Santa Barbara wine tasting

Ever been to Santa Barbara? How about Santa Maria?

I feel fortunate that I live in California and am able to drive to wonderful wineries to taste and then pick the wine I most enjoy. I cant imagine living where I have to go to the grocery store for all my wine. Again, I'm fortunate to live here.

The Santa Barbara region is known for it's pinot noir and chardonnay. Two of my favorite varietals. ;)

The first winery I joined about 4 years ago was Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard. Wonderful winery in Santa Maria. Santa Maria is about 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara and is the home to my favorite local wineries.

If you go to Cottonwood Canyon, you MUST go on a cave tour! Go online and find what time they are hosting them. They have amazing Chardonnay and very good pinot!

On Sunday, my family and I went to the following wineries... 2 more wineries my husband and I belong to as well.

Kenneth Volk Vineyards
Here are a list of my favorites:
2007 PINOT NOIR, SANTA MARIA CUVEE, SANTA MARIA VALLEY
2006 PINOT NOIR, SIERRA MADRE VINEYARD, SANTA MARIA VALLEY


Cambria Estate Winery
List of favorites:

2008 CLONE 667

Pinot Noir

Clone 667 Pinot Noir consistently yields a wine that is dramatic, perfumed, lavish and silky.

$48.00

2007 CLONE 23

Pinot Noir

The color of this 2007 is deep, dark and purple. The nose unites ripe blueberry fruit, subtle earth and rich oak aromas. The mouth feel is silky and smooth with firm underlying tannins. The finish lingers with oak spice, earth and dark fruit. 

$48.00

My father in law, his wife, my husband, baby, and I.
(Jake's 1st wine tasting experience)

Stylish Blogger

WINEGIRL15 was nominated...

"Stylish Blogger"

Thank you Chasing Davies for nominating me as a stylish blogger! I love a good deal and will be checking out your blog frequently!

Now here are the rules:

1. Thank the person that nominated you.
2. List 7 things about you.
3. Nominate 15 more blogger's you deem "Stylish"

1. I turned 30 on September 13th.
2. I haven't had much time to blog about wine and food (obvious reasons). I will be doing much more in the future!
3. I figure skated for 15 years, and trained with the world famous coach John Nicks.
4. I love to spin (bicycling).
5. I used to model for a sportswear company in college.
6. My favorite song is Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.
7. God and family are everything to me.

Nominating the following blogger's:
Amanda Bowman
Elizabeth Reyes
Terra Schultheis
Jamie Bengard
Rachel Reeves
Allison Jack
Beth Petrashek
Danielle Massari
Darshelle Lapworth
Dawn Jan
Heather Myers
Lindsey Hughes
Meggan Colombo
Summer Dabalack
Vanessa Wheat

xo
WINEGIRL15

Haute Red - Pinot Nior

Hi friends! 

I'm back and blogging about my wine journey... just a new direction with it... I will be blogging about the wine I drink and restaurants I enjoy going to. Not just about wine anymore! I do a lot more eating these days... and I'm finally able to enjoy my wine again!

A few days ago Grant went to our local grocery store and picked up this bottle of wine. He went there strictly for groceries but when he saw the name of this bottle he thought of me. I started an event planning company named "Haute Affairs" so he said he had to buy it. The bottle was only $10 so it was hard to pass up. Grant and I both enjoy pinots so why not! 

I didn't have any expectations for this bottle. I had never heard about this winery/ bottling company so I didn't really know what to think. We opened the bottle and took a sip. I was pleasantly surprised. The wine was pretty tasty! And for $10... I will definitely buy it again! 

HAUTE WINES  Website states the following:

Grape Composition: 82% Pinot Noir, 18% mixed varieties including Syrah

Appellation/Source: California cool climate vineyards

Aromas & Flavors: Ripe berry, bing cherry and plum aromas with a hint of bay leaf and toast. Flavors of bright, racy berries carry through to a bright, clean finish

Oak treatment: Light touch of oak

Alcohol: 12.5%

Food pairing: Ribs, chicken, steak, pork,
grilled fish, burgers

Shoe pairing: Simple pumps, high heels,
extremely high heels, tall boots

My friends and my shoe choices

Cheers,
Winegirl15

It's been awhile since I've blogged about wine...

But, it was totally worth it...

He's finally here!

Jake 9.1.2010

Get ready for more blogging... WINE and FOOD... coming soon!
Cheers,
Winegirl15

Coffee Cup Cafe

3734 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

562.433.3292

Love Love Love this place for breakfast! I go here at least once a week! I've only been there for breakfast, but I've heard the lunch is just as good. 

I generally get a flavored coffee (last flavor tasted was a chocolate macadamia nut). I get the honey apple sausage scramble, with potatoes. Toast? Nope... This is CA people... I get the corn tortillas! 

If your in the area or come down... expect a pretty long wait. The earlier the better! 

Cheers,

winegirl15

Naples Rib Company

I have been so busy... I haven't had much of a chance to blog about restaurants that I have been to. And being 8 months pregnant... There have been LOTS of restaurants.

Naples Rib Co.
562-439-7427 - 5800 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803

I would like to take a moment and talk about a local restaurant my husband and I dine at least once a month. Not only is the food great, but the owner, and all employees are all friendly. It's a family restaurant just down the street from where my husband and I live. Grant and I had this for our anniversary dinner, and we celebrated Grant's 31st birthday there this year.

They have amazing ribs! I'm an eater, and eat out a lot! There ribs are fantastic! Grilled artichoke, or the onion brick by far are the best appetizers. If you are in the mood for ribs and good company... GO!

