Crinella Family Cookbook
Our Grandparents' Favorites
Anti Pasti
Soups
Salads
Pasta
Vegetables
Fish
Poultry
Meat
Wild Game
Sweets
Brunch or Luncheon Dishes
Odds & Ends
Sour Dough
Other Breads ETC
Entertaining Ideas
Table of Contents
People
Family Photos
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Entertaining Ideas
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Autumn Tailgating
Fall in Sonoma County is a beautiful time, especially on the hillside of Crinella Estate Vineyard
in Forestville where we have sweeping views of not only our vines but those of Sonoma Cutrer, Topolos, and Iron Horse Vineyards. We entertain there often under the huge oak trees, sometimes at sunset,
sometimes for lunch, and sometimes during the afternoon just sitting under
the trees for an hour and having a glass of wine.
Recently my brother Frank and I had a tailgate picnic there with friends, a long afternoon of good food,
wine and easy conversation. We had the hillside mowed and I have never seen the vineyards below
look more beautiful as the leaves were changing into gold and burgundy colors.
Even though we are eating in a vineyard, I still like to have a table and chairs for people to sit on, along
with tablecloths, dishes, wine glasses and cloth napkins. I bring along extra jackets for the guests as well
as hats. In the fall, the weather can change quickly, one minute very hot and the next windy and chilly.
My main thought is to make sure every guest is comfortable.
In the fall we bring along more substantial dishes for our tailgate picnics. My brother Frank made this
wonderful Halibut Pasta Salad. Ray Nizibian, my niece Ramona's father-in-law, had caught some
halibut and graciously gave us some to use.
Halibut Pasta Salad
We also served a fritatta from the Crinella Cookbook. Artichoke Frittata
Here is another substantial salad from the Mediterranean that goes well
with tailgating.
Beef and Potato Salad
I had this wonderful lentil dish at a seaside lunch served by the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.
It can be served either hot or cold and is quite unusual.
Lentil Vegetable Gratin
In the fall we are experiencing the end of the growing season, but there are still any number of
fine fresh fruits which I like to have on hand for tailgate parties for people to eat leisurely
during the afternoon, possibly with a some Sonoma Jack cheese. There is simply nothing better.
For any kind of fall event you are planning, be sure to check the sports schedules and do not conflict
with any kind of important game in your area if possible. If you cannot avoid it, I think it is thoughtful
to have some way for guests to check scores.
Another must have is a citronella candle or two on hand to keep bees and hornets away. Don't forget
that as I have seen some very elegant parties ruined by aggressive insects.
Some other tailgate recipes from our cookbook:
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