What a June!
We had two beautiful and very different Events this month, our first Annual Golf Tournament and 'Lunch in the Vineyard' at Ruxton Ranch. Both wonderful days of fun, laughter, wine / food and great people.
We had our golf date booked in June for months in advance. We had been wanting to host a golf tournament for years and the day was finally here. Mother nature through us a huge curve ball: 100 degrees even in the Redwoods at Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio. None the less, everyone showed up their game face on in shorts prepared. We offered water spritz and ice cold water and wine to assist.
Such a great group of sportsmen willing to swing in the heat!
Longest drive and closest to the pin prize options. One family took the women's longest drive and the men's closest to the pin.
The wine cart was very popular, offering chilled water spritz, cold rose' , water and gewurtz
A very fun afternoon that we will definitely plan again next year. Hopefully the temperatures will be a little lower.
Part Two of June 2019
"Lunch in the Vineyard" at Ruxton Ranch
This vineyard came to us in 2005 via Mat's connection with the Dutton Ranch who farm the Vineyard. George, Bill and Jack, the three Ruxton brothers from the Bay area, whom grew up coming to the ranch for summer vacation have been consistently connected to the land.
The only remaining brother from our early contracts is Bill alongside his wife Jan, their nephew Scott and one other niece from Jack are the current land owners, all Ruxton's.
Here 14 years later, we're still purchasing the same original Pinot planting from 1999, my personal favorite Pinot. They're 55 acre lot is so picturesque, at a high elevation looking east at the Mayacama mountain range that divides Sonoma and Napa counties.
The table is set in the only cool spot on the property, in the barn.
Bill Ruxton and his wife of 67 years marriage, welcomed our guest's.
We gathered at the top of the property under a big redwood tree that allowed some shade.
Next up, everyone followed Mat down the side of the vineyard to view the section that we purchase. Unfortunately it was not as clear as it can be.
One of the inspirations for these lunches, this being our second, is the chef. Matt Masera is extended family of the Ruxton's and a very talented Bay area chef who is currently working with Tyler Florence. We were so thrilled to have him for our second vineyard lunch!
He started everyone off with a mushroom pate crostini and we poured the 2018 rose' of pinot and 2018 gewurz to pair.
In the ranch house is the classic...
Setting the chef's up for taste testing in the kitchen.
Everyone sat down to a table with a view on both sides,
one of the vineyard and the other of fruit trees.
And lunch is served - Kale salad so finely chopped with sour cherry, parmesan and walnuts.
Grilled peaches, burrata, arugula, pine nut, bacon, crispy shallot
16 hour sous vide tri tip with santa maria dry rub with
Ruxton 2015 Pinot Noir
Not to be missed was the finisher, a blueberry coffee cake that was not too sweet, beautifully moist and enjoyed!
Table of happy diners toasting the day at Ruxton Ranch.
The wine bottles consumed were lined up on display, three vintages of Ruxton from 2013, 2014 and 2015, plus a magnum of 2010 Ruxton, 2018 Rose' of Pinot and 2018 Gewurtz.
And that was our June of 2019.