Enjoy and cheers,
Winegirl15

Linguine with asparagus and pine nuts.

This was outstanding! I love pasta, and sometimes I just want something light... can you have light when eating pasta? haha.

Here is a recipe from Real Simple. I made it this week for my husband and best friend... They both loved it.

Linguine with asparagus and pine nuts:
Serves 4Hands-On Time: 25mTotal Time: 25m
12 oz linguine (3/4 box)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup shaved parmesan (about 3 oz)

Directions:
-Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

-Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. add the asparagus and cook, tossing occasionally, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

- Add the asparagus mixture to the pasta along with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the parmesan before serving.

Winegirl15: I added the pasta a little at a time to see how it would absorb and also to see how many veggies were in the pot. Then I added just a tad more olive oil (hello... I'm Greek!). If you want more in the pasta you can add any veggie with this... or even add cut pieces of chicken for more protein. And if your looking for something even lighter... use whole wheat linguine pasta! ;)

I am making this dish again this weekend. I picked up fresh asparagus/zucchini from the farmers market today! Yippee!

Enjoy,
Winegirl15

Crunchy nacho cheese chicken casserole

By Paula Deen

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 (16oz) container of sour cream

1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes

2 (10.75oz) cans cream of chicken soup

2 (4.5oz) cans chopped green chilies, drained

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 (13oz) bag nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips, crushed and divided 

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish: fresh cilantro, sliced jalapenos.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 4 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chicken, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from heat, and stir in sour cream, tomatoes, soup, chilies, salt, and pepper. 

Spread one-third of crushed chips in bottom of prepared dish. Top with one-third of chicken mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top evenly with cheeses. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Garnish with cilantro and jalapenos, if desired.

Enjoy,

Winegirl15

Cheesy baked pasta with spinach and artichokes.

Since I can't blog about wine right now... I thought I would blog about food and what recipes I have enjoyed cooking... and let's be honest... what I enjoy eating!!

This recipe is from Real Simple.

8 oz mezzi rigatoni (1/2 box)
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, rinsed and quartered
1 9 oz package frozen creamed spinach, thawed
1/4 cup grated parmesan (1 oz)
2 cups grated mozzarella (8 oz)
black pepper

- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and return it to the pot. Heat broiler.
- Add the artichoke hearts, spinach, parmesan, half the mozzarella, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the pasta    and toss to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart (or 8-inch square) broiler proof baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Broil until the cheese is browned in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.

Enjoy,
Winegirl15

Drink charms!

Drink charms vs Wine charms?

I always use wine charms when I have a gathering to set apart each glass of wine. And I will continue (when I can drink again) ;). But, looking through cb2.com I saw these cute and fun little charms. Looks like I might need to invest. Wonder if they stay on the glass or eventually fall into the wine? Check them out!

They are $6.95 for a set of 12.

Cheers,

Winegirl15

Goldy's Breakfast Bistro - Boise, Idaho

Boise friends: I wanted to talk a little about my favorite breakfast spot in your area. Even though I don't live in Boise, I'm there a few times a year. And when I'm in town I always go to Goldy's! The food is always good and super fresh! The bacon is absolutely amazing! Gotta get there early or else your looking at a 45 minute wait!

While at Tully's coffee (buying time while waiting for Goldy's) I saw this magazine in the corner of the room. It lists all the restaurants in the area. There is even an article about a winery I have blogged about in my last visit to Idaho. Koenig Vineyards! Check it out!

The beautiful Capital in downtown Boise.

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. ~Virginia Woolf

Cheers,

Winegirl15

Onotria - Wine Country Cuisine

2831 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626

(714) 641-6415

http://www.onotria.com/

We went with a couple that works with Grant in the Medical Sales industry. They have been going here for quite awhile and suggested the restaurant. Grant and I had never been and decided to give it a shot.

The food was fresh, and flavorful! They are known for the wine selections as well as Italian cuisine. I suggest this restaurant to friends and family! I can't wait to go back when I can do a food and wine pairing!

Below is the food we ate...

Appetizers we ate:

Bu!alo Mozzarella with Cherry Tomato, Garlic & EVOO Compote 12

Zucchini Blossoms with Goat & Ricotta Cheese in Tomato Coulee 14

Grilled Farmer Bread with marinated Eggplant, fresh Tomatoes, Herbs & shavings of Grana Padano Cheese 6

Food we ate:

Roasted New Potatoes with Rosemary & Garlic 8

Salmon Filet over poached Fennel with Pink Peppercorn!Tarragon Cream Sauce 24

Half Chicken, brick& pressed & seasoned with fresh Lemon, Garlic & Herbs 16

Dessert:

Seasonal Fruit Tart with fresh Whipped Cream 8

Next time I will get the osso bucco! If you live in the Orange County area... GO!!!

Enjoy and Cheers,

winegirl15

NO WINE UNTIL SEPTEMBER?!

That's right folks! Winegirl15 is expecting! But, never fear... I have decided to blog about food since I can't drink! I will be blogging about the restaurants and food I cook. I figured I'm doing quite a bit more eating and since I love dining out and I enjoy cooking... there you go! So, send your feed back and I promise you... winegirl15 will be back!

Sleep 'til you're hungry, eat 'til you're sleepy. ~Author Unknown

Enjoy and Cheers,

winegirl15

Makin' moves...

And........

It Looks like my Twitter fans have chosen Lodi! Please check back for more posts and information!
Cheers,
xoB