New World v. Old World Wine
Word From The Bird //
What is the difference between Old Wold and New World wines?
From our hometown in Northern California, we makes wines with an emphasis on the maritime growing regions of California wine country. Crafted with a bit of wild California winemaking spirit and a homage to Old-World practices, Sea Bird Wines can be summed up as the ideal adventure into the exploration of New World Wines.
As a boutique micro winery, we source fruit from prime vineyards and make small production wines dedicated to a classic but approachable style that you can pop for any occasion. It’s part of what we believe makes wine great: if you drink a bottle and are still enjoying it to the last drop with friends, then it’s a great wine!
But even though we are New World winemakers, we never forget our roots. That’s why our winemaking style still has its Wild West spirit, but is also true to its Old World history. Our cooler climate fruit sources (thanks to that maritime influence) lends more to the lighter-body expression of our Burgundian varieties like our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. It also allows for brighter acidity that makes our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from Robert’s Road Vineyard such a crowd-pleaser.
Newer wine regions in California like the Santa Rita Hills AVA have only been planted within the last 20 years. But the combination of calcium in the soil, cooling influence from the Pacific fog and moderate growing season has proven to be an ideal growing climate for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Stay tuned for our new releases, where we’ll be able to show you just what we’re talking about!
The climates of New World wine regions are often warmer, which tends to result in riper, higher alcohol and more fruit-forward expressions. But as we experience climate change across the globe, this distinction may evolve to lean less on climate and really be more defined by technique. In fact, National Geographic reports some of the most significant climate changes in Burgundy where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are growing increasingly warmer.
One of the great privileges we have as American winemakers is the ability to take all we know from our predecessors in the industry, and apply it to our work in the cellar to produce and exceptional wine, year after year with little restrictions. European wines are crafted with greatness, but as we move forward in the industry to embrace technology and science, the ability to progress beyond tradition to continue evolving is what makes our freedom as New World winemakers so delicious.
Want to learn more about our New World Wine Regions? Watch our episode of #SipWithSeaBird on Instagram
12 Gifts For Wine Lovers
12 Gifts For Wine Lovers | Sea Bird Holiday Gift Guide
- A Magnum of Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon
Nothing says Happy Holidays like bringing out “the big bottles” and a magnum is a unique gift for any wine lover!
Magnums of our 2014 Poseidon are great for bringing to holiday parties as a hostess gifts (the more the merrier!) but also a great investment gift that can hold up beautifully in a collector’s cellar for years to come!
Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the iconic G3 vineyard in Rutherford and is easily one of our most thrilling bottles. But you don’t need to take our word for it…we’ve go the kudos to back it up. This vintage has more than a few Gold Medals behind it, including Double Gold at the 2018 SF International Wine Competition.
2. Uncorked Candles
We love a good up-cycle and these candles hit on all fronts. Perfect for setting the mood when you pop a cork on a romantic night in, these eco-friendly candles come in a variety of varietal scents for the perfect ambiance.
3. A Trip To Wine Country
Go to Wine Country or go home, right? Take a few tips from our Perfect Day In Napa Valley and book a visit and time of year. While Fall tends to get the most attention with Harvest activity, some of the best times to visit Napa and Sonoma are actually in off-season. With less traffic and tourism, you get a chance to explore more leisurely, drop in on tasting rooms that might have otherwise been too busy and (bonus!) save on room rates.
4. S’well Reusable Bottle
We are always looking for sustainable lifestyle products that help conserve our Earth, and S’well Bottles always take the top of our list. These 25oz reusable, insulated bottles are perfect to hydrate during the day….until it’s time for wine!
5. Wine Tote Picnic Basket
Is there anything more idyllic than a picnic? Give them a gift that they can break out once the snow clears with this picnic basket that offers an insulated wine tote. Bonus points if you add in a bottle of 2015 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay for them to enjoy along with it!
The beauty of wine is that there is seemingly an endless amount to learn. Give the gift of knowledge with the Wine Folly Master Guide, the includes extensive wine notes, region spotlights, and more. What we love about Wine Folly is their ability to distill wine education into easy-to-understand follow info. Pair that with their gorgeous and useful graphic design and this book will become your wine lover’s new wine “bible” for years to come.
