Pi Pie Styring Holiday 2010

Styring Yule Log Burning: Happy Solstice 2010

Yule Log 2010

Our 2010 Yule Log. We'll take it outside tonight to get good energy from the lunar eclipse, then we'll burn it tomorrow. The light from the Yule Log celebrates Solstice and the return to longer, brighter days.

My Toothy Grin

Thanks to everyone who came by for Labor Day Open House at Styring. A good time was had by all, especially me! woof! see? here's my grin to prove it (thanks Jessica!).

Walking Tour of Styring

Shameless Cab 2008 Bottling... yum!

Bottling day at Styring for our 2008 Shameless Cabernet Sauvignon. You'll see us hand-filling large format bottles. Pay close attention to the end. The Wine Man's finger gets stuck in the big bottle corker. hahaha! (music by Hyperstory)

Memorial Day Dinner at Styring Vineyards

Friends and family gather for Memorial Day Dinner at Styring Vineyards. Cheers!

TWO cats ONE bowl

POP ROCKS THE CHOPS!

For those of you who've visited around Memorial Day, you've met Pop. Well, in honor of Father's Day, here's a pic of him rockin the chops in the 70s! Viva la 70s! woof! hubba hubba

Molly's Lazy Day in the Sun

Oh yeah, well. The Memorial Day Open House was excellent! Thanks to everyone who dropped by to say "hello" especially those who gave me cheese! I'm tuckered out right now, so see y'all later. Woof!

Styring Memorial Day Weekend Open House

Hey Everybody!

Be sure to drop by Styring for our Memorial Day Weekend Open House. We'll be open May 29, 30 and 31 from 11 - 5. Live entertainment Saturday, with Dave Mullany, blues guitarist and Collin Styring on blues and classical guitar.

We'll introduce our Estate Pinot Noir 2007 - noted as one of the few full bodied pinot noir in the valley for that vintage year. We'll also pour Shameless Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Signature Pinot Noir 2006 (just a bit of that left) and our Afterglow Riesling Dessert Wine.

We're open for Preview Weekend, May 22 - 23, 11 - 5, if you're out and about.

Hope to see you there!

Steve, Kelley, Collin, Gillian and of course, Molly the Wine Dog. woof!

Dilly Cafe Tweet-Up; Cincinnati May 2010

Wine Wife returns from Cincinnati after excellent events! Piazza Discepoli, A Bottle or Two and Hyde Park Gourmet. Trip culminates in massive Tweet-Up at Dilly Cafe. Have a look at the video!

I'd Drive if They Would Let Me

Styring Film Featured at Festival in France

Styring Vineyards is pleased to announce that the film "Passion of Pinot" is a featured selection of the Festival Oenovideo in Camargue, France, May 15, 2010.

You can view the film here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCV5ExULNz4

I'm Not The EASTER Bunny!

Wine Man and Busy Girl Make Bagels

AH, make that 48 pairings!

OMG - how could a dog commit such a heresy, a typo of infinite consequence??? Impossible (with a French accent, that AM-POSS-EEE_BLAY!). But, I did.

I forgot @cellarmistress - she may never speak to me again!

She recommended Boeuf (Beef) Bourguignon with a Fine Oregon Pinot Noir and she's right! It's a fab choice for sure! So, in her honor, here is Julia Child's very own recipe for this FRENCH CLASSIC! paired with Styring Premier Estate 2006, this should make you pass right out!

If this is too ambitious for you, the Mistress also recommends any hearty beef stew. We agree! woof!

Enjoy!

http://www.oprah.com/food/boeuf-bourguignon

What would you pair with a Fine Oregon Pinot Noir? The Twitterverse Speaks! Woof!

One of the best perks in life as a wine dog is licking wine off the floor of the winery. Yum! And, though my palate is somewhat immature given the relatively small amounts made and therefore relatively small amounts spilled at Styring, I have developed a fondness for elegant Oregon Pinot Noir nonetheless. (www.styringvineyards.com)

Occasionally, guests will drop cheese or sneak a cracker to me when the Wine Wife isn't looking, but by-and-large I'm on my own to forage the forest or compost pile for accompaniments for that very nice wine. In fact, the Wine Wife will insist that THE BEST pairing with a Fine Pinot Noir is Excellent Company, I PREFER FOOD! Woof! Sooooo, when pondering what really would pair best with a fine Oregon Pinot Noir, I reached out to my Twitter Peeps (1800+ Tweeps follow me now @mollythewinedog ) for advice on what they (you!) would recommend. And, here's what they (you!) said.

