Shadow Mountain Winery and Tasting Room

GOLD Medal winner at the San Diego Fair, Shadow Mountain’s 2015 Variation 3. This is our 2015 Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet, Malbec, and Merlot. The palate is rich, black cherry and caramel. ... Hint of earth - Long Finish Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Please be respectful of health safety protocols. Face coverings when appropriate and 6 feet apart. Thank you!

Monday, February 15 is President’s Day. Shadow Mountain WILL be open from 10 to 5. #PamsRecipeFile Here is another recipe for Valentines Day. This one is a little more challenging than last week’s recipe. ... OREO Cookie Balls 42 OREO cookies 8 oz cream cheese, softened 16 oz semisweet chocolate chips, melted Place cookies in a sealed zip-close plastic bag and finely crush with a rolling pin. Reserve 1/4 cup cookie crumbs. Mix remaining crumbs and cream cheese until blended. Shape into (1-inch) cookie balls. Freeze for 10 minutes on a shallow baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place 8 oz chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on medium power 1 minute, then stir. Continue heating, stirring every 30 seconds in between, until chocolate is completely melted. Repeat for remaining chocolate chips. Add balls, in batches, to bowl of melted chocolate. Use 2 forks to roll balls in chocolate until evenly coated. Remove balls with forks, letting excess chocolate drip back into bowl, then return to lined sheet. Garnish with reserved cookie crumbs. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated. Makes about 34 cookie balls. Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Please honor social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings when appropriate.

#AlexsCorner Shadow Mountain is pruning the vines now, and have been for about six weeks. The pruning starts once the sap has set in the cane of the vine. This procedure takes almost four months before the vines wake up and start to leaf out. ... IF YOU WANT to make a grapevine wreath, come by Shadow Mountain and get some cuttings. (Old Gus cuttings featured in picture.) ALSO, we have been bottling a lot...we have a new blend of Old Gus Red selling now and have just bottled 2020 Rose of Syrah; we are waiting for the new labels before it is ready to sell. ~Alex

SYRAH: a blend containing Black Plum, Cherry and a hint of Cocoa. January’s feature wine of the month on sale for $29 per bottle. So, if you like these tastes separately why not try them together in a glass mixed with grapes? It is a red wine but, if you lean to the white, Shadow Mountain does have a new 2020 Rose Syrah release. (I do favor white wines and honestly was happily surprised with this gem.)

Shadow Mountain WILL be open New Year’s Day from 11 to 4! In case you need to replenish your wine inventory or to assist with the hair of the dog hangover. Our sparkling wines are still on sale at 25% off. Here are a couple of Champagne recipes Pam has selected to share: #PamsRecipeFile #1 Strawberry Champagne Cocktail ... Purée fresh strawberries and 1 TBSP Lemon juice in blender until smooth. Pour into a flute champagne glass. Top with Shadow Mountain Grand Cuvée Sparkling Wine. #2 Champagne Pick-Me-Up 1 oz fresh orange juice 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice 1 tsp grenadine 2 oz brandy 3 to 4 ice cubes 4 oz cold champagne 8 oz wine glass, chilled Combine the orange and lemon juices, grenadine, brandy and ice cubes in a mixing glass. Place a shaker on top of the mixing glass and, grasping them firmly together with both hands, shake vigorously. (Apparently, someone tried it with one hand?!) Remove the shaker, place a strainer on top of the mixing glass, and pour into a large wine glass. Rinse the shaker with champagne and pour it slowly into the wine glass. CHEERS, from Pam and Alex!

DEAR SANTA, thank you for last year’s gifts, everything was perfect. But something happened!? Santa, I have been a good boy this year. So has my mom and dad. All I want for Christmas this year is for mom and dad to be happy in 2021. This year has been very strange for me. Mama Pam and Daddy Alex have been happy and sad often this year. ... Please! They are happiest when people come and enjoy our wines and facility. So, all I am asking is for my parents to be happy and bring the people back! Love, Dolbie! P.S. we have sparkling wines on sale! Santa, do you like white or can I tempt you with a Rose? Shannon says: Shadow Mountain has an excellent selection of sparkling wines on sale for 25% off. Shadow Mountain is also closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Pam and Alex say: Happy Holidays, stay safe and healthy!

