Best of 2021 in Photos

Here, on the last day of 2021, we are taking a moment to reflect on our favorite snapshots of the Estate from the last year. These 12 months have had their ups and downs, as with every year, but the beauty of the Estate is constant. Below, we have assembled a simple encapsulation of the last 12 months. 

January - Dormant, Simple, and Bare
 

February - Quiet, Expectant, and Romantic
 

March - Miraculous, Hopeful, and Budding
 

April - Vitality, Growth, and Freshness
 

May - Warmth, Clarity, and Promise
 

June - Youth, Sunshine, and Summer
 

July - Verasion, Heat, and Preparation
 

August - Bright, Ripened, and Vibrant
 

September - Bounty, Peace, and Anticipation
 

October - Harvest, Autumn, and Spookiness
 

November - Colorful, Calm, and Thankful
 

December - Festive, Sparkling, and Celebratory

Here's to 2022!

A Christmas Feast in Italy

This Christmas Eve, we are celebrating the Italian influences that make Rubino Estates unique. In Italy, traditions range based on region and family history, but they nearly all involve good food! What many Americans would refer to as “Christmas Dinner” takes place on the 24th rather than the 25th, and generally involves meals made from scratch with only the finest and freshest ingredients available. To celebrate that rich and delicious tradition, we’ve rounded up a few traditional Italian Christmastime recipes that you can enjoy today, tomorrow, or all year long! 

 

Antipasti Chopped Salad by Rachael Ray

If you enjoy a light salad with your meals, then we suggest this toothsome celebration of antipasti, with cured meat, cheese, and olive—all delightful things you don’t want to miss out on! Suggested pairing: Salute Rosé.
 

 

Pasta con le Sarde by Savoring Italy

In Sicily especially, Christmas dishes are made with seafood. This traditional pasta dish incorporates the briny richness of sardines into the delight of Italy’s quintessential spaghetti. Suggested pairing: Fumé Blanc.
 

 

Shrimp and Scallop Risotto by Food and Wine

Another take on a special-occasion seafood, this mouthwatering risotto is certain to be a crowd pleaser. Creamy and salty with just a touch of earthiness, this recipe is balanced and delicious. Suggested pairing: Riserva Chardonnay.
 

 

Saltimbocca alla Romana by Jamie Oliver

This delectable dish can be made with a variety of proteins, but veal is the meat of choice at the Christmas table. The name of this dish translates to “jump in the mouth,” a testament to the unbeatable flavor! Suggested pairing: Landmark Collection Barbera.

 

Nonna’s Ricotta Cake by Cooking with Nonna

Simple, fresh, and undeniably delicious, this dessert is the Italian sweet you didn’t know you needed. Enjoy the rich and lightly sweet profile with a perfect zing of citrus and discover just how cravable it is! Suggested pairing: Brut Sparkling Wine (on sale NOW).

 

Orange Pistachio Biscotti by Sea Salt Savorings

This biscotti is the best epilogue for a deliciously rich meal. When you need a snack after opening gifts, this twice-baked marriage of cookie and bread is perfect with a traditional espresso or sweet wine. Suggested Pairing: Infinitum Dessert Wine. 

 

As they say in Italy, Buon Natale!
Happy Holidays from the Rubino Estates Famiglia.

 

A Quick Guide to Pairing Sparkling

This December has filled us with festive joy. Between the Christmas lights and the music on the radio, we’re surrounded by good cheer and a special kind of beauty. This week, we’re taking a look at the best pairings for Sparkling Brut Wine, our favorite wine for celebrating! Enjoy the festive effervescence with notes of pear, fresh pineapple, green apple, and a light flourish of coconut on the finish. Best of all, it’s on sale! 

Sparkling Wine is a holiday must-have, and here at Rubino Estates, we love to welcome our guests and members with a splash of sparkles. If you need that special something to bring your holiday meals to the next level, pop open a bottle of bubbly with appetizers, dinner, or dessert. Part of the beauty of this wine is its versatility: it pairs deliciously with almost everything! Even so, there are some special pairings that will bring the blissful harmonies of flavor that special occasions deserve. We’ve assembled a quick guide below!

