Futures Night Barrel Lineup
Futures Night is this weekend! This ticketed member-exclusive event will feature barrel tastings of 7 phenomenal Rubino Estates and Ruby Hill Wines. We are delighted to share the barrels that have been hand-selected for Futures Night by our talented team. Guests of the event will have the opportunity to taste and pre-order these gorgeous wines!
Rubino Estates Riserva Sangiovese
Estimated bottling date: June 2024
Enjoy the bright red fruit character of this Italian classic! Our Riserva Sangiovese brings lively notes of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry to the palate, along with excellent food-friendly acidity. A light touch of tannin on the palate leads into a fruity, vanilla-accented finish after time in oak. Our Sangiovese is rustic, robust, and gorgeous, perfect at pizza night and elegant dinners alike.
Rubino Estates Club Exclusive Ferrario
Estimated bottling date: June/July 2024
Enjoy a very rich and brooding aroma, with notes like chocolate, red fruit, plum and fig. Once barrel aging is complete, the palate releases a symphony of flavor, joined by a big mouthfeel, smooth tannins, and some spice. This wine was named in honor of Ernest Ferrario, an Italian immigrant, and proprietor of our Estate Vineyard from 1921-1975. Our winemaker crafted this wine exclusively for members of the Rubino Estates Wine Club.
Rubino Estates Landmark Proprietary Red
Estimated bottling date: February 2025
Our rich and lush Proprietary Red is a favorite of many guests and members, with saturated and bright flavor. This top-secret blend is comprised of our most exceptional varietals from each vintage. The exact components are known only to our winemaker, who has crafted this unique wine especially for you! After barrel aging, the finished wine is bold and gorgeous with promise to age gracefully.
Ruby Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Estimated bottling date: July 2024
An undeniable classic, the Ruby Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunner, vintage after vintage. Richly flavorful with a heavy and satisfying mouthfeel, you can expect a voluptuous profile on the palate and long, lingering finish. Flavors like marionberry, French plum, dark chocolate, black pepper, and vanilla bean are all at home in our estate vineyard's Cabernet Sauvignon. This Bordeaux beauty is known for its excellent ageability, so it can be enjoyed for years to come.
Ruby Hill Club Exclusive Patchwork
Estimated bottling date: June/July 2024
The Patchwork is named for the bird's-eye view of the vineyard, where each varietal block is stitched into a gorgeous patchwork of vines. The Patchwork's merry trio of varietals: Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petit Verot, create an elevated and enrapturing blend. Expressive Zin notes meet the darker and satisfying Merlot textures, along with plum notes, smooth tannin, and balanced acidity supported by the Petit Verdot elements.
Ruby Hill Jewel Petit Verdot
Estimated bottling date: February 2025
Luxe and refined, Petit Verdot offers elegance and richness, with notes of violet, berries, and lilac. As it ages, the subtleties develop into a multisensory symphony of flavor and texture. The Jewel Collection Series represents the epitome of winemaking at Ruby Hill, and our Petit Verdot puts that on display with pride. Crafted with attention to every detail and meticulous care for the farming, gentle vinification, and extended aging in carefully selected cooperage, this elegant wine is one to remember.
Odyssey, Chapter 3
Estimated bottling date: February 2025
This mysterious and ultra-exclusive wine is premium in every way. Odyssey is a red wine blend, made with the highest degree of care and opulence to celebrate the rich history and legacy of our estate. Each vintage corresponds to a chapter in our story. The 2020 vintage debuted as Chapter 1, and this barrel of 2022 Odyssey provides a glimpse at Chapter 3. You don't want to miss this.
Click here to get your last-minute tickets to Futures Night!
Your Guide to Wine Futures
With Futures Night coming up in just two weeks, we are taking some time to explore the interesting and important aspects of wine futures barrel tastings, how they work, and how they differ from other barrel tasting.
What are Wine Futures?
Wine futures are wines that have been blended into their final form but have not yet been bottled. This is distinct from other barrel tastings, wherein you try a single varietal from a single barrel. Single barrels like those become the components of a larger lot, which our winemaker will balance with additions from other barrels and even other varietals prior to bottling. This is the stage for Futures tasting. Though they are nearly ready to be bottled, there is still an element of youth to wine futures. In Bordeaux, wine futures are referred to as “en primeur” which translates to “in youth.” Wines sold en primeur may be bottled months or years after tasting from the barrel. Once bottled, the wines will be available to those who purchased.
