Fall is in the Air

Fall is definitely in the air. The mornings are brisk, the days are getting shorter and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are filled with the aromas of harvest. Fall is one of our favorite times of the year. There is always so much to look forward to – delicious veggies, ripe, juicy grapes, pumpkins, harvest festivals, Halloween, Thanksgiving. This list could go on and on. Here are a few of the ways we enjoy the fall season the most.

Farmer’s Market – it’s hard to beat the ripe, juicy fruit that makes its way to Farmer’s market in the summer. But fall can definitely hold its’ own. There are so many varieties of grapes available right now that it makes your head spin. And the winter squash is not only beautiful to look at but makes some great soups and warm, hearty dishes for a brisk fall evening.

Harvest Festivals – everywhere you look, someone is celebrating the season with a harvest party. Many of these great events are put on by wineries and a good share of them are open to the public. We also love the St. Helena Hometown Harvest Festival & Pet Parade. Spectators come from all over Northern California to participate and watch the Pet Parade. You can’t help but enjoy watching pets of all makes and sizes, dressed up in their best costumes, parading through St. Helena. This year’s festival just happened last weekend. Don't miss out next year!

One-Pot Meals – we love the return of one-pot meals in the fall months. Casseroles, hearty soups, lasagna’s, gratin, you name it. If you only need one pot/dish to cook it, then it fits the bill for the perfect fall one-pot meal. In fact, we just kicked off the season with one of our favorites – Mike's Three Cheese Lasagna.

Grapes – of course we have a fondness for this divine fruit living in Northern California. But beyond the grapes that make our favorite wines, there are so many good grapes to eat and they are filling up the stands at the local Farmer’s Markets and grocery stores. Get your fill while they are abundantly available! We hope you enjoy the season! We have lots of great fall recipes and our favorite fall wines to share with you.