Tuesday, October 23, 2018


Harvest Lunch at Bohemian Vineyard                                                 October 21, 2018


Mat & I have talked about doing a 'lunch in the Vineyard' for a few years. When Tom and Sue Cleary who own Bohemian Vineyard offered us their property for an event, we scheduled it immediately.

We've also talked about having Matt Masera, incredibly talented chef that is part of our Ruxton Vineyard Family, do an event with us. After a few texts and phone calls, the date worked for his busy schedule and thus the Event was born.

Winding down the harvest is pleasant. Knowing that the hard work of crush is mostly over, we start celebrating. A perfect celebration is a lunch in the vineyard three days after it was picked. Great food, beautiful three vintage vertical of wine and a sold out crowd. And of course perfect Fall weather!

                                               
The view from the deck is such a perfect perspective of the property. We decided to welcome our guests with 2017 Gewurz, Gougeres hot out of the oven and this view.

One of my favorite bites ever - gougeres, topped with pear butter, dried prosciutto and shaved Vella Dry Jack cheese. What a yummy treat.

                                           
We tasted the 3 vintages of Bohemian on the deck before any additional food influences. And then continued to taste all three Pinot Noir's with lunch.
2013, 2014 and 2015 Bohemian Vineyard Pinot Noir, none currently available to taste at the Tasting Room.


                                                           
A really great intro from Tom about his family purchasing land in Freestone in 1943 and his property in 1983. I joke that they own half of Freestone. This is not a fact but Freestone is small and the Family have a really nice amount of acres.


Next we head out to sit in the vineyard. Feet from the home is this....
 
 
 
 
                        Chef Matt busy prepping with his beautiful wife Dana assisting him.
 Keeping it simple. Off site events are a lot of work so using recycle bamboo plates and paper napkins helps with the load in and out.
 

~ Salad  is served
 Farro, Apple, arugula, burrata, radish, celery, pecans
 
                 Carrots the color of the leaves turning.
And then the same carrots dressed with fresh chevre, pistachio and shaved purple carrot


 
 
 Slow roasted brick chicken, harissa cous cous and herbs. Photos do not do this justice!


We couldn't have had a more perfect day to be enjoying and celebrating harvest. We finished with an Apple dessert - Apple cider cake with confit Apple, whipped creme fraiche, chervil.


                  The chef explaining the menu and telling his story.
 
The afternoon ended with words of 'perfection ', 'what a treat' , 'please do this again'. Which means... yes, we will do this again. We will try to offer a June "pre harvest lunch" at Ruxton Ranch and a repeat of Bohemian Vineyard in the Fall.
cheers

 
 

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