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Thanksgiving Wine Pairings for the Whole Family

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings for the Whole Family

Wine for Everyone in the Family!

It is November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Are you hosting?  Are you a guest?  Either way, wine makes the holidays go round and if your family is like mine, you have a lot of mouths to feed with a lot of taste preferences.  Here are some fun Thanksgiving wine pairings for your upcoming holiday meal.

Appetizer and Game Time

On turkey day almost every television in America is on to celebrate what America loves — football.  Games start at 9:30 to kick off a long day of eating, cheering, and celebrating.  To start off your best Thanksgiving ever we recommend starting with the 2017 Heringer Estates Sparkling Chardonnay.  This wine will tickle your taste buds and warm up your digestive track as you add a little class to the competition and pair this wine with all of your sporty appetizers. 

If bubbles are not your favorite also try the Eco Cask in can in either the Red or White Blend.  Each blend earned a silver medal with 90 points against other wines in bottles in the 2019 California State Fair and are super convenient in recyclable cans.  Keep in mind each can is two glasses of wine, so share with a friend and drink responsibly.  You have full day ahead of you still.

Delicious Thanksgiving wine pairings

First Course of Soups and Salads

After the games it is time to feast!  Start your Thanksgiving meal with the Heringer Estates 2017 Viognier.  This beautiful French white wine has a wonderful balance to compliment your harvest salads and soups.  If you are looking to stick to red wines the Heringer Estates 2016 Mourvedre is also a great choice to start.  This lighter red will not overpower your soups and salads and will help make room for more feasting to come!

The Main Mashed Potato

Finally time for the main course and the height of your celebration!  Fill your plate with mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, turkey, and (also if you are like my family) a whole pitcher of gravy.  So much delicious savory food deserves a wine that will compliment.  Try the Heringer Estates 2014 Primitivo.  This wine is the “Italian Zinfandel” and is an amazing food wine.  Not to heavy in body and possesses exceptional aromas of cranberry, cherry, tobacco, and a deliciously classic peppery finish.  The Primitivo will make your whole family smile.

If you prefer cranberry sauce to gravy you can also open up a bottle of the new release Heringer Estates 2016 Pinot Noir.  This irresistible varietal is always a favorite for its elegance and complex aromas of cherry, raspberry, vanilla spice, and violet.  

wine pairing with pie

Make Sure to Leave Room for Pie!

Last but not least, you get to reward your long day of feasting with a wonderfully sweet dessert.  Be it apple, pecan, or pumpkin, many Americans end their day with a thick slice of pie.  We recommend ending your wonderful holiday with a sip of the Heringer Estates Row Series Late Harvest Petite Sirah.  This wine will literally knock your socks off with sweetness and ripe harvested fruit.  You might want to skip the pie all together as you enjoy this sweet delight and give thanks for your year and many years to come!

Written by Creative Director, Cara Gregor
Chris is the Team Member of October at Heringer Estates

Chris is the Team Member of October at Heringer Estates

Have you met Chris?  Chris has worked as a Farmers Market Marketeer at Heringer Estates for 1 year and we don’t know how we made it without him!  You will see Chris at the Midtown or Sac Central Farmers’ Markets with a smiling face and wine for tasting!  Chris has never landed in an airplane, is the president for not one but BOTH fishing clubs at CSUS, and is in the hiring process to join the CHP.  Read on to find out more about our favorite Marketeer!

What is your favorite part about working at Heringer Estates?

Being able to sell so many great wines for such a nice family.
 

Do you have a favorite wine?
Malbec. For those late night ice cream cravings, Malbec pairs very well with chocolate/vanilla varieties of ice cream. (Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream)
 
Do have a favorite food pairing with your favorite wine?
Over the summer my favorite was the Ecocask White Wine Blend in the cans with some of Springhill Farm’s smoked pepper-jack cheese curds. It was a perfect combo to enjoy at the beach.
 
What has been your most memorable moment at Heringer Estates?
When I was able to take over Saturday ‘s Midtown Farmers Market.
 
Chris at the Midtown Farmers Market

Next time you visit the farmers’ market say hi to Chris!

