Open Hills Ranch
Pinot Noir
Central Coast, CA

The Central Coast AVA is a large American Viticultural Area that spans from Santa Barbara County in the south to the San Francisco Bay Area in the north. The boundaries of the Central Coast include portions of six counties(Contra Costa, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara & Santa Cruz).  This classic Central Coast Pinot Noir has a spicy aromatic profile, with hibiscus, dried sour cherries, forest floor, and a hint of vanilla and smoked bacon on the nose.   This wine features prettiness and complexity as only Pinot Noir can.  Enjoy with pork roast, grilled quail, or bacon and bleu cheese burger.

“With the strawberry, raspberry and red cherry tones typical of Pinot Noir, this is a wine with the pleasure principle at work. But this fruity wine never cheats by being sweet (as some do) and the variety of fruit flavors that carry through to its finish, like plums and currants, add to the sense of balance.”  – Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.

Winemaking Team: Roxie Ward, Travis Proctor, Anna Clifford
Appellation: Central Coast, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Pinot Noir
Analysis: 14.9% alcohol / volume

Roasted Chicken Breast

INGREDIENTS:
•  2 airline chicken breasts (quartered boneless chicken breast with drumette attached)
• 10 oz purple potatoes
• 1 bunch lacinato kale
• 1 granny smith apple
• 1 red onion
• 1 bunch tarragon
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds
• 2 tsp whole grain Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS:

Large dice the purple potatoes. Separate the kale stems and leaves; discard the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Peel, core and medium dice the apple. Peel and medium dice the onion. Pick the tarragon leaves off the stems; discard the stems.

In a medium pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 7-9 minutes or until browned.

Add the onions to the pan of browned potatoes; reduce the heat to medium. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes or until the onion has softened slightly. Add the kale, apple and 2 tbsp of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until the kale has wilted. Stir in the almonds, mustard and 2 tbsp of water. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until well combined. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the hash cooks, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. In a separate medium pan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken, skin side down first. Cook, loosely covering the pan with a lid, 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, leaving any browned bits in the pan. Set aside in a warm place.

Heat the pan of reserved fond (roasty bits at bottom of pan) on medium until hot. Add the chicken stock, butter, and ¼ cup water. Cook, stirring occasionally to scrape up any browned bit, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.  To serve, place hash neatly onto plate, top with chicken breast and garnish with pan sauce.    Recipe compliments of Chef Brian Reigle of Terravant Winery Restaurant.