J OY O F C H A R D O N N AY C L U B

M AY 2 0 2 0

https://www.rombauer.com/wines/

DEAR WINE CLUB MEMBERS,2020 is a special year at Rombauer Vineyards, as we mark our 40th year of making wine in California. This milestone makes us one of just a handful of wineries with similar staying power, and one of the very few that are still family-owned and operated. We’re humbled by how far we’ve come since 1980, and so grateful for the loyalty, patronage and friendship of our many wonderful customers, especially our club members like you. We have a lot of wonderful anniversary events planned for the year, including our Joy of Wine celebration this summer and our fall Harvest Celebration, which takes place at our Sierra Foothills Tasting Room in Plymouth, CA. We hope to see you at one, if not more, of these special celebrations!

Your shipment this month features our 2018 Carneros Chardonnay. With a few months of age, this wine has coalesced into a stunning Chardonnay, with yellow peach, mango, citrus and vanilla notes combining seamlessly with a creamy texture, whiff of butter and balancing acidity. If you’re a 12-bottle club member, your shipment also includes our 2018 Proprietor Selection Chardonnay. As you know, we produce this wine only in exceptional vintages, blending the best barrels from the finest vineyard lots. The 2018, which represents the 11th vintage in 39 years, features notes of green apple, Bartlett pear, Meyer lemon, vanilla and toast mingling on a rich, lush, creamy palate. Both of these Chardonnays are delicious and ready to enjoy now, ideal accompaniments to the dishes that warmer weather inspires.

CHEERS! THE ROMBAUER FAMILY AND STAFF

2018 CARNEROS CHARDONNAYPale yellow with a green tinge to the hue. Aromas of yellow peach, mango with a slight citrus note intertwine seamlessly with vanilla and spice. The palate is rich and round, with the mango and vanilla fighting for the lime light, while the cream texture, vanilla and slight butter combine seamlessly. The balanced acidity closes out the finish bringing the multiple components into balance.

RELEASE DATE August 2019

APPELLATION Carneros

VARIETAL COMPOSITION 100% Chardonnay

ALCOHOL 14.5%

COOPERAGE 9 months in American and French oak barrels, 1/3 new

2018 PROPRIETOR SELECTION CHARDONNAY12 bottle Chardonnay Club only

Pale in straw yellow, with a golden hue, this wine's color will deepen with age. Aromas of green apple, Bartlett pears, Meyer lemon and vanilla mingle with jasmine on the nose. The palate is lush with a creamy texture and flavors of pears, Meyer lemon, white peach, vanilla and toast. The finish is long and bright.

RELEASE DATE August 2019

APPELLATION Carneros

VARIETAL COMPOSITION 100% Chardonnay

ALCOHOL 14.5%

COOPERAGE 9 months in French and American oak barrels, 45% new

WINE CLUB SPECIAL OFFERONE ¢ENT GROUND SHIPPING

ON ALL VARIETALS, ALL DOMESTIC ORDERS (No code needed)

Offer expires 6/30/2020. All orders are subject to a weather hold.

WINE CLUB BENEFITS› Member savings • 20% on club shipments • 15% on all non-shipment wine purchases › Complimentary tastings for you and up to 3 guests,

per visit (Member must be present to receive discount. Reservations required.)

› Exclusive offers and access to limited-production wines› Invitation to members-only events › Special offer during the month of your birthday › Customized shipments› Winery pick-up option (Reservations required)

A PERFECT PAIRINGCARNEROS CHARDONNAY

Crispy Fried ChickenHave ready:

3 ½ to 4 ½ pounds bone-in chicken parts

Separate any legs into thighs and drumsticks; cut breasts crosswise in half. Whisk well in a medium bowl:

½ cup milk or buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon salt

Mix together on a plate:

1 ½ cups flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then coat with the egg mixture. Lift the pieces out of the egg, letting the excess drip off. Coat with the flour mixture again and transfer the pieces to dry on a rack set over a baking sheet at room temperature for 30 minutes or, for a crispier result, refrigerate overnight (refrigerate the egg mixture along with the chicken; bring both chicken and egg mixture to room temperature before frying).

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Heat in a deep fryer or deep heavy pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.

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COOKING WITH JOY Koerner Rombauer’s great aunt Irma Rombauer was the original author of the Joy of Cooking, considered by many to be the greatest teaching cookbook ever written. (We certainly think so!) Today, the book is in the hands of fourth-generation stewards John Becker and Megan Scott, who continue to develop new recipes and retest old favorites. They have chosen the recipe in this newsletter to pair with your latest club wines. For additional recipes, expert cooking tips and more, visit www.thejoykitchen.com.

3 inches vegetable oil, shortening, lard, or a combination

Toss the breast pieces in the flour mixture, then coat with the egg mixture. Lift the pieces out of the egg, letting the excess drip off, and coat with the flour mixture again. Place in the hot fat and fry until well browned and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, turning the pieces several times with tongs and keeping the fat between 320 degrees and 360 degrees. Transfer the pieces to a rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels or a brown paper bag, and hold in the warm oven. Repeat the double-dredging procedure with the thighs and drumsticks, frying the pieces until browned and the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees.

Your next Chardonnay Club shipment will be November 2020

3522 Silverado Trail North St. Helena, CA 94574

12225 Steiner Road Plymouth, CA 95669

Club: 866.280.2582 (CLUB) Reservations: 707.963.6606

ROMBAUER.COM

PRICE LISTCHARDONNAY RETAIL CLUB2018 Carneros Chardonnay (featured) $38.00 $32.302018 Proprietor Chardonnay 6 bottle limit (featured) $70.00 $59.502018 Buchli Station Vineyard Chardonnay 6 bottle limit $70.00 $59.502018 Home Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay SOLD OUT

CABERNET SAUVIGNON2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $68.00 $57.802016 Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon $125.00 $106.252015 Stice Lane Cabernet Sauvignon limited availability $115.00 $97.752014 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon limited availability $115.00 $97.752014 Le Meilleur du Chai SOLD OUT

DESSERT WINES2018 Joy Late Harvest Chardonnay 375ml $55.00 $46.75Non-vintage Solera 375ml $55.00 $46.75

MERLOT2017 Napa Valley Merlot $45.00 $38.25

SAUVIGNON BLANC2018 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $24.00 $20.40

ZINFANDEL 2017 Rombauer Zinfandel $35.00 $29.752017 Proprietor Zinfandel 3 bottle limit $65.00 $55.252017 El Dorado “Twin Rivers” Zinfandel 6 bottle limit $42.00 $35.702016 Napa Valley Zinfandel 6 bottle limit $42.00 $35.702017 Fiddletown Zinfandel 6 bottle limit $50.00 $42.50

Additional formats and the most current availability can be found on Rombauer.com