Baked Whole Wheat Penne Rigate Served with Ledger David Cellars 2013 Dark Night
By Robert Trottmann
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2¼ cups whole milk, slightly warmed
2½ cups grated Parmesan, divided
Salt & freshly ground pepper
¼ cup olive oil
1-1/2 ounce finely chopped bacon/ your choice
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
1 pound Whole Wheat Penne Rigate Pasta/ I like Montebello from Italy.
1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into ½” pieces
Preparation
For the white béchamel sauce: Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium until foamy. Sprinkle flour over and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in warm milk. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking often, until béchamel is thickened to about the consistency of heavy cream 8–10 minutes (thorough cooking ensures a creamy sauce and eliminates any raw flour flavor). Remove from heat and add 2 cups Parmesan, whisking until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Set aside.
In a small skillet cook bacon on low/medium heat until crispy. Set aside to cool and chop finely.
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent, golden and soft, 8–10 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 20–25 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 5 minutes (the pasta will continue to cook in the oven); drain.
Transfer reserved béchamel to the large bowl; add pasta and mozzarella and toss to combine. Add all but 1 cup tomato sauce and gently fold mixture a few times.
Transfer pasta mixture to a 13×9″ or other 3-quart baking dish, dollop with remaining tomato sauce, and scatter remaining Parmesan over pasta. Bake until mozzarella is melted and sauce is bubbling around the edges, 15–20 minutes.
Heat broiler on low. Broil until pasta and cheese are dark brown in spots, about 4 minutes. Let pasta sit 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
January 29 Winemaker Dinner at Ledger David
Join Vintner David Traul and the Ledger David team for an intimate winemaker dinner on Fri., Jan. 29 from 6-8pm at Le Petit Tasting Room in Central Point. Featured wines include a special barrel tasting of our 2014 Tempranillo port-style wine paired with a special menu created by Chef Bill Prahl from Déjà Vu Bistro & Wine Bar.
Cost is $65 for wine club members, $70 for non-wine club members. Reservations Required. Limited Seating. Email [email protected] or call (541) 664-2218 for more info.
MENU
Ahi Tuna & Avocado Tartare, Tobiko Caviar, Charred Pineapple Gastrique
Paired with 2015 Primoris Chenin Blanc
Roast Heirloom Baby Carrot and Quinoa Salad, Goat Cheese, Fennel and Pecans
Paired with 2015 Viognier
Portobello Mushroom and Brie Soup, Black Truffle Oil
Paired with 2013 Cabernet Franc
Porcini Braised Beef, Horseradish Mascarpone
Paired with 2013 Dark Night
Bittersweet Chocolate Hazelnut Tart, Port Poached Pear Compote
Paired with 2014 Tempranillo Port-Style Wine Barrel Tasting
Provencal Roasted Chicken paired with Ledger David Cellars Cabernet Franc
By Robert Trottmann
Serves 6
So you are wondering, why is Robert pairing chicken with Cabernet Franc? Well, sometimes rules are meant to be bent, especially when it comes to food and wine. This pairing may well be one of the most integrated and balanced I have put out there for you all. It is balanced, like Ledger David Cabernet Franc. It is straight forward (super easy) and perfect for these hectic holiday times and it is healthy. What more could you ask for? I roasted olive oil and salted purple potatoes with the chicken to add to the meal.
The subtle flavors of herbs de Provence matches perfectly with our Cabernet Franc. The leg meat being the dark meat of the chicken is rich and complimentary to the wine. Oh, and don’t hesitate to try this on turkey, pheasant, quail, or chukkar.
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Herbs de Provence (or pull from your herb garden and go fresh)
Juice of 1 medium lemon
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Coarse Salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
1 finely sliced shallot
6 legs and thighs free range organic chicken
Preparation
Mix the herbs de Provence, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper in to a bowl and whisk together. Pour this marinade over the chicken and thoroughly coat. Place the chicken into a large cast iron skillet.
Cut the shallot in ½ length wise the finely slice. Garnish the chicken with the shallot in the skillet. They will crisp up nicely and add another layer of depth.
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Roast chicken and potatoes 40-45 minutes until golden and cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add a fresh field greens salad and serve with Ledger David Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc…You are going to love it. Fast, simple and so delicious!
Enjoy!
Robert
Holiday Wine Club Pick Up
Join Ledger David Cellars for our Holiday Wine Club Pick Up Dec. 11-13 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Celebrate special wine releases including our limited production 2013 Syrah, with just 83 cases produced. Our first vintage 2011 was named one of Oregon’s ’50 Best Wines’ by Portland Monthly Magazine. Other exciting holiday wines include our 2013 Epitome of Three Red Blend and our new release 2015 Viognier – a popular winter white that’s sure to delight!
December Wine Club Shipments Include:
3-Bottle Members
Save 15 percent on 2015 Viognier, 2013 Epitome of Three and 2013 Syrah.
6-Bottle Members
Save 20 percent on 2 bottles each of 2015 Viognier, 2013 Epitome of Three and 2013 Syrah.
