Celebrate Summer with an elevated picnic featuring Clif Family Winery
It’s Summertime and there’s no better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a delicious picnic stocked with wine and snacks made by Clif Family.
If the wine brand is family to you, that’s because in 2004, Clif Bar co-creators Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford embarked on a new venture: founding Clif Family Winery & Farm. The aim was to create delicious wines and snacks prioritizing the well-being of people, the planet, and the community.
Guided by a dedication to the highest quality with the lowest environmental impact, Clif Family is now a certified B Corp committed to organic food and farming, sustainable production, zero waste, and conserving and restoring our natural resources.
Better yet, we love supporting female winemakers, and Laura Barrett joined Clif Family Winery as a Winemaker 10 years ago, bringing her passion for wine and her lifelong love of science to the Clif Family Winery portfolio.
Laura received her undergraduate degree from The University of Vermont, where she earned a BS in Chemistry. She decided to pursue winemaking as a vocation, kicking off her career at Stony Ridge Vineyards, a small wine producer located on Waikeke Island in New Zealand, which has since become one of the most coveted wine regions in the world.
When Laura returned to the United States she pursued a Masters in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis where she received the prestigious La Reve Foundation scholarship, awarded to female Viticulture and Enology students with outstanding academic standing. Next was Napa Valley and Fisher Vineyards, then Casey Flat Ranch in Capay Valley. Now, Laura’s expertise has found a home at Clif Family Winery where she developed the final blends that have expanded their portfolio.
But it’s not just about the wines. Clif Family’s portfolio includes yummy organic specialty foods, including Solar Grown Honey, Savory Nut Mixes, Fruit Preserves, Wine Jellies and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Olive Oil is a standout and has become a staple in our kitchen. But especially delicious is the Solar Grown Hot Honey, which we drizzle over pepperoni pizza — or for a more healthy snack, try ricotta on sourdough toast and a good drizzle of Hot Honey. To go with any of the more summery wines, such as the delicious 2023 Rose of Grenache or the Clif Family x Reyna Noriega White Wine Blend, a bowl of Organic Rosemary Almonds & Pistachios is pretty much unbeatable. Add some cheese and dried fruits to create a feast!
The expressive white wine, which was developed by Laura, showcases the unique characteristics of Chardonnay and Viognier, organically grown in Napa. Uncork notes of citrus, stone fruit, and honeysuckle, balanced by a refreshing acidity. Reyna Noriega’s signature artwork graces the bottle, reflecting a connection to the natural world and the artistry behind both winemaking and artistic creation.
All this goodness comes from Clif Family Farms’ 90 acres of organic vineyards and a 10-acre vegetable garden, olive grove and fruit orchard, located in the Napa Valley. And yes, if you are in the region, you can visit the tasting room in St. Helena and try before you buy! In fact, if you visit, you can experience a Seasonal Wine & Food Tasting of new wine releases alongside seasonal bites crafted by Clif’s culinary team.