Aimee is our August Team Member of the Month!

Aimee is our August Team Member of the Month!

Have you had the pleasure of meeting Aimee?  She has worked as a Tasting Room Associate at Heringer Estates for 1 year and 3 months and her fun combination of spunky energy and organization contribute to our team in innumerable ways!  We got to chat with Aimee about her experience at Heringer Estates and this is what she had to share.

What is your favorite part about working at Heringer Estates?

It is super hard to narrow it down to only one! I love that we are located on the vineyard because it allows for a relaxed tasting experience for our wine club members. Being at the vineyard allows for me to engage in conversation more & build relationships with our members. When I first interviewed with Heringer it was clear to me that relationships are really important to the family and that is also important to me.

Do you have a favorite wine?
Right now my favorite is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. It is fabulous for a stand alone glass of wine in the evening but also when paired with a meal. It has this lovely rich chocolate & fruit balance that makes it really interesting.
 
Do have a favorite food pairing with your favorite wine?

I like to pair the Sauvignon Blanc with my pasta cabonara. It’s nice and light so it contrasts nicely with the richness of the butter and cheese. If you stop in the tasting room ask me for me recipe – I’ll make sure to have copies available during the month of August!

 
 
fun facts about aimee!
What has been your most memorable moment at Heringer Estates?
This is an easy one! At our recent monthly team meeting the Heringer family celebrated my daughter’s high school graduation and acceptance to Northern Arizona University with a scholarship gift. I’m not too ashamed to say I cried proud mom tears. The family’s commitment to their associates and our families speaks volumes about their sense of community.
 
 

Next time you visit say hi to Aimee!

Sustainability in Every Glass

Sustainability in Every Glass

What is Sustainable Wine?

Have you heard the term “sustainable wine” and wondered what that really means?  In our modern days of environmental care and classification the government regulates the term “organic,” however “sustainable wine” can mean a wide range of things from the type of packaging used to waste management.  So what does “sustainable wine” mean exactly?

For most California wineries, making “sustainable wine” is a source of pride and refers to a third party certification that ensures the wines are ecologically sound,  economically viable, and socially responsible. 

The Three E’s of Sustainability = Ecologically Sound,  Economically Viable, and Socially Responsible.

These three “E’s” guide the metrics for sustainable wine and farming across California.  To learn more about the Three “E’s” click here.

Sustainable Certification

Different regions of California have different certification programs that measure the vineyard and winery practices with science based metrics.  Each program varies slightly on assessment terms, however every program has sustainability and responsible wine production as a goal.  

In the Clarksburg AVA, wineries subscribe to Protected Harvest, an American non-profit organization headquartered in Soquel, California that certifies sustainably grown crops in accordance with the Lodi Wine Grape Commission’s Sustainable Winegrowing Program.  The Lodi Wine Grape Commission is America’s original sustainable viticulture program and is also referred to as “LODI RULES“.  Even though Heringer Estates is not in the Lodi AVA, Clarksburg’s proximity allows wineries to participate in the certification program.

Third party certification for Clarksburg and Lodi AVA’s is conducted by LODI RULES, which measures the sustainable management of the entire vineyard ecosystem, including soil and water, business practices, human resources, and pest control with an emphasis on reducing pesticide risk to farm workers, consumers, and animals.

To check for sustainability certification, you will find these logos on Heringer Estates wine bottles:
Sustainability logos that can be found on wine bottles

Sustainable Wine at Heringer Estates

Heringer Estates embraces sustainable wine making as a core company and family value meaning:

“Doing more with what you have and preserving the land for future generations.”

All vineyards and wine making processes at Heringer Estates are third party certified through LODI RULES.  Some examples of practices used to scientifically measure sustainability are:

  • Plant cover crop and conduct renewable mulching to enhance soil nutrition and diversity
  • Provide habitat and release rehabilitated owls annually for pest management (This is the inspiration for the Owl Release Event!)
  • Deficit drip irrigation, giving the vines only as much water as they need.
  • Dedicated human resources to long term employment for the vineyard and cellar workers as well as all employees in hospitality and administration.
  • Limited and low usage of sulfur dioxide (sulfides) in wine making, only using what we need.
  • Vegan friendly wine making processes (such as refraining from using egg whites, a common refining agent)

The Heringer Family started farming sustainably in 2009 and 2019 marks our 10 year anniversary!  The family business produces over 4,000 cases a year including the EcoCask in accordance to the certification methods.  It is with great dedication and pride that all vineyard and winery operations are 100% certified sustainable at Heringer Estates. 

