Cold winter evenings call for rich, hearty meals that warm our spirit. Nothing matches cabernet sauvignon better than a flavorful cut of beef, grilled to perfection. Top with a peppercorn sauce and/or a sprig of rosemary and you've created a memorable and, yes, romantic meal for two. At Estate 1856, we love using our grill throughout the year. Sometimes, it's the simpler recipes that let the flavors pop. In this case, we recommend that you find a locally sourced cut of beef, season simply with with salt and pepper and grill to your preference. If you'd like a bolder flavor, [...]

Late summer is a majestic season for our winery and vineyards. The sugars are rising, the grapes are glistening among leaves lit by the now golden afternoon sunshine.  Our summer garden has produced plenty of veggies and fruit but the highlight of the year may be our blackberries. The berries are massive, with some more than two inches long. Each bite offers a mouthful of aromatic, sweet juice. Who doesn’t love the taste of blackberries, right? With two long rows of thornless berries, we’ve had a huge crop. Of course, enjoying them fresh  off the vine makes for the perfect [...]

Winemaker Diary - April 20, 2020 We could never have imagined an extended period of home quarantine but that's exactly what we've been doing for the past month here in Sonoma County due to the COVID-19 virus.. While we do have a farm exemption which allows us to keep working in the vineyards, we are not leaving the house and traveling into town unless it is absolutely necessary. Thankfully, we have plenty to keep us busy. Out in the vineyards, we're discing between each row of vines to incorporate the cover crop into the soil. Cover crops add vital nutrients [...]