4 Fun Ways To Enjoy Wine At Home
Bored at home? Never! We’re pouring up a glass of our favorites wines and keeping things fresh and exciting at home. Here’s a few ways to enjoy wine at home, all paired with a Sea Bird Wine to enjoy along the fun.
Chardonnay + A Bubble Bath
Chances are, you’ve had a long, hard day, no matter what you’ve been doing. If you’re working from home these days, it might be hard to draw the line between “home” and “work” life. So indulge in some self-care by sipping a cool glass of our award winning Sonoma Coast Chardonnay in the bath. You’re here to treat yourself, so make the most of it by:
- Grab a magazine or a new book to read while you soak
- Set the mood by turning on some ocean waves in the background
- Take some tips from Lifehacker and give your bathroom major spa vibes
Pinot Noir + Indoor Picnic
Ahhh…the great Indoors! Bring a little life to your living room and turn a Friday night into an at-home picnic! Bring the whole bottle of this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir to your picnic spread and set the vibe with flameless candles, plenty of pillows and blankets, and finger-food only (no dishes, than you!). Here are some of our favorite things to picnic with our Robert’s Road Pinot Noir:
- A prosciutto, fig, and arugula sandwich on a baguette.
- Salty, kettle cooked chips with Manchego cheese
- A thin-crust pizza (ordering in is a total YES)
Cabernet + Get Crafty
A little bit of wine really helps those creative juices get flowing! Pop the cork on a bottle of 2013 Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and gather your supplies for a fun night of creating something new and unexpected. Here are some ideas to get you started!
- Take an online painting class for your very own at-home Sip & Paint
- Learn how to letter for this year’s Christmas cards
- Get crafty with some old corks you’ve collected
Poseidon + Themed Movie Night
Take your Netflix & Chill vibes and give it a twist with a themed movie night! Open up a bottle of Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon and take a deep dive on some ocean cinema. Here’s a list of our top 10 sea-inspired movies to sip along with including:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Castaway
- The Life Aquatic
- Jaws (the original)
- The Perfect Storm
- Waterworld
- Titanic
- The Poseidon Adventure
- The Cove
- Chasing Mavericks
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!
Taste With Our Winemaker + Samantha Sommelier!
We went vintage for this tasting hosting by Millennial Wine Competition
The Millennial Wine Competition is a fresh take on wine tasting competitions, and we are excited to see the results come through when the judges sip and score some of the hottest new wine and spirits brands on August 26th this year.
We had the chance to treat one of the competition judges Samantha Capadli, AKA Samantha Sommelier in a live Instagram tasting with our winemaker, Patrick Durbin. We dug a little into our cellar to bring out a couple of really great bottles. You know, for quality control purposes! And also because we love seeing our wine “grow up” and sharing it with new friends!
2015 Robert’s Road Chardonnay – Sonoma Coast
Coming from the Robert’s Road Vineyard grown by the Sangiacomo Family, this special lot of Chardonnay has routinely been a “crowd-pleaser” scoring us high-fives from friends, and awards from judges.
Grown the the northernmost vineyard at the base of Sonoma Mountain and at the North End of the Petaluma Gap, this fruit gets incredible influence from the ocean, resulting in bright acidity and perfectly balanced Sonoma-style fruit. It’s what we refer to as a Burgundy style wine from Sonoma Coast.
Patrick’s Perfect Pairings:
- September Oysters
- Seared Muscles
- Grilled Chicken w/ herb butter
Samantha’s Perfect Pairing:
- Oysters (or any type of shellfish)
- Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Roasted Turkey
- Cheeseboard before dinner
2014 Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
The 2014 is what we can confidently refer to as “the vintage of the decade” due to its perfectly balanced tannins and plush fruit when it comes to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
We’ve sourced this Cabernet Sauvignon from the Broken Rock Vineyard in Napa Valley, located just off the Silverado Trail at the foot of Atlas Peak. This west-facing vineyard plot soaks up all that lush afternoon Napa sunshine while still benefitting from it’s slope location, lending to the perfect balance of “mountain fruit” structure with rich Valley floor fruit.
Patrick and Samantha unanimously agree that this wine (and frankly, all red wines) are best served with a little chill, shooting for 55-65 degrees, which is essential right out of wine fridge temperatures.
Patrick’s Perfect Pairing:
- Moroccan Lamb (grilled) to play with the baking spices coming through
- “Slab & A Cab” AKA any grilled red meat
Samantha’s Perfect Pairing:
- Netflix (but be careful with it or the alcohol will catch up to you!)
