With National Pinot Noir day this week, August 18th to be exact, what better way to celebrate sending the kids back to school than with a big glass of one of the globe's most versatile wines?

Pinot Noir is arguably the most prized wine in the world in current wine culture, but why? It’s not as full and rich as many of it’s red siblings, and the grape itself can often be difficult to grow. Even so, it takes up nearly 300,000 acres of farmland worldwide, over half of which is located in either France or the United States.

To find out which regional Pinot Noir you are: check out our BuzzFeed quiz by clicking HERE.

Before Sideways hit the screen, Pinot Noir was already becoming the go-to wine, as it’s light body and flavor combination pairs with everything from spicy duck ragu to goat cheese white pizza. If you invited over your most carnevorous acquaintance and a vegan neighbor, you could find a pinot that would pair with both their meal preferences.

It's common characteristics, regardless of region, are subtle flavors of red fruit, vanilla, tobacco and cola, medium tannin and acidity qualities and a lightness in both body and color.

Our 4 Pinot Noirs are sourced from 4 different Vineyards located in distinct Californian AVAs, to checkout the differences and find out more about each, just click the photos below:

As more and more people start popping pinot, make sure you hop on the bandwagon on August 18th, and raise a glass to summer's end.

What you’re already planning on eating for red, white and blue’s 240th & the wines you didn’t know were matches made in America. 

Fourth of July: the all-american holiday and everyone’s perfect excuse to get sunburnt while floating rivers, grilling in the back yard and dragging out the sprinkler for the kids to play in. There are block parties, friendly picnics, family reunions and semi-awkward office outings. Of course, the two most important things for your fourth of July party to be a hit besides the fireworks that end the night are: food and booze, and we’ve got you covered. These wine and food pairings are so red, white and wonderful it [bordeauxs] on ridiculous.

The Mains:

Hot Dogs - Work Horse

Whether you’re a “kosher-dog-only” type of guy or are a huge fan of the legendary mystery meat gamble when it comes to this sausage shaped food, the best wine for the job is by far a rich red blend. So grab a bottle of Work Horse this week, a velvety blend of Merlot and Malbec, and prepare to say “hot dawg” to this merry little match.

Merlot Burgers - Syrah 

Double the wine double the fun. What sounds better than kicking back in a lawn chair, a dripping cheeseburger in hand with just that hint of wine flavor and reaching for a perfect glass of a old red classic to help you wash down every bite after glorious bite. Creating these mouth-watering burgers is super simple, find our favorite recipe HERE.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches - ZIN 

This little piggy went to market and bought a whole bottle of Zinfandel for all the piggies at home. The deep fruitiness and full bodied flavor of this red feels right at home with cool coleslaw piled atop sweet bbq slathered, slow roasted pork. Make mini pork sliders using Hawaiian sweet rolls to activate ultimate taste bud fireworks.

Grilled Cheese - Pinot Noir

Grilled cheese has come a long way from two Kraft slices on toast, and these insane grilled cheese creations have found their lobster in Pinot Noir. The raspberry and cranberry hinted wine is the only dance partner for thick slices of bread slathered in everything from brie cheese and spinach to gouda and jalapenos. To find out how to really celebrate with grilled cheese this fourth of July, click HERE.

The Sides:

Elotes (mexican street corn) - Sauvignon blanc

This street style mexican food has been fully embraced by American cook-out culture. Whether you like it the traditional way with mayonnaise, spices and cheese or you like to add your own twist to the grilled kernel combo, the best wine for this crazy corn is Sauvignon Blanc. With tart fruit flavors and a semi-sweet ending, this wine is sure to give your grilled corn dish that extra pazazz.
  

 French Onion Dip - Chardonnay

In les Etats-Unis this summer, the french are more than welcome as long as they bring their french onion soup mix to help make this delicious dollop of heaven. Chardonnay is the only beverage this dish needs no matter the veggie used to get it into our stomachs. After aged in oak, this wine takes on a delicious vanilla and cream taste that is the perfect opposite to the cool and crisp dip coated veggies.

Grilled Watermelon - Rosé

Picture this: while waiting for the grill to finish cooking your main dishes, you’re reclined in a hammock in the shade, sunglasses on, rocking leisurely from side to side with a bowl of sweet grilled melon perfection and sippin’ on some Rosé. The warm, sugary summer snack needs a cold, crisp partner in pink. Let’s be honest, the only thing missing from that 4th of July afternoon would be a bald eagle soaring overhead as Old Glory flaps in the wind.

Pie & Port

The most american dessert of all time deserves a dessert wine just as irresistible. Whether apple, blackberry or pecan is your pie of choice, this brandy infused ambrosia will be the part of your dessert you didn’t know was missing. Made from Portuguese grapes this sweet wine is the only beverage to help you wash down that extra slice or two of buttery crusted bliss, but don’t worry: we won’t tell.

