After a long weekend attending my first 2 days of EMBA class, my family and I celebrated Sunday afternoon with brunch and a bit of wine tasting at one of my favorite wineries, known for its stunning panoramic views. Artesa sits high in the hilltop of the Carneros region in the Napa Valley and beckons both locals and visitors to experience their unique fusion of architecture, art and wine.
Sitting on their outdoor patio and sipping their Pinot Noir was undeniably one of the most relaxing afternoons I’ve had in awhile…Ole!
{J Crew Cardigan, Mossimo Dress, Vintage Boots & Belt, H&M Bracelets, Gifted Pendant Necklace via Annabella’s Boutique}
p.s. This upcoming weekend kicks off April in Carneros! It’s a fun & festive “passport” event with over 20 participating wineries {in Carneros & Sonoma} including Ceja Vineyards. Each winery offers live music, food, wine tasting and more. If you like jumping from fiesta to fiesta then this is definitely for you! I’ll be working at Ceja Vineyards all weekend so pop in and say hola! For more information and to buy tickets click HERE.
I love soup! It’s one of the most comforting things to eat and sharing my homemade Tortilla Soup recipe was pretty much a no brainer. It’s a flavorful dish that can be made with little effort, but one that sings with an unmistakable Mexican harmony. Like so many other dishes in Mexico, Tortilla Soup varies by region, but as a general rule the soup begins with the earthy dark Pasilla chile. You will also taste the softening crunch of toasty corn tortillas, soul-satisfying broth and creamy-rich avocado and queso – I mean, it is seriously so good. I could honestly consume this soup a few times a week {especially on a rainy, blustery day like today}.
With its rich layers of intriguing flavors, vibrant color presentation and tantalizing aromas, this soup is sure to create a cozy and satisfying feeling. Ole!
{For step-by-step cooking directions watch my video below!}
Tortilla Soup a la Dalia
{Serves 4-6 people}
Ingredients:
1 large dried Pasilla (negro) chile, stemmed and seeded
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice (preferably fire-roasted)
1/2 cup Mexican crema or creme fraîche for garnish
1 chipotle canned chile
1 large lime, cut into 6 wedges
½ bunch of cilantro
Directions:
Quickly toast the chile by turning it an inch or two above an open flame for a few seconds until its aroma fills the kitchen. {Lacking an open flame, toast it in a dry pan over medium heat, pressing it flat for a few seconds, then flipping it over and pressing it again}. Break the chile into pieces and put in a blender jar along with the tomatoes with their juice – a food processor will work, though it won’t completely puree the chile.
Heat the oil in a medium {4-quart} saucepan over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 7 minutes. Scoop up the onion and garlic with a slotted spoon, pressing them against the side of the pan to leave behind as much oil as possible, and transfer to the blender. Process until smooth.
Return the pan to medium-high heat. When quite hot, add the puree and stir nearly constantly, until thickened to the consistency of tomato paste, about 6 minutes. Add the broth and epazote, if using. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt, usually about a generous teaspoon {depending on the saltiness of the broth}.
Just before serving, add the avocado, cheese and tortilla chips between serving bowls. Lastly, ladle the soup into the bowls, garnish with the crema, cilantro & add the lime juice. Enjoy with a glass of Ceja Vineyards “Vino de Casa” red blend. Ole!
Dalia’s Chef’s Tips: For meat lovers, incorporate two boneless skinless chicken breasts {shredded} and add to the simmering broth just before serving.
There is no other game where drinking, while playing, is such a good combination…
A few years ago my dad became infatuated with the game of bocce ball and decided to build not one, but two bocce ball courts at our Ceja Vineyards headquarters in Carneros. It’s a fun and addicting game, especially when you put two highly competitive and energetic teams together. The only major rule {that we really enforce} is that you have to have a glass of {Ceja} wine in your hand when you play. Pretty simple, right?
I came across these two bocce ball sets, and they’re the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The $2800 Chanel one, of course, is for serious players and would take your bocce ball game to a whole other level. With Spring only a few months away, which outdoor games are you looking forward to playing?
Yosemite Valley is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space… -Ansel Adams
Last week my mom and I took a quick trip to Yosemite for the Ahwahnee Vintners’ Holiday Tasting. It was quite an honor to be invited back considering that most of these legendary vintners have been coming for the past 20 years {can you blame them?!}. This place is a nature junkie’s heaven, with its vast array of hiking, waterfalls, biking, lakes, wildlife, breathtaking views and insanely gorgeous scenery.
The wine sessions took up the majority of our time {no complaint here!} but we did have a chance to escape into the forest and explore the park by foot. Despite the freezing chilly weather, it was instantly therapeautic, breathing in the clean and pure smells of pine and fresh rain. We were even lucky enough to see a bear in the middle of our trail, but in the midst of yanking out my camera my mom fled the scene in a yelling panic attack, poor thing {insert laughing here}. Love you mom!
I could go on for hours about this place but I will leave it up to you to see the beauty of Yosemite… Ole!
{Partially frozen Bridalveil Falls}
{View from Yosemite Valley}
{Half Dome at sunset}
{Entrance to the Ahwahnee Hotel}
{My traveling gnome, a bottle of Ceja Sauvignon Blanc!}
p.s. Take a peek at this killer timelapse video showcasing the beauty, the wonder and the amazement that resides in Yosemite. If this doesn’t make you want to bust out your camping gear and delve into nature, then I don’t know what will…
Escape to an ultra chic, sophisticated & modern wine bar and lounge in downtown Napa…
The first thing you feel when you walk through the glass doors is that you’re in a new and exciting kind of Napa vibe. There’s the modern and sexy interior design and the large bars showcasing over 1,300 revolving lists of fine wines offered by the glass, flight or bottle. Overwhelmed? Don’t be. The staff, who are tremendously helpful and have incredible wine knowledge, will help guide you toward a memorable experience.
In addition, 1313 Main offers a rotating list of 13 craft beers and a selection of small plates from local artisans that will tantalize your taste buds with an assortment of nibbles and savory sides. With its vibrant ambiance and winecentric setting, it’s sure to please any wine, beer or food enthusiast!
Winemaker Wednesday
Calling all winos! Please join my mom, Amelia & me this week {Oct 26th} at 1313 Main for: Winemaker Wednesday, featuring Ceja Vineyards wines. From 5-7pm enjoy a flight of 4 delicious wines paired with tasty bites {$15 for the flight}. Bring a friend or two or three and expect to have a ball! Click here for more info. Ole!
{The handsome boys at 1313 Main: Jordan & Shawn}
p.s. I hope to see many of your smiling faces this Wednesday… Ole!
