A Verdant Vineyard Update

May is a special time in the vineyard. The vines and leaves are bursting forth with verdant fervor, soaking in the return of warm, sunny days. The mornings are filled with birdsong as the sunlight creeps over the acres of green tendrils. The air is clear and breathes with the potential innate to every growing season. We invite you to take a virtual walk through the vineyard with us through these photos, all of which have been captured on the estate in the last week. 

It is hard to believe that barely over a month ago, these rows were brown barren branches and cane, pruned back and barely out of dormancy. Now, they are nothing short of lush. 

The only objective of the vines in this stage is to grow. Some varieties expand wildly, shooting out tendrils of new growth, reaching across the rows and up toward the sky, while others fill out with leaves. 

Some of our vines are still getting started on the vegetal growth stage, but we know that good things take time. 

In this stage, you can also see little green clusters. In the next stage, flowering, these will burst into tiny little blossoms.

This young Sauvignon Blanc has only scratched the surface of its potential growth.

Some mornings, there is a slight hazy fog that disappears shortly before sunrise. This is one of the factors that makes our climate unique and influences our wines’ terroir.

The very new block of Petite Sirah immediately in front of the Rubino Estates Tasting room is also showing great promise.

The fairly young Cabernet vines, shown basking in the afternoon sun in the photo above, are also expanding, reaching up and out. 

This fledgling Zinfandel vine is full of promise, taking its time to reach full maturity. 

Sunlight is a welcome and precious resource to our dear vines. From this generous light, they receive the energy to photosynthesize and thrive, becoming fruit-bearing beauties. 

We love to see that way the leaves catch the first light of the day, glowing and growing.

A thick and lush vine like this gets us excited for what the future holds. We can’t wait to see how summer looks out here!

We hope you have enjoyed this look into the vibrant and verdant growth stage of our estate vineyard! Take a closer look when you visit the Estate through Experiences like our Duck Tour!

 

A Pairing Guide for Tacos & Wine

When it comes to exploring the best food and wine pairings, one of our favorite things is versatility. Foods with a diverse range of flavors and textures offer opportunities to pair with a number of favorite wines. This week, we have tacos in mind! In addition to their delicious diversity, picking the right wine can make for some phenomenal and unforgettable accompaniment. Use this guide to help you select the right wine for the job!

Flavor is the first element to consider for any pairing. If you like your tacos rich with spices and flavor, such as chili peppers or cumin, you will want to choose a wine that can stand up to those flavors. Bolder reds like the Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon in our Riserva Collection hold their own and complement these rich flavors. On the other hand, more neutral or subtle flavors are complemented by the smooth notes of our Riserva Trebbiano or a fun Sparkling Wine. 

Another consideration that will help to liven up your pairings is the desired level of acidity.  The higher acidity will help to cut through richer fillings. Wines like Sangiovese and Barbera offer acidity that offer brightness without overpowering the succulent flavors of the filling. 

Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

Grilled Fish Tacos with Shredded Cabbage: Look for a tasty white wine with either a light to medium body, such as a Fumé Blanc or a Trebbiano. These wines will complement and brighten the fresh flavors of the tacos, especially with a squeeze of fresh lime over the plate!

Shredded Beef or Barbacoa Tacos: Look for a red wine with some acidity and tannin, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Barbera. These wines can balance out the richness of the beef and the bold flavors of the taco toppings.

Carne Asada Tacos with Cotija and Pico de Gallo: Pick any of your favorite red wines to go with this classic of tender marinated beef. Our pick is our Landmark Founder’s Blend for a taste of luxury that will make your tastebuds sing!

Tacos Al Pastor: Play with the sweetness of the pineapple by selecting a wine with some fun, bright character like our Salute Rosé or Fumé Blanc.

Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Chipotle Crema: Select a medium-bodied white wine with a touch of acidity, like our Landmark Chardonnay, which will complement the subtleties flavors of the chicken and the delicious creamy flavors of the taco toppings.

Black Bean and Roasted Vegetable Tacos with Corn Salsa: Flavorful vegetarian tacos like this pair well with a light-bodied red wine like our Riserva Sangiovese or a rich white wine like our Riserva Chardonnay. These wines both complement the fresh and bright flavors of the taco.

Of course, we always encourage experimentation of your own to find your own favorites. Just like with tacos and toppings, a little bit of mix-and-match never hurt anyone, so find what you enjoy! We hope that with a little help from this handy guide, you can create delicious and harmonious pairings that take taco night to the next level every time. Cheers!

Do you have a favorite pairing we missed? Tag us on Instagram @rubinoestates and share yours!