Grilling was a consistent theme, specifically grilling of game or meats with distinct gamey flavors like:

- lamb
- duck
- rabbit
- guinea hen
- venison
- bacon (after my heart, literally - mwah!)

Here are the postings so you can see the details and imagination for yourself:

@vinifera says "so many good things. I'm a sucker 4 grilled salmon w/a gd Pinot;lamb loin, cave-aged gruyere. :-)

@estheribrown and @scottgold say "spicy lamb merguez w harissa & yellow couscous w gldn raisins&cilantro "

@TourismRichmond says "I'm thinking a new rosemary braised lamb shank w/roasted beets & new fingerling potatoes"

@SauvignonBlonde says "how about Rabbit, braised or in a stew, if can't get rabbit, or guinea hen, slow cooked!" << mmm...I wuv wabbit!

@ChefBobtheCB says "Pan seared sweetn'heat rubbed duck breast; ... bourbon/blackberry demi;blu cheese polenta; frizzled sweet potatoes& bacon" << OMG you ARE trying to KILL me! or cook for me! decide!

@DineOut_TMouse says "I would pick butterfly lamb, and great company. Followed by dessert...mmmmmm dessert"< cheers to the great company! @b2bec says "Lamb or pork Mmmm. Hungry! But nice OR Pinot goes w just about everything. :)"<< couldn't agree more

@Calistoga_Rest we opened an Oregon pinot noir recently it was great with roast duck w/ raspberry sauce @claywallin says "rack of lamb, but I'd ask @anitrasings to prepare it while I tend to the #Oregonwine (nice idea)

@Releasenz Generally with venison or lamb. (though not Oregon Pinot - too bad - woof!)

@WinewithoutBS says "Roast Duck is hard to beat! Should also be great with Goose!" (awesome)

@LunabeanMedia says "What goes with Pinot Noir? BACON!" (so right! #bacon)


And CHICKEN, while not gamey, when roasted with rosemary, goat cheese or prepared in a Coq au Vin seems right to these folks:

@FleurWine says "roasted chicken with rosemary & garlic yum!" < nice...

@WineGuyMike Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Ricotta and Goat Cheese: http://wp.me/pI7nS-3y < YUM!

@SommelierSara says "Oregon Pinot pairing? At this very moment I would love coq au vin <<>


Quite a few believe it takes a mighty find BEEF to hold up to the stamina of the Pinot Noir at Styring, here are some mouth-watering samples:

@RJFlamingo says "I'd srv a fine Oregon Pinot with my oven-braised brisket & roasted root veggies & good friends (roasted friends? hmm... that's new!)

@jeffreypjacobs says "I am thinking bone-in NY Strip would go well with a fine Oregon Pinot!" << when's dinner?

@amgmtgroup says "Made these last nite -http://twitpic.com/z2n8i" steak tenderloin bruschetta << and served with Oregon Pinot < yummy!

@FrankLovesWine says "I like a juicy pork chop w/my pinot. Styring has an impressive selection" why thanks! woof!


SEAFOOD was also a popular recommendation, in many forms, but tending toward dishes high in flavor profile like Salmon and even some I'd never heard of. And @heavywhisper sent a link to his blog for his elegant Baja Fish Tacos, complete with beautiful photographs step by step: http://d.lish.gurol.net/?p=294

@ChefBobtheCB says "grilled Ivory salmon w/a fricassee of shiitake mushrooms; asparagas tips & smoked cherry tomatoes;thyme beurre rouge << hmmm...yum! fricasee! woof! *chases tail in circles*

@KristinDTrevino A perfect match with an Oregon Pinot is fresh Dungeness Crab from the #Oregon #Coast w/ Cesear Salad and Sourdough Bread

@Cork_and_Bottle says "How about grilled salmon w/a lemon sauce, or light beef filet?anything w/a red sauce"

@russelt01 says "Wild salmon grilled on cedar plank or over alder wood" << babe, i'll be right over! woof!

