Buzzing with Importance: Celebrating Our Pollinators!
Did you know that June is National Pollinator Month? It’s the perfect time to recognize and appreciate the incredible role that pollinators play in our environment.
5 Reasons You Need to Visit Clif Family Winery
Guest blogger Paige Cormie – WinewithPaige, shares her top reasons why a visit to Clif Family Winery is a must-do when in Napa Valley.
Curry & Hot Honey Roasted Peanuts
Curry & Hot Honey Roasted Peanuts Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell Looking for a snack with a bit of a kick? Look no further than these Curry & Hot Honey Roasted Peanuts! The combination of fragrant curry powder and spicy hot honey makes these peanuts a flavorful and addictive snack. Plus, roasting them in…
The Buzz from Clif Family
By Linzi Gay We’ve been getting some great buzz lately about our Clif Family wines, food products, gift sets and recent B Corp Certification. 10 Most Sustainable Wineries in Napa Valley NapaValley.com highlights 10 Napa Valley wineries that have successfully achieved and maintained sustainability initiatives. 23 of the Best Gifts for Grandma on Mother’s Day…
Sustainable Corporate Gifting: Good for the Planet and the Palate
Here are just a few ways that our sustainable corporate gifting options embody our commitment to sustainability and responsible business.
Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Italian Orange & Almond Olive Oil Cake
This gluten-free and dairy-free Italian Orange & Almond Olive Oil Cake is perfect for pairing with light and fruity wines at summertime gatherings.
Exploring the Beauty of White Roads
Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc is a wine inspired by the cycling expeditions of Gary and Kit, who realized that the joy of exploration lay in following less-traveled paths.
Jazz and Zinfandel: A True Improv!
While it may seem at first that jazz music and Zinfandel have very little in common, when enjoyed together, they create a complex and harmonious experience that can be quite remarkable.
Our Journey to B Corp Certification
Our Journey to B Corp Certification By Linzi Gay When I joined Clif Family Winery & Farm in 2007, I was motivated and passionate about building a wine and specialty food company that was focused on sustainable business practices to support our people, our community and our planet. Gary and Kit had brought the same…
Top Five Reasons to Visit Napa Valley Mid-Week
If you are looking for a Napa Valley visit without the crowds and hustle, visiting mid-week has many perks.
Wine 101: Decanting Napa Valley Wine
By Clif Family Winemaker Laura Barrett Wine consumers often wonder if, and when, they should decant a wine. There are two main benefits to using a decanter – aeration, and decanting sediment. Aeration is most useful for young wines that need some extra air to open up. Oxygen can help a wine express its aromatics.…
How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally
By Meg Barkley Spring colors are beginning to submerse the Napa Valley landscape. The season welcomes fruit tree blooms in colors of snow white, pale pink and brilliant lavender. Bright daffodils pepper vineyard lanes. Nestled in between the rows of vines are vibrant cover crops of fava beans, red clover, and wildflowers. You may see…
The Best Cake with Pluot Lavender Jam
A traditional dessert from the Basque region of Spain consisting of sweet pastry cream and fruit spread in the center. Using Clif Family Organic Pluot Lavender Preserves adds a touch of tart to balance out the sweet making this a perfect cake that will keep you wanting more. Pluot Lavender Gateau Basque Recipe by Executive…
Sustainable Business Gifting
Sustainable Gifting from a Company Guided by Our Values to Sustain our Planet, our People, and our Community. By Linzi Gay “We’re working to run a different kind of company: The kind of place we’d want to work, that makes the kind of food and wine we’d like to enjoy, and that strives for a…
Wine Country Inspired Easter Menu
With spring produce in mind, we’ve curated the perfect Easter menu for you.
Sweet Pea, Ricotta and Mint Bruschetta
After a full season of cozy, comforting winter dishes, we crave the fresh and flavorful veggies that the spring season provides. Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, chicories, fava beans and English peas top our list of fun culinary bounty coming off the Clif Family Farm this time of year. Recently our team has been…
The Best Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian Options in Napa Valley
By Meg Barkley As you wine and dine in Wine Country, surprisingly you have many menu options to explore if you are “plant- curious”. Eating plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian doesn’t have to be boring. Napa Valley’s fertile soil is home to world renowned grape vines and grows a bounty of flavorful fruits and veggies that…
The Story Behind the Wine: Clif Family Rosé
By Winemaker Laura Barrett In my first weeks as Winemaker at Clif Family Winery I got straight to work on finishing our very first vintage of Mendocino Rosé of Grenache. It was the 2014 vintage and 150 cases of very, very pale pink wine. It was fruity and delicious and sold out in just 3…
5 Reasons to Join our Napa Valley Wine Club
Do you love Napa Valley wine, delicious food and an amazing community? Then Clif Family is THE Wine Club for you. We’ve laid out 5 Reasons why you should consider a Clif Family Wine Club Membership. #1 – Organically Farmed Wine Our wine portfolio offers something for everyone, from our light-hearted Rosé of Grenache (a…
Wine 101: Red Wine vs White Wine
A wine grape is made up of many parts – the skin, the seeds, the pulp and the juice – all playing an important role in the winemaking process.
