Meyer Family Cellars – July 29, 2017
In Mendocino County this past weekend, an age-old culinary question was finally answered: what red wine goes best with ribs? Hundreds of folks assembled at Meyer Family Cellars on Saturday July 29th in the picturesque hills of the Yorkville Highlands to cast their votes – and an afternoon’s tasting through an array wines not just one bottle won the day of ribs-pairing, but two. Maple Creek’s Cowboy Red and William Selyem’s Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir received the identical number of votes from participants.
“A wonderful community of Yorkvillians volunteered and came to enjoy the delicious wines of Yorkville Highlands,” said Maple Creek owner, Tom Rodrigues, after his food-friendly blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Carignane took top honors alongside the single-vineyard Weir Pinot Noir from William Selyem, one of California’s most legendary wineries. “It is an honor to share this award with Bill Weir and his fruit from his vineyard.”
Although there were two winners, there were no losers at this year’s festivities. Ribs were prepared by Jay Newcomer, the Anderson Valley’s own master of BBQ and champion of charcoal in this beautiful neck of the woods. Chef Jay knows that there is no better time to enjoy ribs than in the summer, and no better place to pair wine with ribs than the rugged hills of the Yorkville Highlands atop the Anderson Valley. The Valley actually boasts two of California’s top Hog farms: The Mendocino Heritage Pork Company at its western end; and Acorn Ranch, situated at the eastern edge of the Yorkville Highlands. Both outfits raise their hogs in natural settings with varied diets, resulting in a more flavorful pig—all the better to pair with Yorkville Highlands wines.
