On Tuesday, Aug. 17, the Wine Club of SaddleBrooke Ranch (WCSBR) hosted its second formal wine tasting event of 2021. Because of continued social distancing protocols, there were two seatings in the Ranch House Grille main dining room where members enjoyed Decoy wines paired with some amazing small plate food bites catered by the Oracle Patio Cafe. SBR Wine Club advisors Steve Chapman, Kurt Warning, and Corbin Newman chose the Decoy wines to taste.
Decoy wines has evolved from being a single, second-label wine supporting the Duckhorn Vineyards brand to being its own focused winery. Decoy grapes are sourced from the Alexander Valley, Calif., appellation—Sonoma County’s best region for growing Bordeaux varietals.
The wine club members enjoyed four tastings which started with a Decoy chardonnay paired with hummus on a watermelon radish “chip” and pineapple, apple pico de gallo. Following was a Decoy pinot noir with a salmon cake topped with roasted shiitake mushroom and fruity Asian style glaze. The third tasting was a Decoy merlot paired with a charcuterie cone featuring Iberico chorizo salami, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, cornichon, green olive and guava paste, Finally, a Decoy zinfandel was served, paired with a chili spiced chocolate torte topped with a raspberry chipotle drizzle. Culinary chair, Cyndy Pylkka, worked closely with Chef Dave of the Oracle Patio Cafe to create the food pairings.
This event would not be possible without the help from a number of members including Terry and Anita Zimmerman, Sam Calbone, Evie Thompson, Gail Latimer, Joyce and Bill Watt, Vickie and Kurt Warning, Monica Gustafson, and Diane Taylor.
Stay tuned for further events this fall. For information about membership in the WCSBR, contact Debbie Chapman, membership chair, at [email protected].