The Ole! Report featuring Dalia Ceja

There is nothing more appealing than leaving the chilly California weather during February and embarking on a cruise to the Western Caribbean! In fact, this was no ordinary cruise and instead marked our inaugural Ceja Vineyards wine club cruise with over 100 of our fabulous club members. Traveling will forever remain a huge passion in my life and this trip was nothing less than unforgettable and amazing.

The Celebrity Silhouette was our home for seven days, which was not only grandiose but also luxurious in every facet. We set sail from Fort Lauderdale and leisurely made our way to Cozumel, Grand Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Haiti. Each stop was simply breathtaking with gorgeous panoramic views of crystal clear Caribbean water, white sandy beaches and lush vegetation.

Our agenda was relaxed but was naturally interweaved with socializing, dining and getting to know our wine club members on a personal basis. We held exclusive food and wine pairing dinners and tastings that were both educational, entertaining and fun! Overall the experience was such a huge success that we will be embarking on a wine club cruise every year. So, who’s coming with us next time? Ole!

Besos,

Dalia x

Oh hello, Thanksgiving week! I just came back from spending 10 glorious days in Puerto Vallarta.  This was no ordinary trip and in fact I was there for work (yes, work) promoting Ceja Vineyards wines at the Festival Gourmet International at The Grand Mayan Resort. It was quite the honor to participate considering my mom was the invited chef at Tramonto Restaurant. I also acted as her Sous Chef and we both joined forces to heavily promote our wines during the winemaker dinners every evening.

I had been to Puerto Vallarta once before as a kid but now I could really appreciate the lush landscape, the vibrant culture and the beautiful beaches. We had a strict agenda most of the time but during the day we had a few hours to escape and explore the quaint colonial town, eat fresh fish on the beach and catch some rays with a refreshing Paloma in hand.

Here are a few highlights of the trip – both working & relaxing. Ole!

{Cucumber & jalapeño mojito}

{Beach bunny}

{View from our table at La Palapa Restaurant}

{Playa De los Muertos}

{Walking along The Grand Mayan Resort}

{Baby sea turtle}

{Beautiful beach of Puerto Vallarta}

Every night I was floored by the reactions that the guests had of the delicious food, the wines and the overall dinning experience. We couldn’t have done it without the help of such an amazing and cohesive team at the Grand Mayan Resort. From the talented chefs, to the sommeliers, to the servers at the restaurant, everyone collaborated as a unit and made it a 5 star experience – both unique and unforgettable. I can’t wait to go back and do it all over again!

{Chefs: Cassandra, Felipe, Amelia & me in Tramonto’s kitchen)

{Grilled Chile Relleno}

{Tortilleria “tortilla bakery.” They make over 50,000 tortillas a day for the entire resort}

{Testing our recipes with the chefs}

{Lobster + Ceja Chardonnay}

{Inside the test kitchens}

{Inside the restaurant, working the floor}

{Stunning sunset}

 Besos,

Dalia x

{My parents’ wedding day – 1980}

These past two weeks have been such a whirlwind {in such a spectacular way} that I’ve been completely distracted…

I can barely contain my excitement: 1) I’ve bought my very own chili red Mini Cooper! It’s a little beauty and I’m totally and helplessly in love with it. 2) I’ve recently partnered with Naked Wines USA and will be making my very own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vino – more details to come! 3) This week marked my parents 32^nd wedding anniversary. Congrats to my two very hardworking and passionate parents. I know marriage can be very challenging sometimes but I can honestly say that I’m thrilled that their marriage has lasted this long.

Here are a few more things that are currently making me smile:

Besos,

Dalia x

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 – 6:08am

I woke up hearing tractors drive near my window while the faint glow of the crisp morning light started to peek in my room. Harvest had started! The campesinos {vineyard workers} had actually been picking since 2am. Feeling the excitement in the air, I didn’t even bother to hit the snooze button – I was up. The morning was damp, overcast and perfect for harvesting. Dressed in warm gym attire, I walked to the back of our Carneros property where they were already  busily picking Pinot Noir grapes.

I was greeted by my uncle Armando Ceja (our winemaker) who was tasting and sampling different clusters of fruit in a nearby bin. “It’s perfect,” he stated and then started to sort out leaves, twigs and fallen debri from a huge white bin. He was right, the fruit was juicy, plump and so sweet. I knew then that our 2012 vintage would be stellar! The crew was hard at work, moving fast, precise and skillful with the sharp knives in their hands. I couldn’t help but gawk in wonder and admire their hard work with nothing but the deepest respect.

As soon as I started snapping pictures, I got in a zone and remembered my childhood during harvest. I can recall following after the crews picking up clusters left on the vines and on the ground. My family went from picking grapes to award winning vintners and it’s because of the contribution of the Mexican labor force that makes it possible for Napa Valley wines to be enjoyed all over the world.

I couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring morning in our vineyards. Happy Harvest y’all! Ole!

{Armando Ceja, Winemaker}

Besos,

Dalia x

You are cordially invited to the fashion event of the year…

I’m honored to participate in the Napa Valley Wine, Women & Shoes Fashion Show and Auction this Saturday, July 28^th! This will be my first time strutting the runway and I simply can’t wait! I’ll be wearing five gorgeous outfits {courtesy of Helen Lyall} and they are nothing less than irresistibly glamorous and chic. Considering my deep affection for all things fashionable and feminine, I’m positively ecstatic to donate my time to such a noteworthy cause benefiting NEWS – Napa Emergency Women’s Services.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy sipping on world-class wines {including Ceja Vineyards}, savoring delicious bites and shopping the latest shoes and accessories during the marketplace. For more information and to purchase tickets click HERE – you don’t want to miss the fashion event of the season!

Foot Candy

I couldn’t resist some food for thought {with a dash of glam and sparkle} to get your appetites whet for the upcoming event…

{Zara + Gummy Peaches and Cherries}

{Christian Louboutin + Gummy Red and Black Raspberries}

{Alexander McQueens + Lemonheads}

{Marni + Reese’s Pieces}

p.s. Foot Candy images via Cupcakes and Cashmere

Besos,

Dalia x