I’ve got a confession: I’m obsessed with pairing our Grenache Noir with cilantro. It’s not something I saw coming, but now? I can’t get enough of it.
Grenache Noir has always had a special place for me. This El Dorado wine boasts bright raspberry and strawberry flavors, a little white pepper kick, and an earthy depth from our Sierra Foothills soil. It’s not fussy—just a solid, versatile red I’ve loved since day one at our Sierra Foothills winery. Then there’s cilantro. I know it’s divisive, but I’m all in for its fresh, citrusy bite. Turns out, it’s a game-changer with our Holly’s Hill Grenache Noir.
We used to grab carnitas by the pound from the local Tijuana Taqueria near Placerville. It’s not fine dining, but it’s solid food that fits right in. It comes with a pile of corn tortillas, diced onions, and a healthy helping of cilantro. One day during harvest, we brought some back to the winery and cracked open a bottle of our Grenache Rosé. It’s the perfect wine for casual fare—especially on a warm fall day in El Dorado County. Together, they just clicked. I’m not sure how to describe that magic when two things merge into something better than the sum, but those tacos with our Grenache Rosé? It was the cilantro that sealed it. We had to push further, in the name of science of course. “Let’s try this with red Grenache,” we said. A taste of Holly’s Hill Grenache Noir with a small handful of cilantro leaves confirmed it: Grenache and cilantro were made for each other.
We knew we had to share this wine pairing discovery with the world. At a winery event, we served grilled pork with a cilantro-heavy chimichurri—solid stuff. It worked like a charm with our Grenache Noir. Most folks agreed, except the cilantro haters (you know who you are). But what we didn’t realize was that all our customers would be walking around with little bits of cilantro in their teeth. Oops—our bad!
We’ve been crafting Grenache Noir at Holly’s Hill winery for years, right here in the heart of El Dorado wine country. Pairing it with cilantro has become my go-to move. Next time you snag a bottle of our Grenache Noir, chop some cilantro—toss it on whatever’s cooking. It’s a simple trick that makes this Sierra Foothills wine sing. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.
Salud,
Josh