The Best Super Bowl Appetizer
Take your #gameday wings up a notch with flavorful single varietal organic hot sauces from the Clif Family Farm.
The 5 Best Valentine’s Gifts from Napa Valley
Make this Valentine’s Day wonderful for all your lovelies with delightful gift ideas from Napa Valley Wine Country.
Banana Vanilla Parfait
This creamy and delicious Banana Vanilla Parfait uses Clif Family Solar Grown Vanilla Honey Spread and Rustic Bakery Sweet Hearts Cookies
The Best Mocktail Recipe from Napa
Clif Family Organic Blackberry Preserves turned into a shrub make the base ingredient of this bright and refreshing mocktail.
Napa Valley Flavor for Event Season
Event and conference season is here and we are ready to fuel up your attendees with tasty snacks and wines from Clif Family. We offer a variety of on-site experiences, off-site experiences, and virtual tastings.
The Climber – The Story Behind the Wine
Our red blend The Climber, features a captivating photo of a majestic overhang and a rock climber on an iconic ascent. The story behind the label is just as compelling as the wine.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Oooey gooey chocolate decadence, without all the guilt. Chocolate Avocado Pudding may be your next crowd pleaser.
Plant Based Wine Tasting Experiences
Clif Family Winery offers plant-based wine and food tasting experience at our St. Helena Tasting Room and Enoteca. Our Wine and Food Tasting Experiences highlight both fresh and preserved ingredients from the Clif Family farm as well as other local plant-based products.
How to Make Hoshigaki – Dried Persimmons
Persimmons are winter classic for many Californians. Learn how to make the popular Hoshigaki style of preservation and add to your cheese boards and winter baking.
Vanilla Honey Gingerbread
A holiday classic sweetened with Solar Grown Vanilla Honey and just a touch of sugar.
The Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich
Chef John McConnell shares his favorite way to utilize those delicious Thanksgiving leftovers in a sandwich you’ll want to eat all year long!
6 Easy Holiday Appetizers from Wine Country
Are you hosting a holiday party? Do you need some menu inspiration? Here are our favorite wine country inspired appetizers for your upcoming holiday festivities.
7 Places for Holiday Shopping in Napa Valley
When planning your holiday in Napa Valley, leave a little extra time in your schedule to meander the local shops. Here is a round-up of our favorite local shops.
Easiest Holiday Appetizer
Try one of our favorite and easiest holiday appetizers, Hot Tam, using Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam and our Solar Grown Hot Honey.
Pie and Wine, Oh My!
Mix up your upcoming gatherings by leaning into the fun that a delicious dish of flaky crust can provide. Clif Family has you covered with the perfect pie and wine pairings.
Ginger Honey & Port Cranberry Sauce
Skip the canned cranberry this Thanksgiving and make this tasty cranberry sauce recipe from scratch using Clif Family Solar Grown Ginger Honey Spread and Arriva Petite Sirah Dessert Wine. This recipe is likely to turn any cranberry sauce skeptic into a raving ran.
Holiday Honey Wassail Punch
A delicious fall harvest beverage with ancient English Yuletide origins, this crowd-pleasing punch is naturally sweetened and taken up a notch with a variety of Clif Family Solar Grown™ flavored honeys.
Cinnamon Honey Roasted Squash
A simple and delicious side dish that is full of warm fall flavor and enhanced with a touch of sweetness from Clif Family’s Solar Grown™ Cinnamon Honey Spread.
‘Pepperoni’ Spice & Stuffed Peppers
A perfect crowd pleasing appetizer that is salty, sweet and a touch spicy. A finishing drizzle of Clif Family’s Solar Grown Hot Honey with Cobanero Chili will create a buzz with any crowd.