How do you get the wine out of the barrel?
Oxidation caused by extended contact with air is the enemy of wine, so it is important to keep barrels sealed off. Barrels are made up of oaken slats, called staves, one of which has a hole for access. These holes are stopped up with a rubber plug called a “bung” to protect the wine inside from the air. To sample the futures inside the barrels, we use a device called a “wine thief,” a tubular pipette designed to perfectly “steal” tastes of wine from the barrel.
What is different about a wine future and how is the wine going to change?
One of the reasons for extended barrel aging is to allow oak character to balance the fruit and to give the natural tannins time to integrate. Tasting wine futures allows you to appreciate the character of the fruit itself, which lays the foundation for the eventual wine’s overall profile. Tasting futures is a great way to put your palate to the test and gain intimate insight into the process of your favorite wines. If you like it in the barrel, imagine it in the bottle! Futures allow you to preview and buy what you’ll really love.
Why buy a future wine?
If you want to secure access to limited edition wines that sell out fast, this is your chance! Some vintages are gone before you know it, and buying futures assures the chance to have these wines won’t pass you by. Even more, when you purchase a future, you are purchasing far below retail value. Think of it as an investment! Futures also offer the unique chance to buy something now that will mature and come to fruition later, making it perfect for milestone celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, and retirement.
Who can buy wine futures
In classic Bordeaux futures tastings, these exclusive pre-sales are open to a select few importers, journalists, retailers, and critics. Here at the Rubino Estates, we are opening our barrels for one night only to our beloved Club Members! We want to share our futures with wine lovers who know that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Our Futures Night will be hosted Saturday, April 27th, and will feature some of the best wine futures from all over our Estate, including wines from Ruby Hill Winery. The event will be held in our tasting room.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are on sale now! Click here.
If you're not currently a member but would like to join us for Futures Night, now is the time to sign up! Click here for more information on the wine club.
9 Fresh Recipes for Springtime
The signs of spring have descended upon the Estate, bringing irresistible freshness and a sense of complete renewal. We can’t get enough! This week, we were inspired by the crisp and pristine joy of spring to collect a few luscious recipes that celebrate the refreshing newness of this season. These entrees, mains, and desserts pair well with our favorite springtime wines, including lush white wines, lively rosé, and lighter reds.
Appetizers
Asparagus Bundles - by Delish
These little beauties marry garden produce with comforting flavors, since we still have rainy days in spring! We can’t get enough of these perfectly balanced bites.
Herbed Deviled Eggs - by Umami Girl
It wouldn’t be springtime without some deviled eggs. Elevate this classic dish with fresh herbs to make a new Easter celebration staple!
Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs - by Delish
These perfect little puffs bring a perfect combination of savory, salty, and creamy for a super satisfying and delightful morsel.
Mains
Roasted Salmon with Spring Vegetables - by Food and Wine
Sheet pan dinners simplify your evening, and with a recipe like this you will not feel like you are compromising. Versatile and nutritious!
Chicken Tzatziki - by Taste of Home
Another wholesome meal, this recipe offers a great balance of simplicity and satisfaction. You can customize the tzatziki to your flavor preferences, and put it on anything you like!
Mafaldine Pasta with Pea Shoot & Lemon Pesto - by Food and Wine
This vegetarian pasta bursts with all the best verdant freshness you could hope for. Frankly, we’re excited for any scratch-made pesto, and this is no exception.
Dessert
Lemon Blueberry Tart - by Sally’s Baking Recipes
If you’re never made a tart before, now is the time. The zip of lemon mixed with delectable blueberries will have you ready for another slice!
Pineapple Whip - by The Pioneer Woman
This soft-serve-like dessert has us longing for summer already! We find that it pairs perfectly with the tropical notes in our favorite white wines, so it’s never too early for this pineapple whip.
Lemon Ricottta Cookies - by Sally’s Baking Recipes
It’s hard to say no to a cookie like this. Fluffy and irresistible, these resemble madeleines and bring a perfect melt-in-your-mouth sensation. These can also be made with orange in place of lemon!
