Virtual Holiday Party Recipes

We always look forward to our Virtual Holiday Party because it’s a chance to connect with customers near and far! We get to chat about the year and – thanks to Facebook Live – answer your questions about harvest, upcoming events (*ahem* Riesling Expert IV *ahem*), and plans for the winery’s future.

We also love the chance to get to drink our wines with you, as well as the opportunity to try new recipes!

The festive appetizer recipes we’ve chosen for the 2022 Virtual Holiday Party are meant to pair with our 2021 Cabernet Franc and Dry Riesling, which you can purchase in a pack on our website. The appetizers are Herbed Goat Cheese Balls and Beet Bruschetta.

Herbed Goat Cheese Balls & Dry Riesling

Rieslings tend to pair nicely with cheese of all kinds, but especially a great quality chevre! The creaminess of cheese fits the round mouthfeel of our 2021 Dry Riesling. Here at the winery, we like to carry the Finger Lakes Gold aged goat cheese from Lively Run Dairy but this recipes calls for a softer style that will be easier to blend with cream cheese. After combining the cheeses, you’ll roll smallish balls, refrigerate them, and then cover them in herbes du provence, yum! This recipe was inspired by a goat cheese ball currently being offered at local restaurant The Cellar.

These goat cheese balls should also compliment the Cabernet Franc we’ll be sharing during the Party.

Beet Bruschetta & Cabernet Franc

It’s not just the colors that match! Basil pairs well with the earthiness of the beets, and both flavor profiles will be complimented by the soft tannin and cranberry in our 2021 Cabernet Franc. Don’t hesitate to have fun with this recipe: add thyme and/or mint to the basil. If you have a flavor-infused olive oil, use some of that along with regular EVOO. If sourdough isn’t your favorite, use whatever crackers you pair with the goat cheese balls. Note: this recipe will also go nicely with the Dry Riesling!

You can download the recipes here. The Herbed Goat Cheese Balls are on the first page, and the Beet Bruschetta is on the second! Enjoy!