Blue Cheese Skirt Steak Roll Ups with Red Wine & Cracked Pepper Caramelized Onions
Salty blue cheese combined with sweet Red Wine Jam and caramelized onions make for a great pairing with skirt steak and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Facts to Know Before You Visit Napa Valley
We’ve curated some quick tips to get you up to speed so you can hold your own in a conversation about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Classic Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
The epitome of summer flavors, our Classic Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta is bursting with vibrant colors and robust flavors of sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes. This recipe celebrates the best of nature’s bounty. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of garlic atop a crusty slice of bread. Elevating this…
Are you a Foodie? – Clif Family should be on your Napa itinerary.
Are you a Foodie? – Clif Family should be on your Napa itinerary Blog Post By Meg Barkley Are you culinary curious and starting to experiment in your kitchen? Or are you a die-hard chef or foodie who plans your travel around delicious meals? Do you watch every Stanley Tucci show and collect cookbooks? If…
Fuel Up for Harvest in Napa Valley
Blog Post By Meg Barkley Harvest is a festive time in Napa Valley between early morning vineyard picks, long days crushing fruit and welcoming the many visitors who come to the valley to experience the fall colors and taste our Napa Valley wines. With grapes getting most of the focus, we have limited time to…
Salsa Verde
Tomatillo and Green Pepper Jam Salsa Verde Recipe by Executive Chef, John McConnell The vibrant colors and zesty tang of this delightful condiment will please spice enthusiasts and lovers of all things savory. There are so many ways to use Salsa Verde and this recipe will undoubtedly elevate your culinary creations to new heights. Drizzle…
Chocolate Covered Snowball Cocktail
Chocolate Covered Snowball Cocktail Recipe by Samantha Newman Makes 1 cocktail INGREDIENTS:Cacao Honey Syrup:4 oz water5.5 oz or 1 full jar, Clif Family Solar Grown™ Cacao Honey Spread (reserve 1 tsp for rimming the glass) Cocktail:2 oz Vodka2 oz unsweetened, full fat coconut milk1.5 oz Crème de Cacao1.5 oz Cacao Honey Syrup (see below)Ice Garnishes…
5 Things I Learned at Clif Family’s Valle di Sotto Vineyard
Blog Post By Brien O’Brien Friday August 5th, 2022 was a beautiful day in the Napa Valley. A high of 86 degrees and a slight breeze turned this into what some would call a “perfect day” in the valley. My day started out with a few meetings and connects at the office, but the afternoon…
Solar Grown™ Vanilla Honey Shortcakes
Clif Family Solar Grown™ Vanilla Honey Spread adds a unique twist on a classic summer recipe. Enjoy the best of the season with fresh summer berries, light and flaky shortcake, and a deliciously sweet Chantilly cream. Recipe by Executive Chef, John McConnell INGREDIENTS: Shortcakes3 cups all-purpose flour¼ cup granulated sugar¼ cup Clif Family Solar Grown™…
Harvest Meals
Blog Post By Sous Chef Magnus Young Harvest season is upon us. And while it can be a busy time of the year sampling grapes, planning picks, checking on fermentations and writing work orders, don’t forget about your hard-working crews! We are happy to help feed your crew this harvest season with a delicious farm-to-table…
Spiced Mad Hatter Cocktail Recipe
Looking for a unique and delicious cocktail recipe? Look no further than our Spiced Mad Hatter Cocktail made with Clif Family’s Solar Grown™ Cinnamon Honey Spread. This recipe combines the sweet and spicy flavors of the cinnamon honey spread with spiced rum, iced tea, and lemon juice to create a refreshing and flavorful cocktail. Plus, the…
Solar Grown™ Vanilla Honey Challah
Recipe by Executive Chef, John McConnell INGREDIENTS:Dough:4 ¼ cups or 525 grams all-purpose flour¾ cup or 170 grams lukewarm water6 Tbsp. melted butter4 Tbsp. Clif Family Solar Grown™ Vanilla Honey Spread2 tsp. vanilla extract2 large eggs1 large egg yolk1 ½ tsp. salt4 tsp. instant yeast3 Tbsp. raisins, rehydrated in warm water and strained Topping:1 whole…
Everything but the Stinger Cocktail
Everything but the Stinger Cocktail Recipe By Samantha Newman Makes 1 cocktail INGREDIENTS Solar Grown Raw Honey Syrup: 5.5 oz Clif Family Solar Grown™ Raw Honey 1 cup of water Cocktail: 2 oz Gin ¾ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed ½ oz ginger honey syrup Ice Garnish: Lemon twist DIRECTIONS:Ginger Honey Syrup: In a small saucepan…
Buzzing for Vanilla Honey
Buzzing for Vanilla Honey Blog Post By Linzi Gay Vanilla may mean “plain” in some circles, but at Clif Family, vanilla is a complex flavor to be celebrated. This aromatic spice comes in many forms and is often considered the most popular spice in the world. And just like wine grapes, vanilla is influenced by…