To find all of these wines and more: click HERE.

The ultimate list of film's and television's favorite father figures, the dads you love to hate and what they’d be drinking come Sunday.

By: Leah Phillips

Father’s day is right around the corner, and if you procrastinate as much as I do, then you have been drawing [blancs] on what to give the dad in your life. But fear not, if your father is a TV, movie or wine enthusiast, or if he just happens to be a fan of whatever gift you choose (as long as it’s above 10% ABV), you have struck gold today, my friend.

Darth Vader, Star Wars Episodes 3, 4 & 5: Pinot Noir

The Pinot is strong with this one.

The Lord of the Dark side wouldn’t be caught on this side of Alderaan drinking anything but a dark colored wine; oh no, he demands a red so deep it outshines his light-saber. Complex and full of swirling flavors that range from traces of red licorice to hints of wild blueberry and milk chocolate, this wine is full of dark, delicious mystery. Much like Darth’s temper, the Pinot Noir grape is much more delicate than its cousins, preferring specific weather patterns of long springs and falls which makes keeping them growing and happy rather challenging. Not to mention that one of the most celebrated villains of all time deserves a wine style that is arguably the most acclaimed. It might be a bit of an egomaniac, but that makes it perfect for Lord Vader.

To fully stock your own death star, click HERE.

Jack Torrance, The Shining: Zinfandel

Here’s Zinny.

A rather erratic man, Jack flocks to a wine with a torn identity. Zinfandel naturally creates a fruity and full bodied red wine, however only around 15% of it goes towards creating that style. Instead most of the fruit goes to creating the sweet blush known as White Zinfandel. Jack also finds himself sympathizing to Zin’s rather torrid past, it was thought for a long time to be the all-american grape until DNA testing showed its footprints were identical to Italian Privitivo and Croatian Tribiddrag grapes. Zin can be a little zany, with alcohol percentages upwards of nearly 17%, but that makes it the prefered companion for Jack as he tries to keep warm in the snow.

Need a little Zin in your life? click HERE.

George Bluth Sr., Arrested Development: Chardonnay

There’s always money in the wine bottle.

Also known as Prisoner # 1881372911, George Bluth Sr. is a delicate soul, preferring the finer things in life like a wine that originated in Bordeaux, France. Chardonnay is the sidekick to this real estate mastermind because whether he’s trying new deals in Iraq, fleeing to Mexico or hiding in a model home attic, he can get his hands on a bottle of one of the world’s most popular white wines. It is the most planted white grape across the globe, taking up nearly 500,000 acres of farmland. The easy access makes it essential for a man on the run and the perfect way to poison his enemies as his other criminal identity, “The Muffin Man.” Dry and full bodied, this white wine will be Bluth Sr.’s drink of choice this father’s day as he pairs it with a frozen banana.

Want to surprise your own Bluth Sr.? Find our Chardonnay HERE.

Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather: Grenache

He’s going to make a wine they can’t refuse.

As head of the most powerful gang family in all of New York City, Don Corleone prefers his wine to pair flawlessly with his air of control and power. Grenache is the seedy underground mastermind of the wine industry, aging easily for 15-20 years before it strikes. It’s patient in it’s plan to help Corleone be the ultimate boss of the city and has stretched its vines to have influence in regions as far as Algeria. With hints of leather and grilled plums, a glass of this  sophisticated old world favorite brings Carleone’s class meter to an all time high as he sits high above his kingdom of concrete, puffing cigars and warning off enemies with a simple eyebrow raise.  

Our Grenache blend, called Violet Crown is available soon, to learn more click HERE.

Eddard (Ned) Stark, Game of Thrones: Syrah

The man who passes the sentence should drink the Syrah.

Even wolves get thirsty, and as head of the house of Stark, Ned is no exception. The Lord of Winterfell needs a wine to keep his heart brave against those who threaten his family and plot to overthrow the throne. Syrah is the only wine Ned Stark will accept as he must be wary against plots of murder and drink solely from only his own stock. With strong flavors of dark fruits such as black currant and oak hints of allspice and clove, this wine makes up some of the darkest red wine produced to this day. Though there is variation in New and Old World Syrahs, most of the difference is found in the amount of fruit flavor that is present, with the New World style focusing on the fruitier end of the spectrum. The exact date where Syrah entered the wine world is unknown, dating back as far as the Romans or possibly even the Greeks, making this ancient ambrosia the only wine for the Warden of the North.

Jon Snow would face 100 white walkers to get his hands on our Syrah blends found HERE.

Marlin, Finding Nemo: Sauvignon Blanc

He touched the Blanc.