@KristinDTrevino says "Oregon Pinot paired with sauteed dungeness crab at Jake's Famous Crawfish House!" << yes! even better cause we don't have to catch and cook the little buggers.

@piercearrow33 says "Boiled crawfish http://myloc.me/395Ki " << MUDBUGS! AWESOME IDEA!

@hangoverbeard says "good Norwegian Cod Fish Souffle. But then again, I'm biased to anything cod fish :)" @Sarita_Moreno says "Salmon with rosemary with a nice glass of Oregon Pinot - delicious, simple, elegant." < yum

I received a few full-blown recipes, like @yoavblueyes (who now resides at @etherealblues) send an amazing recipe for "Cholent" or "Chunt" that you simply must, must, must try with or without an Oregon Pinot Noir:

@yoavblueyes says "White beans & chicken peas(dry & soaked ovenight), osso buco, potatos(peeled),eggs (boiled like 5 minutes before add to the pot), 1 garlic head(cut a little o top).Meat on the bottom of the pot, beans 1 side chickpeas other potatos & pre-boiled eggs in the other corner of the pot. Pepper, salt, garlic powder & cumin. Fried the onion & garlic a little olive oil, pour over, low heat oven, 250 or so, and let cook forever. Voila...chunt and red wine. Nap after<< oh, she's so cute you can't believe it. and she can cook! even if she did freeze up tight when she saw Matt Damon at the Deli. LOL

Cholent sounds a lot like Cassoulet recommended by @WillMyDogHateMe but he wants "A fine Oregon cassoulet -- that is, one created in an Oregon restaurant!" << and WE AGREE!

Asian foods, particularly those with a high flavor profile, also received many recommendations:

@angelicinsights says "I like pinot noir w/ gyoza (Japanese Pot Stickers). I think it's the best red for asian foods... << most original!

@AusWineGuy To complement an Oregon Pinot Noir, I'd suggest something spicy like Thai - a great taste combination!

@loveygourmet says "I'd serve a Rack of Lamb encrused w/Black&White Sesame Seeds in a Hoisin Sauce w/a fine Oregon Pinot. How does that sound?" << So, this one is kinda best of both worlds -- lamb prepared with Asian flare.

Now for a smattering of other stuff: woof?

@canapes45 What doesn't go with Oregon Pinot? asparagus maybe or a artichoke

@debbieshing (thought we meant Pinot Gris) Check out my drool-worthy recipe for Soft-Boiled Egg Bruschetta alla Fiorentina: http://venivinivici.ca << the spinach and nuttiness is perfect for Styring Pinot Gris. yum!

@TEdison65 says "How about a gyro?" << well, get in the kitchen big boy and whip that up! woof!

AND Tedison is never short on ideas:

@TEdison65 says "Chicago-style deep dish heavy on the meats pizza." << DAWG you got style! woof!

@1stGlassDude says "How bout ANOTHER fine oregon pinot, cuz one isn't enough!" << runs in circles, woof

@SommelierSara says "Oregon Pinot pairing? At this very moment I would love sausage and peppers

one of our favorite musicians @NoelDavila says " I love cheese with my wine. What cheese? Not sure. I'm not exactly a connoisseur. ;)" << woof! good enough for me!

@sarah_gore says "@MollyTheWineDog i say just drink the bottle and problem solved :)" (we like your style Sarah)

@kimgeralds says "fine pint of Haagen Daz vanilla or a very fine cigar. Or both." (YUM! your place or mine?)

MY LEAST FAVORITE! BUT FUNNY NONETHELESS! WOOF!

@smittytabb says "Any Alpo flavors that would go equally well? Woof to you!" (we DO NOT eat canned dog food!)

FINALLY - THE VERY BEST IDEA OF ALL!

@wineguymike paired Styring Pinot Noir with a very fine Red Velvet Cupcake. THAT'S inspired! See the blog link below! Thanks Mike!

