Rodney Strong on the Dock -

There’s something about Sunday at the lake that’s just magical. California winemaker Rodney Strong posed the question, What makes us stronger together?, and for me that’s nature and family. Nature has always given me strength, which is probably one of the reasons why I’m passionate about al fresco happy hours. It’s been a stressful few weeks but my mom (and my dog Henry!) and I were able to recharge with the peace and serenity that comes with enjoying happy hour on the dock. For me, taking the time to feel the sunshine on my face and hear the waves and laugh with my family outdoors is so restorative.

This post is sponsored by Rodney Strong Vineyards. Opinions are my own.

The wine for the occasion was Rodney Strong’s 2019 Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc ($17), a crisp and clear white that begs to be paired with seafood. The color is so clear, that my mom later mistook my glass for having water in it! I’ve noticed that most of my favorite whites have a very bright, clear color.

I can’t say enough good things about this wine. From the moment it hit my lips, this sauvignon blanc’s tart, citrusy flavors energized me. The wine smells faintly of hibiscus and juicy honeydew melon. If you close your eyes and inhale, you can almost imagine that you’re relaxing on an island with warm conch fritters on the table in front of you. It’s a well-balanced, tropical wine with a lovely aftertaste. The notes I picked up on were that of dragon fruit, kiwi, honeydew, and Meyer lemon. It tastes like a vacation in a bottle.

This was my first time trying a Rodney Strong wine. The California winery opened in 1959 with a passion for sustainable winemaking. Fun fact: Rodney Strong was the 13^th winery bonded in Sonoma County! Talk about being a pioneer. The Sonoma vineyard, which Wine Enthusiast named the American Winery of the Year in 2013, offers several tasting experiences, charcuterie boards, and picnic options on its gorgeous property. I’ll have to visit on my next California wine trip!

I put together a simple appetizer to pair with the wine: smoked salmon, a dollop of mascarpone cheese, lemon zest, and parsley for color. So simple and yet so lovely. I loved how well the lemony wine went with this easy hors’ devours.