They say the best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So skip the stress of a dinner reservation this Valentine’s Day and treat your loved one to a romantic dinner for two at home instead! Each recipe has been expertly cooked up by Sequoia Grove Winery Chef Britny and paired with one of our food-focused wines. No matter what you choose, things are certainly about to heat up in the kitchen!
1. A Match Made in Heaven: Chef Britny’s Mole
Pair with Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon
Keep things saucy with Chef Britny’s Mole. Mole is a traditional sauce and marinade used in Mexican cuisine. Chef Britny recommends it with grilled swordfish or roasted chicken thighs and a generous glass of our Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The fragrant sauce lifts the dark fruit aroma, and the smooth tannin adds a bold and powerful flavor – perfect for mole sauce. A well-made mole sauce requires a full-bodied wine to do it justice. That’s why our Cabernet Sauvignon is an ideal choice. The nose brims with aromas of cocoa, boysenberry, and a salty sea-breeze. Structured tannins and a long finish work nicely with the complex salinity of the Mole. If you ask us, this is a match made in Valentine heaven.
2. For the Love of Lobster: California Lobster Roll
Pair with Haire Vineyard Chardonnay
Rules are merely guidelines for matters of love, food, and wine. Go off the beaten path and whip up a California lobster roll as a Valentine’s surprise! This inventive dish is easy to make but will wow with generous bites of tender lobster meat, a little mayo, and a touch of lemon and herbs. We love it with our Haire Vineyard Chardonnay. The vibrant wine has notes of pineapple rum cake, white peach, nectarine, and coconut cream, giving this understated dish plenty of attitude.
3. An All-American Classic With a Twist: Buttermilk Fried Quail And Waffles
Pair with Lamoreaux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
This fun interpretation of diner-style fried chicken and waffles is the epitome of comfort food. The crunchy fried quail contrasts the warm fluffy waffle, and the hive butter and syrup made with Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon completes the beautifully balanced dish. We like to pair this comforting dish with our 2017 Lamoreaux Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon to make your Valentine’s Day spoils even more indulgent. The lush wine has the aroma of sweet cola rolling into spicy cinnamon and boysenberry, preserved plums, and raisin cake. Get creative, and perhaps conjure up a heart-shaped waffle!
4. For An Elegant Night In: Beet Wellington
Pair with Tonella Cabernet Sauvignon
Recreate the feeling of being at a cozy candle-lit restaurant – from the comfort of home! A deconstructed version of the classic “Beef Wellington,” this vegetarian dish is known for its layers of flavor. With enough umami (a pleasant savory taste) to give you a rich mouthful with each bite, we recommend trying it with a library Cabernet such as our 2013 Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. An older vintage will provide you with beautifully developed aromas of truffle and sauteed mushrooms, leading to secondary classic Rutherford characteristics of red cherry and leather. Dinner will be sophisticated, and your date will be charmed!
5. A Simple Staple All Dressed Up: Lamb Bolognese
Pair with Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon
If you’re feeling bold, it’s time to uncork our Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet. The sensational fruit-forward red is a dreamboat with savory lamb Bolognese, making for a full-bodied mouthful. This timeless match complements each component perfectly, with Cabernet’s elegant dark fruit and cigar box flavors enhancing the rich and hearty Bolognese. Quick, uncomplicated, yet a favorite – this pairing is a surefire way to woo your Valentine.
6. A Creative Combo Your Date Will Adore: Salmon With Roasted Beets And Forbidden Rice
Pair with Napa Valley Merlot
Picture this: You are pulling out all the stops, and it is time for the pièce de résistance. Enter the salmon with roasted beets and forbidden rice. And as a power move, pair it with a glass of our Napa Valley Merlot. Few red wines pair better with salmon than the smooth jazz singer varietal known as Merlot. This wine is known for less dominant tannins and a lip-smacking finish that demands another sip. The beets lift the balanced, fruity wine’s flavor, while the subtle earthiness works well with the salmon’s medley of spices. This creative pairing is quite an impressive combination to sweep your date off their feet!
7. A Little Vegetarian Nosh: Ricotta Gnocchi With Roasted Root Vegetables And Brown Butter
Pair with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Folks love Cabernet Sauvignon for its plush texture and lush fruit flavors. And gnocchi receives foodie adoration for the versatile simplicity it affords. We have coupled our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Ricotta Gnocchi with roasted root vegetables and brown butter in a beautiful marriage of flavors. A tasteful dish to prepare with your sweetheart, the pillowy ricotta gnocchi are tossed in browned butter, giving it a palate-coating nutty mouthfeel. Topped with caramelized root vegetables to add a hint of sweetness, this dish highlights all the delicate flavors in the Napa Cabernet. A fruit-forward wine with hints of cocoa, espresso, black tea, and summer berries, a glass of this will keep you and your beloved company while cooking away.
8. A Fresh Valentine’s Feast: Roasted Chicken Breast Over Fava Bean “Hummus” And Sautéed Summer Squash
Pair with Haire Chardonnay
Charm your way to your Valentine’s heart with this scrumptious roasted chicken breast over fava bean “hummus” and sautéed summer squash. While it may be delicate, it delivers over and above to wow your date. Serve it with the medium-bodied 2018 Haire Vineyard Chardonnay to enhance what’s on your plate. The creamy hummus subtly highlights the mouth-watering acidity of the Chardonnay and playfully accentuates tones of Meyer lemon, burnt orange, and ripe stone fruit.
Be it for Valentine’s Day or all the special moments in between, Sequoia Grove will always rise to the occasion. Whether your idea of celebration is a quiet dinner for two at home or dressing to the nines, immerse yourself in the moments that matter with our focused portfolio of highly acclaimed Napa Valley wines.