W I N E R Y & M A R K E T P L A C E

S O N O M A V A L L E Y

August 2010

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

Summer Greetings

Hello Friends!

We are in the midst of summer fun here at Viansa this month! A record number of wine club members have been turning up for special events at the winery, and we’ve been delighted to welcome everyone back to Viansa. If you haven’t yet joined us at a Tuscan Club gathering this summer, we hope to see you soon. We’ll be hosting everything from wine and cheese pairing seminars to a lobster feast and a festive harvest party in the coming weeks!

August also signals the impending arrival of the harvest season in Sonoma Valley. All year long, we’ve been carefully tending our vines and watching the clusters of grapes develop and ripen. Soon it will be time to begin hand-picking these precious clusters of fruit. If you’ve never witnessed a grape harvest in person, you might want to stop by during the next two months. Our crews typically begin work in the early morning hours, while the grapes are still cool from the evening fog. As the sun begins to rise over the eastern hills, the grapes are rushed to the cellar where the winemaking process begins. All over Sonoma Valley, trucks filled to the brim with glistening grapes can be seen rumbling along country roads at this time of year as they haul the grapes to various winery cellars. It’s quite a spectacle to behold!

If you’ve ever had a yearning to be a winemaker yourself, you might want to join us for a hands-on winemaking lesson on Sunday, September 26. Only a limited number of Tuscan Club members can be accommodated, so please call us soon at 707-935-4740 for more details and to reserve your spot. We can’t think of a better way to experience the 2010 Sonoma Valley grape harvest than by trying your hand at transforming grapes into wine!

Wishing you all the best!

Lloyd W. Davis President

www.viansa.com | 800.995.47402

he grape harvest in Sonoma Valley is the culmination of a year’s worth of carefully tending the vines. After months of expert pruning, thinning and monitoring sun exposure, our grapes are finally ripe and ready for pressing.

It is a time-honored tradition – both here and in Italy – to host a festive meal for the vineyard workers and winery employees to celebrate the completion of another successful harvest. Typically, these celebrations involve abundant seasonal food, wine, music and dancing – a fitting tribute to an important accomplishment that enables us to create another vintage of wines.

This year, we’re excited to include our Tuscan Club members in our harvest festivities, and we invite you to join us at our 2010 Harvest Party! On Sunday, October 3, we will likely be in the midst of harvesting grapes, but we will pause to take a break and celebrate the harvest season. Look forward to lots of great food, free-flowing Viansa wine, live music, dancing and bocce ball!

For more information or to reserve your spot at our 2010 Tuscan Club Harvest Party, please call 707-935-4740. Space is limited, so call early to avoid disappointment!

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740 3

“It is a time-honored tradition to host a

festive meal to celebrate the completion

of another successful harvest.”

Come Celebrate the Harvest!

T

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Sunday, August 8: How to Host a Wine Tasting Party

Plan a wine adventure your friends won’t soon forget! We’ll go over the basics of planning a wine tasting including which wines to pick, what foods to serve, how to properly conduct a blind tasting and even what music to play. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Complimentary for members ($10 for non-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

Saturday, August 14: Wine & Lobster Feast

Spend the day at Viansa, feasting on lobster and enjoying your favorite wines along with live music, bocce ball and some of the best views in Sonoma Valley! Hosted by President Lloyd Davis and staff.

12 noon to 3 p.m. $40 for members ($65 for non-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

Sunday, August 15: Tuscan Club Pick-Up Party

Pick up your Tuscan Club shipment and enjoy complimentary bruschetta along with a cooking demo on how to prepare delicious bruschetta in an instant using Viansa sauces. You’ll also receive an additional 10% off Viansa food products featured.

12 noon to 2 p.m. RSVP: 707-935-4740

Saturday, August 21: Make Your Own Mozzarella

Mozzarella cheese is a staple of Italian cuisine and a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Learn the art of making fresh mozzarella during this fun and informative interactive demonstration led by a renowned Sonoma artisan cheesemaker. You’ll never buy mozzarella at the store again!

1 to 2:30 p.m. $10 for members ($20 for non-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

Sunday, August 22: Pairing Wine & Cheese

Wine and cheese are time-honored companions, but there’s an art to creating magical pairings. Learn all about mixing and matching different wines and cheeses during this interactive demonstration. You’ll leave with the confidence to host your own wine and cheese party!

1 to 2:30 p.m. $10 for members ($20 for non-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

Sunday, August 29: Preserve the Harvest

Preserves aren’t just for your grandmother anymore! We’ll teach you how to preserve summer’s bounty for winter enjoyment during this fun and informative demonstration suitable for cooks of all ability levels led by local chef Joann Fusco. Best of all, you’ll go home knowing how to make preserved antipasti to serve with your favorite Viansa wines.

