Sea Bird Joins The Robert Whitley "Platinum Parade"
We were pleased to pour a little splash of Sea Bird Wines for Wine Critic and columnist Robert Whitley, during the 17th annual Critics Challenge Wine and Spirits Competition in San Diego. During the competition, reviewers evaluated more than 250 young wines over two days, assigning a platinum, gold, or silver award to wines of outstanding merit.
We were thrilled to receive a place among other great wines in Robert Whitley's "Platinum Parade" column. According to Mr. Whitley, "to earn platinum, a wine "must achieve a score of 94 points on the infamous 100-point scale. Over the weekend at the Critics Challenge, I had the opportunity to taste dozens of truly exceptional wines, but only 15 of those rose to the level of platinum on my personal scorecard." Sounds like we have another feather to add to our caps!
Here's what they were sipping:
Sea Bird 2017 Chardonnay, Courtney’s Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
Full-bodied and rich but without losing its edginess, this is a beautiful example of what California Chardonnay can be. With complex layers of baked apple, lemon creme, and toasty wood spice, it has a little something for everyone.
Rating: 94 points
With every bottle we share with critics, friends and family alike, we are proud to be able to share our mission. First and foremost, we want to bring you great wine that makes every moment better. Every vintage is a chance for us to produce something amazing, and we hope you agree! Second is our namesake mission; to help preserve and protect our coastlines for marine wildlife for future generations to come. When you buy a bottle of Sea Bird Wines to enjoy, we give back 100% of our profits to marine wildlife conservation efforts (most recently, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center). We couldn't do it without you, and every drop counts!
Head on over to our online store to pick up some wine to enjoy!
Check Our Wins at the International Women's Wine Competition
Double Gold & Best In Class. We'll Cheers To That!
This competition was expertly judged by the wine industry’s leading professional women who are experts in their field across the wine industry and media alike! The competition not only recognizes the best wines that appealed to our judges, but also the wines they felt would most appeal and influence other women wine buyers and consumers.
When it comes to wine, the ladies of The Flock know best!
It’s no surprise to us that women are the primary wine buyers (and drinkers!) in most households. It’s our passion to us to share our wine with those who love a great glass and are proud that we hold a popular opinion in this year’s International Women’s Wine Competition!
This competition was expertly judged by the wine industry’s leading professional women, though open to men and women winemakers alike. The competition not only recognizes the best wines that appealed to our judges, but also the wines they felt would most appeal and influence other women wine buyers and consumers.
Over one thousand wines were entered in the competition, with just 48 Best of Class designations…of which, we were happy to take the show with two our upcoming release of our 2016 Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford and our 2017 Sea Bird Chardonnay from Sea. Rita Hills.
We also led the pack scoring a Double Gold medal with our 2017 Sea Bird Pinot Noir from Sea. Rita Hills. Who needs a side-by-side sip of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!
Interested in getting first access to this wine upon release? Send us a note and we'll add you to The Flock!
Retail Therapy | Chardonnay Edition
We’re at home. There’s wine. And the whole world wide web of shopping is at our disposal. Sounds a little dangerous? It’s ok, it’s the kind of risk that we’e encouraging you to take while you #StayAtHome because nothing cues our dopamine sensors like a fun purchase and a glass of wine!
In our first Retail Therapy release, we’re popping a bottle of our 2015 Robert’s Road Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a delightful one; aromatic with notes of white pears, tropical fruit and touch of vanilla, it shows off great fruit and acidity characteristic of the Sonoma Coast region with ripe yellow apples, nectarines and honey. Thanks to a warm, dry spring, 2015 brought us an early harvest with low yield and full concentration. It’s delightfully sippable with structure and balance abound.
You don’t have to take our word for it though! The San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition awarded this wine a Double Gold Medal (96 points) and the International Women’s Wine Competition gave us Double Gold & Best of Class (97 points) among others!
Thanks to the acidity and minerality of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, we see a gloriously long drinking window for this bottle all the way through 2023. But why wait that long? Pop that cork and settle in to do a little online shopping for a few of our favorite things….
Cork Yoga Mat from 42 Birds
Perfect for all of those online Zoom fitness classes you’re hitting up (…right?) or for bringing outside to lay down on the grass and drink wine. No judgement. We are digging this natural cork yoga mat because not only is it anti-slip, cork contains natural anti-microbial properties that ward off mildew or any weird smells. *adds to cart*
Blonde Wood S’well Bottle
It’s no secret that we are big fans of S’well bottles. We prefer to opt in for the 25oz bottles (because hi, that holds a full bottle of wine!) and allows us to keep the perfect temperature wherever we roam. Our big ambitions are telling us to hit the trails for a hike with a picnic on top. The Blonde Wood is part of the Wood Collection that “imitates the charm of raw materials and natural fibers in the world’s most picturesque forests” which is adorable and really fits our vibe. Whether you’re truly outdoorsy or just a patio sipper, this is perfect for keeping your Robert’s Road Chardonnay at a crisp 50 degrees.