Pruning and Preparation: A Vineyard Update
If you look out into the estate vineyard this time of year, it might not look like much. The branches are bare, the vines from last season are pruned away, and all signs of leaves and fruit are long gone. However, though dormancy is dreary on the outside, marvelous things are happening. Scroll through this gallery, taking a virtual walk with us as we ponder what makes this season special.
As winter gives way to spring, the vineyard begins to come to life.
The telltale signs of springtime are starting to reach out over the estate, sprouting blossoms, blooms, and brightness.
Lively splashes of color replace the dull tones of winter, providing just a hint of the vibrance to come.
The faithful pattern of steady drizzle and dazzling sunshine sets us up for a fruitful and nurtured season.
The rain makes everything lush and sparkly, the perfect complement to the sunshine that follows.
All of our vines, young and old, revel in these generous showers!
The next phase of the growing season is bud break, but some of our vines will remain dormant longer than others.
After pruning, the vine will pull nutrients from the roots to flow through the whole plant. A keen eye on a sunny day may notice glistening droplets of sap falling from newly pruned branches.
In preparation for the growing season, you may see that the branches are tied along wires in neat rows. This helps distribute the leafy growth, allowing the plant to catch as much sunshine as possible when the time comes.
After pruning and before the growth of leafy canopy, you can easily see the row-by-row layout which shows the organized nature of the vineyard to allow for optimal care.
The whole estate is excited to welcome springtime!
Come visit the estate and savor the beauty of this season. As always, we’re open seven days a week for indoor and outdoor wine tasting. Cheese!
2024 Case Sale Blitz
This Weekend Only - March 9th & 10th Our 2024 Case Sale Blitz is almost here! In this blog, you’ll find the juicy details on wines that we will feature in this year’s sale. Additional wines may make a surprise appearance, available in very limited supply, so don't miss out! More information about the event can be found at the bottom of this post.
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon - Riserva Collection, Rubino Estates Winery
This wine was awarded Double Gold in the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and offers richly plush notes of black cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate. The quintessential wine for a delicious steak dinner. We selected this vintage of Riserva Cabernet from the library and fell in love with the maturity and full-bodied nature of the tannin, with integrated roundness and just the right amount of ripeness.
Case Blitz Price: $210 | Member’s Price: $185
2018 Trebbiano - Rubino Estates Winery
This light and crisp varietal is a traditional Italian white wine. It is exceptionally prevalent in the old world, but a rare find here in California. A graceful yet subtle profile features notes of tart apple, white peach, orange blossom, and stone. On the palate, it is dry and delicate with pleasant food-friendly acidity, smooth sippable mouthfeel, and mild minerality. Pair with raw oysters with lemon or vinegar, fine white fish in lemon and butter sauce, summery pasta dishes, or uramaki sushi.
Case Blitz Price: $100 | Member’s Price: $75
2019 Ferrario - Famiglia Collection, Rubino Estates Winery
Velvety and elegant, each sip dances with jammy fruit and playful baking spice, all on a rich backdrop of floral accents. This wine is a club-exclusive blend, named in honor of Ernest Ferrario. Ferrario was an Italian immigrant and the proprietor of the Estate Vineyard from 1921-1975. By the mid-twentieth century, the Ferrario family was well-known for their quality wines, especially their Zinfandel. This blend honors the Ferrarios by combining Barbera—an Italian varietal, and Zinfandel—Ferrario’s specialty. The 2019 vintage components are 43% Zinfandel, 29% Barbera, 14% Merlot, and 14% Petit Verdot.
Case Blitz Price: $225 | Member’s Price: $200
2017 Petite Sirah - Reserve Collection, Ruby Hill Winery
This excellent Reserve Petite Sirah comes highly recommended, scoring 92 points by Wine Enthusiast. Jim Gordon, critic for Wine Enthusiast, summarized this bold beauty as such: “Big and opulent, this full-bodied wine is jam-packed with indulgent, ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors and braced with tons of fine-grained tannins for a mouthfilling and smooth texture.” You can expect tannin-endowed wines like these to only improve with age, so it’s the perfect time to open that 2017 and get lost in the luxury of each sip.
