Sutter Home Blog

And the news you’ve all been waiting for…

juliana — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:43:09 +0000

Now, I know you’ve all been waiting to hear about the final (not to mention fantastically talented) top 10… I mean, c’mon, you’ve probably been waiting for MONTHS to hear this little announcement. So, without further ado… I (very excitedly) present your top 10 finalists:

Best Beef Burger Finalists
1. Christina Capone from Seattle, WA
2. Kathi Jones-DelMonte from Rochester, NY
3. Peter J. Jim from New York, NY
4. Jeanette Nelson from Coal City, WV
5. Jaeger Stoltz from Seattle, WA

Best Alternative Burger Finalists
1. Deborah L. Biggs from Omaha, NE
2. Barbara Estabrook from Rhinelander, WI
3. Regina Haase from Wallington, NJ
4. Mark Pyne from Kent, WA
5. Teresa Ralston from New Albany, OH

And, if you want to grill up one of their deeee-licious recipes in the future, click here for all of the information on how to make some of the biggest, best, and most delicious gourmet burgers ever seen.

Find out more about Build a Better Burger

Why bring Build a Better Burger 2010 to Miami?

juliana — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:10:01 +0000

Not only is Miami fabulous, fun and food-a-licious (that’s right…I did just use that word), but it is the hottest spot for ANY event, especially Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger.

Here is our Top 10 list on taking Build a Better Burger to Miami Beach:

#10. Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Contest received more entries from Florida this year than any other state and let’s face it, nothing says “party” like grilling on the beach.

#9. Miami Beach was dubbed the Sun and Fun Capital by Jackie Gleason back in the 1960s, and 50 years later, it is still the hottest place to party.

#8. No matter where you are in Florida, you’re never more than 60 miles from a beach.

#7. South Beach has become synonymous with foodie fun – case in point, The Annual South Beach Food & Wine Festival.

#6. Snooky, the Kardashians and the Real Housewives strut their stuff on Ocean Drive.

#5. Miami is the best place to make a tackle – it has hosted more Super Bowls than any other city.

#4. Although Miami is home to plenty of manly sporting events, it is the only major city in the US to be founded by a woman.

#3. Burgers and the beach go hand in hand. Ask Rachael Ray, who launched her Burger Bash in South Beach.

#2. Chart toppers Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston and Flo Rida all call Miami their hometown. And, where would Latin music be without Gloria?

And the #1 reason Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Contest Loves South Beach is… Two words: Le Bron

Now that we’ve shared our top 10 with you, why don’t you share some of your thoughts on Miami Beach?

What would you say the #1 reason to take Build a Better Burger to Miami Beach is?

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Finalist Selection Process - Details Inside!

juliana — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:36:17 +0000

We know you’re all on the edge of your seat today, so we thought we’d give you the scoop on the finalist selection process for Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger 2010.

Today 10 lucky Potential Finalists will hear from our team here in Napa Valley BUT they can’t say a peep about being selected…yet. After the notification, the Potential Finalists start a review process. Once they clear the review, the Potential Finalists officially become the Finalists that will join us down in Miami Beach! We will announce their names on SutterHome.com. And of course, we will alert all of our Facebook fans to the check the website the moment the names have been released.

We can’t wait to tell you who the finalists are so sit tight for a little while longer and we’ll keep you updated! Check the contest rules for all of the details.

Welcome to Miami!

juliana — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:06:18 +0000

Yes, you heard me correctly, we’re going to Miami, wine and burger lovers! We are taking the biggest and most delicious burger competition ever and bringing it to paradise.

And what better time to switch things up than for our 20th anniversary? Twenty years of burger-lovin’ fun – now that’s a LOT of grilling…grilling that is very near and dear to my little heart (and stomach – yum)! And of course, because we’re so darn excited about all of the burger madness that will be going on in September, we decided to make it just a little bit bigger and little bit better this year.

Now that you’re in on our little secret, the only thing left for you to do is wait for the announcement that YOUR burger was the BEST burger (or at least in the top 10, right?). And while you’re waitin’…why not keep on telling us about all of your burger secrets?

Make sure to follow Build a Better Burger on Twitter, Sutter Home on Twitter, and of course the Sutter Home and Build a Better Burger Facebook pages. What better way is there to keep in touch? Plus, you get the bonus of finding things out first (I’d say that’s a pretty sweet deal, don’t you think?)

Now, before I head out, answer me this:

What are you gonna be bringin’ to Miami with you this year? (besides your grilling hands)

Cheers, wine and burger lovers!

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We’ve got a Juicy Secret!

juliana — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:29:00 +0000

I know you’re all on the edge of your seats—wondering what this big secret could be…and trust me, it’s HUGE and really exciting! But since we enjoy all of the buzz that is going around and want the excitement to build for a little longer, you’re gonna have to wait for it! We know it’ll be worth it!