1 to 2:30 p.m. $10 for members ($20 for nom-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

What’s happening: Summer fun at ViansaThe party continues at Viansa all summer long as we continue to host an array of fun events for our Tuscan Club members! Whatever your style, we’ve planned events to entertain and educate you in the months to come. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening at Viansa during the next several weeks.

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

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Saturday, September 4: Quick and Simple Meals from the Pantry

Short on time in the kitchen? We’ll show you how to use pantry staples to create quick and easy meals to pair with your favorite Viansa wines. A lifesaver for the busy cook!

1 to 2:30 p.m. $10 for members ($20 for non-members). RSVP 707-935-4740

Sunday, September 5: Labor Day Celebration

Bid summer a fond farewell at Viansa! We’ll end the season in style with barbecued ribs and rotisserie chicken featuring many of our popular grilling glazes and sauces. You’ll also enjoy live music and a selection of our award-winning wines.

$13.50 for members ($15 for non-members). Call 707-935-4740 for more details or to reserve your spot.

Sunday, September 12: Demystifying the Art of Aging Wine

Which wines benefit from aging? How long should you cellar wines? What’s the difference between a young wine and an aged wine? Our wine specialist will lead you through the process of properly aging both California and European wines. You’ll leave with the confidence to manage your wine cellar! Call 707-935-4740 for more details or to reserve your spot.

Sunday, September 19: Tuscan Club Pick-Up Party

Pick up your Tuscan Club shipment and enjoy complimentary wine tasting.

12 noon to 2 p.m. RSVP: 707-935-4740

Tuesday, September 21: Sunset Kayaking Adventure

Meet in the Viansa courtyard for transportation to nearby Marshall for an evening of sunset kayaking on Tomales Bay! We’ll enjoy wine, appetizers and Marshall’s famous oysters along the way.

Depart from Viansa at 4 p.m. and return by 10 p.m. $80 for members ($100 for non-members). Space is very limited, so please call 707-935-4740 for more details or to reserve your spot.

Sunday, September 26: Who Wants to Be a Winemaker?

If you’ve ever yearned to try your hand at making wine, here’s your chance! Spend the day with us as we take you through the process of transforming grapes into wine. Who knows? You may end up with a new favorite hobby! Space is very limited, so please call 707-935-4740 for more details or to reserve your spot.

Sunday, October 3: Tuscan Club Harvest Party

Join us as we celebrate the 2010 harvest with wine, food, live music, dancing and an old-fashioned bocce ball tournament! This will be one of our signature events of the season. Space is limited, so please call 707-935-4740 for more details or to reserve your spot.

iansa has been the romantic site of hundreds of fairytale weddings over the years, but many Tuscan Club members don’t realize that we’ve also hosted myriad other special events – from company meetings and parties to family reunions, landmark birthday celebrations, anniversary dinners and even bachelorette parties.

As a member of Viansa’s Tuscan Club, you’re entitled to an array of special privileges, including preferred access to our Villa and grounds. Whether you want to host a private wine event for friends in our romantic wine cellar or cozy loggia, reserve one of our lawn areas for a class reunion or simply plan a wine country dinner for a special occasion, we’re here to help you make your event a success.

Now that the harvest season is almost upon us, this is the perfect time to plan your Sonoma Valley destination event. We can accommodate groups large and small with activities ranging from a custom wine tasting to a full-blown, multi-course dinner. We also offer cooking demonstrations, wine blending seminars, food and wine pairing demos, luncheons, bocce ball tournaments, grape stomps and so much more. The choice is yours!

We’re here to make your wine country dream come true. Please contact our Special Events staff at 707-935-2728 or email events@viansa.com.

We look forward to helping you plan an event to remember!

Throw your next party at Viansa!

V

For a limited time only, enjoy special Tuscan Club savings on events hosted

at Viansa. See back page for details!

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

Throw a summer picnic, Viansa-style icnics are a way of life in Sonoma Valley, particularly in the summertime when warm, sunny weather beckons us outside. Viansa is not only a popular destination for picnickers, but we’re also the first stop for many of those who want to stock up on picnic fare before continuing a Sonoma journey. Our Marketplace deli is filled with tasty salads and sandwiches, and we offer an array of delicious Cucina Viansa foods – from mustards and tapenades to dipping oils and crostini – that can be opened for instant enjoyment. And, of course, we also have a wide selection of very picnic-friendly Viansa wines to share!