7. Cheese Subscription
Your favorite wine geek probably has a stash of really great bottles to enjoy…so why not give them a gift of pairing to test their skills. This cheese subscription from Murrays Cheese is not only delicious and unique, but designed specifically to pair with Red Wine.
Whoever said nobody wants socks for Christmas has obviously never fully “adult-ed” because getting new socks is awesome (especially when you don’t have to buy them for yourself). Even better are these Wine Socks that reminds you loved ones…”If you see me with my feet kicked up…send wine.”
We love cooking with wine….sometimes we even put it in the food! There is nothing better than indulging in the creative and soul-fueling practice of cooking an amazing meal, and even better when you find the perfect bottle to enjoy. This Wine Food cookbook is the answer to “what’s for dinner” as you’re eyeing up that bottle you’ve been waiting to open up. If you need us, this will be our Friday Night plans, indefinitely.
10. On Cloud Wine Coloring Book
For all our wine-loving mommas out there…this one is for you! Just add colored pencils and gift this to a hardworking momma out there that is definitely wondering…is it #wineoclock yet?
11. True Crime and A Glass of Wine t-shirt
Coffee drinking by day. True crime and wine by night. There’s nothing better than cuddling up to a great podcast (we’re digging Unsolved Mysteries on Apple Podcasts recently!) and sipping on your favorite red wine as you wonder….whodunnit? Who needs this teeshirt in their life? *hint: it might be you*
12. A Trio of Sea Bird Wines
Introduce a wine lover to their new favorites with a trio of our Greatest Hits. Double points, because all the profits of bottles purchased go back to supporting non-profits dedicated to marine habitat preservation. Go ahead and call it a double gift.
2015 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay
2014 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Pinor Noir
2014 Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon
Happy Holidays From Your Sea Bird Wines Team, and Happy Shopping!
The Perfect Day In Napa Valley
No matter the season, a visit to Napa Valley is always ready-made for a fun adventure. Outside of just wine-tasting (which we fully support) here’s how we spend the other parts of our day enjoying all that our home in Wine Country has to offer.
Take A Sunrise Hike
Starting the day with a little bit of exercise will build your strength for the real work of the rest of the day (eating and drinking) so muster your eyes open for a early morning hike to get the blood flowing. Grab a coffee and head out to a local go-to trail at Skyline Park and watch the sunrise over the hills.
Start With Breakfast
Ok so maybe you won’t be heading to the French Laundry (or maybe you are, in which case, still go here) but you won’t want to miss out on visiting the iconic Thomas Keller locale, Bouchon Bakery in Yountville. Centered in the quant downtown Yountville, grab as many croissants and pastries as you can. You’ll want to try them all. But get there early, because the line is often out -the-door once the other wine country visitors rouse themselves for a day of tasting by 10AM.
Snap a picture by the Welcome To Napa Valley sign
Yes, it is ok to bring out the touristy side of yourself here. As you’re driving up Highway 29 the iconic Welcome To Napa Valley sign is posted on the left side of the road, just after you pass the town of Yountville. Pull on over and snap a selfie to make everyone back home jealous of your perfect day in Napa Valley.
Try Your New Favorite Bottle Among The Vines
Breakfast was important, but don’t let anyone fool you. Snacks are the most important meal of the day in wine country. And while Napa is seemingly filled with places to eat….the minute you start heading out on CA29, there is definitively no snacks and we can’t have that.
If you’re making the rounds tasting at wineries, stock up on treats at the legendary local Oakville Grocery for sandwiches, waters and plenty of delicious artisan snacks. We are also digging the new Gary’s Wine and Marketplace in Napa that boasts an impressive cheese selection!
Finding a place to picnic can be challenging, as often Napa Valley land use restrictions prevent wineries from allowing picnicking on the grounds. But a select few places in Napa will allow it, including the grounds at V. Sattui and a list of a few others will let you bring baskets to your heart’s desire
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Iconic Vineyards
What we love about Napa is the equal parts glamour and humble grounds, as you’ll see some of the most iconic wineries as you pass by along the side of the road doing what they do best: serving guest and growing vines. Keep your eyes peeled as you drive by the scenery and you might recognize your favorite vineyards.