To find out what’s going on in the Sutter Home world, make sure you “like” Sutter Home Wines and Build a Better Burger on Facebook! You wouldn’t wanna miss out, would you? And don’t forget to follow @SutterHome and @BetterBurger on Twitter!

We’re gonna reveal our secret on August 17th on Facebook & Twitter, so make sure you stay updated! And in the meantime…I may give you a few hints and tips on what the surprise is (if you promise not to tell a soul).

And cross my heart, this secret is definitely worth the wait! And if you keep on checking out our Twitter and Facebook pages, you might be able to guess it before the big day!

Psst… Here’s a little hint for you: This year, we’re taking something you know and love (something that’s delicious and goes best with onions/pickles/cheese/etc.) to the next level! Can you guess what it is?

Who Built it Better?

juliana — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:17:15 +0000

Now, we know that you’re all asking yourselves this question – who built the $100,000 grand prize-winning burger? Was it you? (Of course, I know you can only cross your fingers, toes, eyes & all hoping that it was!)

Was YOUR gourmet burger creation built to perfection? Did YOU build it bigger and better? There are so many questions dancing around in that sweet little head of yours (I am right, aren’t I?)

Well, as of right now, with SO many entries, our fabulous judges are gettin’ their palates ready for all of that deeee-licious burger tasting! And with the fate now out of your hands, you’re probably askin’ yourselves one big question: What Now?

Well, NOW it’s time to tell us about those sweet little burger masterpieces you’ve all been workin’ your tail end on! How did you taste test all of your creations? How did you determine the perfect toppings? Wine pairing? There are so many things we wanna know! (I can hear my stomach growling as we speak.)

And if you don’t feel like spilling ALL of your burger secrets, at least answer me this:

Who was your go-to taste tester during this whole process? Your spouse, the kids, a friendly neighbor perhaps?

Before I say goodbye, there’s one more thing – don’t forget to follow our blog! You wouldn’t wanna miss out on all of the burger action, would you?

Wine tasting events are simple and fun! Who knew?

juliana — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:20:23 +0000

Ever noticed how you brush your teeth and then afterwards (it never fails!) you crave a buttery bag of popcorn that ends up tasting completely weird? (There’s no way that buttery goodness can really taste that terrible, right?)

Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret – just as toothpaste can change the taste of food, certain foods can change the taste of wine. Perhaps you’ve tried a certain wine before that you immediately dismissed for its odd flavor. Now honey, there’s your biggest mistake!

‘Cuz when you don’t succeed, try, try again! Perhaps your wine flavor was altered by other tasty treats that you were enjoying at the time. (Weird, huh?)

In order to really create the perfect wine tasting party, you have to be prepared by knowing the tastes of the wines and foods that you are serving, and how they taste together. (It seems like a lot of work, but I know how to make it easy on you.) So check out our wine and food pairing tips to make sure that you’ve got all of your guests’ taste buds covered.

To ensure that your wine tasting event is successful, here are some things you might want to include:

- Your favorite Sutter Home wine varietals (Variety is key! Grab enough for all of your guests – yourself included - to indulge!)
- Foods to pair with each wine (spicy foods get a milder wine, like a White Zin, sweet & sour foods go best with Chardonnay, and so on..)
- Water – and crackers - to cleanse your palate after each sip (this will intensify your tasting experience)
- And (of course!) fabulous friends to enjoy the luscious flavors
My last final tip to you is to always start with white wine, moving from dry to sweet, and progress to red wines, moving from light to full-bodied.

And remember, Sutter Home has got all of the wines that you will need for a successful evening, so just bring yourself and that go-get-‘em attitude and you are golden for a perfectly delicious and classy event.

Now, after your exciting evening..riddle me this:

What’s your Sutter Home varietal and food to pair with it?

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What to do on a Perfect Summer Day

juliana — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:27:19 +0000

It’s already mid-summer (a perfect day outside, no less), and you’ve finally exhausted the last of your impromptu summer fun sessions – you’ve gone to the amusement park, you’ve planned that delicious backyard BBQ, you’ve even planned a game night for all of your friends. But here’s one thing you’ve yet to do – A Surfside Picnic!

Of course, I know that you’ve probably been to the beach (or the lake & river which can be just as much fun) before..and obviously bringing along some snacks and a few drinks are a MUST when you go. But with a beach blow-out like this one, we can help you have twice the excitement, and three times the deliciousness!

But, wait! Before you pack your beach bag into the car along with that amazing bathing suit that you just bought (on sale, no less) and the insanely large hat that you insisted on getting, make sure you’ve got room for a few extra things:

- A fun-sized four pack of little 187 mL bottles of Sweet Red (or really whichever Sutter Home varietal your little heart desires)

- A quick and simple Caesar salad (you can throw this together in less than two minutes, cross my heart) that goes perfect with the Sauvignon Blanc or Sweet Red.