In the mood for a summer picnic? Your meal can be as simple and impromptu as a selection of cheeses, salamis, olives and breads accompanied by some fresh fruit and a bottle or two of wine. If you have more time, you might want to try one of our picnic-friendly recipes.

Versatile pasta salads never get old, and our Pasta Salad with Smoked Chicken first wowed Viansa guests over 15 years ago. If you like, you can replace the smoked or rotisserie chicken with another meat such as chopped salami, ham or sliced sausage. Either way it’s delicious, and it travels nicely in an ice-filled chest.

Frittata is popular picnic fare in Italy since it can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, alone as a nibble or sliced and placed between pieces of bread to make a frittata panini or sandwich. Our Chile and Cheese Frittata is a decidedly Cal Ital version of this Italian classic since it incorporates California ingredients such as green chiles and Jack cheese. Enjoy it as is or layered on crusty bread with roasted peppers.

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6 www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

Paul Berg Paul Berg

Cheese and Chile Frittata

2½ cups grated Jack cheese2½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese2 cans (4 ounces each) diced green chiles, drained¼ cup Viansa Artichoke Tapenade with Roasted Garlic (optional)1 can (13 ounces) evaporated milk1/3 cup flour4 eggs, well beaten½ teaspoon Viansa Chardonnay Smoked Salt

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a shallow 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half the Jack cheese and half the cheddar cheese. Spread chiles and tapenade over cheese and top with remaining Jack and cheddar cheeses. Mix about ½ cup evaporated milk with flour and stir to make a thin paste, dissolving any lumps. In medium bowl, combine the paste with the remaining evaporated milk, eggs and salt. Whisk thoroughly to combine and pour over cheese.

Bake frittata for approximately 40 minutes, until light golden brown on top. Remove from oven, allow to cool, and serve immediately or refrigerate until serving time.

Makes 24 squares of frittata.

Serve with Viansa Barbera or Dolcetto Rose.

Pasta Salad with Smoked Chicken

½ pound dried pasta (choose fusilli, shells or wagon wheels)2 tablespoons Viansa Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 smoked or rotisserie chicken (about 3 pounds) 1 cup thinly sliced red onion1 cup sliced green onions1 cup thinly sliced celery½ cup golden raisins½ cup chopped pecans

Dressing:

1 cup sour cream1 cup mayonnaise or your favorite Viansa Aioli¼ cup milk1 tablespoon curry powder2 tablespoons Viansa Chardonnay Mustard1 teaspoon Viansa Chardonnay Smoked Salt½ ground Viansa Pink Peppercorns

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again. Toss with olive oil and set aside.

Remove skin from chicken and shred meat into bite-size pieces. Combine chicken with cooked pasta, onions, celery, raisins and pecans.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add to chicken mixture and toss to combine. Place in a sealable container and keep refrigerated or chilled on ice until ready to serve.

Serves 8 to 10.

Serve with Viansa Athena Dolcetto, Syrah or Pinot Grigio.

7www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

Paul Berg Paul Berg

August wines for your enjoyment

2006 Viansa SyrahA delicious blend of Sonoma County Syrah (94%) and Primitivo (6%) from Bear Ranch, Emery Ranch and Serres Ranch vineyards, our 2006 Syrah is a cellar-worthy wine that can also be enjoyed now. Aged in both French and American oak barrels, it offers flavors of blackberry, pepper and vanilla. Supple tannins and a smooth, rich finish make it a pleasure to sip. Ideal for summer barbecues! #65067 $28 ($21 for members)

• Smooth, flavorful red• Pair with grilled Italian sausages or ribs with a tangy glaze• Enjoy now or cellar up to seven years

2009 Viansa Reserve Pinot GrigioCrafted from Carneros Pinot Grigio (90%) and Chardonnay (10%), this reserve wine offers bright citrus flavors and crisp acidity that will captivate your palate. Swirl the wine in your glass and you’ll pick up aromas of pear and tropical fruit. Take a sip and you’ll taste notes of Meyer lemon, pineapple and a hint of vanilla. Pinot Grigio is the most popular white varietal in Italy, and it’ll be a hit at your summer parties as well. #65151 $27 ($20.25 for members)

• Crisp, refreshing white• Pair with grilled prawns or steamed clams• Enjoy now

2005 Viansa Piccolo SangioveseThe Sangiovese grape is synonymous with the Chianti region of Tuscany, but we’ve found that it’s equally at home here in Sonoma County. Our 2005 Piccolo offers aromas of plum, cherry and leather along with flavors of blackberry, cocoa, nutmeg and cedar. Sangiovese is a very food-friendly red wine, making it one of our go-to wines for summer barbecues and picnics. #65093 $25 ($18.75 for members)

