Summer Entertaining With Knights Bridge

Summer Entertaining with Knights Bridge

Beachside or poolside, barbeque in the backyard or catch of the day at the lake, summer is the season for effortless entertaining. Explore our hosting guide with five fresh ideas to complement your next summertime gathering!

1. Design a simple buffet using fresh ingredients
Provide small bites when guests arrive if you'll be serving a meal later in the afternoon or evening. Keep the buffet simple while offering food choices to accommodate a variety of diets. An attractive buffet arrangement utilizes various dishes, shapes, and heights and can elevate your table. Small bites such as individual yogurt and berry parfaits, chopped layered salads, or sweet or savory tartlets are ideal to serve as you put out only what you need and can easily replenish from the kitchen to keep the food fresh.

2. Provide shaded lounge areas and plenty of sunscreen
Provide comfortable, shaded lounge areas in your outdoor living area under the awning or canopy or utilize tents and umbrellas in the yard. Offer sun hats for guests to wear along with sunscreens containing various levels of SPF—it’s easy to underestimate the sun’s strength midday! If you will be boating or swimming, it's nice to provide stacks of fresh towels as needed.

3. Curate a portable bar cart and chill your Knights Bridge wines
Have several varieties of wine available for your guests and chill the whites and Rosé for several hours before the party. If you need to stock up, consider our KB by Knights Bridge Summer Collection. Chill more wine than you think you'll need; you can always return unopened bottles to the wine fridge. Offer garnishes such as fresh garden herbs or frozen berries for spritzers or wine-based cocktails.

4. Create colorful foraged arrangements to decorate
Forage for colorful wild blooms and greenery and create your own seasonal arrangements of various sizes. Laura walks you through the simple step-by-step process in this video.

5. Take your grill game to the next level
Skip the burgers and test new recipes to try on the grill ahead of the main event. We recommend Cajun Tri-Tip Sandwiches to pair with our Linville Cabernet Sauvignon and Baby Back Ribs to enjoy with our KB by Knights Bridge Red Blend.  

Share shots from your favorite summer soirées on our Facebook or Instagram—we love seeing how you celebrate with Knights Bridge!
 

May 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM Permalink

Wine + Culinary Conversation with Chef Dustin Valette

Wine & Culinary Conversation with Chef Dustin Valette

Laura had the pleasure of hosting Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Healdsburg over wine and charcuterie during a Facebook Live broadcast. Wines featured include the 2019 Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, Pont de Chevalier and the 2017 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon.

May 19, 2021 at 3:54 PM Permalink

Remembering Ethel Linville Bailey on Mother's Day

Memories of Ethel Linville Bailey, affectionally known as 'E,' from her grandson, John Bailey.

Apr 29, 2021 at 11:27 AM Permalink

2021 Spring Release Celebration

2021 Spring Release Celebration

Thank you for celebrating with us during our 2021 Spring Release! For wine availability, please contact Alicia Antone at aantone@knightsbridgewinery.com or 707.812.2368.

Mar 23, 2021 at 11:54 AM Permalink

Anthony Dias Blue Reviews Knights Bridge Chardonnay

"Complex and balanced with depth, and layers on layers of flavor, these two Chardonnays from Knights Bridge can enhance any meal or special occasion, and further prove Knight’s Bridge overall excellence."                    

          – Anthony Dias Blue

Mar 18, 2021 at 12:26 PM Permalink

Anthony Dias Blue Reviews Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Anthony Dias Blue Reviews Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon
 

Anthony Dias Blue of Blue Lifestyle scored the Collinwood, Haggerty, and Linville Cabernet Sauvignon all 97 points!

"Each of these Cabernet Sauvignons shows off exquisite balance and depth, revealing their unique character with every sip. Any lover of great California Cabernet Sauvignon should try Knights Bridge."                       

          – Anthony Dias Blue

Mar 11, 2021 at 10:12 AM Permalink

Shiitake Miso Soup + Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc

Shiitake Miso Soup
2019 Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, Pont de Chevalier

Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes

This simple soup is full of rich umami highlighted by delicate flavors and aromatics, perfectly paired with our Sauvignon Blanc. Add a poached egg and edamame to make it a light but satisfying meal.

Shiitake Miso Soup

Ingredients
8 cups water
Three 6-inch pieces kombu (dried kelp)
¼ cup bonito flakes
2 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms
½ cup light (white) miso
1 bunch scallions, sliced thin, white and green parts separated
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced, stems set aside
4 ounces fresh spinach, rinsed
4 ounces firm tofu, cut into cubes
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon tamari
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Method
In medium stock pot add 8 cups water. Rinse the kombu and add it to the pot along with the bonito flakes, dried mushrooms, and miso. Bring it to a simmer and cook on low for 25 minutes - do not let it boil. Remove the kombu and mushrooms, discard. Meanwhile, in skillet over medium heat add the scallion white parts, ginger, garlic, fresh shiitake mushrooms, and sesame oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring. Add to stock pot along with the spinach, tofu, rice vinegar, and tamari; cook for 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the reserved green parts of scallions.