- A few pre-made grilled chicken wraps with whatever toppings you enjoy (trust me, it’s so easy your head will already be in beach-mode)

- And finally, a cooler to pack all of your scrumptious goodies.

Also, if you’re planning on staying to watch the stars come out..pack a few Hershey’s bars, marshmallows and graham crackers..you can’t go wrong with s’mores. BUT if you’re planning on bringing along a bottle of Moscato, you may not even need dessert.

So don’t be discouraged because the summer season is nearing its’ end, but rather get excited about all of the end of summer fun that you’ll be having! And if you need a few more tips on what to bring to enchant those little fun-sized bottles, check out our Wine and Burger University for pairing tips.

Which fun-sized Sutter Home varietal will you be bringing along?

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Wine to Fit Your Salad Days

juliana — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:37:53 +0000

So you’re at the market and determined to keep things healthy. “Stick with the fresh salad plan,” you think as you try not to ogle the fresh cheese and sausage. (Oh yes, I know what that’s like) Bathing suit season is here, and you would like to be prepared. You don’t even look at the fresh bread and instead scamper over to find the green ingredients of a spectacular summer salad.

Great work! It can’t be that hard to switch around your options, right? In fact, here’s an idea. Instead of whatever main dish you’re thinking about whipping up at your next summer lunch or dinner soiree, try serving salad. (And I’m not talking about just any salad!) A fabulous main course salad will do, AND it will have all your girlfriends talking.

Yes, it’s true! A yummy Greek or Thai salad can be every bit as fun and satisfying as any of the more traditional main courses. And of course they’re healthy and light and all that good stuff.

Alas, salads are not perfect. Here’s the challenge: some wines may clash with the acidity of many salad dressings, especially vinegar based ones.

So listen up, ‘cause we’ve got what it takes to make your guests’ tummies and your own leave feeling deliciously satisfied.

- For a vinaigrette dressing, our Chenin Blanc is a perfect pairing (Would I lie to you?).

- Salty ingredients like olives, anchovies, capers, chopped nuts or a strong cheese make any salad a little more neutral and a better wine complement (and, of course, infinitely more delicious).

- Caesar salad, you say? Sutter Home’s Pinot Grigio + Caesar = perfection.

- A nice, food friendly wine like Sutter Home’s Chardonnay makes a good pairing with the meats and cheeses of a Cobb salad.

- Greek salad, with its sharp flavors, calls for an assertive wine such as Sutter Home’s Sauvignon Blanc.

(With all of this salad talk, I’m starting to get hungry!)

But, I digress.. now that you’ve got the helpful hints you need to keep your body healthy and happy, you can join that gym that you’ve been eyeing for the past month, or try out that new bikini you’ve been on the lookout for..all without compromising your taste buds!

Now, to end this little rant, here’s the main ingredient to happiness: a bottle of Sutter Home wine (and some salad mixtures too!)

P.S. I would love to hear about your salad summers in the comment box below. How do you satisfy your summer appetite?

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Summer’s the best time to enjoy burgers and wine poolside!

juliana — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:12:47 +0000

Of course we know you’ve been to about 101 pool parties since the start of the summer and probably enjoyed many more glasses of wine and obviously your grill has been heated up quite a few times, but whoever said you can’t do it all? (I know I’ve incorporated a little vino and water splashin’ fun into my summers at least a few times.)

Well, of course it sometimes seems like relaxing by the pool while enjoying a delicious meal may not go hand-in-hand, but we know how to spice up your summer while still kickin’ it poolside. (It’s integration time, baby!!)

In order to really take advantage of cooling off from the hot summer sun, try a lighter and leaner burger, like one of our turkey burgers. A turkey burger will satisfy your palate and fill your stomach without overdoing it, so that you can take a cool-down dip right after that delicious meal.

Turkey burgers go great with our food friendly wines, like our Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Or, if you have some red wine fanatics, sip on our Merlot with your pool party-goers.

The key to a blow-out, burger bashin’ pool party is to satisfy all of your cravings. Here are some things you may want to stock up on:

- A variety of Sutter Home wines (so you have a great selection for your guests to choose from)
- Bite-sized 187 mL bottles (these are perfect for the pool AND your guests can try all sorts of delicious flavors)
- Plastic wine glasses (to prevent any unwanted mishaps)
- Any ingredients for your burger you may need (check out the Burgerbase for this one)
- A variety of burger toppings (avocados? cheese? bacon? Let your guests build their own gourmet burger)
- Some floats for your guests to lounge on (think colorful noodles, perfect for floating and relaxing in the pool)
- And (of course) sunscreen!

With all of these delectable goodies, the aroma of your gourmet burgers being grilled, and the sound of your friends having a BLAST, your neighbors may try and squeeze their way into the fun.

All of this pool party fun is making me wanna grab my floatie and get to the water ASAP.

What’s your “must have” for pool time fun?

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