12-Bottle Members
Save 25 percent on 4 bottles each of 2015 Viognier, 2013 Epitome of Three and 2013 Syrah.
It’s your time. Indulge in your wine paired with a decadent spread of savory seasonal items from our culinary partners at Déjà vu Bistro & Wine Bar.
Private Event Hours: Fri & Sat | 6-8pm
Regular Hours: Sat & Sun | Noon-5pm
BILLING INFO: Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call Heather Davis at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and she would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. You can also now update your credit card online with our secure wine club form.
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS: We will be processing orders on Tuesday, December 8. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members receive a 20% discount and 12-bottle members receive a 25% discount on all wine selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS: If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, December 14 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours.
Elevate Your Thanksgiving Holiday with Artisan Wines, Fresh Gourmet Pizza and Live Music
Elevate your holiday with Ledger David Cellars at our annual Thanksgiving Weekend Open House event, Nov. 27-29 from 12 to 5pm at Le Petit Tasting Room in Central Point.
Listen to the sounds of local indie folk band The Brothers Reed on Sat., Nov. 28 and local jazz, blues and pop artists Not Too Shabby on Sun., Nov. 29 from 2-4pm. Toast to Italian and Latin varietals including 2012 Sangiovese, 2013 Tempranillo, and 2013 Dark Night – an adventurous red blend, paired with specialty pizzas served fresh from Mamma Mia’s mobile wood fire oven.
Indulge in a unique wine tasting experience with limited production single vineyard estate wines. Just 2 miles off I-5, left on exit 35. Located at 245 N. Front St. in Central Point’s Artisan Corridor – a trifecta of the region’s most award-winning cheese, wine and chocolate – nestled between the world famous Rogue Creamery and Lillie Belle Farms gourmet chocolates. Open daily, noon to 5pm.
For more information, visit www.ledgerdavid.com or call (541) 664-2218.
Mulled Wine with Ledger David Sangiovese
Enjoy tastes of this seasonal wine with special treats this Halloween, October 31 from noon-5pm at Le Petit Tasting Room!
1 bottle (750ml) Ledger David Sangiovese
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 tsp. whole allspice
1 whole nutmeg
¼-1/2 c. sugar (add to taste)
Zest ½ small orange
Combine ingredients and simmer on low in small crockpot for two hours. Strain carefully. Ladle into mug, and garnish with candy cane.
Ledger David 2015 Harvest Recap
By Owner Lena Varner
Seriously? Another enthusiastic, heartfelt recap of 2015 harvest? I am unable to express anything but sincere anticipation for the 2015 vintage wines that will be handcrafted from the never ending summer this year’s fruit experienced. To appreciate the continued increase in quality each vintage has afforded Ledger David & perhaps, the culmination of three Ledger David “monumental” birthdays add a bit of poignancy to this year’s harvest story. David’s 50th, Hudson Jo’s 1st, and Ledger’s “Golden” 6th birthday all fell during the 2015 harvest. In addition, the warm weather allowed Hudson and me to enjoy mother daughter time in the vineyard every morning of harvest, something not likely to happen again in the future as she begins to walk about.
As expected, the bears were back. David crossed paths with momma bear next to our barn one evening and made haste returning to the house. Again, they were polite and fed on Viognier and Chenin Blanc grapes (exceptional palates?) then left the vines intact and the red fruit alone for harvest. The bobcat kitten occasionally surprised the family arriving at the vineyard on harvest mornings.
Now for the nitty gritty stats. A total of 15 days of harvest, beginning September 11th and ending October 20th. Nearly 60 tons of estate fruit from our vineyard in Talent. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were first to come off the vine, while the higher elevation plantings including Malbec and Tempranillo Duero experienced extended hang-time (and we love hang-time and complex flavor development!).
To celebrate the 2015 harvest, videographer Marc Salvatore from avcreate captured some footage of the last few days of harvest (note the soft clouds resulting in perfect harvest temperatures). Marc seized some of the harvest energy with a focus on the late harvest white fruit (to be blended into our first signature white wine blend) and the Tempranillo.
And now we wait, while the fate of the fruit lies in the hands of talented winemakers Rob Folin (Folin Cellars) and Kent Barthman (Roxy Ann Winery). Perhaps 2015 will become a benchmark harvest to set the standard for Ledger David wines moving forward. Fortuitous for David to celebrate his 50th during one of the best Ledger David harvest years – would he be so lucky?
Harvest Season Produces an Exciting Crop of New Wine Awards
While the vineyard crew is busy bringing in the grapes that will ultimately produce wines for our 2015 vintage, past vintages and current releases are gaining new recognition this month by a number of noteworthy publications. We’re proud to share the results of our latest ‘crop’ of wine awards with you. Look for the October 2015 issues of these publications, which hit newsstands this month.
