Wine Picnic

To celebrate my husband's birthday, we're heading to the wine country with our friends for a day of complete California indulgence.  We have a total of 12 close friends joining us, including two from out of town, which is a nice, big group for a birthday celebration.  I'm now tasked with the planning - including the transportation, itinerary, and food selection.  I'm sure my mom will help me with the last item, and possibly even help with the "party favors"?  I'm getting excited about the planning, so let's get started!

The Plan:

Head to Sonoma via a private mini-bus and get there by 11 am when most wineries open.  Based on reviews, logistics, and personal preference, I've decided on the following three to four wineries to visit:

     Roche, Cline, Gundlach Bundschu Winery (picnic), and if we have time, Bartholomew Park Winery

The Gundlach Bundschu Winery will be our lunch stop.  The winery is a great spot for picnicking with its extensive grounds and numerous picnic tables (both covered and uncovered).  The best part about Sonoma is how open they are to picnics on their grounds (Healdsburg is good about this too).  I haven't found many wineries in Napa that allow picnics, so Sonoma was our best bet for a group picnic that didn't require a completely structured "wine tour".  I'll be packing the private mini-bus with picnic baskets and all the picnicking essentials.  On my list of things to remember (because I always manage to forget something): utensils, plastic wine glasses (though some wineries will allow you to take their "real" glasses outside), wine opener, plates, cutting board and knives, napkins, blankets, plastic tarp for under blankets (in case it's damp), moist towelettes, bottled waters and a garbage bag for clean-up.

The Food:

Assortment of Grapes

Cheeses galore (brie, blue, gouda, etc.)

Various breads (french, sourdough, walnut, ciabatta, etc.)  I'm guessing 4-5 loaves

Dijon Mustard

Curried Rice & Artichoke Salad (recipe follows menu)

Roasted Red Peppers and Portabella Mushrooms (for our veggie friends)

Sliced Ham and Turkey

Chocolate Chip Cookies (my husband's fav)

Curried Rice & Artichoke Salad:

4 c. chicken stock (I'm using vegetable stock for our vegetarian guests)

2 c. uncooked long grain white rice

3 6-oz. jars oil-marinated artichoke hearts

5 green onions, chopped

1 large green pepeer, diced

3 large celery stalks, diced

1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

Reserved artichoke marinade

1 tsp. curry powder

1 1/2 c. mayonnaise

salt and pepper to taste

Bring stock to boil, stir in rice, and return to boil.  Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 20 min. or til liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.  Cool.  Drain artichokes, reserving marinade, and chop.  Add to rice with onions, green pepper, celery and parsley.  Combine reserved marinade with curry, mayonnaise and s & p.  Toss with rice and mix thoroughly.  Refrigerate until ready to serve... (pack within the ice of the picnic cooler).

The menu is a good mix of store-bought items (fruit, meats and cheeses) and a few homemade dishes (curried rice salad, roasted pepper, and chocolate chip cookies).  I don't think it's necessary to make everything from scratch, especially when you're not hosting in your own home, but I do find it's nice to make it a little more personal with some homemade dishes mixed in.  This should be manageable for a working girl like me!

The itinerary is done, and all that's left is the party favors.  I wanted to do something creative as a "thank you" to our friends for helping us celebrate in Sonoma.  Since being creative is my mom's specialty, particularly when it has to do with wine, I've asked for her help in constructing some gift bags.  And in return, there could be a nice bottle of Sonoma Pinot Noir in her future.