Case Blitz Price: $150 | Member’s Price: $125
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Reserve Collection, Ruby Hill Winery
Also awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, this wine continues our reputation for phenomenal Cabernet. Multi-layered flavors include the dark fruit notes you can expect, including blackberry, black plum, black cherry, and cassis. Astute wine lovers can also search the aroma and flavors for accents of star anise, earthy forest floor, meaty umami, cedar, and a touch of sweet tobacco. Unctuous and smooth, this wine is perfect with a wide range of foods, and can be enjoyed now or for many years to come.
Case Blitz Price: $210 | Member’s Price: $185
Our Case Sale Blitz is our annual warehouse clear-out event, offering delicious wines at unbeatable prices so we can make room for the wines of the future! This event is hosted at Rubino Estates Winery in the covered production area around the back of the tasting room. All are welcome to attend this event at no cost, whether they are a first-time visitor or a long-time member of Ruby Hill or Rubino. No reservations are needed, just drop by, say hello, and try these featured wines!
The Case Sale Blitz will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 9th and 10th only. Sales are valid only while supplies last, and all wines are in limited quantity!
Event Terms and Conditions: Wines are available for purchase in full cases only. All sales are final and wines must be picked up at time of sale. No online, shipping, or phone orders will be accepted. Limit of one case per varietal, per party. Cannot be combined with loyalty points, discounts, or other promotions.
Your Guide to Fumé Blanc
If you aren't familiar with Fumé Blanc but you love the tropical brightness of a sunny climate Sauvignon Blanc, then we encourage you to give Fumé a try. No matter the weather, enjoying this gorgeous white wine is like sipping on sunshine. Read on to unpack this delicious varietal and ideal pairings.
Fumé Blanc is a California-born wine, and fittingly golden in both hue and flavor. The late Robert Mondavi, renowned winemaker, pioneered the process of transforming Sauvignon Blanc with oak aging, resulting in what he named Fumé Blanc. The oak deemphasized the herbaceous and grassy tones in Sauvignon Blanc, allowing the bright fruit to flourish. Now, wine lovers can enjoy Fumé Blanc in many styles. The prominence of the oak influence and the amount of varietal zing from the Sauvignon Blanc fruit varies from winemaker to winemaker. In fact, there is no regulation for the amount of oak on a Fumé Blanc, so there is fantastic potential for creativity—it’s a “blanc” canvas, if you will!
At Rubino Estates, we aged our 2021 vintage of Fumé Blanc in neutral oak for 5 months before bottling. The influence is gentle, bringing creamy body and touches of vanilla while still preserving the fresh and lively fruit notes. Stone fruit, citrus, and tropical character shine in each sip, carrying that beloved Sauvignon Blanc character.
Like Sauvignon Blanc, Fumé Blanc lends itself to a wide range of pairings. The weightier profile means that it can even pair with foods that are too heavy for Sauvignon Blanc. Pick lively flavors like citrus or light and creamy dishes. A few recommendations include sole piccata with lemon, sushi, pork loin or a French-style chicken tarragon. Build a charcuterie board with truffled goat cheese, dried apricots, seafood pâté, gruyère cheese, and your favorite crostinis and make the Fumé Blanc shine. For anyone with a sweet tooth, this-food friendly wine holds up as well. Try white chocolate orange peels, New Orleans beignets, lemon zest madeleines, a Japanese cotton cheesecake, or southern peach pie. It’s hard to go wrong.
Fumé Blanc is our Wine of the Month! Order today to sip and save.
Back to Basics: Tasting Tips for Drink Wine Day
February 18th is Drink Wine Day, and it will come as no surprise that this is a holiday that we can get behind! In honor of this celebration, we are going back to basics with wine tasting tips for beginners and long-time wine lovers alike. Here at Rubino Estates, we believe in making fine wine approachable. After all, enjoying good wine doesn’t have to be complicated!
Focus on engaging your senses
Think about wine tasting as a multisensory exploration. It’s not just about the taste (though that might be our favorite part). Take a moment to consider the color, the viscosity, and the scent. For an added level of elegance, select a wine glass that accentuates these features! If you have the bottle on hand, consider the characteristics of the label and what that tells you about the winery, winemaking process, and more.
For more experienced wine lovers, consider “blind tasting,” which can involve trying a wine before learning about its varietal, origin, and vintage. Approach the wine without any assumptions--you might just learn something about your palate or discover a new favorite wine!