Marlin’s humor is almost as dry as his wine of choice, the Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine has a very refreshing and intensely fruity and flowery taste with a softer body, making it the only drink for an overprotective father to unwind after a long day of swimming out and back in, and out and back in, and out and back in of his sea anemone. It can come in oaked or unoaked versions and can be found growing in regions all over the world, even close by to P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. Sauvignon has a hint of bravery in all it’s fruit and floral exterior, making it hard not to love and the ideal wine for Marlin as he finds himself on his own unexpected adventure.

Dory just keeps herself swimming through a supply of our Sauvignon Blanc HERE.

Bryan Mills, Taken: Merlot | Malbec

One thing is for certain: he will look for it. He will find it, and he will drink it.

Poor Bryan Mills is at first seen like the guy who just can’t win, just like Merlot seems like the underdog to Cabernet. Of course, once he’s put in his element we are able to see this awesome dad kicking butts and taking names, which is why he chooses to reach for a glass of this smooth red after a long day of shooting bad guys and chasing people off of over-passes. Merlot and Malbec have been given a bad reputation, but they actually belong in the club of first class wines. Those who know Merlot’s magic, respect it immensely and will never underestimate the power behind it’s punch. So maybe give the so-called underdog a shot, he may take your taste buds on an unforgettable car chase, though perhaps leave the driving and the shooting to Bryan. 

Not even the French Intelligence can keep Bryan from our Merlot blend found HERE.

Phil Dunphy, Modern Family: Port

He’s a cool dad. He’s hip. He surfs the web. He drinks.

When you first met Mr. Dunphy, you likely found him to be delightfully ridiculous and not someone to be taken too seriously, but the longer you watched the more you found he was actually full of genius. He finds himself drawn to the dessert wine because he sympathizes with it’s unmatched potential. True Port wine can only be made from Portuguese fruit, of which there may be up to 52 varieties of grapes, and can come in white, red, rosé and tawny styles. While Port wine and Phil Dunphy aren’t for everyone, those of us who are [phil-ed] in find ourselves lost in a sweet caramel hinted paradise, and this sweet drink is sure to be found in a glass nearby as Phil brainstorms more Phil’s-osophies.

Feel fancy like Phil by clicking HERE.

Curious about these styles of wine, how their made or what they pair with? Click HERE to find more information on the wines we mentioned today, and to all of you winos out there, we hope you have a [grape] father’s day.

Stop and smell the Rosés.

A highlight on our favorite pink drink and the best of Texas Rosé as National Rosé day nears.

By: Leah Phillips

Summer is right around the corner, and with the heat and sun comes dozens of pink colors in every imaginable shade. It’s on nails and bikinis, covering the flowers in the parks and the gloss on lips, but this year it’s in more drinks than just lemonade, it’s also in your favorite and most versatile wine, the Rosé. 

Whether you’re a Rosé aficionado or a rookie to the game: this Saturday, June 11th, is the day to think pink and celebrate National Rosé Day, but before you buy a bottle, grab a glass and make some [pour] decisions this Saturday, here’s some great quick tips on how Rosés are made and a behind the scenes look at this season’s go-to wine:

The taste and delicious pink color of Rosé wine comes from the red grape skins marinating in their juices for a period of time, a process known as “maceration”. Grape juice is surprisingly white, no matter the grape, the color, the region it’s grown in or how long it was on the vine.

To get those craved-for colors of sweet flamingo pink to deep blood crimson, the white juice marinades with the grape skins that it was squeezed from, and the longer the skins sit with the juice, the deeper and darker the color. The skins are removed from the fermentation process before any of the deep red color can set in, giving the juice a delightfully playful pink tint as it finishes fermenting.

There are at least 10 different styles of Rosé, and each style tastes and looks slightly different from the others due to the types of grapes used, the amount time it sits with the skins or ferments and a few other factors. Our Rosé is a Provençal Rosé, which means it is made in the same style as Rosé from Provence in southern France, which is currently the most sought-after style of pink wines.

This style is known for it’s fresh, crisp taste that can go with virtually any dish and still feel at home. From warm chips and guacamole on the back deck to steaming crab risotto at a formal rehearsal dinner, this style of Rosé is a perfect pair to any mood and occasion. 100% of our Rosé is made from grapes sourced out of the Texas High Plains region instead of Provence, France, making it a local gem and a true Texas wine (read the truth about “For Sale in Texas Only” wines).

Rosé is currently the fastest growing wine category in the good ole’ US of A, so go ahead, jump on the “Bro-sé” bandwagon. Instead of reaching for a glass of sweet iced tea or yet another Dr. Pepper this summer, make a dash to your local wine supplier or winery, grab a bottle of dry Rosé to pair with those burgers on the grill and raise a glass to some summer lovin’.

If you’re still thirsty for information on Rosé, the other styles and wine in general: click HERE to go to Wine Folly.

If you’re curious about where to find our Rosé: click HERE.

For information on other Texas Rosés: check out our friends below and how they think pink:

William Chris Vineyards

Dandy Rosé

Pedernales Cellars

Lewis Wines

Calais Winery