Herbicide Free Farming

Another great addition to the farming practices in recent years involved eliminating the use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide that disrupts the photosynthetic process in plants and can cause cancer in animals and humans.  Heringer Estates practices 100% glyphosate free farming, making the vineyards an even more of a natural habitat for delta animals and safer for vineyard workers.

Every year Heringer Estates partners with the Sacramento Wildlife Association to host the Owl Release Event. At this event we release two rehabilitated owls into the vineyard. Owls are natural predators that help keep threats away from the fruit and keep the vineyards sustainable.

The Family’s Promise

Dedication to sustainability is a promise to the future and a love for the land.  

“I want to preserve our land and winery operations for future generations and farming sustainably helps to ensure that possibility.  I love this opportunity to showcase what we are already doing in the vineyard and winery to increase our environmental stewardship and quality of our product in a quantitative way.” – Mike Heringer

In this changing environment the importance for sustainable wine making is growing.  These certifications allow for future generations to enjoy the land as past generations have.  Preservation and responsible stewardship of the land is very important to Heringer Estates and so we ensure you will enjoy sustainability in every glass!

All of Heringer Estates wines are Certified Sustainable!

Written by Cara Gregor

Wine Awards from Orange County Wine Society Competition

Wine Awards from Orange County Wine Society Competition

Wine Awards are Here!

Award winning wines have that special something about them don’t they?  The gold and silver medals just make you smile a bit more and this year Heringer has some exciting award winners from The Orange County Wine Society annual competition.  The Orange County Wine Soiciety is an industry driven competition focusing on California wines for quality and true varietal character.  Heringer Estates has submitted our wines to this competition for the past several years and our winemaker, Mike Heringer, is even a judge!

This year we are honored to announce our 2014 Tempranillo as a
GOLD MEDAL WINNER!

90 Point Gold Wine Award!

The 2015 Tempranillo is Winemaker, Mike Heringer’s favorite Clarksburg varietal and with a 90 point gold wine award you can see why!  Originally from Spain, and at home in Clarksburg, Ca, the Tempranillo has spicy and fun elements that pair well on their own or with a variety of foods.  Aged in neutral French and American oak for three years, the award winning wine expresses aromas of fresh cranberry and a hint of leather.  As you enjoy a glass, flavors of dried currants and cardamom lead up to a nice medium tannin on the finish.  This gold medal winner does not disappoint with a balanced body and a little Spanish spice. 

Try this wine with Spicy Italian lasagna with sausage and zucchini.

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Below are more wine awards from this year’s Orange County Wine Society Wine Competition

84 Points, Silver Medal – 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

83 Points, Silver Medal – 2018 Moscato

89 Points, Silver Medal – 2014 Nebbiolo

86 Points, Silver Medal – 2014 Petite Sirah

83 Points, Silver Medal –  Ecocask Red Blend in a Can

85 Points, Silver Medal – 2016 Hope’s Thread Rosé

85 Points, Silver Medal – 2014 Teroldego

85 Points, Silver Medal – 2017 Viognier

 

See all of Heringer Estates Wine Awards 

Heringer Wine Awards
Heringer Brings Home a Gold at the California State Fair Wine Competition

Heringer Brings Home a Gold at the California State Fair Wine Competition

Wine Competition Results are in!

California State Fair Wine Competition results are in!  Each year Heringer Estates submits wines to one of the largest and most respected state wide wine competitions, the California State Fair Wine Competition.  In the competition, appointed judges sample wines looking for pristine varietal characteristics, balance, and regional characteristics.  This year, Heringer Estates is proud to announce our medal winners!

2014 Petite Sirah wins 94 points at the CA State Fair

Heringer Estates 2014 Petite Sirah wins the gold! 

