July 2025 - Winervana

July 31, 2025

A Decadent Mac & Cheese Recipe

In addition to being a wine blogger, I am also an amateur chef with advanced skills. All of my friends have fond nostalgic memories of mac & cheese which they enjoyed while growing up. However, I have never had mac &cheese, but finally wanted to try it. I decided that the Blue Box wouldn’t do, so I asked my pal Chat GPT for a recipe that captures their enthusiasm, but that would appeal to my adult tastes. Here’s what Chat came up with:

Serves 4 | Prep time: 40 mins | Bake time: 25 mins

Ingredients

For the pasta:

1/2 lb elbow macaroni (or try cavatappi or pipette for texture) I used cavatappi.

For the béchamel base:

2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups whole milk, warm
1/2 cup heavy cream, warm
½ tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and white pepper to taste

For the cheese blend:

3 oz aged white cheddar, grated
2 oz Gruyère, grated (nutty, melty)
1 oz Fontina or Taleggio, grated (for creaminess) Fontina is my go-to.
2 tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (for umami depth) Real cheese; no Green Can.

For the topping:

1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (from good-quality bread)
1 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano
Optional: 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme or chives

Method

Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in well-salted water just to al dente. Drain and toss with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Make the béchamel sauce
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir constantly for about 2 minutes to make a blond roux. Gradually add the warm milk and cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until thickened and velvety.
Build flavor
Stir in Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Begin adding the cheese in handfuls, off heat, whisking until melted. Reserve a small handful (1/2 cup) of the cheese for the top.
Assemble
Combine the pasta and cheese sauce. Transfer to a buttered 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.
Prepare the topping
Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmigiano, and herbs. Scatter evenly over the dish.
Bake
Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Rest & Serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Optional: finish with a dusting of smoked paprika or a drizzle of truffle oil. I went with smoked paprika.

Notes

For a smoky variation: add diced pancetta or crisp bacon to the mix. I used pancetta.
For a deeper umami layer: stir in a teaspoon of white miso paste to the béchamel. Which I did, but couldn’t taste it.
For wine pairing: a lightly oaked Chardonnay or a creamy Viognier balances richness; red lovers could try a soft Pinot Noir.

This is actually Chat’s original recipe cut in half. But, trust me, it is super rich and will still serve four.

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Continue reading “A Decadent Mac & Cheese Recipe”

July 29, 2025

Walson Holland Mélange Rouge 2018

Walson Holland is a small winery nestled in the Ojai Valley of Southern California. it was founded in 2018 by winemaker Benjamin (“Benny”) Holland, a seasoned winemaker, and Jonas Svensson, an Ojai-based vineyard owner.

Benjamin Holland began his career by interning at Kosta Browne in 2016, then worked harvest in Central Otago’s Amisfield in New Zealand, and later interned at the prestigious cult winery Sine Qua Non in California. There, he honed the meticulous craft and precision that now define Walson Holland’s style.

The first vintage began with modest scale: in 2018 they produced roughly 600 cases in an Oxnard warehouse, sourced from vineyard sites across California’s Central Coast—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Alisos Canyon, Happy Canyon, the Santa Ynez Valley, and Edna Valley. Production then grew steadily, reaching around 800 to 1500 cases by 2022.

As early as 2021, the Santa Barbara Independent featured them, celebrating their Rhône-style blends, field blend approach, and urban tasting room.[Now closed, from what I could determine. The wines are currently sold in a handful of California wine shops, and on an allocation basis on their Web site.]

From the start, the winery has specialized in Rhône‑style blends—including both whites and reds—and also single‑varietal Pinot Noir and Grenache. Their wines have garnered attention from critics including California Wine Advisors and The Wine Independent, with glowing early reviews for their 2018 Grenache and later vintages. Continue reading “Walson Holland Mélange Rouge 2018”

July 25, 2025July 26, 2025

Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

In 1978 Gary and Nancy Andrus founded Pine Ridge Vineyards on roughly 50 acres in Napa’s famous Stags Leap District, planting Cabernet Sauvignon on steep, terraced hillsides set among pine‑lined ridges. Tom Cottrell became the first winemaker.

Inspired by the wines of Bordeaux, the Andrus’ aimed to craft powerful yet elegant red wines—thus beginning Pine Ridge’s signature style.

Over time, the estate expanded to around 160 acres across five premier AVAs: Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros.

They diversified their portfolio beyond Cabernet, including Merlot, Petite Verdot, Chardonnay, and a distinctive Rhône‑style Chenin Blanc + Viognier blend.

In 1993 Andrus expanded into Oregon, founding Archery Summit.

Today, the winery is owned by Crimson Wine Group, which purchased it in 2000. Nine years later, Gary Andrus passed away.

Josh Widaman is currently the estate winemaker. Widaman has produced 90+ ratings on over 90% of all wines made in his career, including Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year in 2016 with Lewis Cellars.

“My path to winemaking started with a wine that left a lasting impression [a 1997 Pahlmeyer Merlot] that I use as inspiration in every wine I create,” Widaman emphasizes.

Pine Ridge is Napa Green‑certified, integrating sustainable practices—from erosion control to water conservation, soil care, solar panels, and reduced‑weight glass bottles. They aim for carbon neutrality and support the International Wineries for Climate Action. Continue reading “Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2022”