Get Your Summer Grilling On

Every year I have great intentions of trying out new recipes during the summer grilling season. But my reality doesn’t always match my intentions. This year, I decided to do a little research early on, and found so many delicious grilling options I had to share them. And, the best part is all of them pair beautifully with wines found along the Wine Road.

Grilling & Sipping Experience

Before I dive into some of my grilling discoveries, I want to share the perfect way to taste new recipes and spend a day in Wine Country.

• Barbecued Chicken Wings – Rued Wines
• Pulled Pork Sandwich – Kokomo Winery
• Traditional Tri-Tip Steak Sliders – Family Wineries Dry Creek
• Flank Steak – Talty Vineyards & Winery
• Sausage and Pepper and Onion Sandwich – Pedroncelli Winery
• Meatball Slider – Martarona Family Winery

If your mouth is watering in anticipation, you can purchase tickets in advance or at the door.

Other Tasting Options

If you want to expand your options on July 6^th, check out Red, White, Blue & Sliders, Too! at Mounts Family Winery, also located in Dry Creek Valley. From 12 – 4 pm, they are offering two sliders for $10, and the tasting fee is waived with wine purchase.

Late Day Option

If you don’t want your tasting experience to end at 4 o’clock, then be sure to scope out Russian River Vineyards’ Summer Celebration, happening on Saturday, July 6^th from 5 – 8 pm, and on Sunday, July 7^th from 3 – 6 pm. Located just south of Forestville on Hwy. 116, Russian River Vineyards invites you to join their winemaker and growers as they toast the harvest to come and celebrate the season with food and wine. Tickets are available online.

To see more summer wine and food tasting options, visit the Wine Road’s Winery Events page.

Grilling & Pairing Inspirations

Grilled Entrées With Wine

The web offers so many resources for recipes, but finding the perfect pairing isn’t always as easy to locate. One ideal resource I turn to is winery websites. Many of your favorite wineries offer wine and food pairings.  Plus, the Wine Road has an entire database of recipes, all paired with just the right wines and more are added annually for Wine & Food Affair.

Here are some entrée options you might try during your summer of grilling exploration:

• Barrel-Stave Salmon paired with Pinot Noir compliments of Merry Edwards Winery.
• Bacon-Shrimp Kebabs paired with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc compliments of Julie Pedroncelli St. John from Pedroncelli.
• Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers paired with Chardonnay compliments of Chef John Ash and Sonoma-Cutrer.
• Grilled Marinated London Broil paired with Cabernet Sauvignon compliments of Rhonda Carano from Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery.
• Smoked Rib Roast paired with Malbec compliments of Bill and Dawn Williamson from Williamson Wines.
• Grilled Port Tenderloin with Wild Rice Pilaf paired with Cabernet Sauvignon complement of Jordan Vineyard & Winery.
• Grilled Bison Burgers paired with Cabernet Sauvignon compliments of Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Yet More Summer Grilling Tips

Kendall-Jackson has a blog dedicated to wine and food pairings. The blog from June 25, 2018 is entitled, “The Best BBQ and Wine Pairings.” There is a paragraph on how to select BBQ wines, and then a paragraph by paragraph breakdown on how to select pairings with each type of meat, seafood, summer fruits and vegetables, and more.

If you are looking for inspiration to get your summer grilling on, I hope you just found it.

Happy Sipping!

@TheWineRoad #alongthewineroad #wineroadlife #wineandfoodpairings

Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.

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