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Newsletter

Musings from the Mountainside

Topel Winery’s Spring Newsletter, 2010

Bring on the Sunshine

It’s been a cool and wet spring — and while the grapes are happy, we’re ready for some sunshine! Mother Nature has certainly made a statement in the vineyard. The extra rainfall has completely filled our pond, which means we’ll have plenty of water for the summer growing season. Despite off-and-on assaults from the wind, rain and cold, the vines are in great shape and we’re anticipating another excellent vintage up here on the mountain.

Wine, Cheese and All That Jazz

Join us for wine, cheese and a live performance by the Gary Johnson Trio from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 12 at Topel Tasting Room in Healdsburg. We’re proud to be a sponsor of the annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival, which runs June 4-13 (www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org). The jazz is free — as are the appetizers. Our regular tasting fees apply and we’ll also be selling wine by the glass at $5. Remember, we’re dog-friendly, so if Fido has a penchant for jazz, bring him (or her) along. Dogs must be 21 to drink wine and we card any pup that looks to be less than 30 years old.

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Speaking of Dogs, It’s Time to Shoot Yours!

With a camera, of course! We’re collecting high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) digital photos of your doggies for our third annual Topel Wine Tails Calendar, which is a benefit for the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. Be sure to send your photos by August 31 to Donnis at donnis@topelwines.com.

We prefer wine themes, if possible, and really enjoy seasonal shots for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays. Photos selected for the calendar win prizes for the entrants — a bottle of Topel wine and one calendar.

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Hit a Home Run with Topel!

Topel has joined the Winery Softball League of Healdsburg, so our guys will be swinging for the bleachers every Tuesday night this summer. While our team is on the field, our tasting room will still be open for those of you who attend the outrageously popular Farmers Market Tuesday Night Free Concerts on Healdsburg Plaza. Stop on by and pick up a bottle of Topel for your picnic dining pleasure!

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Join Us on FaceBook and Reap Rewards

Become a fan (or “like” us, as they now say) of the Topel Winery Tasting Room page on Facebook and we’ll reward you with special prizes and offers, available only to our Facebook friends. You can link to us at www.facebook.com/topelwinery. We’ve got some great Facebook promotions that we’ll be offering starting in June. Don’t miss out!

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Salmon Cakes are King with Topel White Wines

King Salmon Cakes

• 1 lb. cooked salmon
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 1/2  cup egg yolk, lightly whisked
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• Zest from one whole lemon
• 1/2 cup finely diced fennel bulb
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced
• 1 T finely chopped chives 
• 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
• 1 sweet red pepper, finely diced
• 2 T capers, drained and rinsed

Roast salmon in a 350° oven until done; cool. Flake salmon meat into a bowl and fold vegetables into meat. In a separate bowl, combine Dijon mustard, mayonnaise and egg yolk. Fold into salmon mixture. Add Panko crumbs until firm texture, but not dry. Form into one-ounce cakes. Cook on a griddle or fry pan in clarified butter until golden and heated through.

Serve with lemon aioli.