Suisun Valley Summertime Wines

The Summer season is finally here! Summer in Suisun Valley is a special time of year. Lavender is in bloom, the vines are exploding with beautiful foliage, and longer days allow for more fun in the sun. The warm summer nights are the perfect time for enjoying live music and sunset sipping. Many wineries in Suisun Valley offer evening wine tastings in the Summer making it a perfect time to kick back and enjoy the season of sunshine!

Whether you're planning a visit to a winery and need a recommendation, or if you're looking for something to enjoy in your own backyard, here are a few Suisun Valley wines that are perfect for the Summer season!

Tolenas Winery 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

A chilled Sauvignon Blanc is a must-have during the summertime, and Tolenas Winery's 2022 vintage is a great wine to have on hand! This citrusy and fruit-forward wine is perfectly refreshing. It has a subtle peachy flavor as it opens up. You'll definitely want to keep a bottle of this Sauv on hand during the summertime because it really is the perfect summertime wine! You can even make a peachy spritz with this wine by adding a little fresh peach juice and peach slices.

Mangels Vineyards 2023 Pinot Grigio

A chilled glass of white wine during summer is like a cool breeze on a 90 degree day. Mangels Vineyards' 2023 Pinot Grigio has refreshing flavors of green apple and nectarine blossom, making it fruity and floral with just a touch of sweetness. It's a great wine to pair with food, and a perfect wine to serve alongside your favorite summer seafood dishes. Serve this wine chilled at your next al fresco dinner party for a crowd-pleaser that is sure to impress.

Suisun Creek 2020 Zinfandel

A new Suisun Valley release, the Suisun Creek 2020 Zinfandel is a real treat! What makes this wine great for summertime is that it has a full-bodied flavor profile without the heaviness on the palate. This Zin has hints of spice and notes of dark fruit. It's a great wine to serve at a Summer party as it's a guaranteed to be a conversation starter!

Mangels Vineyards 2015 Caora Red Blend

Summer would be incomplete without at least one backyard BBQ, so you'll likely be in the market for a wine to pair with your favorite grilled foods. The Mangels Vineyards 2015 Caora Red Blend is a perfect BBQ companion. It has a deep flavor with notes of chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, and a subtle floral finish. Its complex flavor is perfectly suited for Summer BBQ meals. You could even try adding a splash of this wine to your homemade BBQ sauce!

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to sit back and savor some great wines in great company. Add these wines to your list when you need something to savor during the season.

Have a great Summer!

Lavender Season in Suisun Valley

Fields of purple are taking over the valley! Suisun Valley's lavender season kicks off during the late Spring and early Summer, typically mid-June. This lavender bloom coincides with lavender season in Provence, France. This is because France and Suisun Valley sharing a similar latitude. Enjoy Suisun Valley's je ne sais quoi during lavender season!

Summer is a beautiful time to visit Suisun Valley as the weather is warm, the days are long, and the smell of lavender fills the air. There are many ways to enjoy lavender season in Suisun Valley. Here are some ideas to ring in the season!

Pick Fresh Lavender at HVH Flowers

Nothing beats a visit to the flower farm, and lavender is in full bloom at HVH Flowers! Right now, their farm is filled with rows of fresh lavender. Pick some to create your own bundle, or sign up for one of their lavender workshops where you can make wreaths, essential oils, and more!

Enjoy a Lavender Themed Cocktail or Dessert at Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company

If you enjoy the sophisticated flavor of lavender, you'll love the seasonal cocktails and other lavender treats at Il Fiorello! They have an incredible lavender French 75, a classic lavender martini, or a non-alcoholic lavender lemonade that is beautifully floral and refreshing!

While you're there, be sure to check out their fresh lavender on the farm. Don't forget to grab some lavender honey gelato on the way out!

Grab a Lavender Latte at Buzz Coffee

Lavender plus coffee might sound like an interesting pairing, and it is (in the best way)! You're in for a real treat with Buzz Coffee's lavender latte. It combines espresso with house-made lavender simple syrup for a floral, yet bold, coffee drink. Give it a try!

Other Lavender Ideas to Try

1. Grab a bunch of lavender from HVH Flowers and dry it by hanging it upside down. Once dry, remove the lavender flowers and place into a small mesh bag to create your own lavender sachets! Place some sachets in your dresser drawers, closet, car, or purse as a natural air freshener. Lavender sachets also make great gifts!

2. Pick up some culinary lavender to use for a multitude of recipes! You can find culinary lavender online or at some grocery stores. Use dried culinary lavender to make these lavender shortbread cookies that are perfect to enjoy with your favorite cup of tea.

3. You can also use dried lavender to create your own essential oil! Dry a bundle of lavender as directed above. Place the dried lavender flowers in an airtight jar and top with your oil of choice. Jojoba oil or olive oil are great choices if you plan to use your essential oil for skincare. Cover tightly and let set in filtered light for about a week or so, shaking the jar on occasion. After about a week, strain the oil and place into a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark location for several weeks. You can choose to add some homemade lavender essential oil to a spray bottle filled with witch hazel and distilled water to use as a relaxing room spray.

Take in the natural beauty of Suisun Valley during lavender season. Bon l'été !

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

While enjoying lavender season in Suisun Valley, why not make something that you can enjoy at home? Give these lavender shortbread cookies a try!

For the cookies:

1 cup butter

3/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour or gluten free flour

1 tbsp baking powder

For the topping:

1 cup white chocolate chips, melted

1 tbsp dried culinary lavender

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium high speed. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.

3. Add the flour and baking powder to the stand mixer and mix until combined.

4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Once refrigerated, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut the cookies. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

6. Let cookies cool completely on a cooling rack. Once cool, dip the cookies in melted white chocolate and top with a pinch of dried lavender.

These cookies are best enjoyed with a cup of tea. Enjoy!