Getting Down to Business, Napa Valley Style
Corporate Retreats Blog Post by Linzi Gay Napa Valley is the perfect backdrop for engaging dialogue, creative brainstorming and team member collaboration. With our proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley and Sacramento, a short drive brings you to some of the most magnificent beauty, elegant wines and delicious food in the world.…
Introducing the Clif Family Enoteca
Introducing the Clif Family Enoteca Blog Post By Linzi Gay This spring, Clif Family opened our doors to a second Napa Valley Tasting Room located just a few steps from our original Tasting Room. A juxtaposition to the lively energy of our Main Street Tasting Room, the Enoteca offers a more private and intimate tasting…
Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken
Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken with Clif Family Organic Estate Olive Oil Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell Yields 3-4 servings INGREDIENTS: 1 2-3lb chicken2 Tbsp salt Season chicken ahead of cooking by evenly applying salt across all surfaces, including the inside cavity, overnight or for about 12 hours prior to cooking. For the glaze1 jar…
Spanish Romesco Pork Loin
Spanish Romesco Pork Loin with Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds and Roasted Potatoes Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell Yields 4 servings INGREDIENTS:1 Center cut pork loin, about 1.5 lbs 1 lb. fingerling potatoesSalt and black pepper2 sprigs rosemary4 cloves garlic, smashed4 Tbsp olive oil For the RomescoYield: roughly 1.5 cups 2 large red bell…
Shrimp and Asparagus Skewers
Grilled Shrimp & Asparagus Skewers Yields 4 servings INGREDIENTS: Skewers 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2”-3” lengths 1 bunch green onions, cut into 2”-3” lengths 12 bamboo skewers, soaked in water Additional lime for serving, cut into wedges Marinade 1 lime, zested 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice…
Chocolate-Sesame Tahini Cookies
Chocolate-Sesame Tahini Cookies with Clif Family Solar Grown™ Cacao Honey Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell Yield: 12-14 cookies INGREDIENTS: 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten free baking mix) 2 TBSP. cocoa powder, unsweetened 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. baking powder 6 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature (or vegan butter) ¼ cup sugar…
Char Siu
Char Siu with Clif Family Solar Grown™ Cacao Honey Spread Recipe By Executive Chef John McConnell Yields 8 servings INGREDIENTS: 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder (ideally a fatty piece) ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 Tbsp salt 1 tsp five spice powder ¼ tsp white pepper ½ tsp sesame oil 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 Tbsp…
Sweet Indulgences
Sweet Indulgences Blog Post By Linzi Gay Clif Family’s organic chocolates are a nice way to feel good about indulging your sweet tooth. Each chocolate packs a lot of sweet flavor into a small bite. And with organic ingredients, sustainable packaging and tasty flavors, what’s not to love? What makes our Clif Family Dark Chocolates…
Eating More Plants in 2022
Eating More Plants in 2022 Blog Post By Executive Chef John McConnell A new year brings new resolutions. Some of those around exercise, some around hobbies and many around what we eat. As we enter 2022, plant-based eating seems to be on many people’s minds, including mine. A true plant-based diet is abundant in fruits,…
Mapo Tofu
Mapo Tofu with Clif Family Organic Red Pepper Jam Recipe By Executive Chef John McConnell Yield: 6 servings INGREDIENTS: 12 dried shiitake mushrooms 1-½ c. warm chicken or vegetable broth ½ c. grapeseed oil, divided (or any neutral cooking oil) 1-2 fresh Thai bird chili peppers, thinly sliced (or serrano chiles) 6 dried chiles de…
Rosemary Roasted Almond and Pistachio Green Olive Tapenade
Recipe by Executive Chef, John McConnell
A Wine Club for the Food Lover
A Wine Club for the Food Lover Blog Post By Meg Barkley Deliver the flavors of Napa Valley straight to your doorstep with Clif Family Farm ‘N Vine Wine Club, featuring our favorite food and wine pairing experiences. The Farm N’ Vine Wine Club experience begins on the backside of Howell Mountain at the Clif…
The Five S’s of Wine Tasting
The Five S’s of Wine Tasting Blog Post By Gina Verkamp Clif Family Virtual Wine Educator and Sommelier Have you ever had the experience of tasting a really great wine and then a week or two later, you go to a restaurant and try to describe to the waiter what you liked about that wine…
What’s in a Name?