Jan 8, 2021 at 12:20 PM Permalink

Seafood Bisque + East Block Chardonnay

Seafood Bisque
2018 Knights Bridge Chardonnay, East Block

Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
​Cook time: 30 minutes

This rich, comforting soup needs nothing more than a simple salad, crusty bread, and a glass of East Block Chardonnay for an easy winter dinner.

Seafood Bisque

Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 lb. medium shrimp – peeled, deveined and sliced into ½-inch pieces
1 lb. bay scallops
½ lb. fresh-picked lump crab meat
1 cup finely chopped celery
½ cup finely chopped carrot
¼ cup finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups half and half
½ cup Chardonnay
4 cups seafood stock
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
½ teaspoon pepper (to taste)
Freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Method
In a Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Add shrimp and scallops and cook until shrimp are pink, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp and scallops with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl or on a plate, leaving juices in pot. Lower heat to medium, add remaining 3 tablespoons butter, celery, carrots, shallots, and garlic; cook and stir for 4 minutes. Add flour while continuing to stir, cook for 3 minutes. Add half and half, wine and seafood stock, and whisk to incorporate. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook on low for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Return shrimp and scallops to pot, along with lump crab, Old Bay Seasoning, nutmeg, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine then simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve ladled into warmed bowls, topped with fresh chopped parsley, alongside warm crusty bread.

Jan 7, 2021 at 12:24 PM Permalink

Daube de Boeuf + Cabernet Sauvignon

Daube de Boeuf
2017 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 

Serves: 6
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours

This classic French braised beef, red wine, and vegetable stew offers the homey convenience of pot roast yet is sophisticated enough to feel like a special-occasion meal. Serve alongside mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food menu.

Daube de Boeuf

Ingredients
1 3-lb. boneless beef chuck roast
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 oz. shallots, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons Cognac
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon
1 14.5-oz. can chopped, peeled tomatoes
4 strips orange zest (2-1/2 inches long, removed with a vegetable peeler)
1 lb. slender carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Method
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 325ºF. Using your fingers and a thin knife, pull the roast apart along its natural seams. Trim off any thick layers of fat then slice the roast into 1½-inch cubes. Heat the oil and bacon together in an 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until the bacon is browned but not crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small plate. Season about one-third of the beef with salt and pepper and arrange the cubes in a sparse single layer in the pot to brown. Adjust the heat so the beef sizzles and browns but does not burn. Cook until all sides are a rich brown, a total of about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large plate or tray, and season and brown the remaining beef in two more batches. When all beef chunks are browned, pour off all but about 1½ tablespoon of drippings. Set the pot over medium-high heat, add the shallots, season with a large pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, and sauté until they just begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the brandy, deglaze, then add the tomato paste, garlic, and herbes de Provence, stirring to incorporate, and sauté for another 1 minute. Add the wine, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to dislodge the caramelized drippings, and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes, carrots, orange zest, beef (along with accumulated juices) and bacon to the pot, bring to a simmer, cover, and place in oven. Cook the stew, stirring every 45 minutes, until the meat is fork-tender 2 hours, 45 minutes. Before serving, skim off any surface fat (if there is any), adjust seasonings and stir in the parsley.

Jan 6, 2021 at 12:25 PM Permalink

Meals on Wheels San Francisco Partnership

Meals on Wheels San Francisco Partnership

Meals on Wheels San Francisco is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a network of services allowing thousands of seniors to live in their homes with dignity and independence. It is a cause that is personal for our proprietors, Kelley and Jim Bailey, and they have supported the organization for many years. Knights Bridge Winery has been honored to partner through the annual Gala with wine, donations, and auction lots.

When the annual Gala was canceled this past May, due to COVID-19, we joined to support the virtual Fund-A-Route Pledge Drive as a Star Vintner. The online event was held October 11 and during the live broadcast Kelley and Jim announced a $50,000 donation on behalf of Knights Bridge Winery to Meals on Wheels San Francisco, which will directly serve 10,000 meals to homebound seniors.

We invite you to join us in pledging support for food insecurity for seniors and Meals on Wheels in whatever way is meaningful for you. Not only will you feel great about doing good, especially in these challenging times, every donation of $2,500 or more will receive a Knights Bridge Wine Tasting Sampler with an educational virtual tasting. It’s our way of thanking all those who have joined with us to support food security for seniors during these uncertain times.

All donations support the delivery of over 2 million meals annually, nutrition counseling, social work services, and urgent home repair needs. Please visit mowsf.org/2020pledge for more information and to make a direct donation to The Star Chefs and Vintners Fund-A-Route Pledge Drive.

Oct 13, 2020 at 8:06 AM Permalink