Just a little Christmas Cheer Free Shipping and 20% off HammerSky wine!

Wishing everyone a special holiday season. Our family celebrates Christmas and each year this season reminds us to be peaceful and joyful. It would be nice if this feeling lasted the whole year long, but I guess if that were the case we would not recognize things about each of us that our friends find so good in us or that we would like to improve on. Like wine that gets each better each day with proper care, I am reminded my friends and family and myself need that too.

What that in mind and my effort to share a joyful heart we wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah.

To add a little extra joy you can get 2007' HammerSky wines delivered free until the end of the year and everyone can enjoy 20% discounted prices. Including our award winning Zinfandel and our Bordeaux Blend "Party of Four" and even the "Limited Resource" Cabernet.

So spread a little holiday peace, joy and cheer!

The Vineyard Pantry

Antarctica is the only continent grapevines are not grown. 60 million tons of grapes each year are made into everything from raisins to wine to grappa and even skin care products.

FLATBREAD
with Blue Cheese, Grapes and a touch of love & Honey
1 hour 30 minutes
makes one 13- inch flatbread
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling
3/4 cup warm water
2 teaspoons chopped Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 pound red grapes
Coarse salt
3 ounces blue cheese crumbled
1 tablespoon honey
a snippet of any herb you love

Follow directions on yeast packet- with the flour add rosemary, salt & pepper.
Put on a floured surface and knead until smooth- place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise about 1 hour.
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees, place pizza stone on bottom rack and heat about 30 minutes
flatten to dough to about 13" and place a large floured cardboard or pizza peel so you can slide onto the stone. Press whole grapes into the dough all about and sprinkle with salt.
Bake about 12 minutes until the crust is golden and the grapes have started to release juices.
Sprinkle blue cheese and bake about 2 more minutes, until cheese melts. Slide flatbread out of the oven and drizzle with honey and sprinkle with herbs- slice and serve

Food & Wine 2008

Fall Colors- 100 Point Wine

Here is a view of HammerSky Vineyards from across the road at one of the vineyards where Justin Smith gets his amazing grapes for his Saxum 100 point wine rated by Robert Parker. Imagine that. Saxum is a great wine~ but more than that look at the area where it was born.

Falling behind

It's been a long fast year! I can't believe I have actually had to say goodbye to summer. Fall is officially here ~ in my calendar. I can tell by the color of the leaves at on the vineyard, the treats of frost and harvest. Harvest, Harvest. The Zinfandel survived the big rain, a little of Jack and a summer like wind. Another frost is coming luckily the brix are good and so is the fruit. Not much Cab, but what is there is fantastic.

The La Magazine food and wine event last Sunday was good as ever. I just love that event. So many good chefs and good wine. I loved the Artichoke Guacamole from Beso. And of course the world famous Rich Blade was there~ it just wouldn't be the same without him!

One Kings Lane

Every once in a blue moon totally unexpected someone treats you like a Queen (or King). Well today I was reminded how a small gesture can go a long way and shape ones view. A little gift that reminded me to stay on my on road and do it my way came along totally unexpected from www.onekingslane.com
If your looking for something special, or to toss someone that little thought to shape their world take a look at the website.

By The way, the Rose' is bottled- I know you all are waiting patiently, Doug said the Merlot is delicious and floral- and the Cab is outstanding.
Yes there will be bottle shock, but you can order online now and should be good to drink in about 4 weeks- many years ahead.
Cheers!

June Brides and Marmalade Sunsets

There is something special about a June Bride. I was married in September, but my parents were married in June. HammerSky's 1st wedding was this past June. The wedding will always be special to us. I hope Erin and Greg feel the same. Looking at the pictures it truly is one beautiful marriage.
We wish all the brides (and grooms) all the best from HammerSky.

Marmalade Sunsets
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Welcome Summer!

Today is the first day of summer- the longest day of the year. It is such a beautiful time to be at the vineyard so what a day to enjoy it. Along with these warm days comes the challenge of shipping our wines- while we keep a close eye on the weather and ship only when it is cool enough you can always pick up a bottle or 2 from your local wine shop. Rolfs, Howes, California Taste in Laguna Beach and Laguna Nigel, The Wine Gallery and others.

HammerSky "Open Invitation" blend and "Reserve" 100% Zin were just awarded bronze medals at the OC Fair. So far we are 3 for 3! The Rose' which sold out last year also won an International Bronze. A few new wines being released soon, the are listed on our website.

It's a perfect day to take a nice evening stroll sipping a nice glass of wine...