• Fruity, food-friendly red• Pair with wood-fired pizza or your favorite pasta• Enjoy now or within two years

2008 Viansa Green Valley ChardonnayWe harvested grapes from the Russian River area’s cool Green Valley to create this elegant and complex Chardonnay. Months spent in French oak added nuances of nutty oak, spice and vanilla that perfectly complement aromas and flavors of baked apple pie, pear and nutmeg. Take note of the full, creamy mouthfeel and the nice, long finish. This is truly a distinctive Chardonnay! #65140 $40 ($30 for Premio members)

• Elegant, smooth white• Pair with lobster ravioli or poached salmon• Enjoy now

8 www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

Cucina ViansaViansa Red Onion and Fig TapenadeWe combined sweet red onions, dried figs, balsamic vinegar and more to create this delectable summer tapenade! It’s wonderful paired with a selection of goat cheeses or used as a topping for flat bread or miniature pizzas. A great tapenade to keep on hand for impromptu summer parties! #77122 $10 ($9 for members)

Viansa Garlic AioliAioli is so versatile! You can use it as a sandwich spread, as a topping for grilled seafood or chicken or as a dip for everything from carrot sticks to French fries (decadent, we know). We love to serve our Garlic Aioli with chilled poached salmon, shrimp and asparagus spears on a warm summer evening! #77147 $9.50 ($8.55 for members)

Viansa Tomato Basil Bread MixNo Italian meal is complete without freshly baked bread. We make bread baking simple with this quick and delicious mix featuring two of summer’s finest flavors: tomatoes and basil. Use it to make delicious picnic sandwiches or cube the bread and serve it with a selection of Viansa dipping oils. #77139 $6.25 ($5.63 for members)

Viansa Venetian Pumpkin TapenadeSpoon our Venetian Pumpkin Tapenade over fresh goat cheese to make an instant appetizer to serve with crisp crostini or crackers. We also love it as a condiment served alongside grilled chicken or pork chops. Or spoon it into miniature puff pastry cups before baking for an unforgettable hors d’oeuvre! #77161 $9.50 ($8.55 for members)

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2007 Morning Sun Vineyard BarberaWe blended Sonoma Mountain-grown Barbera from our Morning Sun Vineyard with a bit of Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) to create this distinctive wine. It offers classic aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate along with notes of toasty oak and spice. Be sure to take note of the great structure, rich mouthfeel and nice long finish. #65144 $67 ($50.25 for Premio members)

• Rich, well-structured red• Pair with grilled lamb chops or braised sausages with

polenta• Enjoy now or cellar up to ten years

2009 Viansa Pinot GrigioSonoma Valley was the source for the grapes in our crisp and refreshing 2009 Pinot Grigio. This well-balanced wine offers tantalizing aromas of green apple and pear along with nuances of tropical fruit. On the palate, it also boasts hints of guava and fresh herbs. Pinot Grigio is one of our favorite aperitifs for summer parties, perfect served with a selection of appetizers. #65133 $20 ($15 for members)

• Crisp, people-pleasing white• Pair with grilled seafood or a selection of goat cheeses• Enjoy now

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

August Recipes

Viansa Tuscan Chicken Salad8 slices organic tomatoes1 avocado sliced2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and thinly sliced½ jar Viansa Garlic Aioli1 bag mixed organic salad greens ½ cup mozzarella, fontina or asiago cheese shreddedViansa Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzlingFresh basil, garnish

To assemble the salad, place one slice of tomato on each of four plates. Top each slice with ¼ of the avocado and ¼ of the sliced chicken. Top with the garlic aioli, another slice of the tomato, salad greens and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Top with ¼ of the shredded cheese. Yield 4 servings

Viansa Baked Brie with Red Onion and Fig Tapenade1 pound Brie½ cup Viansa Red Onion and Fig TapenadeViansa Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzlingFresh cameo or gala apple slices, small breads and crackers for serving.

Preheat oven to 400° F. Slice the thin rind off the top of the piece of Brie and discard. Place the Brie on a baking sheet cut side up. Arrange Viansa Red Onion and Fig Tapenade over the top and drizzle lightly with Viansa Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Bake uncovered 5-8 minutes. Transfer warm Brie to serving platter and serve with fresh apple slices, small breads and crackers.

