Springtime’s Breaking Of The Buds
For Wine Country Vineyards, signs of Spring officially comes with the “Breaking of the Buds”. A walk through the vines, one notices a green bud just tipping every other grapevine trunk stretching up towards the sunspotted days shining brighter in the still crisp blue cloudless skies. The celebration of this Valley ritual is long gone but I honor it each late May or early April. The unexpected dewy chilly mornings awaken us but tease us with the promise of warmer days on the way.
This is my favorite season, an “in and out” season. Intense greens and carpet rows of acid yellow mustard flowers in between acres of Wine vines and the fragrance of Lilac and Lupine in the wind.
Springtime Samplings
- Fava Bean Thyme & Lemon Crostini with Shaved Pecorino
- Petit Tartlets- Favorite Fillings such as Bacon-Shallot, Tomato Basil, & Olive or Crab
- Crispy Phyllo Tarts with Lemon Tarragon Chicken Salad
- Finger Sandwiches- Port Butter & Prosciutto, Chevre & Chive, or Smoked Salmon & Dill
- Platter of Springtime Baby Vegetables Garnished with Savory Butters
- Chilled Green Pea Soup with Minted Crème Fraiche
- Garden Ratatouille with Fresh Herbs
- Composed Salad of Better Lettuces, Watercress and Chardonnay Dijon Vinaigrette
- Green Garlic and Spring Onion Quiche
- Warm Sweet Vidalia Onion and Gruyere Soufflé
- Oven Roasted Lamb Stuffed with Dandelion Greens, Fresh Herbs, Olives, Pine Nuts, and Feta Cheese
- Sauvignon Blanc Poached Salmon beautifully Plattered and Garnished with Cucumber, Lemon and Capers
- Freshly Baked Rosemary Bread
