Author: tkrause

  • Debra’s Picadillo Recipe

    Debra’s Picadillo Recipe

    Debra’s Picadillo (Cuban Style Hash)

    Ingredients
    2  cups diced onion
    2  cups seeded and chopped green bell pepper
    Olive oil for sautéing (about 3-4 Tablespoons)
    4  cloves garlic, minced
    2  pounds ground beef (or 1pound ground beef and 1 pound ground pork)
    3  tomatoes, peeled seeded, and chopped or 1 15oz canned tomatoes
    ¼  cup dry white wine (Cubanisimo Pinot Gris or Rose’ will work great)
    1  teaspoon ground cumin
    1/4  teaspoon cinnamon
    1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
    1  Tablespoon capers
    1  teaspoon dried oregano
    1/2 cup chopped green olives
    1/3  cup raisins
    Salt and pepper to taste

    Directions
    Cook white rice according to directions on package.  I use abrazo white rice with this recipe.

    Sauté onion and green pepper in olive oil in a large frying pan for about 5 minutes, until onion is softened.

    Add the garlic and ground beef.  Mix the onion and green pepper into the sautéing meat and cook until the meat is browned, about another 5 minutes.

    Add the tomatoes, wine, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, capers and oregano.

    Reduce heat to low, cover pan and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Add olives and raisins and simmer another 5 minutes longer.

    Salt and pepper to taste.

    Serve over cooked white rice, and add some fried plantains as a side dish!

    Enjoy!

     

     

     

  • Debra’s Tostones Recipe

    Debra’s Tostones Recipe

    Debra’s Tostone Recipe

    What you will need:
    Sauté pan
    Extra Virgin olive oil
    Kosher salt
    2-3 Green Plantains
    Wax paper
    Wet towel
    Tongs
    Microwave

    To start your tostones:
    Fill bottom of sauté pan with at least a ¼ inch of olive oil to cover bottom of pan. Start
    heating oil on Medium-High heat. Keeping an eye on it while preparing plantain!
    Take your green plantain and cut off both ends, then cut down the peel of the plantain in
    at least 3-4 areas from end to end, making sure you do not cut into the inside area.
    Wet a cloth leaving some of the water in the cloth and then wrap the plantain in it and put
    it in the microwave on high for 3 min.
    When finished it will be very hot to the touch so use a hot pad to remove.
    Take off the peeling and slice the plantain into ¾ inch slices. Should have 7-8 pieces per
    plantain.
    Place each piece onto a piece of wax paper, leaving some space between each.
    Cover with another piece of wax paper and use something with a flat bottom to mash
    each piece to about ¼ inch thickness.
    When oil is hot you can test it by placing a piece into the oil. It should start to sizzle if
    oil it hot.
    Continue placing the rest of the plantain pieces into the hot oil, making sure to not
    overcrowd the pan.
    When the edges of the plantain begin to turn golden brown, flip it to the other side and
    cook until golden. They will cook fast so do not walk away while cooking.
    Using your tongs, remove each piece and place on a plate lined with a paper towel to
    absorb and oil that remains.
    Sprinkle kosher salt on all!
    Enjoy!

  • Cubanisimo Pinot Gris Mojito

    Cubanisimo Pinot Gris Mojito

    What you’ve all been waiting for! Cubanisimo Pinot Gris Mojito🍹 SO YUMMY YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!

    1-2 wedges of lime
    4-6 mint leaves
    1/4 teaspoons of Agave
    Muddle it gently
    Add ice
    Add 1/2 cup Pinot Gris
    1/4 cup club soda
    1/2oz of rum
    Stir
    ENJOY AMIGOS!

  • White Wine Pesto Spaghetti Squash

    White Wine Pesto Spaghetti Squash

    Serve it as a side, or serve it as a meal…this White Wine Pesto Spaghetti Squash is made with our Pinot Gris and sure to be a fan favorite!

    Print off the recipe here

    Ingredients
    1 spaghetti squash—small to medium
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 medium yellow onion, chopped
    1 can artichoke hearts in brine, drained (these are not marinated hearts)
    1/3 cup pesto
    1/2 cup vegetable stock
    1/2 cup Cubanisimo Vineyards Pinot Gris
    Parmesan cheese
    Salt
    Pepper

    Directions
    Cook the spaghetti squash your favorite way and “spaghetti” it with a fork. Set aside.

    Over medium-high heat, cook chopped onion till translucent and tender. Add pesto. Stir to combine. Add stock and wine and simmer till reduced somewhat.

    Reduce heat to low. Add in spaghetti squash and artichoke hearts. Stir to combine and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

     

     

     

  • A Sweet Treat to Ring in the New Year

    A Sweet Treat to Ring in the New Year

    It is that time of year again! As 2019 wraps up, we are all preparing for our fun New Year’s Eve parties! Maybe you are in charge of the wine, or maybe a sweet treat…either way, we have you covered! Our Pinot Noir Cupcakes, brought to you by Carmen Triana, are the perfect way to ring in the new year with friends and family. Enjoy!

