Qorkz Kitchen - ZaZa Zin & Smokey Chipotle Chili

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Our own, Jill Hoffman is making this chili in Dunphy Park in Sausalito for the city’s 40th Annual Chili Cook-off! If you are surprised by the addition of the chocolate, remember that Mexico is the origin of the cocoa plant and chili peppers! And who doesn’t love wine and chocolate?

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, diced*

  • 2 red bell peppers, roasted and diced

  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 15 oz. cans dark red kidney beans

  • 1 6 oz. can tomato paste

  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar

  • 2 28 oz. cans whole tomatoes

  • 2 tbsp. chili powder

  • 2 tbsp. cumin

  • 1 can chipotle peppers, diced (use to taste, these will be smokey and spicy)

  • 4-6 oz. dark chocolate

  • 1/2 cup red wine, zinfandel recommended

  • ½ cup beef broth

  • 1 tsp salt

  • Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

  • Sour cream (optional)

Directions

Brown the ground beef over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or the bowl of a slow cooker with a sauté function. (Alternatively, complete steps one and two in a separate pan on the stove and then transfer to a slow cooker.)

Add the olive oil, onions, peppers and garlic to the browned beef, sauté until the onions become translucent.

Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Simmer on low heat/cook on the slow cooker's low function for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Crush the tomatoes as you go.

Serve with sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Note: This recipe makes eight 1 1/2 cup servings. 

To celebrate this recipe Calstar Cellars is offering a special sale on it’s 2014 ZaZa Zinfandel for $200 a case. Use the Promo Code: CHILI ZIN

You can also buy on the 2012 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2016 Pinot Meunier Rose and 2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay for $250 a case using Promo Code: CHILI

June 11th - This Date in Wine History

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Kongo_audience_Manikongo.jpg

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • King John III of Portugal died in 1557. When writing to the Manikongo, the King of the Congo: "Now, I say, like you said that there was no capture of slaves in your Kingdom, I just want to provide you with flour and wine for your Eucharistic rites, and for that it would only be needed a caravel each year; if it seems right to you, in exchange for 10,000 slaves and 10,000 armlets and 10,000 ivory tooth, that, it is said, in the Congo there is not much, not even a ship per year; so, this and more shall be as you want."
  • Ben Jonson, the English poet was born in 1572.  After the death of Henry IV of France, Jonson decided to re-join the Church of England and showed his renunciation of the Catholic faith by drinking a full chalice of Communion wine which at the time was supposed to only be drunk by the priests.  Also Drink to me only with thy eye and I will drink with mine… Or leave a kiss within the cup and I’ll not ask for wine.  To Celia…
  • California's Sonoma Coast AVA was designated in 1987.
  • The Australian Geographical Indication "Swan Hill" was registered in 1996.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

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Northern_Sonoma_-_Fixed_2-Q_1024x1024.jpg

Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.  It is the second largest appellation within Sonoma County.  It contains myriad elevations, soil types and climates.  It was designated, in large part to allow the term, "Estate" to be applied to vintages from large producers like Gallo and Rodney Strong but is home to some small producers as well.  The primary grape produced in this area is Cabernet Sauvignon but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are grown here as well.

2016 Brooks Note Rosé - Wine of the Day

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2016 Brooks Note Rosé

$24

Our dry Rosé is a beautiful salmon pink. It begins with strawberry, floral, and citrus aromas. It has a bright entry, with ripe strawberry, grapefruit, lemon, and honey suckle flavors. It lingers with a long strawberry finish. It’s supported by balanced acidity and smooth texture.  It is perfect for warm summer  days.

The 2016 Rosé comes from our 4 Pinot Noir Vineyards: Azaya Ranch and Chileno Valley Vineyard in Marin (50%), a small corner of Monroe Vineyard (25%) on the Sonoma Coast, and Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands (25%). In 2016 the long, mild summer with late rains meant the grapes at all three sites could hang on the vine longer, building beautiful ripe fruit flavors while maintaining their acidity.

2013 Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

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2013 Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

$24

The Sonoma Coast, a world-renowned growing region southwest of the Russian River and just six miles from the Pacific Ocean is known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness.  Small lots of fruit were sourced from eight exceptional Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyards exclusively for Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.   The sites span the depth and width of the appellation – from the cool Green Valley knoll of Halleck to the Petaluma Gap site of Sangiacomo – bringing great complexity and cellaring potential to this bottling. 

