Dan Dawson, Dan the Wine Man: What to eat and drink this weekend if you’re not at BottleRock | Food

Brockmeyer Family Grenache “Cederquist Vineyard” 2020 ($25) comes from 125-year-old vines on the Brockmeyer’s family vineyard in Fresno County. The grapes come to Napa where the three generations of Brockmeyers live and work in the wine business. Call this a passion project. The translucent Grenache tastes of tangy raspberries, hibiscus tea, blood oranges, and fennel. Sub-13% alcohol, low tannins and fresh, serve this with a slight chill. Great match with all the flavors in the Chicken Kebabs.

Contact Brockmeyer Family through their website, BrockmeyerWines.com. It’s old-school wine buying at Brockmeyer – no e-commerce. When you speak with patriarch Richard “Brock” Brockmeyer, ask him about the Dawson Wine Advisor discount and the delicious Brockmeyer Rosé of Grenache.

Ken acknowledged his Santa Maria tri-tip is an interpretation. Noted, along with his permission to use another cut of beef. I’m naturally drawn to the philosophical question, if everything has been replaced what is its connection to the original? I don’t know, but I do know that Ken’s Santa Maria rub on ribeye steak is DARN GOOD! Make it, and be happy you have extra rub for next time. And thanks to Whole Spice at The Oxbow Public Market for filling in my missing ingredients.

My wine pick for the Santa Maria (?) Ribeye-Instead-of-Tri-Tip is another Old Bridge Cellars selection. Kilikanoon “The Lackey” Shiraz Southern Australia 2018 ($15) is soft, floral, juicy, and happy as can be. Bold Australian flavors and cushy texture make a nice match with the sweet spices and rich red meat. Can’t beat the price for the quality either. Picture yourself at the grill on a warm late summer day, grilling and eating, and Miss Congeniality-winner The Lackey Shiraz is perfect for the occasion. Another direction to go is good-old Napa Cabernet. Pull one out if you’re so lucky to have a collection. Wine aside, I encourage you to make the Santa Maria (?) Ribeye-Instead-of-Tri-Tip. 5-star recipe.