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February 9, 2025

Super Bowl Snacks & Wine Pairings

Elevate Your Game Day Spread

The biggest Sunday of the year is finally here—Super Bowl Sunday! Are you cheering for your favorite team or just here for the commercials?  One thing is certain: game day is all about community, excitement, and unforgettable food and drinks.

You don’t have to be a chef to serve up gourmet game day snacks. With the right pairings, you can turn classic comfort foods into an experience worthy of a championship celebration. Here are some of our favorite wine pairings to take your Super Bowl feast to the next level.

Dips, Chips & Sips

No game day spread is complete without rich, creamy dips. Whether you’re enjoying a classic French onion, buffalo chicken, or a seven-layer dip, a well-paired wine will enhance the flavors while balancing out the richness.

🍷 Wine Pairing: Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir – The bright acidity in Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creaminess, while Pinot Noir complements savory, cheesy dips without overpowering them.

Elevate Your Snacks

Sometimes, the simplest snacks steal the show! These easy yet elevated bites will keep your guests coming back for more:

Truffle Popcorn: Pop fresh corn kernels in butter and truffle oil, then sprinkle with truffle salt for an addictive delicious treat.

popcorn

Marcona Almonds: Toasted in rock salt and rosemary, they add an extra layer of flavor and crunch to your spread.

Wine Pairing:

  • Cultivar Chardonnay, Alexander Valley – A rich, buttery complement to truffle popcorn.
  • Cultivar Cabernet, Napa Valley – A bold pairing for salty, crunchy Marcona almonds.
  • Cultivar Bordeaux Blend – Perfectly balances the depth of these indulgent snacks.

The Perfect Cultivar Pinot Pairs

Cultivar Pinot Noir was made for game day! Its versatility makes it a perfect match for a variety of game-day bites. Try it with:

Grilled wings, burgers & veggies
 Pizza & grilled cheese
Seven-layer dip & buffalo chicken dip

The balanced acidity and fruit-forward notes of Pinot Noir bring out the best in these classic favorites.

Hummus For The Win!

Hummus is always a crowd-pleaser, but why not take it up a notch? Try blending in roasted beets for a vibrant twist, or top with roasted garlic, olive tapenade, or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor.

Hummus with veggies

🍷 Wine Pairing:

  • Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc – A fresh, citrusy match that brightens every bite.
  • Cultivar Chardonnay – A smooth, creamy balance to rich hummus flavors.

Make This Super Bowl One to Remember

No matter what’s on your game-day menu, the right wine will elevate every bite and every moment.

April 8, 2023

Cultivar Wine Wins Gold at 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

We’re thrilled to announce that Cultivar Wine and Caspar Estate have both been honored in the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition!
 
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Rosé
🥇GOLD: 2021 Cultivar Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
🥇 GOLD: 2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, Leaky Lake, Napa Valley
🥈 SILVER: 2021 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc
🥈 SILVER: 2019 Caspar Estate Cabernet Franc
 
We’re incredibly proud to have been recognized in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and we can’t wait to share these award-winning wines with you! There were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries for the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

 

SF Wine Competition
Sip on our 2021 Cultivar Rosé:

For those looking for a treat amidst the sea of reds and whites, we highly recommend giving rosé a sip. Cultivar Wine’s Rosé, in particular, is a standout. Made from hand-selected grapes grown in the picturesque Sierra Foothills of California, this wine embodies a perfect balance of juicy fruitiness and crisp acidity since it is made from 71% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 4% Cinsault Noir grapes.

But it’s not just the delectable taste that makes Cultivar Wine’s Rosé a must-try. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of Rosé has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Julien Fayard has brought a Provencal flair to this incredible blend of southern Rhone varietals, mostly sourced from the unique terroir of the Sierra Foothills in California. Rosé is one of the most food-friendly wines you can find, so pair this with everything from seared scallops to grilled pork chops.

As we move from Rosé to Pinot Noir, it’s important to understand that this grape is notoriously difficult to cultivate. However, when grown successfully, it produces some of the most exquisite wines.

Let’s start with the Santa Lucia Highlands. This small appellation, located in Monterey County, boasts a unique climate that produces elegant and complex Pinots. The 2023 competition saw a standout performer in the 2021 Cultivar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. This wine has a beautiful garnet color and is bursting with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. It also has a silky texture and a long, satisfying finish.

Moving north to Napa Valley, we find another region that excels in producing top-quality ruby color and is loaded with flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries, and a subtle hint of smoky oak. It also has a smooth and velvety texture.

Leaky Lake
The Leaky Lake vineyard is in the Napa Valley in hills between Rutherford and St. Helena. The winery’s dedication to sustainable farming practices ensures an environmentally-friendly harvest. Additionally, Cultivar Wine’s commitment to producing small batches means that each bottle of wine has been carefully crafted with quality in mind.

Whether you’re a fan of Santa Lucia Highlands’ complexity and elegance there’s a wine  for every preference at the 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of one of these exceptional wines.

Try these pairings at Cultivar San Francisco.

Join the Cultivar Wine Club for first choice of these highly desirable small production wines delivered to your door! ​

Behind the scenes -glasses of wine laid out waiting for the judges at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition – photo from SF Chronicle.

