Back to Back Issues Page
Cheers 2 Wine News, Issue #003 -- Summer news from the California Wine Country
June 24, 2006

Wine Quote

Wine is a constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Benjamin Franklin




Livermore Wineries
You are sure to enjoy a wine tasting trip to Livermore. There are more than 25 wineries located in this scenic valley. Plan a Livermore Wine Country getaway and discover great wines and friendly wine tasting rooms. Wine tasting is usually complimentary.




Great Place to Eat in Napa Valley
Bistro Don Giovanni is our favorite restaurant in Napa. You can dine indoors or outside on the patio. Everything is fresh and full of flavor. We seldom visit the Napa Valley without stopping here for either lunch or dinner. Read more about this great restaurant by clicking on the link above.



Seascape Resort - The perfect oceanside getaway for a wine country vacation
Seascape Resort offers outstanding wine country accomodations along the central coast just south of Santa Cruz. It's a short drive south to Monterey or Carmel from this resort. We love the short stroll down the trail to the beach. Along with every amenity we could think of, this resort sits right on the coastline where you can enjoy relaxing views of the Pacific Ocean.




Plan a visit to El Dorado Wineries
If you have never visited El Dorado wineries, you really should think about planning a visit to this region of the Sierra Foothills. Some of the highest vineyards in California are located in El Dorado County resulting in the slogan "Wines with an Altitude". Visit Cheers2wine.com for all of the lastest on El Dorado wineries. Begin planning a trip today!




As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News, you are able to access a page with links to free wine tasting coupons. Simply click on the winery you are interested in, and you will be able to print a free coupon. The password for this page is given out each month in the newsletter. Join our list of subscribers to get access to the free wine tasting coupons. Click here to subscribe now!




Mark Your Calendar!

July 2 and August 12: Fair Play Wine & Poker Run - El Dorado County Wine Country Visit 5 Fair Play Wineries. Choose your favorite bottle of wine from each winery to take home with you. Collect one playing card from each winery. Prizes will be awarded to people based on the poker hand they have at the end of day. There's awards for best poker hand, worst poker hand, and more. Dinner is included. The cost is $84.50 (Remember that this includes 5 bottles of wine and dinner.) If you need more information, email them at [email protected]. For reservations go to their web site: Fair Play Wine and Poker Run

July 13: California's Grape and Gourmet at Cal Expo in Sacramento
Taste the best wines in California from the 2006 California State Fair Wine Competition. Come taste this year's award winning wines. The cost is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. This event benefits the Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program. The event is being held at California State Fair and Exposition from 5:30 - 8:30 PM in Buildings A and B at Cal Expo. For more information call (916) 263-3049 or visit their web site: 2006 California State Fair Wine Tasting

July 14: Hwy. 46 West Wineries "Friday Night Wine & Cheese Tasting" in Templeton - Paso Robles Wine Country
Taste wines from 14 Hwy. 46 West Wineries. Cheese will be provided by Di Ramondo's Italian Market and Cheese Shop and bread and pastries will be sampled from Coastal Cookie and Gourmet Desserts. The cost is $10 per person and tickets will be sold at the door. The event lasts from 6-8 PM. For more information call (805) 423-8303 or visit their website: Friday Night Wine and Cheese Tasting Info

July 15-16: "Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon, Napa to Sonoma" and Wine & Music Festival in Downtown Sonoma Runners and walkers will both enjoy this 13.1 mile race through the scenic vineyards, farms, and a wildlife preserve. The race begins at Domaine Carneros Winery in Napa and finishes at the Sonoma Plaza in downtown Sonoma. Everyone (even nonracers) is invited to join the fun at the Wine & Music Festival where you can sample wine from wineries from the Carneros Wine Alliance. Wineries include: Acacia, Artesa Estate, Etude, Gloria Ferrer, MacRostie, Nicholson Ranch, Pine Ridge, Ravenswood, Robert Sinskey, Saintsbury, and Schug Carneros Estate. An optional Race dinner is scheduled for Saturday and a breakfast is availabe before the race on Sunday. The cost for participating in the race is $55-$60 and only $15 for just the Wine and Music Festival. For more information call (707) 933-1769 or go to Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon & Wine & Music Festival Information

July 17: Rose Avengers & Producers "PINK OUT - SF"
Taste more than 50 rose wines from throughout the world at this international fine rose event. Pan-Pacific appetizers will be provided by Chef Robert Lam. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. This event will be at Butterfy, a restaurant located on Pier 33(The Embarcadero at Bay Street) from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. For more information (including a list of participating wineries) or to make reservations visit their web site. PINK OUT! - SF Information

July 21: Guided Wine Tour from San Diego to the Valley de Guadalupe in Baja, Mexico
Board a 30 passenger shuttle bus for a tour to three wineries in Baja California. Depart from the Old Town Transit Center in San Diego around 9 AM and return around 9 PM. The tour costs $75 per person and includes lunch, wine tasting, a bilingual guide, border crossing fees, toll both fees, and insurance. For more information or to make reservations visit their web site: Baja Wine Tour Information


