What to do with a bounty of leftover rotisserie chicken? My playlist usually includes chicken tacos, chicken and rice casserole, chicken enchiladas, chicken pasta bake and basic chicken salad sandwiches. Whew! This week though, I found a recipe for spicy winter soup using 7 cans of flavors mixed together with salt, pepper and as much rotisserie chicken as I wanted. Once this piping hot of goodness was ladled into a bowl, I added shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream and crumbled tortilla chips for the win. Warm, spicy and filling, this easy to create new discovery may be the next favorite dinner. Move over, paninis! We’re adding rotisserie chicken to a delicious soup! (Find the recipe here.)
Fortunately, I had a bottle of Pedroncelli 2022 Giovanni and Giulia Sauvignon Blanc ($22), given to me as a sample and I knew it would be a brilliant complement to the spicy, textured soup. Wines from historic Pedroncelli in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County never disappoint and the Sauvignon Blanc was yet another example of a consistently delicious wine at a very reasonable price point.
The award winning wine from Pedroncelli winemaker Montse Reece can’t be mistaken for anything other than Sauvignon Blanc. Bold notes of freshly cut grass and peaches were a lovely entry. On the refreshing palate, lush flavors of bright citrus, pineapple, lemon spritz, juicy melon, grapefruit, and spice were lifted with vibrant acidity. Sauvignon Blanc grapes were cultivated on Pedroncelli’s East Side Vineyards along Dry Creek where abundant sunshine by day is balanced with cool temperatures at night.
The Storied History of Pedroncelli Winery and Vineyards
2022 marked the 95th anniversary of the inception of Pedroncelli Winery and Vineyards located in the Dry Creek Valley in Geyserville, California. One of the first wineries in Sonoma County, Pedroncelli was founded by Giovanni and Giulia Pedroncelli in 1927. Ninety acres of land were purchased for $11,000. On the property there was a home, twenty-five acres of vineyards, and a winery, firmly shuttered thanks to Prohibition.
During this time, the family tended to the vines and sold grapes to home winemakers who, by law, were able to produce up to 200 gallons. Once Prohibition ended, the first official vintage was produced in 1934 when Pedroncelli sold bulk wines, often in barrels, to stores and individuals. Their own label began in the 1940s, a tedious and challenging era due to the World War II.
The 1950s heralded changes for the Pedroncelli family. Wines were entered into competitions, vineyards were expanded, and large tanks were added because of the heightened demand for wine. Simply stated, the family desired to make wine on a larger scale and increase production. Fast forward to the 1960s; the family took a new direction in the type of varietals and vineyards. Julie explained that “while Zinfandel (their flagship wine), Zinfandel Rose, Riesling, and Pinot Noir were made prior to 1964, John and Jim Pedroncelli, brothers and second generation members, began to add even more to the portfolio. Cabernet Sauvignon was the first addition.” In fact, the Pedroncelli family was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Dry Creek Valley.
In the early 1970s, more white than red wines were produced. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Grey (and later Johannisberg) Riesling and Gewurtztraminer were popular during that time, although all but Chardonnay have been dropped from the portfolio today. Now, more than two-thirds of the wines produced are red, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel comprising nearly 50% of estate vineyards.
From the end of the 20th century into the next, innovation and enterprise have been fast and furious…while continuing to maintain the authenticity of the wines. ~ Excerpt from Pedroncelli Winery and Vineyards: A 90 Year Legacy of Family and Wine
Photo Credit: Pedroncelli
Cheers to another exceptional wine and food pairing! ~ Cindy
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