Cozy Valentine Meal at Home -- Onward + Plumpjack Wines with Pasta Dinner

Show your true love how much you care with a cozy dinner at home.

Onward Art Label Series - Onward Wines 2022 Rose of Zinfandel, Mendocino

Delicate aromas of white peaches intertwined with wild roses; layers of citrus, red plum and yellow quince flavors; and a refreshing, clean finish, thanks to its vibrant acidity. This wine is brimming with layers of vibrant fruit and minerality, while having silky texture. She is friendly, fun, and easy to be around!

This old vine Zinfandel is from Hill vineyard in Mendocino, which was planted in the early 1970s and is organically farmed by the Johnsons, who are 5th generation growers and the owners of our long time favorite vineyard Hawkeye Ranch in Redwood Valley.

This is a whole cluster press rose, which was gently pressed for about 4 hours of skin contact time and then the juice was cold settled in stainless and fermented in neutral French oak BBL and puncheons.

This label features a painting by Sally White King, visit her website sallywhiteking.com to see more of the works of art that this amazing woman creates.

Name of Winery: Onward

Bottle Size: 750ml

Number of Bottles: One

Varietal: Rose of Zinfandel

Appellation: Mendocino

Onward Wines are single-vineyard, site-driven wines from vineyard sites that are very special to me. I am a true believer in personal connection and there is a story behind each vineyard site and how it came to be part of my portfolio. In these stories, you will learn more about the people behind these vineyards. I liken my connection to these vineyards to that of one’s favorite shirt or coffee mug or chair. Like a well-worn fabric or a slightly chipped mug that may have initially caught my eye for its beauty, but over the years has won my heart because it just feels right. When it comes to vineyards this happens too, because of a combination of my connection with the vines themselves and my connection with those that tend them. For me, the grower's hands are most definitely part of the terroir.

My style is about letting the vines speak. They are the art, I am the canvas, and my job is to give them a chance to share their beauty in each and every vintage. My decisions are driven by the vineyard and the vintage, my cellar practices are to uphold the truths I find in the vineyard. To this end, I pick early looking for a balance of flavors at lower ripeness, as I find this is when each vineyard is in its most unique expression of self.

Discover more at Onward Wines

PlumpJack Winery 2022 Merlot, Napa Valley

As you swirl your glass, delicate aromas of bing cherry and raspberry emerge and are intertwined with the comforting embrace of warming spices. A hint of graham cracker, vanilla, and caramel soon follows, accompanied by subtle notes of dried herbs and a hint of lavender. Upon the first sip, your palate is enveloped in a velvety texture, caressed by a symphony of flavors. Succulent blackberry, cherry, and boysenberry burst forth. The subtle allure of dried herbs adds a delightful depth, harmonizing effortlessly with the rich complexity of cocoa and caramel. The wine’s freshness is underscored by a vivacious acidity, lending a lively energy to each sip. Firm yet fine tannins provide structure and elegance, leading to a harmonious and persistent finish.

Winery Name: PlumpJack Winery

Bottle Size: 750ml

Number of Bottles: One

Varietal: Merlot

Appellation: Napa Valley

Inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff, whose fun-loving and down-to-earth disposition was only rivaled by his fierce loyalty to Prince Henry V, with whom he shares more than a few goblets of sack (wine) at the local tavern. We pay allegiance to our world-class vineyard by crafting high-quality wines that honor the land, and we celebrate the convivial spirit of our namesake with their inviting, approachable style.

Discover more at PlumpJack Winery

Whip up your Valentine Dinner with these delicious Trader Joe's Items (all in a washable Trader Joe's Bag!):

• Panopoly of Organic Pastas Five different styles of Pasta: Lemon Striped Farfalline, Striped Papillon, Ortolana Creste di Gallo, Black Pepper Barilotti, Striped Garganelli. 
  
  


• Organic Tomato Basil Marinara Made with all organic ingredients and high in Vitamin C!

• Italian Style Soffrito Seasoning Blend A stroll through an Italian market will reveal myriad manifestations of the dried veg & herb variety, many featuring larger pieces than you’d normally find in a dried herb blend. It’s these mixes that provided the inspiration for Trader Joe’s Italian Style Soffritto Seasoning Blend. Our blend includes crispy onions, sun-dried tomatoes, sea salt, garlic, red peppers, parsley, rosemary, and sage. You can really add it to anything – it’s delicious in this recipe with cheesy beans, roasted meats and veggies, with olive oil as a dipping sauce, added to burgers or meatloaf, in tomato sauce, stirred into hummus or other dips, blended into salad dressings... you get the idea. It’s a versatile Seasoning Blend to keep in your pantry for anytime you want a burst of flavor inspired by the warmth of Italian home cooking.