Beef Stroganoff with Dried Cherries
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2018 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Meritage (Dry Red) Merlot (Dry Red) Lakeshore Ruby Red (Semi-Dry Red) A classic dish with a spin! The dried cherries were specifically added to pair this dish the the more fruit driven style of red wine so typical of our cool climate. Stronganoff can be served on its own, or over egg noodles or polenta. Ingredients 3 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons butter 2 lbs beef round bottom, cut into thin strips 2 large yellow onions, diced 1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup dry red wine 1 tablespoon beef bouillon 5 oz dried cherries, coarsely chopped 2
Sugar Free Chocolate Mousse
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2018 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Meritage (Dry Red) Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Red) Lakeshore Ruby Red (Semi-Dry Red) This sugar-free low carb chocolate mousse is rich and creamy with less than for net carbs per serving. The slight bit of gelatin helps stabilize the mousse so you can make it in advance. Fast and easy to prepare! Ingredients 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1 tablespoon cold water 2 tablespoons boiling water 1 cup Splenda 1/2 cup unsweetened powdered cocoa (Ghirardelli preferred) 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional Topping: whipped cream lightly sweetened with Splenda Optional Topping: Light dusting of unsweetened
It’s Been a Long Path to the Bottle
It's Been a Long Path to the Bottle Muscat Ottonel is one of the new wines featured at our Wine and Food Pairing event last April and has since been released to the general public this summer. While it is a new wine to our customers, Muscat Ottonel has a long history at Fenn Valley and has been grown in our vineyards for more than 30 years. Fenn Valley fans never knew about it because we did not see a good thing until we tripped over it. The story begins in the mid-70’s when we were planting our first vineyards and producing our first wines. A newly planted vineyard takes three years to begin
Cherry and Blueberry Harvest
Balaton cherries waiting to be processed While many Michigan wineries are busy getting ready for harvest, Fenn Valley is already well underway! You see, we process local cherries and blueberries much the same way we work with grapes. This allows us to get more use out of the crush and press equipment as well as create great products out of Michigan-grown fruit! Cherries The cherry we work with is the Balaton, developed in Hungary and brought to the United States by Michigan State University. It differs from the extremely popular Montmorency cherry by having a firmer skin and red flesh. We believe it is ideal for winemaking as a result of both the flavor
Jam-Topped Mini Cheesecakes
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Ice Wine (Dessert Wine) Late Harvest Vignoles (Dessert Wine) Dessert wine pairings can be tricky. The key is to choose a food item that seems less sweet compared to the wine (even if in reality the food has more sugar). The savory elements of cheesecake help ensure the wine seems more sweet. The jam ties in the fruit flavors in this delicious pairing to end a great meal. Ingredients 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 – 8oz. cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg, lightly beaten Assorted jams, warmed Directions Preheat
Italian Quesadillas
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Meritage (Dry Red) Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Red) Lakeshore Ruby Red (Semi-Dry Red) An Italian take on this classic Mexican dish! The strong fennel flavor of the sausage is a classic Bordeaux style red wine pairing. The apples deliver an acidic component that highlights the crispness of cool climate red wines. And anytime cheese is involved wine seems to fit in nicely. Ingredients 10 fresh flour tortillas 1-1/2 pounds strong Italian sausage,** cooked 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese 3 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced paper thin Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay out
Fig and Prosciutto Flatbread
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Merlot (Dry Red) Capriccio (Dry Red) Lakeshore Ruby Red (Semi-Dry Red) This flatbread is the food version of red wine! The fig jam brings out fruitiness while the Gorgonzola cheese and fresh herbs add a dimension of earthiness and an herbaceous quality. And lastly the thinly sliced prosciutto delivers a salty, savory dimension. The complexity of this dish really draws out and highlights the complexity of a well made red wine. Ingredients 2 x 12oz. balls of pizza dough, thawed and at room temperature. All-purpose flour Extra virgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
Cheesy Bacon Spread
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Traminette (Semi-Dry White) Edelzwicker (Off-Dry White) Not many white wines would go well with this flavorful cheese spread. However Traminette has a wonderful floral aromatic, fruity flavor and slightly spicy finish, making it an interesting and successful pairing. Ingredients 1-12oz. pkg. bacon strips, cooked, drained and chopped ½ cup roasted pecans, chopped 4 cups (1 pound) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups mayonnaise 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 tablespoons finely chopped sweet red bell pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Directions Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir together well. Let set at least 2-3 hours for
Super Orange Chicken
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Muscat Ottonel (Dry White) Moscato (Semi-Dry White) Lakeshore Demi-Sec (Semi-Dry White) The classic orange blossom characteristics of Muscat Ottonel pair perfectly with the orange marinade on the chicken. Also, Muscat Ottonel is one of the few wines that pairs nicely with asparagus, which adds a nice dimension to this dish. Ingredients 10 – 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 1 lb. fresh asparagus, ends trimmed, roasted 1 sweet red bell pepper, roasted 1 bunch green onions, sliced including the greens 8 – 12 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
**This recipe was featured as part of our 2017 New Release Wine & Food Pairings.** Suggested Wines Sauvignon Blanc (Dry White) Sauvignon Blanc can be a tricky food pairing. Those from cool climates (such as Michigan) tend to exhibit more citrus fruit character. The lemon dressing helps to bridge the flavors between the wine and food. Ingredients 28 ounces chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 sweet red bell pepper, roasted ½ medium red onion ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped Juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 4 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper to taste Directions Mix all ingredients (except salt and pepper) together in a large
Semi-Dry Riesling Vertical Tasting
October 22nd, 2016 A long-time friend of the winery contacted us and wanted to share a 19 year old bottle of Fenn Valley Riesling from his personal collection. He had opened a bottle of the same wine at his own home and was amazed at the quality, and wanted to share his last bottle with us. This generosity prompted us to hold an impromptu tasting of the last bottles of some our oldest Rieslings. We went through our library and selected the following collection to evaluate, and what we found was amazing. While the oldest bottles of wine were clearly past their prime, even the oldest bottle(s) could be enjoyed and appreciated. But the true winner
Grower Spotlight – Robert VanVleck
Born April 20, 1942 – Lansing, MI Education High School Diploma - Charlotte High School Baccalaureate - Central Michigan University Graduate Work - Michigan State University Years Farming Bob has farmed his entire life, with breaks for schooling. Years Working With Fenn Valley Bob has been selling grapes to Fenn Valley since 1999, and is our longest continuous growing partner. Varieties Sold to Fenn Valley Vidal Blanc Youth Bob was raised on a dairy farm in Charlotte, Michigan. He attended Charlotte High School where he thrived academically and athletically. His greatest athletic achievement was pole vaulting. Bob held the school pole vaulting record for 10 years by reaching a height of 12'4"! After high school,