Page 18 - Sonoma County Gazette Oct. 2019

Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery Comfort food at it’s Best!
By Valery Larson
Sonoma County has a plethora of tiny charming towns that
hold an amazing amalgam of eateries, galleries and gift shops. Among all the restaurants, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery is not to be missed.
Elyse Sonoma County Chardonnay 2015
Many of you may know the
owner of Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery, Karen Bianchi-Moreda, from her cheese booth at the Occidental Farmers Market and other local farmers markets. She and her staff have generously shared her cheeses with the community and
I have spent numerous moments
A beautiful straw color, the nose is pineapple, custard, lemon and lime.
The palate is much dryer than the nose would indicate. At first, the pineapple is more of a baked pineapple flavor with lime zest, and elegant mineral
notes. Towards the mid-palate there is more vanilla and cream, wrapped in a buttery quality enhanced from being barrel fermented sur lie, producing more malolactic fermentation. This chardonnay would make a great pairing for sautéed prawns or a watercress salad with roasted walnuts, blue cheese and mustard vinaigrette. Enjoy now through 2022. For more information, visit: elysewinery.com.
This port is made from Zinfandel. Nose of sweet raisins, bright red cherry and carmelized sugar. The bright red cherry flavors transfer directly to the palate. There is lingering sweet raisin flavors on the palate. This is very much a tawnied styled flavored port. Try this recipe: one large scoop of vanilla ice- cream and 1 oz of Deco Port for dessert, or serve after dinner with a rich dark roast coffee or better yet espresso or cappuccino, sipping each intermittently will provide a counter-balance flavor on the palate both of which have high acidities. A great wine around the holidays especially in the cool winter months, or just for wrapping up to a fire. Cheers.
enjoying her bounty.
Recently a friend and I had the
Deco Port Infused with Dark Chocolate NV
opportunity to visit her newest venture, a restaurant and shop in the charming village of Valley Ford on Highway 1. Upon entering her new establishment, we were greeted by the smiling faces of Karen’s son, Jim and some of the staff.
The décor is a delightful modern meets farm, complete with a corrugated front counter and lighting that could grace the most elegant of
Sonoma Port Works Petite Sirah Port 2013
chicken coups. The atmosphere is
s s o o f f r r i i e e n n d d l l y y y yo o u u f f e e e e l l l l i i k k e e y yo o u u a a r r e e a a t t a a best friend’s house sharing a meal. Karen’s other son, Joe, is the head cheesemaker.
Nose of raspberry and blueberry compote. The palate opens with an earthiness which quickly turns to cedar and lingers. This wine calls for a flourless chocolate cake served with both raspberry and blueberry.
Both of these ports are fortified and 18.5% alcohol. Once opened you can refrigerate, they will last for a further two months. If refrigerated, simply pour a 2oz glass about 20 minutes before serving. For more information, visit portworks.com.
J J u u s s t t a a b b o o u u t t e e v v e e r r y y c c u u l l i i n n a a r r y y
delight on the menu highlights t t h h e e i i r r f f i iv ve e c c h h e e e e s s e e s s . . J Je e r r s s e e y y c c o ow w s s
o on n t t h he e B Bi i a a n nc c h h i i R R a a n nc c h h s s u up pp pl ly y t he ingredients for these cheeses.
The Valley Ford Grilled Cheese I o or r d de e r r e e d d w wa a s s d do o n n e e t t o o p p e e r r f f e e c c t t i io o n n w w i it t h h Hwy 1 Fontina Cheese, rosemary
h h a a m m a a n nd d s s a av vo or r y y K K i i m mc c h h i i. .
F r e d S c h e r r e r “ H u n t s m a n” G r e n a c h e S y r a h B l e n d 2 014
Toasted oak barrel and leather notes on the nose, with hints of raspberry. Grenache lovers will appreciate this wine. The bright acid and dusty red raspberries lead to a finish of dry dark fruit. Pair this wine with grilled lamb chops and a simple marinade of olive oil, herbs de Provence, crushed garlic and refrigerated for one hour, grill over charcoal – a great pairing. Enjoy now through 2025 if properly cellared, no decanting necessary. For more information, visit scherrerwinery.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
It’s the 45th Sonoma County Harvest Fair showcasing our county’s grand harvest including world-class wines, award-winning beer and a plethora of culinary wealth. The Harvest Fair has been voted the Best Annual Festival of Sonoma County. This is a complete farm to table experience, inspired by the county’s hard-working farmers, ranchers, vintners and producers. INFO and tickets, visit: harvestfair.org.
Dine on the Guerneville Bridge, above the beautiful Russian River Reminder! World class Sonoma County wines are being poured paired with food by some of Sonoma County’s leading chefs. There will be a reception to kick of the event from 4pm-5pm, dinner seating starts at 5pm. This is an inaugural annual event on the bridge to support the Russian River Chamber of Commerce so that they may continue their efforts in support of our local businesses. INFO: russianriver.com/russian_event/feast-above-the-river-2
Wine Road’s Wine & Food Affair - Tasting Along the Wine Road is the premier event for Wine Road. It’s a weekend of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. Celebrate the harvest! Enjoy world-class wines, paired with locally grown produce, showcasing our farmers and producers. All of the wineries participating will have a favorite winery recipe available online, which they will prepare both days for you to sample, along with the perfect wine. INFO: wineroad.com
John Haggard is owner of Sophie’s Cellars, Sonoma Wine Tasting in Duncans Mills, California. Sophie’s Cellars (Winter Hours) is open Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun: 11am – 5pm, Fri: 11am-7pm (Local’s Night, Friday, 4-7pm, and you don’t have to be a local to join us). www.sophiescellars.com
A side of potato
salad concocted by
Karen’s partner,
Kenny, was the
fluffiest and most
perfect potato salad
I’ve ever eaten (sorry
mom!). The whole
black olives tucked in
the folds of the salad took it to another level.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair 2019, Oct 4 & 5.
Joe’s Sample Cheese Platter - YUM!
Feast Over the River, Sunday October 6, 2019, 4pm
My friend ordered the grilled cheese and a side of refreshing and tangy garden pickles, which I was lucky to help nosh on.
We topped off the meal with a creamy soft serve vanilla ice cream cone. You’ll be happy to know that the cream for the ice cream comes from the Jersey cows at Double 8 Dairy just down the road.
21st ANNUAL WINE & FOOD AFFAIR Nov. 2 & 3, 11 am – 4 pm
When Karen stopped by our table to chat towards the end of our meal, I could see in her eyes the love she has for sharing her culinary passion with her customers and enlightening them on the intricacies of what cheese is all about. The differences of milk types, raw verses pasteurized, and the road she has travelled to make this destination restaurant go from a dream to a reality.
Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery 14390 Hwy 1 Valley Ford, CA 94972 | (707)876-3090 www.valleyfordcheese.com
18-www.sonomacountygazette.com -10/19