Ledger David 2013 Malbec, “Best Malbec”
SIP Northwest Magazine’s ‘Best of the Northwest’
Ledger David 2012 Tempranillo, Silver Winner
Sunset Magazine’s Int’l Wine Competition, Sunset Buying Guide
Ledger David 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Best Wine Under $25’
Portland Monthly Magazine’s, “Oregon’s Best Wines Under $25”
Other recent wine awards include:
Ledger David 2014 Sauvignon Blanc – 92 Points, ‘Editor’s Choice’
“Fermented in stainless steel and one neutral barrel, this aromatic and compelling wine is clean, fresh and full of delicious fruit.” – Editor Paul Gregutt
Ledger David 2013 Primoris Chenin Blanc – 91 Points, ‘Editor’s Choice’
“Chenin Blanc is quite rare in Oregon, and this wine, from vines planted just five years previously, may inspire others to follow suit…The balance and length are just right and the varietal character is in evidence throughout.” – Editor Paul Gregutt
Ledger David 2013 Malbec, Gold Winner
Oregon Wine Experience, August 2015
2013 Petit Verdot, Silver Winner
Oregon Wine Experience, August 2015
2014 Primoris Chenin Blanc, Silver Winner
Oregon Wine Experience, August 2015
In addition, Ledger David’s Dark Night red blend was also recently reviewed by notable wine blogger Michael Chelus of Nittany Epicurean, just in time for the new 2013 vintage to arrive!
Cheers to past, current and future vintages!
Meet Ledger David’s Newest Team Member!
We are excited to introduce our new tasting room and events ambassador, Shirleen Bransom. Shirleen joins Ledger David with a background in tasting room management. She also teaches small children and has a love for photography, heath & fitness and the outdoors. Here’s more from Ledger David’s newest team member. Welcome, Shirleen!
1. What three traits best define you?
Easy going, hard working, going above and beyond what’s expected
2. What is your personal philosophy?
Embrace chaos, change is the only constant
3. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
Family
4. What is the one thing you cannot resist? (food/dessert/drink/etc.)
Homemade Chex Mix
5. Where is your favorite place to be?
My porch swing at the end of the day
6. What is your favorite thing to do?
Hiking the redwoods and visiting the coast
7. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Disneyland, it’s as fun for me as it is my kids
8. What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see in the wine industry today?
I’m impressed mostly locally. Our area in Southern Oregon has boomed over the years in the wine industry. We are a wine destination now and that excites me.
9. What advice do you have for new wine enthusiasts?
Take your time, start with what you like, then try new wines. You don’t have to get the same flavor profiles as a tasting note suggests, just relax and enjoy the wine.
10. What’s the best thing you’ve learned from seasoned wine connoisseurs?
“If you like the wine now, when you bought it, enjoy it now. Why cellar it?”
11. When did your interest in being a Wine Tasting Room Ambassador begin?
Many years ago, my Mom-in-law introduced me to wine and wine tasting. Then about 4 years ago, I thought I would really enjoy working in the industry. Sales and talking to people is kind of my thing, so here I am.
12. What does a Wine Tasting Room Ambassador do?
They are in essence the first impression a guest has about the wine. They help the guest enjoy and understand the wine from that particular vineyard.
13. What is unique about your job at Ledger David?
I believe at Ledger David we go beyond just talking wine. We explain some of the vineyard processes, flavor profiles, pairings, even stepping up as a concierge for the entire valley.
14. What do you love most about your job?
Meeting and interacting with all the guests. So interesting that some days it’s all locals, then the next may be no locals, but guests from around the world.
15. What does Ledger David’s tagline: “Your Time. Your Wine. Indulge.” mean to you?
Everyone’s time is precious and you should be able to choose a great wine and relax, enjoy the free moments that you do have.
16. How does your role help ensure that Ledger David delivers its “Your Time. Your Wine. Indulge.” tagline?
I try to aid the guest in choosing the right wine for that moment, whether it be going through the fun of a full flight or just getting a glass and relaxing for a bit. I will also assists guests in finding their next destination, dinner, outdoor activity, theater, or next tasting room to visit.
17. Outside of Ledger David, how do you spend your time? (photography/teaching/hiking/exercise, etc.)
Yes, to all those suggestions. I do love photography. I’m very active and enjoy being outside as much as possible. I hike and geocache with my kids a lot. Spending time, building relationships and memories with family and friends, is extremely important to me and something I work at daily.
Fall Wine Club Pick Up
Join Ledger David Cellars for our fall Primoris Wine Club pick up party September 18, 19 & 20 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Celebrate the new release of our second vintage 2013 Dark Night – an adventurous red blend, and the ever-popular light & bright 2014 Chardonnay. Your wine club shipment also includes a pre-release of 2013 Tempranillo! Enjoy these new wines with a spread of delicious small bites featuring the award-winning Smokey Blue cheese from the Rogue Creamery.
Private Wine Club Hours: Fri & Sat | 5-8pm (RSVP Requested)
Regular Hours: Sat & Sun | Noon-5pm
Email [email protected] or call (541) 664-2218 to RSVP.
BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call Heather Davis at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and she would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. For your convenience, you can also now update your credit information online with our secure wine club form.
WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on Monday, September 14. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.
OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, September 21 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours.