Chardonnay Grapeseed Bubble Bath from Napa Soap Company
Have your wine and soak in it too. We’re pouring a crisp glass of Chardonnay and soaking into this luxurious bubble bath made by our local Napa Soap Company. Made from Chardonnay Grapeseed Oil, it’s just an added perk that these ingredients protect skin from free radicals, moisturize and balance and reduce inflammation. It’s basically a detox-to-retox formula that we can get behind again and again.
Pate Sampler from Olympia Provisions
More than ever we are looking for small businesses to support and Olympia Provisions in Portland is one we definitely want to keep thriving. Order up their Pate Sampler for the perfect pairing with a glass of Robert’s Road Chardonnay. It comes with a trio of pork liver mousse, pork rillettes, and country style pork pistachio pâte. The bright an vibrant acidity of our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay plays a refreshing foil to these seriously rich charcuterie pairings and is perfect to make a meal out of with some crackers and a mixed green salad.
"Back To ____" Mac & Cheese Recipe w/ Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Always Pairs With Good Ol' Mac & Cheese
Whether it’s back to school, back to work, or just regular back to reality now that we’re winding down from summer, we’re welcoming the time (and cooler weather) to enjoy getting “back to” the kitchen.
Our favorite dinners are easy ones…the kind that are easy to make, unfussy, and of course easy to sip a glass of wine while you’re making it!
Enjoy one of the greatest comfort foods to welcome you in to the Fall season and enjoy an extra glass or two…it’s time to Get Back To It!
Here’s our favorite recipe to a creamy, delicious serving of Mac & Cheese paired with our crisp and refreshing Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
- One package of your favorite tube-shaped pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
- 4 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a large baking dish, or two setting sized cast iron serving dishes.
Combine all cheese - except parmesan- in a large bowl and set aside.
In a pot of salted water, cook pasta just before done and drain. Add 1 tbsp butter to pasta and toss to coat.
Melt the rest of the butter butter in a saucepan and whisk flour over medium heat until bubbly and started to turn golden.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth and free of clumps. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes. Season mixture with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.
Add two cups of shredded cheese mixture and whisk until smooth. Continue adding cheese gradually until the sauce thickens.
Stir cooled pasta into cheese mixture to combine.
Pour half of the pasta and sauce into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese.
In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Top with chopped chives and serve with a cool glass of 2014 Sangiocomo Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
Spotlight Wine: 2015 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay
As one of the most widely planted grapes in the state of California, Chardonnay is one of the most popular wines enjoyed by Americans, according to the Wine Institute. So it was a natural fit when we began sourcing fruit for Sea Bird Wines that we would include this noble grape as part of our family.
Sourced from the Sonoma Coast, our Sangiacomo Robert’s Road vineyard develops into every Chardonnay-lover’s dream. The cool coastal zone of this region maintains a developed acidity and structure that plays gracefully with a kiss of new French oak that we age it in year after year. No other white gape matches Chardonnay’s total acreage in Sonoma County, and with every sip, we understand why this is the ideal region for this wine.
The Sangiacomo Vineyards were first planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1999 when the Sangiacomo Family acquired the property. At the time, it was unclear as to whether the region would be suitable for grape-growing, as the cool coastal climate was thought to prevent even ripening. Now, the Sonoma Coast region is renowned for producing some of the highest quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the US. The perfect counterpart to our Chardonnay is our Sangicomo Robert’s Road Pinot Noir.
Our 2015 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay highlights the best of the vintage. The 2015 growing season in Sonoma brought about a warm, dry spring and an early harvest, according to to the Wine Spectator Vintage Report. The yield was lower than past years, though the quality maintained an elegant and refined style.
You don't have to just take our word for it, however. The 2015 Sangiacomo Robert's Road Chardonnay has won Double Gold medals at the SF Chronicle International Wine Competition, and well as Double Gold & Best of Class in the International Women’s Wine Competition.
With 14 months in new and used French oak barrels, the Robert’s Road Chardonnay is exceptionally balanced with fruit and acidity. Pears, tropical fruits and nectarines are balanced by a dollop of vanilla and honey on the finish for a bright, playful Chardonnay true to the region.
Sea Bird Wines was founded on the belief that coastal influence makes truly great wine. The Sangicomo Vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region exemplifies this belief year over year as we craft true-to-region Chardonnay with bright fruit, lively acidity, and the kind of bottle you can’t wait to enjoy while lounging around with friends on a warm Spring day.
A Recipe For #GreatVinesToGreatTimes
As warmer weather approaches it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fresh meal. This easy crab cake recipe from Pinch and Swirl focuses on a recipe with more crab meat instead of a bread-crumb overload. The fresh seafood influence will parry and play beautifully with the fruit and acidity of our 2015 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay for a light, weeknight meal to enjoy out on the patio with the promise of Spring nipping at our heels!
Ready to sip on some of the most quaffable Chardonnay of the season? Head over to the Sea Bird Wines Shop to snag the last bottles, and if you're lucky, even a magnum. We'll meet you on the patio for a glass, or two.