The 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition has revealed the best wines of the year, and they are not to be missed. From the award-winning taste of Cultivar Wine’s Rosé to the exquisite flavors of Leaky Lake’s Cabernet Sauvignon, there’s a wine for everyone. These winning wines are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our winemaker Julien Fayard who strives for excellence. So why not treat yourself to a bottle or two and experience the greatness for yourself? As one of the judges put it, “Wine is bottled poetry.” Cheers to the beauty of wine and the art of winemaking.

February 7, 2023

Just Released Chardonnay from Santa Barbara

Cultivar Chardonnay

Just released Cultivar Chardonnay from Santa Barbara!

Unlock the Magic of 2021 Cultivar Santa Barbara Chardonnay. This California gem is distinct in every way; from its radiant golden hue to its depth of flavor— it’s a wine to be savored. Get ready for a journey of discovery – where you’ll explore its tantalizing aromas, crisp flavors and indulgent texture. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply want to experience a unique bottle, Santa Barbara Chardonnay is sure to please. 

Cultivar Wines are thoughtfully crafted to pair well with food.

2021 Cultivar Santa Barbara Chardonnay’s golden hugh color is reminiscent of rays of sunshine peaking between the clouds. This is a California glass of sunshine. Aromas with hints of tropical fruits mix with a whiff of tangerine float up to greet you.

Crisp Golden Delicious apple and fresh juicy pear flavors with a kiss of vanilla keeps your mouth wanting more. Fresh and lovely with a rich and creaminess, textured but not too weighty.

Lively acidity balances a mineralility with smooth luscious mouth feel. Our Chardonnay is an easy drinking, food friendly wine. Pair it with everything from roasted or barbequed chicken, risotto, lobster, crab, shrimp, roasted peppers with goat cheese.

Pour yourself a glass and experience its sunshine-y yellow color; it hints at the flavor and aroma-rich journey ahead. Get ready to be whisked away to a beach paradise with just a whiff — notes of tropical fruit and tangerine swirling around your senses. And then comes the sip — the creaminess of the wine coating your palate in extravagant flavor. Notes of apple and pear add complexity, while its smooth finish will leave you wanting more.

 
 
The Scottish Salmon pairs well with our 2021 Cultivar Chardonnay. The acidity of the wine is perfect with the salmon, cauliflower rice, fava beans, jalapeño, chive & lemon vinaigrette.
 
Another dish that is amazing with our handmade fettuccine with grilled asparagus, fava beans, English peas, spinach, pecorino, Caspar Estate olive oil.
 
Try these pairings at Cultivar San Francisco.
 
 
Garden vegetable with handmade pasta

This Cultivar Chardonnay was aged in French Oak Barrels. It was then aged in a Clay Amphora. Half of the chardonnay was aged 14 months in barrel and the other half was aged 6 months in barrel then 8 months in an amphora as an experiment. Barrels were stirred daily during active fermentation, then once every week until the wine was racked.

The 2021 Chardonnay is part of our Cultivar Wine Club offering for February. Cultivar Wine produces and curates small lot wines that express terroir from the best California wine appellations. These sought-after wines with typically less than 200 cases available, are offered first to our Cultivar Wine Club members and our Cultivar SF wine bar & restaurant. With regular acclaim from critics like James Suckling and featured in Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, and more these wines sell out quickly.

Join the Cultivar Wine Club for first choice of these highly desirable small production wines delivered to your door! ​

Discover the magic of Santa Barbara Chardonnay. Let the golden hue, aromas and flavors transport you to the heart of California wine country and enjoy a unique taste you won’t soon forget.

November 10, 2022

Fall Favorites at Cultivar

At Cultivar San Francisco our chef David works closely with Katana at our Caspar Estate culinary garden to bring all the fresh flavors of the Napa Valley to us.

From kale to carrots, radishes, cauliflower and so much more are grown at Caspar. Wine taste with us in San Francisco! Enjoy our Cultivar Wine Club flight or dishes paired with our wines.

Mixed Greens
Caspar Estate lettuces and kale with Feta, apples, pears, caramelized walnuts, bacon, pear & balsamic dressing
Pair it with 2021 Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Caspar Estate is located in the Mayacamus Mountains overlooking the Napa Valley. The day time heat and overnight moderate temperatures make it a wonderful place to organically farm a large variety of vegetables.

Caspar Estate

Root Vegetables
taro root, sweet potato, russet potato, carrots, beets
Pair it with 2019 Cultivar Syrah, Napa Valley

Squash and Burrata
Pomegranate, pepitas, micro arugula, balsamic reduction, lava salt
Pair it with 2019 Cultivar Cabernet Franc, Oak Knoll


Lobster Ravioli
Handmade ravioli filled with Ricotta,  fontina, tomato sauce
Pairs exquisitely with 2019 Cultivar Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Octopus and Shrimp
Octopus, prawns, polenta, chorizo pamboa, micro herbs
Pair with 2021 Cultivar Rosé or Chardonnay

Mushroom Risotto
Hen of the Woods, Portobello, Parmigiano Reggiano
Pair it with 2021 Caspar Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

We look forward to seeing you at Cultivar San Francisco to taste Chef David’s seasonal dishes paired with Caspar Estate and Cultivar Wines. Located in the Marina District of San Francisco, near the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts and minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.
2379 Chestnut Street