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!
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
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.
What To Drink Now: A Vintage Report Update
Our winemaker, Patrick Durbin, fondly notes, “I love watching my wines grow up.” And for good reason. At Sea Bird Wines, we believe in relaxed wines to enjoy with friends and loved ones. That kind of wines that are as interesting as they are easy-drinking. Vintage after vintage report, we stay dedicated to taking Great Vines To Great Times with ever bottle. To make choosing your next bottle even easier, here’s a peek into our cellar with a vintage report update to see if you should hold or drink your favorite Sea Bird Wines bottles with our easy guide.
2013
This was an ideal growing season all across California. Ideal growing conditions offered moderate temperatures all throughout the growing season without rain or extreme temperatures.
What you need to know: Napa
• Dry conditions and a long sunny summer resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon that steals that show over all varietals.
• Patient growers were able to moderate soaring sugar levels to cultivate a Cabernet Sauvignon with balance, bright fruit and robust tannins that lend to long aging potential for years to come. Or, if you’re a tannin fiend, a tight, grippy wine ready to impress with structure.
Hold it: 2013 Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
Located on the east side of Napa near Soda Canyon and Atlas Peak, this vineyard produces bright fruit with a balanced acidity thanks to the volcanic mountainside soils. The structure of this Bordeaux inspired blend representative of the best of Napa Valley results in black cherry and cola notes, nuanced vanilla and a touch of white pepper that will continue to evolve in your cellar. These last five years have just started to soften the edges of the fine tannin structure, but can easily go about 3-5 more for a luxurious expression of this iconic vintage to come.
What you need to know: Sonoma
• The growing season was off to an early start in Sonoma with abundant sunshine and moderate temperatures similar to neighboring Napa.
• Quality AND quality abound! Pinot Noir in particular grew large crops offering a volume of premium wine.
Drink it: 2013 Sonoma Stage Pinot Noir - Sonoma
The Sonoma Stage vineyard is nestled between the Petaluma Gap and Los Carneros as the south end of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Cool morning fog and warm winds cultivate a Pinot Noir with classic red fruits, dark cherries and touches of cocoa and leather for a balanced Pinot ready to drink now. Enjoy a glass now as the delicious tertiary flavors have developed beautifully.
2014
Drought in the winemaking world is a delicate balance. However, it struck the perfect cord in 2014 offering lower yields, but higher quality. Sprinkling with a few well-timed rains over the growing season offered a sunny summer and a ripe fall.
What you need to know: Napa
• The perfect blend of 2012 and 2013 was the best way to describe 2014.
• Bright red fruits, balanced acidity and lower yields delivered a dreamlike vintage, especially for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
• An early harvest still delivered deep color, intense aromatics and lively acidity across the board.
Hold It: 2014 Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
This was the perfect vintage to showcase our show-stopping Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon. Aptly named after the kind of the sea, it is comprised of the “king of grapes,” Cabernet Sauvignon from a premiere Napa Valley vineyard. The G3 vineyard is home to some of the most prestigious fruit in the Valley in the Rutherford AVA. Polished tannin, wild berries, and a hint of Rutherford Dust this wine can easily rest its trident for years to come in your cellar.
What you need to know: Sonoma
• Early season come in slow and steady with
• The drought season was still going strong. For now, it allowed for high quality and reduced yield…perfect for premium vineyards.
• The warm weather paired with little rains resulted in higher alcohol wines that overall had a welcoming ripe aroma and flavors, and softer acidity…perfect for wines that are drinking well sooner than later!
Drink it: 2014 Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Pinot Noir - Sonoma
This family-owned vineyard is the ideal Sonoma Pinot Noir site. Long slow growing seasons thanks to the coastal Sonoma influence offer fog until mid-day and warm sunshine for even ripening. The bright red fruits of this vineyard shine in this Pinot Noir with a bottle ready to pop now!
Enjoy summertime drinking with our current release wines, all available to purchase online. And stay tuned in the Fall for our upcoming vintage report update and releases coming soon!
Sea Bird Wines Takes Double Gold in San Francisco International Wine Competition
Since its inception in 1980, the San Francisco International Wine Competition sets a standard for integrity and impartiality. One of the world’s longest running wine competitions, this year marked the 38th year of blind-tasting, wine-judging, and king-making.
Speaking of kings…we are proud to announce that Sea Bird Wines 2014 Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon took home a Double Gold this year with a 97 Point score. Appropriately named after the King of Seas, Poseidon is Sea Bird Wine’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the prestigious Rutherford Napa Valley AVA.
What’s Double Gold, you ask? It’s like a double win for us! Double Gold is the designation awarded to a select few entries that receive unanimous high ratings from amongst the judges. We are proud to count ourselves in a club that considers this ranking the “finest in the world.”
2014 Poseidon is the wine you want to bring out with your favorite friends around. A quintessential expression of the vintage, aromas of wild berries, caramel and cocoa powder draw you in. Layers of mocha, dark cherries and butterscotch round out a full-bodied palate with polished tannins and enough acidity to keep things interesting.
Head over to our shop to secure your allocation…and if you’re lucky we might still have a few magnums available to really spice things up.
Want to check out more Sea Bird accolades? Read about our 2018 Harvest Challenge win here.
Poseidon Wins Double Gold at the 2018 Harvest Challenge
As participating members of the 2018 Harvest Challenge, we are proud to announce that Sea Bird wines took home Double Gold with our 2014 vintage of Poseidon. Our prized Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is sourced from one of the most coveted vineyard sources in Napa Valley. While we can’t name any names, we’ll refer to this as the G3 Vineyard in Rutherford AVA.
Each year, the Harvest Challenge rates the competing wine’s terroir with other wines of the same appellation. With over 1,000 wines in competition, we are honored to announce our wins in Best in Class, Best of Napa County AVA, and Double Gold medals! We were competing next to wines from the same regions and even the same appellation. We think we’re pretty great…but it’s always nice to see that you think so too!
The 2014 vintage was an excellent year for Cabernet. It’s been called a “dream” vintage as Cabernet Sauvignon reined king across Napa. Lingering drought conditions and low yields resulted in premium quality fruit. The perfect tipping point between the 2012 and 2013 vintages, 2014 walked the line of lush tannins and vibrant acidity to boot.
Sea Bird 2014 Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon represented everything there is to love about the vintage. Aged for 24 months in New and Used French Oak barrels, the polished tannins come out to play with a broad mouthfeel. Already approachable, the beauty of this wine is its readiness to open now with your closest friends, or contentedly age in the cellar for years to come.
Interested in an allocation of 2014 Poseidon Cabernet? Head over to our shop to secure an allocation quick…our limited production wines are selling out quick. If you’re lucky there might still be a magnum available for your holiday table…
