Food & Wine

What Is Blanc de Blancs? The Sparkling Style Made from White Wine Grapes

Some of wine’s most elegant expressions come from the simplest concepts. What happens when you take classic white wine grapes and transform them into sparkling wine using time-honored techniques? You get blanc de blancs—a style that spotlights the brightness and finesse of white grapes in their most celebratory form. Whether you’re curious about that elegant bottle on…

What Is Ranch Wine? A Complete Guide to Taste, Types, and More

Sometimes the best innovations come from the simplest questions. What if wine could be as flexible as your Friday night plans? What if sustainability and spontaneity could shake hands in the same glass? What if the most sophisticated choice was knowing when to throw sophistication out the window? Meet Ranch Wine: our answer to every “what…

What Is a Dry White Wine? A Beginner’s Guide

Ever stood in the wine aisle, surrounded by labels that sound like poetry or code, and wondered what actually makes a wine “dry”? You’re not alone. Yet this fundamental concept is simpler than you might think, and mastering it opens the door to a world of crisp, refreshing wines that elevate everything from a Tuesday…

Best Dry White Wines for Cooking: Discover What to Use and Why It Matters

The moment wine meets the pan, something magical happens. Steam rises, aromas intensify, and what began as a few simple ingredients transforms into something extraordinary. Yet for many home cooks, the question lingers: what is a good dry white winefor cooking? The answer lies in understanding how wine functions in the kitchen—not just as an ingredient,…

Simple Fresh Green Salad

Hello food and wine lovers Chef Olan Cox here from the heart of Mendocino County, California. I adore greens, especially those fresh from the garden. One of my favorite ways to enjoy is with a good simple salad using a base of about two thirds lettuce and a third arugula. I like to use a…

Citrus Cream Salad

Hello food and wine lovers! Chef Olan Cox here from the heart of Mendocino County, California, sharing a Citrus Cream Salad recipe with you. The ingredients to this salad will be a natural complement to the wine you are drinking. The creamy dressing makes a lovely pairing with our Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and even Pinot…

A bottle of Bonterra Pinot Gris open, on a table surrounded by glasses of water, wine, and cocktails with tapas.

Guide to Pinot Gris Characteristics

A Guide to Pinot Gris Characteristics: When to Enjoy and What to Expect The world of white wine offers a spectacular range of expressions, from the crisp clarity of Sauvignon Blanc to the rich complexity of Chardonnay. Along this spectrum lies Pinot Gris—a grape variety of remarkable versatility and subtle charm. Understanding the characteristics of…

Bottle of Bonterra Rose Wine on a beach towl near a plate of fruit

Is Rosé Wine Sweet?

Is Rosé Wine Sweet? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Flavor Profile Between the realms of crisp whites and robust reds lies something that blushes—a spectrum of rosé wines that has transcended seasonal popularity to become a year-round choice for discerning palates. Yet among wine enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, one question persists: Is rosé wine…

bottle of Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc set on table with plates of salads and olives

Sauvignon Blanc Taste Profile

What Does Sauvignon Blanc Taste Like? Exploring Its Characteristics When you hear “Sauvignon Blanc,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s the distinctive aroma of fresh-cut grass on a spring morning, zesty citrus that makes your mouth water, or tropical fruits that transport you to warmer shores. Few wines conjure such immediate and recognizable sensory…

A bottle of Bonterra Pinot Gris set on a table surrounded by glassware and tapas

Pinot Gris vs Pinot Grigio: Differences

Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio: Decoding the Differences In pursuit of wine knowledge, and on a journey of exploration and discovery, you might occasionally come across moments that need some clarification. Among these, “Is Pinot Gris the same as Pinot Grigio?” comes up a lot for us at Bonterra. We love decoding and breaking down…

Lavender, Lemon, and Herb Roasted Chicken

Welcome back to our culinary corner, where we celebrate the art of cooking with nature’s finest ingredients! Today, we’re thrilled to share a delightful recipe for Lavender, Lemon, and Herb Roasted Chicken, featuring a star ingredient that embodies the essence of our organic winery: our very own dried organic lavender. Harvested from McNab Ranch, nestled…

food and wine pairing, sauvignon blanc and green cabbage

Sauvignon Blanc Pairing: Crisp Cabbage Salad

We believe in the power of regenerative organic agriculture to create exceptional wines that honor the earth. Our commitment to sustainability and organic farming practices ensures that every bottle of wine from Bonterra Vineyards is a true reflection of the “good-earth” from which it comes. We’ve partnered with our friend Oliver English, Filmmaker, Chef &…