Taste a Gradient
If you are enjoying multiple wines, we recommend enjoying them in order from lightest to heaviest. Start with white wines, then move on to rosé, then to reds. If you’re enjoying reds only, consider factors like tannins, acid, and sweetness, all of which influence the “weight” of a wine. If you aren’t familiar with the wines you are enjoying, fear not! A palate cleanser can help balance the transition.
Grab a Bite
It’s snack time! Most foods featured on traditional charcuterie boards pair phenomenally with wine. Cured meats, cheeses, crackers, olive, and nuts make perfect companions for wine tasting, help reset the palate between wines, and are downright delicious. Don’t miss out on the endless possibilities for tastebud euphoria.
Take your time
Good wines take time, so it’s natural to take time to enjoy the wines themselves. Savor the characteristics of each wine you try, experiment with tasty combinations of cheese, meats, and more. Most of all, savor the moment of enjoying time with people you love. There is truly nothing like it!
Looking for an opportunity to put these tips to use? Visit us at the Rubino Estates tasting room to enjoy a tasting! We are open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you want to taste at home, consider us your one-stop shop for everything you need for wine tasting. Stock up on wines, select gourmet cheeses and accoutrement from our deli, and get ready to sharpen your senses with the tastiest combinations.
A Quick Guide to Chardonnay
As one of the most widely known and recognized white wine varietals, Chardonnay has earned its fame from its approachability and golden splendor. Some sommeliers consider the quality of an establishment’s Chardonnay to be a metric for guessing the quality of the winery as a whole. This week, we’re dwelling on the history of this ubiquitous grape!
Old World Beginnings
The illustrious history of Chardonnay dates back at least as far as the Roman empire, when vines of a varietal called Gouais Blanc were brought from Croatia to mainland Europe. Gouais Blanc would eventually cross-pollinate with the French aristocracy’s Pinot Noir, from which the gorgeous golden-green of Chardonnay grapes was born. For many years, Chardonnay was grown alongside, blended with, and mistaken for Pinot Blanc. Chardonnay would not gain its own fame as a varietal until later, partially aided by the use of Chardonnay in Champagne.
New World Flair
“New World” Chardonnay has a life of its own. Some of the best Chardonnay in the world grows right here in California. In fact, the first successful planting of Chardonnay grapes in California was in the Livermore Valley, and we’re proud to continue that legacy. Chardonnay thrives in California’s valleys, where blankets of coastal fog slow the ripening of the grapes and encourage flavorful, robust fruit. Californian Chardonnay exploded in popularity after the “Judgement of Paris” in 1976, where multiple Californian wines, including a Chardonnay, beat French wines in a blind tasting. This turned the wine world upside down and brought the New World wines into an era of prestige.
Delicious Variation
Virtually anywhere wine is grown, there is Chardonnay. This widespread cultivation makes for huge variety in what the wines can offer. It is referred to as “malleable,” meaning that the taste of the wine is highly dependent on the style and work of the Winemaker, as well as terroir—the unique conditions of the place in which it was grown. When you sip a Chardonnay, some say you “taste the place.” The Winemaking process lends significant flair as well. A natural process called “malolactic fermentation” is used on some Chardonnay to create a smooth, buttery, and less acidic wine. There's a Chardonnay for everyone!
Flavor Like No Other
The use of oak barrels is the source of most of the Winemaker’s influence when crafting a Chardonnay. Some Chardonnays are fermented and aged in stainless steel, though oak lends iconic flavor and complexity. Sometimes referred to as the Winemaker’s spice rack, oak barrels, when used either for aging or for both fermentation and aging, can impart toasty flavors of vanilla, caramel, spice, cream, coconut, cinnamon, cloves, and more. After bottling, Chardonnay is delicious when young while still holding up well if aged.
Shepherd’s Pie & 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
When winter starts to wear you down, we think it’s the right time for some classic comfort food. Of course, we’re picking our dishes based on their delicious wine pairing potential. Right now, we can’t get over our absolutely scrumptious 2019 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cab is a rich and cozy rendition of an old-world classic, winning “Best of Class” in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Competition.
To pair with this Cabernet, we’ve selected a hearty dish, perfect for winter and packed with savory and nourishing goodness: Shepherd’s Pie. This recipe from Saveur will capture your heart and your taste buds. Make the most of winter by enjoying this warming and filling dish with a glass of our 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. For our plant-based friends, you’re welcome to savor this pairing as well! We recommend this recipe—click here. Here’s to your good health!
Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 14 unsalted butter, divided, 2 Tbsp. cubed
- 2 lb. boneless lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into ½-in. chunks, patted dry with paper towels
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 medium leeks, white parts only, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups beef stock
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped rosemary leaves
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen peas
- 3 large russet potatoes (2 lb.), peeled and quartered
- ½ cups half-and-half
STEP 1
In a Dutch oven or large pot, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, season the lamb generously with salt and black pepper and turn to coat. When the foam subsides, add half of the lamb and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate; add 3 more tablespoons of the butter to the pot and repeat with the remaining lamb; set aside. To the empty pot, add the leeks and carrots and turn the heat to medium. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until softened slightly, about 4 minutes. Add the flour, reserved lamb, and any accumulated juices and cook, stirring continuously, until no white streaks remain, about 1 minute. Add the stock, rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire, nutmeg, and salt and black pepper to taste, then turn the heat to high. When the liquid boils, turn the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is tender but not falling apart, about 40 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened and the lamb flakes when pierced with a fork, 35–40 minutes more. Stir in the peas and set aside.
STEP 2
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. To a large pot set over high heat, add the potatoes and enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. When the liquid boils, turn the heat to medium-low and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, 20–25 minutes. Drain, then return the potatoes to the pot and add 6 tablespoons of the butter, the half-and-half, and salt and black pepper to taste. Using a potato masher, mash until smooth.
STEP 3
Scrape the lamb mixture into a casserole dish and smooth the top. Top evenly with the mashed potatoes, then use a spoon to make decorative swirls. Scatter with the cubed butter and bake until golden and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let shepherd's pie stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Photo and Recipe by Saveur
Sustainability and Celebration
Rubino Estates Winery has had a commitment to sustainability since our beginning. We recycle, use solar power, and are constantly looking for ways to cut back on waste and care for the planet. In 2021, we earned our certification as a California Certified Sustainable Vineyard. At its heart, this means we care not just for our wines, but for the entire natural system that supports what we do. Sustainability in our vineyard includes careful stewardship of water, energy, soil, wildlife, employees, and our community. We affirm that the best wines come from the best grapes, which means we want to nourish our vines with the healthiest soil and climate possible.
End-of-year festivities have a tendency to bring a bit of chaos and clutter into our lives, but there are also opportunities to conserve creatively! Below, we have assembled a few ideas of how to reduce waste this holiday season as our times of decorating and gift-giving continue.
Decorate using what's in your home
With a dash of creativity and some twinkling lights, you can make just about anything look warm and festive. Use the ornaments that didn’t fit on your tree as decorations for your mantel and table. Take clipping from your christmas tree or pine cones from the neighborhood for a naturally festive look around your home. If you enjoy crafting, explore options to repurpose items into something beautiful, like a wine cork wreath!
Give the gift of experiences or virtual subscriptions
Instead of purchasing something that can collect dust, opting for experience-based gifts can show a lot of thought and reduce both clutter and waste! For bookworms, a subscription to Libro FM allows your loved one to enjoy quality audiobooks while supporting a local bookstore of their choice. For friends who have yet to discover your favorite wines, a wine club membership makes for an unforgettable gift that keeps on giving. Lastly, for creative friends, an online class through Skillshare gives the gift of new skills and knowledge. These memorable gifts take up no space at all.
Shop at local stores and boutiques
In our experience, little shops spark holiday joy in a way no department store can. When you do your shopping locally, not only do you cultivate the character of the community by supporting family-owned businesses, you also reduce the environmental impact of your items. We recommend exploring shops that share a commitment to sustainable business practices! For a listing of a few of the boutique shops in the Tri-Valley, click here.
In this season of giving and receiving, we are thankful to be here for you. From all of the Rubino Estates Famiglia, we hope that we've inspired some smiles and creativity and that you will feel love and warmth this December and beyond. If you're interested in giving the gift of membership and would like to learn more, please email us at wineclub@rubinoestateswinery.com!
To decorate your table with Rubino Estates wines or just enjoy a few bottles, come visit us! We are open seven days a week here at the tasting room from 11:00am to 5:30pm. We’ll be closing early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with the last seating at 1:00pm, and closed on both Christmas and New Year’s Day.