- Anything on the grill
This wine is showing lovely with lush velvety tannins without too much grit, and just a little touch of baking spice and oak leaving you balanced.
Top takeaway from Patrick & Sam? Leaves your Chardonnay a little less chilled & chill your red just enough.
Click here to watch the tasting over on the Millennial Wine Competition Instagram page!
Want to know the final scores from the competition in August? Make sure you’re signed up on our mailing list where we’ll release scores and new wine releases to The Flock! Simply fill out the contact form below and we’ll add you to the list.
Retail Therapy | Pinot Noir Edition
In our second edition of Retail Therapy, we’re pouring up a glass of two of our single vineyard Pinot Noir bottles and choosing the perfect Pinot Noir Pairings to *add to cart*
Sonoma is home to one of the top regions in California to grow Pinot Noir. In fact, as of 2018, there were over 13,000 acres of Pinot Noir growing in Sonoma County, making this varietal 20% of the region’s production. Home to the Sonoma Coast region, this area hosts one of the coolest sub-appellations that lends itself to ideal growing conditions for this picky grape. Even though most vineyards are miles inland from the Sonoma Coast line, they benefit from the cool, foggy mornings, moderately warm afternoons and cool evenings that preserve the acidity of the Pinot Noir grape while maintaining and lively fruit character.
As a micro winery, we select our grapes each vintage from vineyards who have cultivated their wines to the highest quality. We choose the best of the vintage and allow the quality of the grapes to do the work from cellar to bottle. In 2013, we selected fruit from the Sonoma Stage Vineyard sitting just between Petaluma and Los Carneros at the southern end of the Sonoma Coast AVA. In 2014, we sourced from a house favorite, the Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Vineyard. Each bottle is true to its region, and not only expresses its terroir, but the highlights of the growing season itself.
Whichever bottle you choose (when in doubt, do a side by side tasting of both, of course!) and check out our Retail Therapy Guide, Pinot Noir Edition to add the perfect accoutrements to your Pinot Noir sipping adventure.
Go Vino for Sustainable Outdoors-ing
We may be eating out at restaurants less now, but that’s not stopping wine-time. So instead, we’re packing up bottle of wine into a S’well Bottle, laying out a blanket on our favorite outdoor spot and sipping Pinot Noir out of these sustainable GoVino glasses for Date Night.
It’s a bonus that every time you reuse your GoVino glass, there is one less single-use plastic that we’re protecting from our oceans. That’s something to cheers to!
You Had Me At Pinot Noir Shirt
Is it even wine time if you’re not wearing this shirt? We’ve traded our “going out” outfits to this cozy stay-at-home outfit and we’re perfectly content sipping from our couch and feeling so comfy.
ReWined “Barrel Aged Pinot Noir” Candle
This earthy, complex candle “mimics the ground that produces it” which is wine speak for terroir which is more wine speak for “tastes and smells like where it was grown.” As general terroir enthusiasts, we love the perfect setting this candle adds to our at-home drinking adventure.
Scratch & Sniff Wine Expert Book
We always say, the best way to become a wine enthusiast? It’s simple. The more wine you drink, the more enthusiastic you become! Enjoying wine is such a great hobby because you only get better at identifying wine traits by drinking more wine! We’re adding this scratch & sniff wine book as a fun activity to break open with our favorite wino buddy to get even better at identifying wine characteristics. Ahhh yes, we’re picking up notes of fresh cut garden hose already…..
You have all the pairings....now simply add wine!
Shop: 2013 Sonoma Stage Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast
Shop: 2014 Robert's Road Vineyard Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast
Read All About It! | Napa Valley Life Magazine
"Making great wine is awesome, but having a purpose beyond profit is even more motivating for us"
As a wine producer in the Napa Valley region, we are always excited to connect more with our community. Our brand is built on close connections: with our land, with our clients (AKA The Flock!) and with the wine community as a whole. So when we had a chance to share our story with the Napa Valley Life Magazine team, we of course were ready to take flight!
Our mission to create great wines for you to enjoy with your loved ones on any occasion is our driving force. As a boutique microwinery, we work with small production vineyards to select the greatest grapes of the vintage and make them into limited production wines. A refreshing Sonoma Coast Chardonnay…a lush and nuanced Napa Valley Cabernet…a balanced Pinot Noir with hints of coastal breezes…those are the wines that inspire us to keep creating alongside Mother Nature year after year.
In this feature with Napa Valley Life Magazine, our winemaker Patrick Durbin shares our story of our Sea Bird Wines came to be, our passion for terroir, and our underlying mission to support our natural habitat by donating 100% of our profits back to non-profit organizations that support marine wildlife.