Viansa Tramezzini Caprese4-8 slices Viansa Tomato Basil Italian Bread, crust removed (optional)2 cups baby spinach leaves10 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced1 large heirloom tomato, thinly slicedViansa Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzlingViansa Balsamic Vinegar, for drizzlingViansa Italian sea salt and Tellicherry pepper to tasteFresh basil leaves, garnish

Layer baby spinach leaves, fresh mozzarella & heirloom tomato slices on top of four slices of the tomato basil bread. Drizzle with Viansa extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with Viansa Italian sea salt & ground Tellicherry pepper. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve open face or top with a second slice of the tomato basil bread. Cut sandwich to yield triangle shape pieces.Yield 4 servings

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Name: Becky Williams

Title: Wine and Food Specialist

Years at Viansa: Six

Favorite Viansa wine: Barbera (among others)

Favorite Viansa food: Green Olive Tapenade

Venetian Pumpkin TrifleMascarpone cream

2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream1 8-ounce container chilled mascarpone cheese1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling

1 jar Viansa Venetian Pumpkin Tapenade½ cup (packed) golden brown sugar¼ cup heavy whipping cream1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1½ 3-ounce packages soft ladyfingers4½ tablespoons dark rum, divided2½ cups Pecan Praline Pieces, coarsely chopped Homemade recipe or available for purchase in gourmet grocery stores.

For mascarpone cream:

Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in large bowl until firm peaks form. Set aside ½ cup mascarpone cream for pumpkin filling.

For filling:

Whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, cream, cinnamon in large bowl to blend. Whisk in reserved ½ cup mascarpone cream.

Assembly:

Spread 1/3 cup mascarpone cream over bottom of 8x5-inch trifle dish. Place layer of ladyfingers over cream in bottom of dish and sprinkle with 1½ tablespoons rum. Spread ½ cup pumpkin filling over ladyfingers, smoothing to edges. Sprinkle 1/3 cup praline over. Spread 1 cup mascarpone cream over. Cover with another layer of ladyfingers. Sprinkle with 1½ tablespoons rum, then spread 1 cup pumpkin filling. Sprinkle ½ cup praline over. Repeat layer process one more time . Spread remaining mascarpone cream on top. Cover and chill 4-8 hours. Uncover trifle. Sprinkle 1 cup praline decoratively over top. Yield 10 servings

f you’ve ever called Viansa to place an order, there’s a good chance you’ve spoken with Becky Williams in our customer service department. Becky doesn’t just take wine and food orders, however. She also offers wine and food pairing recommendations, recipe suggestions, entertaining ideas and more.

Becky loves meeting her customers in person, and she has especially fond memories of the first Tuscan Club event she attended several years ago.

“That was when I realized that the members are the heart and soul of Viansa Winery. The energy, laughter and smiles – it was like a family reunion!”

Many of Becky’s customers have become personal friends over the years as they’ve shared their lives with her.

“They send me pictures of their labors of love – wine cellars, outdoor brick pizza ovens (inspired by us), patio fire pits, vacations in Italy. They email me just to say hi, and this always makes my day.”

Working at Viansa has certainly increased Becky’s love of wine and food, a passion she shares with her family. In fact, her four boys, who range in age from 6 to 21, will likely be our next generation of loyal customers!

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www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

The faces of Viansa

Hosting a special event at Viansa is a great way to mark a special occasion, whether it’s a holiday party, birthday, anniversary or even a wedding. Now there’s an even better reason to plan your next party here: Tuscan Club members who book an event by August 31, 2010, and host it before December 31, 2010, are entitled to generous Tuscan Club pricing. Specifically, save 50% on all Viansa wine served at your event and 10% on food and the facility fee!

We offer an array of quintessential wine country locations for your get-together – from our romantic wine cellar to spacious lawn areas, our shady tent and all sorts of spots in between. We can host groups large and small with activities ranging from custom wine tastings to elaborate luncheons and dinners. We also offer cooking demos, wine blending seminars, bocce ball tournaments, grape stomps and so much more.

So if you’ve been dreaming of a destination event that your friends and family will never forget, contact us by August 31, 2010 to take advantage of special Tuscan Club savings. We expect our 2010 calendar to fill up quickly once news of this offer spreads, so please call a member of our Special Events staff at 707-935-2728 or email events@viansa.com to avoid disappointment.

We can’t wait to help you plan a wine country event that you’ll never forget!

CALL US NOW TO RESERVE YOUR 2010 DATE!

www.viansa.com | 800.995.4740

SAVE 50%

SAVE 10%

On all Viansa wine served at your next event!

On all food and the facility fee!

Booking must be made by August 31, 2010, and event must take place

before December 31, 2010.

This offer is subject to availability and only open to Tuscan Club members.

PLAN YOUR EVENT AT VIANSA & SAVE!