Celebrating Summer with Blueberry Peach Pie

August may be coming to an end, but we're still taking time to celebrate summer! If you're looking for a recipe for the last of this year's peaches, this pie is a worthy dish. This elevated take on a delicious classic is bursting with fresh flavors and a touch of warm spice, perfect for pairing with a chilled glass of our Moscato. 

Blueberry Peach Pie

Ingredients 

• 2 unbaked pie crusts (top & bottom)
• 3 cups sliced and peeled peaches (about 4-5 medium peaches)
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Zest & juice of 1 meyer lemon
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup flour or cornstarch
• Sparkling sugar

Instructions

1. Optional - blanch the peaches to make peeling easier. Simply place in boiling water for 60 seconds then plunge into an ice bath; the skin will peel off.
2.  In a medium-sized bowl, combine peaches, blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, and spices. Allow to macerate for at least 30 minutes. 
3.  While the filling sits, prepare a standard pie dish with the bottom crust and preheat oven to 400 °F.
4.  Add salt and flour or cornstarch to the pie filling and stir well to combine.  Pour into the prepared pie shell. 
5.  Top the pie with the upper crust. For a more elaborate top, feel free to create a lattice weave. Crimp the edges and top with sparkling sugar. 
6.  Bake at 400°F for 40 minutes. If the crust begins to darken too much add a loose layer of foil around the edges. 
7.  Cool completely and serve with vanilla bean ice cream and Rubino Estates Moscato Sparkling Dessert Wine. 

Is this recipe calling your name? Click the image below for a downloadable recipe card!

The Duck's Details

Our Duck Tour is a lively adventure through our story and proud Estate, full of gorgeous views and unforgettable amusement. This week, we want to take some time to appreciate the little things and the beauty in the details.

The closer you look, the more details you might find. We've found that paying attention to the smallest details makes the whole experience better than ever.

Our Duck Boat is a registered historical DUKW vehicle, originally manufactured in the 1940s. Not only has it been meticulously restored, it has been transformed into the USS Rubino—the best vessel for a panoramic excursion through our vineyard estate. 

The careful craftsmanship evident in every little detail makes the Duck look right at home among the vines of your favorite wines. 

If you tend to get seasick, don't worry—our Duck Tour won't take you into the water. Instead, this land voyage takes you on an unforgettable tour where you'll be immersed in the story of your favorite wines, from stem to bottle. Come aboard for a tour like no other in a vessel you'll never forget!

"What you pay attention to matters, but maybe what matters most is the kind of attention you pay."
John Green

If you'd like to book a Duck Tour, please call us or email us anytime at info@rubinoestateswinery.com.

Phenomenal Pairing: Pizza and Primitivo 5 Ways

If you're looking for a Californian celebration of Old World style and delicious Italian flair, then you're probably looking for our Primitivo. This elegant wine is Zinfandel's Italian cousin, full of deep fruit flavor and framed with vanilla and spices.  Our Primitivo is also an absolute gem for pairing, with delicious flexibility across many flavors and cuisines. Call it playful or call it polished, one of our favorite Primitivo pairings is pizza. If you want to play around with flavors, try making your own pizza at home! We've included a few ideas below. If you'd rather order out that's okay—we'll never tell. You simply can't beat the combination of an Italian dish with Italian wine!

 

Hatch Green Chile Chicken Pizza - A Pleasant Little Kitchen

Enjoy a hint of spice with this pizza! The green chiles lend a kick which is balanced out by the body of our Primitivo. The creaminess of the sauce is the perfect compliment for the wine's acidity and tannins, and will definitely have you reaching for another slice. 

 

 

Caprese Salad Pizza - Kiran Turan

Looking to elevate your pizza with a fresh, summery take on a classic? This pizza is a must-try. We recommend market-fresh heirloom tomatoes for a splash of color and unbeatable flavor. Use fresh basil for the best, most mouthwatering results. We're hungry now!

 

 

Italian Sausage and Caramelized Onion - Bread Booze Bacon

If there's a better indulgent combination for pizzas, we haven't found it. The light jammy characteristics of the Primitivo meld with the sweet and savory dynamic of the caramelized onions. Select authentic Italian sausage with a little bit of spice and you may have a new favorite.

 

Garlic & Fennel Mushroom Pizza -  Life is but a Dish

Aromatic, picturesque, and surprisingly simple, this pizza is a great call if you have store-bought dough on hand and want to make something tasty, classy, and quick! The earthy mushrooms combined with the gentle flavor of the caramelized fennel tastes like they were made to be enjoyed with Primitivo. 

 

Classic Deep Dish Pizza - Ambitious Kitchen

Of course, if you're a deep-dish lover, there's options for you! This recipe allows for ample customization for the perfect pizza pie. As for us, we truly believe you can't go wrong with a classic margherita-style pizza, so it's time to slice some fresh mozzarella and basil, and bake it to perfection!

 

Why White Wine is Worth Celebrating

Though light in color, white wines can be big with flavor, technique, and enjoyment. Whether you prefer a buttery oaked Chardonnay or a bubbly light Sparkling, white wines are worth celebrating for their diversity and drinkability. In honor of White Wine day (August 4th) here are a few quick facts you might not know about vino bianco (white wine). 

White wine can technically come from red grapes 

Though this preparation is uncommon, red grapes can make white wine. The purest definition of white wine is simply any wine that is produced with minimal contact with the skin of the grapes, and wines fermented without contact with the skins will be colorless since the skins dictate the color of the wine. One example of this technique is Pinot Grigio, a white wine made from vibrant purple grapes. Generally, however, white wines are produced from “white” grapes, which are generally a golden-green hue.

White wine has few tannins

Tannins are the colorful compounds in the skins of darker grapes. In addition to giving red wine its color, the presence or absence of tannins creates the strongest distinction between the experience of tasting red vs. white wines. Instead of deep, tannic flavor, white wines generally emphasize buttery smooth texture and dynamic aroma, or refreshingly delicious acidity. 

White wine is easier on your head

Most white wines have lower alcohol content than red wines. Between this factor and the lower level of tannins, white wines are less likely to lead to fearsome headaches. Additionally, white wines are generally less caloric than red wines!

White wine has a range of profiles

Chardonnay is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to white wines. These wines grow all over the world and are produced according to the style of the individual winemaker. In addition to varietal differences, the technique that goes into crafting a delicious white wine creates a world of possibilities. If you think you don’t enjoy white wine, keep sipping! You just haven’t met the one for you yet. 

White wines are ideal at 45-50˚F

For anyone newer to serving and sipping white wine, it’s important to know what temperature is best for enjoying your vino. Because of the shorter fermentation and aging process, a deliciously delicate and dynamic aroma graces many white wines. This aroma is best appreciated when the wine is chilled. The acidity of white wine truly shines when cold, creating the most refreshing sips possible. 

If you’d like to enjoy some of our white wines here, make sure to try our White Wine Flight which features some Estate-grown Cal-Ital favorites! 

Because we are almost 100% estate-grown here, we see our wines through every step of the process—growing, harvesting, fermenting, aging, bottling, and everything in between. The photographs above were taken this past March while we bottled our Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay, two of our wines featured on the White Wine Flight.