What’s in a Name? Blog Post By Linzi Gay Naming wine is not an easy task. With thousands of wine labels around the world, many names are already spoken for. But while it can be challenging to find a name that speaks to your brand and the wine in the bottle, it can also be…
Barbecued Vegetable Burger with Barbequed Walnuts & Almonds
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
Sesame Fried Green Beans with Solar Grown™ Hot Honey
Recipe By Executive Chef, John McConnell
Happy Hour at the Snap of Your Fingers
Happy Hour at the Snap of Your Fingers Blog Post By Katie Henshaw Planning a happy hour for your team should be easy, right? And yet… have you spent long minutes in the wine aisle trying to figure out what wines your team will like? Do you end up just giving up and grabbing whatever…
Hot Honey Fried Cauliflower with Buttermilk Ranch
Surprise your guests with a tasty appetizer starring cauliflower. With a drizzle of our Cobanero Chili Hot Honey on top, this tasty appetizer is a great alternative to fried chicken.
Experience St. Helena Like a Local
Experience St. Helena Like a Local Our 5-Day Guide to St. Helena’s Best Adventures Blog Post By Meg Barkley St. Helena is Napa Valley’s Main Street! The railroad came to the area in the late 1800’s and by 1876 the town of St. Helena was founded. It was the commerce hub for the influx of…
Q&A with Napa Valley Artisan Accessory Line: Olive and Poppy
Nicole Hughes and Anne Siegel founded Olive and Poppy in 2014, creating stylish gifts and accessories using materials locally sourced and inspired by California wine areas. We love sharing a bit of their wine country design in our Tasting Room and recently sat down with them to find out more about this local company and…
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Tart with Pickled Ginger
Recipe by Executive Chef, John McConnell
A Taste of Napa Valley…Straight to Your Doorstep
A Taste of Napa Valley…Straight to Your Doorstep Blog Post By Linzi Gay Napa Valley is known for our delicious food just as much as our outstanding wine. And at Clif Family, bringing wine and food together has always been part of the experiences we create. Our Clif Family specialty food products are created by…
Why I Ride
Why I Ride Blog Post By Chef John McConnell In May, I will pedal 100-miles in the Chefs Cycle event to raise money for No Kid Hungry, an organization whose mission is to abolish childhood hunger in America. I am proud to work for a business that supports these endeavors. To date, Chefs Cycle has…
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Quinoa Tabbouleh Recipe By Chef John McConnell Yield: 5 cups INGREDIENTS1 cup quinoa, rinsed well2 cups Persian cucumber, diced into ½” pieces2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half2 cups Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped½ cup fresh mint, chopped½ cup Clif Family Extra Virgin Olive Oil2 ½ Tbsp lemon juice3 tsp salt, divided METHODBring quinoa, 1/2…
Find Your Wineventure – Join the Clif Family Wine Club Community
Find Your Wineventure – Join the Clif Family Wine Club Community Blog Post By Ashley Cox & Meg Barkley The Clif Family experience was built on a love of wine, food and adventure. The inspiration for our Tasting Room is the Rifugios of Northern Italy, where you can relax and make new friends over a…
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint Blog Post By Sarah Richmond At Clif Family Winery, sustaining our planet has been part of our business ethos and mission from the start. We believe in creating quality wine and food products, with purpose, using practices that care for the earth without jeopardizing quality of life for future generations. In…
Holiday Gifting Checklist
By Katie Henshaw and Claire McConnell Holiday Gifting Checklist What a year. As 2020 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to show our love and appreciation for all those in our lives who have inspired, supported, taught, cured, delivered, donated, shared, baked, loved, and commiserated with us through the ups…
Toasted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Apple Butter & Tomato Soup
Recipe by Chef John McConnell
Bruschetta of Bellwether Farms Ricotta & Winter Greens
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
Grilled Halibut Kabobs with Toasted Pistachio Dukkah
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
Vietnamese Style Noodles with Grilled Sweet and Spicy Beef
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
Grilled Halibut Kabobs with Toasted Pistachio Dukkah
Recipe by Executive Chef John McConnell