SPARKLING WINE is a MUST for your Holidays! Shadow Mountain has just what you need and priced special at 25% OFF per bottle beginning today through January 2, 2021. We have Grand Cuvee and Sparkling Rose. Both will tickle your nose and put an exclamation point on any holiday cheer! Holiday hours:... December 23rd and 24th 11 am to 4:30 pm December 30th and 31st 11 am to 4:30 pm Closed: Christmas and New Year’s Day A very special Thank You! Pam & Alex

NEWS FROM Shadow Mountain Vineyards: Even though we can’t do Wine Tastings or By the Glass, you CAN purchase Bottles and/or Cases. What this means is the pandemic will NOT prevent you from enjoying your favorite Shadow Mountain wine(s). It DOES mean that the picnic area is temporarily on vacation. ... Remember, we have gifts! Check out the photo for some gift giving ideas. (Personally, I love the napkins! However, I will be happy with any of these items! I’ll have to ask Pam and Alex if I can hang a stocking! )

Well, it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Shadow Mountain is happy to help with your wine selection needs. For you all who favor reds, our Tempranillo needs to be at the top of your shopping list! We are putting it on sale for November from $34/bottle down to $25!!!! And for our white wine fans, Pam’s Pick, our Lite Muscat is on sale for $15/bottle (regular price is $23!)... Stop by and sample both, this way you can tell your Thanksgiving guests you personally made an informed decision. Come for the wine and stay for the fun! We appreciate everyone honoring Covid protocols with social distancing and wearing face coverings when appropriate.

Time for WICKED fun! Come to Shadow Mountain this Saturday between noon and 4 and celebrate Halloween with a mug (or more) of Pam’s Apple Cider Sangria, only $5 per mug. It is also a full moon, maybe you would like to have your cards read. Shannon will be reading to heighten your Halloween experience. The weather is promising to be a perfect afternoon for enjoying our spacious outdoor seating. ... Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Please be mindful of social distancing protocols and wearing face coverings when appropriate. See you Saturday!

SYRAH FAN? Shadow Mountain has finished with their 2014 stock so, it is time to break out the 2016. Time to come and see if you can tell the difference! Remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 31st. Besides it being Halloween, a full moon and a bonus of getting an extra hour sleep this night, Pam is serving Apple Cider Sangria in a mug for $5. Shannon will also be available to read your cards; all starting at noon to 4. Come for the wine and stay for the fun!... Please be responsible and wear a face covering when appropriate plus honor social distancing guidelines. See you soon!

Pam’s Halloween Plan: Let’s say it’s Fall, But you won’t need a shawl!... Come down to Shadow Mountain, We are serving all Ghouls from our fountain! Pam’s Special Sangria with Apple Cider, Will be so good you won’t share with a spider! Pam’s serving a mug on Halloween, From noon to 4 and all in between! Only 5 bucks for a mug, You can drink ‘till you’re smug! REMEMBER you’ll get an extra hour In the morning before you shower! (Daylight Savings time ends November 1st!) Another Halloween treat; Shannon will be reading Tarot Cards from noon to 4 as well! Come for the wine and stay for the fun! We thank you for practicing social distancing protocols and we will see you on Halloween!

HARVEST is now over!!!! #AlexsCorner All the wines are now sleeping. ... White wines can be bottled first; maybe within 6 months to a year. Red wines stay in the barrels from 18 months to 2 years plus before bottling. In the vineyards, we are removing the netting that protects the grapes from the birds, and the irrigation will be stopped at the end of October. Turning off the irrigation encourages the vines to go to sleep until next year. Coming soon: Pam’s Halloween Special announcement. Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Thank You for respecting pandemic guidelines and please continue. We love seeing our customers/community.

Pam is still tossing around ideas for something special on Halloween at Shadow Mountain Vineyards, Saturday October 31st, 2020. Stay tuned! Here is a simple recipe for your extra tomatoes and/or to placate Mother Nature’s Hot temperment. #PamsRecipeFile... Iced Tomato Soup 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped 1C (8 fl oz) chicken stock 1/4C (2 fl oz) virgin olive oil 1/3C (2 1/2 fl oz) aged wine vinegar 1 clove garlic, crushed Salt and black pepper 4 tsp thick creme fraiche 12 small fresh basil leaves Place the tomatoes, stock, oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor. Process on high for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve topped with a teaspoon of creme fraiche and some basil leaves. Serves 4 Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Please respect social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings when appropriate. Thank you!

OCTOBER SPECIAL: Viognier $15 per bottle (reg. $23.) As we exit September and are greeted with cooler, maybe crisper mornings, it is time to embrace the idea of Fall. Weather wise, our afternoons probably won’t feel too Fall-like. Viognier is a perfect wine to bridge the gap between Mother Nature’s fickle temperature swings! This tasty white wine is dry, but not too dry. Let the nectarine and peach flavors of Viognier invoke a proper salute to the end of summer 2020. ... Stay tuned to our posts, Pam is ‘brewing’ up something special for Halloween! Come for the wine and stay for the fun! Please, honor and respect social distancing, as well as face covering guidelines.

Special Edition of #PamsRecipeFile per the request from Donna Lewis Kreiser Watermelon Sangria 2C cubed Watermelon, place in blender, strain through fine sieve ... 1 bottle Shadow Mountain Dry Muscat 1 bottle Shadow Mountain Dessert Mystic Muscat 1C Watermelon DeKuyper Pucker Sweet & Sour Schnapps (or to taste ) Add blended and strained watermelon juice. Serve on ice Drizzle with Grenadine Toss in cubes of orange slices and watermelon Enjoy!