 

Charcuterie

Fresh Burrata

Dried Blueberries

Cured Smoked Lardo

Aged Gruyère


 

 

 

Proteins

Oysters

Wild Caught Snapper

Fried Chicken

Seitan Curry
 

 

 

 

Desserts

Raspberry Panna Cotta

Spiced Pear Galette

Strawberry Shortcake

Almond Shortbread Cookies

 

 

Happy Holidays, friends! This is the season for Sparkling so get yours now while the sale is on!

All You Want For Christmas is Here!

We've decked the halls here at the Rubino Estates tasting room, and we love to see the festive spirit all around! If you want to do some holiday shopping, now is the time. What can be worse than a frenzied gift shopping spree on the 24th or a package delayed until January? We can help you with all your shopping, from quickly shipping your favorite wines to your favorite people, to picking out just the right gift to make someone smile. This week, we talked to our retail manager JoAnn about the hottest gifts in the tasting room this year. Take a look at what we have!

 

 

If you love practical or funny gifts, take a look at our novelty tea towels. We offer a range of colors, styles and sayings, but they sell out fast! Embellished with goofy or cute designs, you can take your pick of the best fit for your recipient. 

 

 

 

 

JoAnn has also set up a gorgeous display of one of this season's other bestsellers: tiny trees! Whether you want to add a dose of whimsy to your holiday decor or gift to a friend who loves color, these trees are affordable and adorable.

 

 

 

 

For a timeless gift for your favorite host (especially if that host is yourself) look no further than our serving boards, especially this raw granite piece with a matching cheese knife! It's time to crown the charcuterie queen this Christmas. 

 

 

 

 

Nestled throughout the tasting room boutique, you might have the pleasure of spotting one of our little festive felt creatures! Perfect for animal lovers and decor-lovers alike, these add a natural dose of adorable to all sorts of wintertime decor. Just look at this cozy reindeer!

 

 

 

 

Last but not least is the burning question: what about the wine? We have great news: in addition to all of our wines being available for purchase (making you the best kind of friend to have), we have hats to keep your bottles cozy and festive. Enjoy a range of patterns and styles so your bottles never feel underdressed at your holiday dinners!

 

 

What are you waiting for? It's time to get out there and be a gift-giver extraordinaire!

Rubino Estates Mulled Wine

December has come to the Livermore Valley, bringing a chill to the air and scaring the remaining leaves from their branches. There is a quiet beauty to this season, as nature prepares for frosts and dormancy. Meanwhile, we bustle about with holiday preparations and end-of-year tasks, fighting off the chill with cozy socks, favorite blankets, and warm mugs of the best Christmastime beverages imaginable. We love to spread the toasty-warm and holiday-spiced joy of a cup of Mulled Wine, so we've shared our famiglia recipe below. Every batch is a little bit different, so we've also included some of our favorite customization options so you'll make the most of every sip!

Rubino Estates Mulled Wine

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Rubino Estates Night Owl Barbera
• 1 1/2 cup Cold-Pressed Apple Cider
• 1/2 cup Pomegranate Juice
• 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries
• 1/3 cup Fresh Pomegranate Berries
• 1 Orange Zest
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 3 Star Anise Pods
• 1 tsp Whole Cloves
• 1 pinch Ground Nutmeg

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir well. 
2. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. 
3. Allow the mulled wine to steep for at least 15 minutes or as long as desired.
4. Serve warm!

Customization Ideas

• If you would prefer to make your mulled wine in a crock pot, combine all ingredients and leave the pot on low for 2-3 hours. Serve warm. 
• Make this mulled wine your own or mix and match to find your favorite flavor. Try creative additions like a sliced honeycrisp apple, sliced fresh ginger, allspice berries (about 4), cardamom pods (about 5) or spike things up with 1/2 cup of orange liqueur or apple brandy. This recipe is yours!

We wish you warmth and good cheer this December.

If you want to enjoy our Night Owl Barbera in this recipe, on its own, or with your holiday meals, now is the perfect time to buy. Get a bottle for only $28 while it's the Wine of the Month!