We love the G3 Vineyard in the Rutherford region of Napa, where we source Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon from. Our Broken Rock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon also yields from Napa on the eastern side of the Valley near Soda Canyon and Atlas Peak. The fruit from these regions are plush, deliciously ripe and juicy, and walk a delightful balance of ready-to-drink or perfect-to-age. If you’re driving by, be sure to tag us on Instagram, we love seeing our vines in “the wild!" on your day in Napa Valley!
Dinner in Downtown
There are certainly no shortages of great places to dine in Napa. If you’re finding yourself ready to indulge in a super special night, make reservations at The Charter Oak or Farmstead and Long Meadow Ranch for a truly Napa Valley fine dining experience.
Going from something more casual? Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & BBQ in downtown Napa is available seating is first-come-first serve (get the beer can chicken) or Gott’s Roadside for a great burger and fries.
If you’re feeling completely stuffed from a full day of eating and drinking (hey, it happens) make dinner some light appetizers on the rooftop of the Andaz Downtown with views of downtown Napa from below. You can also head to a local’s favorite spot, La Taberna for tapas and maybe catch a peek at a famous local winemaker enjoying a break.
Whether you’re in Napa for a couple days or a week, this recipe is the perfect rinse and repeat for as many days as you need to feel fully indulged in Wine Country Lifestyle and your ideal day in Napa Valley.
4 Coastal Getaways We're Dreaming Of
The best things in life are experiences and travel is something that truly nourishes the soul. Add a little bit of wine and you have the kind of experience that inspires and uplifts...especially from an ocean view hotel along the California Coast.
At Sea Bird Wines we are dedicated to helping preserve our marine habitats, because we believe you can’t have great wine without a health ocean influence. We source our fruit from Sonoma and Napa counties where the coastal influence from the Bay Area provide cool misty mornings. As a result, the bright acidity and playful fruit that comes as a result is what we love about our region.
The profits from each bottle of Sea Bird Wines gets donated to non-profit organizations like 4ocean and International Bird Rescue. These agencies are dedicated to preserving coastal marine life habitats so the ocean stays healthy…which means we can continue making great wine.
When we’re dreaming of a getaway, you can bet we’re grabbing a bottle and heading along the California coast. Here are a few of our favorite places to grab a beach blanket (and perhaps a sweater for that Pacific breeze) and sip on a bottle of Sea Bird as the waves roll in.
Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay
Unplug and head to the coast in Tomales Bay, located over an hour outside of San Francisco. You’ll make your way past wine country (and perhaps drive right past the Sangicomo Family Vineyards if you drive through Petaluma!) to the most peaceful boutique on the water, NIck’s Cove.
We fell in love with these remodeled waterfront bungalows that will allow you to truly feel removed from the world, if only for a weekend.
Bring some cheese, crackers and charcuterie along with a bottle (or two) of Sangiocomo Robert’s Road Vineyard Pinot Noir to sip on your patio dock. Better yet, order up some room service oyster plucked straight from the bay.
Cavallo Point in Sausalito
At the foot of the Golden Gate bridge, we love the ethos of Cavallo Point. Dedicated to both a luxurious stay as well as a green and socially responsible lodging thanks to their Certified LEED Gold Status. Bonus points for being both close to the city, as well as just a short drive up to Napa & Sonoma Wine Country.
Bring along a bottle of Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon as the fog settles in along the Sausalito waterfront and the lights from the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate twinkle in the mist.
Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel By The Sea
Catch us at the Vineyard Oak Suite with outdoor tub and all; we love the sustainability practices at Carmel Valley Ranch.
A special nod to their acres of lavender used to create their own aromatherapy bath amenities. When you’re sitting on the deck sipping on a chilled glass of Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Vineyard Chardonnay you can almost smell a waft come over you. You can even experience the Bee Life on the Carmel Valley Ranch Organic Farm. A little fresh honeycomb sounds like the perfect addition to our cheese board.
Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego
The most iconic hotel in SoCal deserves to meet our signature Cabernet Sauvignon named for the King of the Sea; enjoy the historic seaside charm while you sip and swirl Poseidon G3 Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon on the Pacific edge of Coronado Island. The Hotel Del’s legendary past of over 130 years hosting celebrities, royalty and families alike is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine with a nod of history.