Read the feature below, or head over the the Napa Valley Life Magazine digital publication and click on over to page 38 to see in print!
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.
3 Reasons To Buy A Magnum
3 Reasons To Buy Large Format Bottles
Large format wine sizes are hard to come by, but always worth adding to your cellar in for so many reasons. Here’s why we’re always down for a big bottle:
Age With Grace
This one is pure science and we’re here for it. As wine ages, oxygen moves in and out of a cork. It is a natural product after all! If you think of a magnum versus a 750ml, think about surface area: you’ve got the same cork size, but less surface area transfer! That means that the bottles age at nearly half the speed of their standard size brethren.
Stay Safe, Buy Big.
Bigger bottles mean thicker glass as you’ll notice when you pick up your standard size next to one of our magnum bottles. Sea Bird Wines magnums are bottled in thicker, darker glass that allows even more protection and room for the bottle to age slowly and gracefully…just the way we like it.
Yes you could save up that wine and store if for the perfect investment. But you could also throw one fun party and bring out the big guys to show everyone a good time. These bottles are perfect for a mixed crowd, as the novelty is a perfect conversation starter and a great chance to lure in a new wine friend who might have passed up a sip otherwise. Wine is always better when shared!
We’ve bottled just a select few magnums of the powerful 2014 Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon that are perfectly poised for sharing with a crowd or laying down in the depths of your cellar to mature into greatness.
Do you know your bottle sizes? Here’s a cheat sheet for the Big Boys ranking in order from Tiny to Mighty...
187.5ml – Piccolo (aka a Split)
375ml – Demi or Half bottle – perfect for when you just want “one-ish” glasses with dinner
750ml – Your ride-or-die standard size bottle.
1.5 L – Magnum, which holds two standard size bottles if you’re feeling into math
3.0 L – Double Magnum (you guessed it, that’s 4 standard size bottles or 20 glasses of wine)
4.5 L – Jeroboam, which is 6 bottles (this is also where we start getting into Biblical King Naming Territory)
6.0 L – Imperial – 8 bottles worth of wine, or a very good dinner party.
9.0 L – Salmanazar – 12 bottles or a full case of wine, however you want to look at it
12.0 L – Balthazar – 16 standard size bottles
15.0 L – Nebuchadnezzar – Fun Fact: this bottle was named after the King Of Babylon which assuredly was a very good host if he was serving up this beast containing 20 bottles of wine
Choosing The Best Wine Glass
When you sip, I sip, we sip.
If you saw our latest episode of #SipWithSeaBird on our Instagram TV, we were tasting our 2014 Robert’s Road Chardonnay out of two glasses: a crystal stemmed wine glass, and a “daily drinker” stemless glass. Any way you pour it, the wine is great! But, by choosing a good quality wine glass, you are able to experience the complexity and nuance of a great wine at a higher level!
There are four “sensations” that you experience when tasting wine, as the glass makers at Reidel, The Wine Glass Company, will tell you:
- The Bouquet – we’re not talking flowers here! Each wine varietal has its own unique characteristics that can be experienced in the wine’s aroma
- The Texture – often called the “mouthfeel” this describes the wine’s first sips which you’ll often see referred to as watery, creamy, silky, soft, etc….
- The Flavor – The part we’re all here for, right?! This is the full profile of the wine that brings together fruit, minerality and acidity in the perfect balance to deliver to your tastebuds.
- The Finish – The
Using a high quality wine glass will enhance and show off all these amazing profiles in your wine.
Want to do a little more research? Here’s some of our other go-to wine glass brands that we know and love, all for different reasons!
RIEDEL – one of the most classic wine glass brands, RIEDEL shapes each glass specific to its varietal to show off the complex role played by glassware and wine. Easy to find, you can pick up a set at places like Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel and even Target!
Zalto Denk’Art Collection makes what they refer to as “The Universal Glass” that you can experience reds and wines in! This is ideal if you’re just dipping your nose into the wine world, and want to start with a great glass that you can try many new wines in! Fun fact: the Zalto team claims to have designed the glass in accordance to the earth’s tilted angles (that’s 24 degrees, 48 degrees and 72 degrees).
Schott Zwiesel – European made, these wine glasses are practical in every sense, and perfect to stock up on since they are affordable and easy to find in lots of different varieties. Even better, they are also dishwasher safe and resistant to breakage.
Gabriel Glass – Kinda like all the Musketeers rolled into one, the Gabriel Glass is known as the “one for all” wine glass. We’re here for it!
No matter what you’re sipping out of, we hope you’re enjoying a glass of Sea Bird Wines with your nearest and dearest. Cheers!
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!