Awarded 94 points and Best of Class of Appellation.

The Heringer Estates 2014 Petite Sirah has stood above the rest in the Clarksburg region for several years and is the flagship wine varietal of Heringer Estatse.  In the 2014 vintage enjoy amazing flavor characteristics of plum preserves, ripe blackberry, toasted brown sugar, caramel, and spice. You might also notice some characters of tobacco, dark ripe berry, and chocolate in this “not quite jammy” wine as it rolls over your tongue in perfect balance.

Pair the 2014 Petite Sirah with roasted pork or BBQ this summer!

91 points for the Ecocask Red and White Blends in a can!

Just released this year the Ecocask in a can is showing to be a winner with 91 points awarded from the California State Fair judges.  These fun wines in a 375ml can, can go with you anywhere on your summer adventures.  In the red blend enjoy easy smooth flavors of boysenberry, leather, and chocolate.  In the white blend sip on a burst of refreshing citrus and vanilla.  These wines will not disappoint in a can.

Each can is equal to 2 glasses for easy travel!

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We are very grateful and excited to share our award winning wines with you!

Here are more winners from the California State Fair Wine Competition, 2019

91 points, Silver Medal – 2016 Mourvedre 

90 points, Silver Medal – 2014 Teroldego

88 points, Silver Medal – 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

See all of Heringer Estates Awards
Bob and Tammy at Heringer Estates

Bob and Tammy at Heringer Estates

Meet Bob and Tammy, Wine Associates for May!  Bob and Tammy are a dynamic duo that have worked as wine associates at Heringer Estates for more than 8 years and are an integral part of the tasting room team.  Next time you are in the tasting room say “hi” and here is a little bit about why they love wine and Heringer Estates.

What is your favorite part about working at Heringer Estates?

Tammy

I love the family; I love the wine! I feel a sense of belonging and pride in being able to serve and sell such a wonderful product, made by such an awesome family. I love the ranch and enjoy its beauty and history so much! It’s a pleasure to be there.

 
Bob
My favorite part about working at Heringer Estates is the fantastic wine, the great environment, the Heringer family, and our associates. The ranch is the perfect and natural place for serving Heringer wines, surrounded by two hundred acres of vineyards. What could be better? All of our estate wines are custom crushes, using superior wine making techniques. I have worked at Heringer for so long because I feel our wine is the best, and because it is a great place to work. I look forward to many more years!
 

Do you have a favorite wine?
Tammy
My favorites always change as the wines change. Right now I’m in love with the Purple Thread. I tagged it as a winner long before we got the double gold for it! It’s a perfect blend of depth, fruit and just enough tannin. I always feel special when I open a bottle of it, because I only do so on special occasions!
 
Bob
My favorite wine is the Cabernet Franc. I appreciate its fruit forward nose, its cherry characteristics, and its dry finish. There are so many great wines it’s hard to choose just one. There are favorites for everyone.
 
Do have a favorite food pairing with your favorite wine?
Tammy
My other longstanding wine loves are the Pinot Noir and the Primitivo. I love both of those wines for their versatility. They’re light enough to pair with a summer Chicken Chinese salad yet robust enough to stand up to a delicious, spicy dish like tacos or lasagna.
 
Bob
One combination of food and wine that I really enjoy is Braised Lamb with Norton. Brown the lamb and add your favorite stew ingredients, pour in the Norton, and braise on low for six hours. You’ll get a succulent, lip-smacking tasty dish. On the side serve soft polenta, jasmine rice, or garlic mash potatoes. The coups de grace is a glass of Norton with your meal.
 
What has been your most memorable moment at Heringer Estates?
Tammy
I’ve loved every staff Christmas party. I truly appreciate the fun, the food and the camaraderie! There’s nothing like the Season of Giving and the Heringer Family and staff is a very loving, giving bunch!
 
Bob
Over the years there have been many great moments, but I think my favorite memories are of when I talked to Mike Heringer about wine. Usually our discussions were in the moment and on the fly, but all were always epiphanies on wine making.
 

Next time you visit say “hi” to Bob and Tammy!