IF ALEX LOOKS TIRED, this photo explains it all. #AlexsCorner During the early stages of fermentation, the physical act of punching down (or, as some call stomping) of the grapes helps introduce oxygen to the yeast cells. This process kick starts the fermentation process. ... This procedure usually takes 5 to 7 days per each variety of grape and has to be performed every 4 to 5 hours. This means Alex gets up during the night to perform this step and he is tired. So, if you see Alex and he doesn’t see or hear you, please do not be offended. He is dedicated to producing a quality wine for your enjoyment and is doing it out of pure love! Mark your calendar; this Sunday, September 20, Pam will be making a Watermelon Sangria as a celebration of the beginning of Fall. (Yes, the first day of Fall is the 22nd, but we aren’t open on Tuesdays.) The first glass of Watermelon Sangria is free and do not be surprised if our weather isn’t aware we are entering Fall! Come for the wine and stay for the fun! We appreciate all who honor and respect social distancing and wearing face coverings. Thank you, and please continue! We have new wine being made just for you!

AND THE HARVEST CONTINUES! This picture shows another step in creating your favorite wine. The stainless steel container in the front is the stomping of the grapes, the red container behind is the actual juice. Again, this is the Merlot grapes and amazingly, the juice is sweet. (I think Pam and Alex are trying to convert me into a red wine connoisseur!) #PamsRecipeFile Baked Crab Rangoon... 4 oz (1/2 of 8 oz pkg) PHILADELPHIA Neufchâtel Cheese, softened 1 can (6 oz) crabmeat, drained, flaked 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (Kraft light Mayo reduced fat will work) 12 wonton wrappers HEAT oven to 350 MIX first 4 ingredients PLACE 1 wonton wrapper in each of 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray, extending edges of wrappers over sides of cups. Fill with crab mixture. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until edges of cups are golden brown and filling is heated through. Option: Garnish with additional green onions, cut into strips, just before serving. Please respect social distancing and wear face coverings when appropriate. Come for the wine and stay for the fun! P.S. Big Bird (the fan/mister) has been moved to under the canopy for more comfort and relief from the heat

MERLOT Grapes! This bin contains 1/2 ton of merlot grapes. A single 1/2 ton bin will make 135 cases of wine, or 1,620 bottles, or 6,480 glasses! (Math check! One bottle = 4 glasses. One case = 12 bottles.) Don’t forget, we are open Monday, September 7, for Labor Day, 10 am to 5 pm. Pam will be serving her Summer Breeze Sangria. $1 for the first glass and $5 for each additional glass. Bring a picnic and enjoy our shady patio or one of our other shady seating areas. Other t...han our very popular conversation area under the pepper tree (where there always seems to be a wonderful breeze), what is your favorite spot to sit and relax here at Shadow Mountain? Please honor and respect social distancing guidelines. Come for the wine and stay for the fun!

SMV NEWS! We will be open Labor Day, September 7th, 10 am to 5 pm. Pam will be making her version of sangria, Summer Breeze $1, WHAT, yes $1 a glass! Bring a picnic and enjoy the shady patio!!! #Alex’s Corner: It’s Harvest! - We have started picking white grapes, and then we will go right into picking the red grapes. How do we know when the grapes are ready to be picked......you ask?!... Well, three ways: 1. Taste them to determine sweetness. 2. If, out of nowhere, a lot of birds appear in the vines, they will start eating the grapes because they know they are ripe. 3. However, we have Alex! The professional way is Alex uses a refractometer and this measures the sugar level of the grapes. He puts a small amount of juice on the screen and views the juice through light which measures the sugar level. So much for the modern world!! FYI, if you forget your snacks, no worries! We sell crackers, cheese, and proud to sell Mad Mike’s jerky. Please respect social distancing rules! Come for the wine and stay for the fun!

FRUIT FLY REMEDY! Grrrrr! Fruit flies! Here is a simple remedy to rid your fruit of those pesky little critters! Or, maybe give yourself a plausible excuse to open a bottle of your favorite Shadow Mountain wine. You need a natural cork (here’s where Shadow Mountain comes in), rinse and dry thoroughly. Place the cork in with your bowl of fruit. (Corks from white wine seems to work best.) FYI, synthetic corks do not work. The cork pulls the sugar from the fruit, attracts the... fruit flies, they apparently become disappointed (or, hopefully frustrated) and leave. Tada! No more fruit flies. Don’t believe me? Now you have a reason to come to Shadow Mountain on a Wednesday! Come ask our very own JoAnn. Like our new postcards? They are watercolors of our labels. Please honor face coverings and social distancing guidelines. Come for the wine and stay for the fun!

Let’s talk about Harmony! It is a perfect balance between Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc and a little Dry. This wine has a bright flavor of light plum and crisp apple with a hint of lime zest. Our newest release pairs well with grilled salmon or Chinese chicken salad. Also, great with hard cheeses such as Smoked Gouda and yellow cheddar. Who knows, maybe pair it with Jalapeño poppers! Yum, yum!... Come for the wine and stay for the fun!