Deeply scarlet ruby in color, the 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir showcases the best of a spectacular vintage.  On the nose, quintessential aromas of dried cherry, raspberries and black tea are highlighted by spiced orange, cedar and red Santa Rosa plum.   The ripeness of the vintage is balanced by bright stone fruit acidity and refreshing minerality – an undertone of toasty oak and sweet spice brings the palate into focus.  Fine grained, yet coating, tannins and strawberry spice finish make this Pinot Noir an easy match for almost any food pairing.

2013 Calstar Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - Wine of the Day

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2013 Calstar Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

2013 Calstar Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

$28.50

Indinoli Vineyard is located on Vine Hill School Road in the Santa Rosa Laguna region, known for it's cooler temperatures, foggy mornings and sandy soils. It is planted to a mix of Old Wente, Robert Young, and #4, #8 and #809 Clones of Chardonnay.  This clonal variation takes advantage of the varied aspects of the vineyard and adds great complexity to the wines from this site.

Straw green yellow in the glass, this rich Chardonnay embodies what was a near-perfect vintage for coastal Sonoma Coast vineyard sites. The nose is focused and precise – green apple, Meyer lemon, kiwi and kefir lime. Supporting notes of toasted shortbread, vanilla and cut grass round out the aromas. On the palette, clean citrus zest acidity balances out the full body and rich fruitiness. The barrel fermentation lends to a creamy, luxurious texture and a hint of sweet baking spices. The finish lingers with wet rock, pineapple and key lime.

June 11th - This Date in Wine History

/

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Ben Jonson, the English poet was born in 1572.  After the death of Henry IV of France, Jonson decided to re-join the Church of England and showed his renunciation of the Catholic faith by drinking a full chalice of Communion wine which at the time was supposed to only be drunk by the priests.  Also Drink to me only with thy eye and I will drink with mine… Or leave a kiss within the cup and I’ll not ask for wine.  To Celia…
  • California's Sonoma Coast AVA was designated in 1987.
  • The Australian Geographical Indication "Swan Hill" was registered in 1996.

2012 Calstar Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

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2012 Calstar Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir

2012 Calstar Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir

$40

Bright ruby violet color carried by lovely aromas of rich, ripe blackberry, cassis liqueur, black licorice, fine leather and rhubarb.  A hint of gamey roasted meats give the wine immediate complexity and interest.  On the palate, the wine follows the nose with dark marionberry and black plummy flavors. Juicy acidity provides balance for the round, soft tannins and lingering finish of cola, coffee and sweet oak.

2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard - Wine of the Day

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2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard

2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard

$70

The 2013 Walala Pinot Noir is our 1st release from our own estate vineyard. The exceptional site, Walala is comprised of 17 acres of vineyard surrounded by 1900 acres of forestland. A unique site for Pinot Noir in the “True Sonoma Coast”. This wine has a great violate color with amazing depth and clarity. The nose shows notes of cassis, blackberry, and cloves associated with hints of pomelo and honeydew. Bright forest fruit flavors hits the palate. The finish is of lively fruit with lengthy spice and concentration.

Sonoma Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Sonoma Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 500,000 acres that stretch from San Pablo Bay to the south and Mendocino to the north, Sonoma Coast is home to multiple sub-appellations Chalk Hill, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Fort Ross-Seaview and Sonoma Valley. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The area has a broad range of soil types and microclimates across its various sub-appellations.  As a result, a wide variety of grapes are grown in Sonoma Coast.  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are predominant but you also find Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel among others.

2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard - Wine of the Day

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2013-pinot-noir-sun-chase-vineyard-Final_1024x1024.png

 2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard

$60

The 2013 growing season was early, even and all-around excellent. A warm, dry spring brought early bud break, helped with canopy vigor and berry size, and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set under sunny skies. With the exception of one heat spike in late June and early July, temperatures were consistently in the zone for optimal vine activity, resulting in notably healthy vines as fruit went through veraison and began to ripen. This vintage gave us the extraordinary gift to pick what we wanted, when we wanted.

The 2013 Sun Chase Pinot Noir is our inaugural release of Pinot Noir. An incredibly vibrant wine, the aromas are complex and rich. Plums, black cherries, blackberries and flowers all jump from the glass, finishing with notes of cloves and sweet tobacco. This Pinot Noir has great structure and a strong backbone, with balanced mouthwatering acidity, soft tannins, and a long finish. This is definitely a wine to hold on to for a few years.