@wineguymike Styring paired with Red Velvet Cupcakes (are you kidding me? delicious!) @wineguymike 's blog: http://tinyurl.com/yge9xp4

Thanks

Every so often we receive a thank you card in the mail and it rocks! Here's a recent card received from Shannon and Eric Martin. Enjoy! Woof! Molly.

Molly's Valentine

Well, it was an exciting day at the winery. Many visitors accepted our invitation to the Perfect Pair Celebration and helped us introduce our Cabernet Sauvignon "Shameless" to the world! It was great fun. It was cool to see the Wine Man and Wine Wife pour wine for friends and guests and I even had a special visitor of my own! My Valentine's Day Date: "Siskiyou's Wee Bit of Blarney" aka Barney, a Corgie with style. Short but spunky, this dude is a real winner. Hahaha! Well, he was the only actual dog to take me up on the open "casting call" for a Valentine's Day date. Woof! It was fun! Happy Valentine's Day! Molly.

Doggie-Style Valentine

So, I've been on Twitter for a few months now and though I am a talking dog, sometimes my followers expect more! Like correct spelling, elegant table manners and intelligent banter. THAT and I TALK! Sheesh.

Many of my followers are animals, so I saw this as the perfect opportunity to put out an open casting call for a date for Valentine's Day (given I'm unattached and super cute)! Low and behold, the Twitterverse delivered several suitable candidates. I'll post the pictures here and you can help decide with whom I spend this most commercial of all evenings of the year, next to Christmas, which is much more materialistic but at least not invented by a card company. So, here they are: woof! woof! woof!

@mister_travis - former runner, super sleep greyhound - woof!



@ThreeLegFred and @WhatDebPours - oh, such a sweetie! Fred!



@TEdison65 - smart mouth and amiable good company to Miss Molly! such a nice smile!



@woundedCrane - wow, i've always had a thing for authority! woof!



@heavywhisper - awww.. hubba hubba, and chocolate just like me!



@dalaimamma - found this winner; can't tell if he's sleepy or stoned, but I guess I'd get to do what I want without any questions! hahaha!




After much deliberation; I've decided to "pussy out" spend this Valentine's day with THE KITTIES: my besties, kitty twitties! meow! woof! Woof! CATS... let's go!


@katieboocat



@CheshireK

Styring Perfect Pair Celebration - Feb 13th 11 - 5

Please join us this Saturday, February 13th from 11 - 5 for our annual Perfect Pair Celebration!

We will release our first Cabernet Sauvignon "Shameless" 2007 and our new 2008 Pinot Gris!

We will match food nibbles with five of our award-winning wines and feature singer, songwriter Jessica Parson-Taylor from 1 - 4.

http://www.jessicaparsonstaylor.com/music.html


Please plan to join us.

Cheers!

Molly The Wine Dog: Official Spokedog for Styring Vineyards.

p.s. open by appointment on Sunday, the 14th if you're out and about with your Valentine! :D

www.styringvineyards.com
http://mythewinedog.blogspot.com
Twitter: mollythewinedog
503-866-6741

PG13 Version: Passion of Pinot

Molly is an AVATAR! woof!

Thanks Brenda!

Our good friend, frequent visitor, and extraordinary photographer, Brenda Somes sent these excellent photos of Thanksgiving Open House 2009! Cheers to you Brenda!

cougar tracks! oh my!

Looks like we have a new visitor at Styring. Nope, it's not a resident wine taster or even a new friend to pour with us - it's a cougar. We haven't seen it, but it has been seen right near the winery. yikes. Probably moved on with the commotion and us tearing around looking for it. Yep, we Styrings never hide in the root cellar during a tornado and we certainly aren't hiding from an overstuffed kitty. But we are keeping the kids and the cats near the house and indoors at night just to be sure. Here kitty, kitty. Here kitty, kitty. hahaha.

Styring a "value wine?" hmmph!

In the spirit of value as "what you get for what you pay" I guess our $30 Styring Signature Pinot Noir fits that bill. According to the latest issue of ThePinotFile, our wine is a good value. check it out.


http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/829/

Styring Family 23-Second Key West Trip

The wine man, wine wife and kids had a completely excellent Key West trip over the holidays. According to this video it was only 23 seconds long. Is it me? Or are things really getting shorter these days?! woof!