Wherever your wanderlust takes you….we hope you have a corkscrew and a bottle of Sea Bird Wines with you to enjoy Great Vines To Great Times to whatever ocean view hotel you find along the way.
Create The Perfect Fall Cheese Board
As summer fades and sweater weather arrives, we're bringing our fun indoors for some cozier Fall fun. As we roll into "entertaining season" it's always a good idea to keep a few essentials on hand to whip up a snack board when #wineoclock rolls around.
Here are a few tips that we live by for creating a simple but delicious cheese board to welcome guests with a glass of wine to stay awhile for a great time.
Popcorn For Grownups
Fresh warm popcorn is a perfect addition to a Fall cheese board as a base layer with a ton of ways to dress it up. Add toppings like truffle salt, a drizzle of fresh herbs and butter, or spice it up with paprika and garlic salt for a little kick.
Say Cheese
We love mild and creamier cheeses like a sheep's milk cheese that is a great middle ground for everyone to enjoy. It can be tempting to leave the whole hunk with a knife to cut, but cutting up some slices for your guests to grab easily is the way to go.
Add Charcuterie
A variety pack of charcuterie offers a perfect range of paring. Salami with peppercorns pairs with a little spice to a glass of Sangicomo Vineyard Pinot Noir. A slice of creamy prosciutto will balance out the lively acidity from a glass of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Get a little flair for presentation by rolling slices and arranging them on your board for extra visual appeal (and easy snacking!).
Toast The Bread
It's an extra step that really elevates your board...and so worth it. Grab a fresh baguette or sourdough loaf from the store, smear it with butter and toast the slices for the perfect delivery of a cheese and meat combo.
Garnish with Greens
We eat with our eyes, and a little greenery is always a welcome sight on a platter. We love using microgreens easily found at your local grocery store to fill in any gaps on your platter.
Here are our top wine pairing suggestions to go along with your perfect Fall cheese board. Don't forget to stock up, because every bottle you enjoy, we donate our proceeds to support marine life habitat conservations to non-profits like 4ocean and International Bird Rescue. Sounds like a reason for another glass to us!
Enjoying some cheese with your wine? Tag us in your photos on Instagram #seabirdwines and enjoy Great Vines To Great Times with us all Fall long.
"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.
A Very Sea Bird Summer Beach Guide
You can’t make great wine without a little ocean influence. It’s a motto we live by, and it shows in every bottle of Sea Bird Wines. This summer, make the most of your beach time with these top tips for enjoying Sea Bird wines at the beach!
Grab A GoVino
Single use plastic cups are out, reusable wine glasses are IN! These reusable wine glasses are perfect (and lightweight) and make the perfect companion to your beach cooler. Pour it up and kick it back to relax- minus the trash.
Beach, Please.
You can catch us at these Sonoma Coast beaches on the West Coast with our toes in the sand and some wine in our hands. The Sonoma Coast AVA itself encompasses about 2,000 acres of vineyards and includes the lands that we source the fruit from for our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The region itself is best known for these Burgundian varietals thanks to the cool morning coast fog that covers that vines over the growing season.
Watch Us Sip On Chardonnay(nay)
Our Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Chardonnay is the perfect beach beverage. With notes of tropical fruit and a bright and lively acidity grab a bottle (or two) to throw in your cooler. Even better if you can pair it with some fresh oysters off at Bodega Bay, or pack up a picnic with some of these easy beach-inspired pairings:
Lemon Herb Asparagus Potato Salad
Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches
Creamy Avocado Dip + chips!
Mango Basil Summer Spring Rolls
Don’t Forget Sea-Safe Sunscreen
If you’re heading to the ocean, make sure you’re not bringing anything unwanted into the water. Ocean research has shown that common sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate are the main culprits in reef damage, along with cosmetic preservatives like methyl paraben and butyl paraben. Keep your skin safe along with the ocean reef by choosing a reef-friendly sunscreen.
Cheers to sun, sand, and the perfect summer day from us at Sea Bird Wines!
Need to stock up? Here’s our top pics for Summer Sipping:
