If California were a country, it would be the world's fourth largest wine producer, after Italy, France and Spain. Long planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are also big varieties for us too.
I knew that those vegetable gardens were a project -- a year in the making -- of Josh Thomsen, executive chef of the Claremont's Meritage restaurant. Thomsen first told me about his plans last year.
This wine is super versatile and pairs well with a lot of food. We went out on a limb and had it with Cantonese from and it surprisingly worked with the moo shu chicken and fat egg rolls.