July 22: 3rd Annual California Wine Festival "Reds, Whites, and Blues at the beach in Santa Barbara"- Touring and Tasting Magazine is sponsoring this wine event at Chase Palm Park in beautiful Santa Barbara. 100 wineries from Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Southern California will be present. Sample their wines and enjoy the live blues music and gourmet appetizers from local restaurants. A silent auction will feature a variety of great prizes with proceeds benefiting local charities. The cost is $45 in advance and $55 at the gate. For more information call (800) 850-4370 or visit the web site: California Wine Festival - Santa Barbara Info

July 22 - August 26: Niles Canyon Railway Wine "Tour de Train" Wine Tasting and Train Ride - Livermore Valley
Take a two hour train trip every Saturday from July 22 through August 26. Discover the secrets of wine tasting and pairing food and wine from professional sommelier Sean Andrade. Each week different Livermore Valley wineries will be featured and served along with cheeses and breads to compliment the wines. Boarding begins at 4:00 PM from the station in Sunol. The cost is $30 per person. For more information call (408) 249-2953 or visit the web site. Tour de Train - Train Ride & Wine Tasting Info

July 29 & 30: @nd Annual Lake County Wine Adventure
Sample wines from 19 wineries in Lake County. Enjoy barrel tasting and winery tours as well. The cost is $25, which includes a logo glass and your "adventure pass". After visiting all of the wineries, you are eligible for a raffle drawing. For more information call (707) 998-4471 or visit their web site. Lake County Wine Adventure Information




Easy Wine Recipes Cooking With Wine

"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."

W.C. Fields


Lasagna with Wine

This is a long-time family favorite. Serve with a tossed green salad and garlic bread.
1 medium chopped red onion
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds hamburger
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 cup of dry red wine
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon oregano leaves
2 teaspoons basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon of pepper and sugar
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounces of lasagne noodles
1 lb. ricotta cheese
8 ounces mozzarella cheese (sliced)
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1. Saute the minced onion until soft.
2. Add hamburger and garlic to the onion. Cook until meat is browned.
3. Add and stir: tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, water, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and sugar.
4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer slowly for 90 minutes.
5. Cook noodles according to the directions on the box.
6. Lay 1/3 of the noodles in the bottom of a 9X13 inch baking dish.
7. Cover with 1/3 of the meat mixture.
8. Top with 1/3 of the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
9. Repeat 2 more times so that all ingredients are used.
10. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

This will make 6-8 servings.

Tip: I usually double the recipe and freeze one dish to use at a later time.





Coq Au Vin

A classic dish that is always great!

8 slices bacon (chopped into 1/2 pieces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 - 3 lbs. of chicken (legs and thighs)
3/4 teaspoon salt (plus additional for seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon pepper (plus additional for seasoning)
1 pound bag frozen pearl onions (thawed)
1 pound mushrooms (cut in half)
3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into thirds
3 large carrots, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/3 cup flour
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 cups of Burgandy or Chianti wine
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley (chopped)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar


1. Use a large Dutch oven to cook the bacon in oil until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set aside.
2. Season the chicken with salt and paper and brown in the bacon drippings. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
3. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms to pan. Cook until brown.
4. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, salt, and flour.
5. Add wine and chicken broth. Stir. Make sure there are no lumps of flour.
6. Add chicken, thyme, bay leaves, and half of the bacon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 40 minutes.
7. Uncover and simmer until the sauce thickens, which will be about 10 more minutes.
8. Stir in parsley and wine vinegar.
9. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
10. Top with bacon and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings.




Summer Sangria

The perfect drink for summer evenings!

3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons spiced dark rum
3 tablespoons orange liquer)
1 orange (sliced)
1 lemon (sliced)
2 ripe peaches (sliced)
3 ripe plums (sliced)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bottle Spanish red wine
Sparkling soda water
1. Add to a punch bowl (or other large bowl): sugar, rum, orange liquer, fruits, and cinnamon sticks. Mix together.
2. Stir in the bottle of wine.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 - 8 hours before serving.
4. Discard cinnamon sticks. Spoon fruits into glasses. Pour the spiced wine over the fruit. Top with a splash of soda water.

Makes 8 glasses.




Do you know someone who'd like to read this?

We really hope that you've enjoyed reading this newsletter. If you think your friends might be interested in taking a look, please feel free to forward it to them.

Haven't subscribed yet?

If you're reading this on the recommendation of a friend and would like to receive future editions, you can subscribe for free by clicking on this link.

Contact Us

If you have any comments, opinions, or content ideas, we'd love to hear from you. Just click this link to contact us.


Back to Back Issues Page