the same flavors. Try herb crusted lamb chops for a really delightful match.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Mullan Road Cellars' Red Wine Blend, $45

Warm up with something new with Dennis Cakebread’s wine project comes out of Walla Walla, Washington. An elegant Bordeaux blend called Mullan Road Cellars, this wine can do no wrong. Not to mention, it is the ideal pairing wine, especially with a delightful roast.

“Washington State is known for making Bordeaux style wines with incredibly silky tannins. A succulent wine like the Mullan Road Cellars Red will pair nicely with a dense, fatty cut of meat like prime rib.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Folie à Deux Merlot, $20

Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County’s most iconic appellations. Folie à Deux Alexander Valley Merlot has bright, enticing berry fruit characteristics with hints of toasted caramel for a firm, yet plush finish. Its balanced palate makes a perfect complement to most meat dishes including lamb or slow cooked roast beef.

“Merlot is loaded with cocoa and plum flavors that make one want to cuddle up by the fire. The Folie à Deux Merlot is no exception- make sure to bring along a little hard, aged cheese. The nutty flavors work well with reds like this. Stay away from softer cheeses, as they will exacerbate the tannins.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Trinchero Napa Valley Mario’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $60

Trinchero Napa Valley offers something truly notable. The Trinchero family has been producing award-winning wine since the 1940’s and Trinchero Napa Valley, their namesake brand, reflects only the very best. Named in tribute of founder Mario Trinchero, this elegant wine is a superb choice.

“Trinchero Napa Valley’s Mario's Cabernet, coming from the valley floor, will yield much more opulent and rich fruit flavors compared to wines from the mountainsides of Napa. This plushness makes the wine a great stand-alone drinker. Try it with a little piece of very dark chocolate. Very dark (like 70%) chocolate has a lot of flavors that match Cabernet: bitterness, earthy flavors, black fruit and perfume. Don't go with anything sweeter or it will make the wine taste off.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Napa Cellars Carneros Pinot Noir, $50

Napa Cellars embodies the classic Napa Valley style with ripe, rich, balanced and collectible wines. Hailing from the Napa Cellars V Collection, their limited-production Caneros Pinot Noir is an embodiment of elegance and represents the very best of Napa Cellars. This 100% Pinot Noir is a rich, luscious and approachable wine that is exceptional alongside lamb rib chops and goat cheese spinach salad.

“Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines to pair with foods. Being lighter in body, it can often work well with seafood and can still stand up to heartier fare. The dishes that really make wines like Napa Cellars V Collection Pinot Noir sing though is duck or veal with cherries or mushrooms as garnishes. The cherries will play off of the sweeter, brighter notes in the wine, while mushrooms match the earthier notes in Pinot Noir. Duck and veal are lighter meats that won't overpower this elegant grape.”
-Emily Wines

Written by Kasey Caminiti

Terra d’Oro Amador Zinfandel, $18

Handcrafted from some of Amador County’s most historic vineyards, Terra d’Oro wines are rich with character and intensity, that fully capture the heritage of the land. Translated as "Land of Gold," Terra d'Oro’s award-winning Amador Country Zinfandel is the flagship of its Zinfandel program, and boasts a vibrant aromas of rich, spicy clove and big, generous fruit. This wine is rich and powerful, and incredibly well-balanced. The Terra d’Oro Amador Zinfandel is enjoyable on its own, and especially complements anything barbecued.

“Zinfandel from the warmer parts of California bursts with jammy, roasted fruit flavors. I often prefer this with barbecue in the summer, but when it comes to winter dishes, look towards those braised dishes. Foods with a little sweetness in them, like that glazed meatloaf, will really sing with Terra d'Ora’s staple Zinfandel.”
-Emily Wines