Northern Sonoma - Wine Region of the Day

/
Northern Sonoma

Northern Sonoma received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Situated over 329,000 acres, Northern Sonoma is home to sub-appellations Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast.

2010 Calstar Chardonnay Cuvee Ann

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2010 Calstar Chardonnay Cuvee Ann

2010 Calstar Chardonnay Cuvee Ann

$35

This bottling is dedicated to winemaker, Rick Davis' mother Ann Davis, who passed away in February 2012 from complications with Alzheimer’s. 

Golden straw in color with aromas of rich ripe Gravenstien apple and Bosc pear with notes of lemon cream, soft vanilla and toasted shortbread.  On the palette, the juicy acidity carries notes of green apple peel, lemon blossom and wet rock.  Very focused minerality and bright citrus notes balance the barrel richness and spice.

2013 Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

/

2013 Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

$30

The Sonoma Coast, a world-renowned growing region southwest of the Russian River and just six miles from the Pacific Ocean is known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness.  Small lots of fruit were sourced from eight exceptional Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyards exclusively for Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.   The sites span the depth and width of the appellation – from the cool Green Valley knoll of Halleck to the Petaluma Gap site of Sangiacomo – bringing great complexity and cellaring potential to this bottling. 

Deeply scarlet ruby in color, the 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir showcases the best of a spectacular vintage.  On the nose, quintessential aromas of dried cherry, raspberries and black tea are highlighted by spiced orange, cedar and red Santa Rosa plum.   The ripeness of the vintage is balanced by bright stone fruit acidity and refreshing minerality – an undertone of toasty oak and sweet spice brings the palate into focus.  Fine grained, yet coating, tannins and strawberry spice finish make this Pinot Noir an easy match for almost any food pairing.

2013 Calstar Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - Wine of the Day

/

 2013 Calstar Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

$28.50

Straw green yellow in the glass, this rich Chardonnay embodies what was a near-perfect vintage for coastal Sonoma Coast vineyard sites. The nose is focused and precise – green apple, Meyer lemon, kiwi and kefir lime. Supporting notes of toasted shortbread, vanilla and cut grass round out the aromas. On the palette, clean citrus zest acidity balances out the full body and rich fruitiness. The barrel fermentation lends to a creamy, luxurious texture and a hint of sweet baking spices. The finish lingers with wet rock, pineapple and key lime.

2010 Calstar Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay - Wine of the Day

/

2010 Calstar Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay

$35

The Sonoma Coast is a renowned growing region known for its cool microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness.  The well respected and highly sought after Sangiacomo Vineyard produces a rich, palette-driven Chardonnay with great texture and nuance.

The Roberts Road Vineyard, located at the northern end of the Petaluma Gap with cobbled alluvial soil and bench deposits, has proven itself to be the ideal location influenced by morning fog, warm days and strong afternoon winds leaving the grapes plenty of hang time and development of distinct flavors.

2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard - Wine of the Day

/

 2013 Agnitio Pinot Noir Walala Vineyard

$70

The 2013 growing season was early, even and all-around excellent. A warm, dry spring brought early bud break, helped with canopy vigor and berry size, and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set under sunny skies. With the exception of one heat spike in late June and early July, temperatures were consistently in the zone for optimal vine activity, resulting in notably healthy vines as fruit went through veraison and began to ripen. This vintage gave us the extraordinary gift to pick what we wanted, when we wanted.

The 2013 Walala Pinot Noir is our 1st release from our own estate vineyard. The exceptional site, Walala is comprised of 17 acres of vineyard surrounded by 1900 acres of forestland. A unique site for Pinot Noir in the “True Sonoma Coast”. This wine has a great violate color with amazing depth and clarity. The nose shows notes of cassis, blackberry, and cloves associated with hints of pomelo and honeydew. Bright forest fruit flavors hits the palate. The finish is of lively fruit with lengthy spice and concentration.

2010 Calstar Chardonnay Cuvee Ann - Wine of the Day

/

2010 Calstar Chardonnay Cuvee Ann

$35

This bottling is dedicated to my mother Ann Davis, who passed away in February 2012 from complications with Alzheimer’s. 

Golden straw in color with aromas of rich ripe Gravenstien apple and Bosc pear with notes of lemon cream, soft vanilla and toasted shortbread.  On the palette, the juicy acidity carries notes of green apple peel, lemon blossom and wet rock.  Very focused minerality and bright citrus notes balance the barrel richness and spice.