    Print off the recipe here

    Ingredients
    1 ½ cups flour (all purpose or gluten free blend for gluten free cupcakes)
    ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
    1 cup white sugar
    1 tsp baking soda
    ½ tsp salt
    1 tsp white vinegar
    6 tbs vegetable oil
    1 cup Cubanisimo Pinot Noir

    Directions
    Preheat oven to 350°. Line muffin tin with cupcake wrappers.
    Add all ingredients to mixing bowl and mix well until smooth. Fill cupcake wells approximately 2/3 full.
    Bake for 20 minutes. Cool on cooling rack.
    Glaze with simple chocolate ganache glaze.

    Simple Chocolate Ganache Glaze

    Ingredients
    ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    2 tbs half and half

    Directions
    Microwave chocolate chips 30 seconds at a time until they start melting. Add half and half and stir until smooth. If needed, microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until the glaze is smooth. Put glaze into small sandwich baggie and snip the end to glaze the cupcakes.

     

  • What Does Oregon Wine Mean to You?

    Oregon wine has been part of my Oregon history from the moment I arrived to practice neurosurgery in Salem, Oregon. Wine, and in particular pinot noir was a passion of mine throughout my training, and from the moment I arrived, and became aware of the climate, the soils, and the quality of pinot noir this area produced, I was hooked.

    From the onset, as I immersed myself into classes about wines, vineyard managements classes, marketing classes, wine making classes, and I started connecting with the marvelous people in this industry my interest in Oregon wine grew within me.The level of comradery, and the collaboration between the players in the Oregon wine industry also became a draw to my wanting to be part of this industry.

    Professionally trained to deal with many of people’s most difficult life problems, many involving very trying, and emotional medical circumstances then my decision to participate in the wine industry, and Oregon wine became my balancing ballast.

    As a neurosurgeon I work hard to bring people back to health, as a winery owner I celebrate their health, and add to their lives joys by producing, and sharing with them our excellent wines.

    In addition, Oregon wine, and my decision to be part of the industry, has allowed me to further join my passion for celebrating life with my passion to celebrate, and share my Cuban culture as we present all our wines at Cubanisimo Vineyards with a Cuban flair.

    Finally, of equal meaning, and personal importance, Oregon wine has meant for me an endless opportunity to make new friends, connect with old friends, and advance the bonds that make us all one family.

  • Cubanisimo Asked to Attend The James Beard House

    Cubanisimo Asked to Attend The James Beard House

    Cubanisimo Vineyards organization experienced a magical evening at “The James Beard House” on 4/23/2019 when our wines were paired with Cuban cuisine culinary masterpieces put together by selected master chefs from around the USA.  Our Pinot Gris was paired with a beautiful “shrimp grouper ceviche” made by chef Victor Albisu, our Rosado de Pinot noir was paired with a “green plantain soup with popcorn” made by chef Guillermo Pernot, our Reserve 2012 Pinot noir was paired a fantastic “lamb with calamari escabeche” by chef Albisu, and our Reserve 2016 Pinot noir was paired with a mouthwatering “suckling pig confit with sweet plantain salpicon, black bean sauce, and cachucha pepper relish” by chef Pernot.  This evening was all we expected it to be, and the cause that inspired it, “Casa Cuba” is amazing.  “Casa Cuba” is the project put together by Florida International University, and magnificently led by its Executive Director, Maria Carla Chicuen, to explore, study, and promote all that is Cuban.  It was, and is the perfect cause for Cubanisimo Vineyards to celebrate, promote, and support.

    The celebration of all that is Cuban coming out of Miami, Florida should not be a surprise to all familiar with the Cuban diaspora. The pleasant, and gratifying surprise to this Cuban American owner of Cubanisimo Vineyards was how the board of this organization being composed of individuals with very diverse, and strongly held views on the Cuban experience collaborated, and set aside differences to put together a truly visionary project which is “Casa Cuba”.  The goal of “Casa Cuba” is to study, explore, and promote all that is Cuban, and to study the Cuban culture, and history with a fair, balanced, and clear-eyed focus on the past, the present, and the future of Cuba, and its people.

    Cubanisimo Vineyards has always been about celebrating our wonderful Oregon Willamette Valley wines while also celebrating the owner’s Cuban culture.  We look to partner with “Casa Cuba” project in the future in any way we can!

  • 2018 Thanksgiving Giver’s Guide

    2018 Thanksgiving Giver’s Guide

    At Cubanisimo, we believe the holidays are for time with friends and family, good food, delicious wine and joyful giving. That is why this year, we put together the perfect Giver’s Guide to make the holiday season easier!

    The Perfect Pair
    Was: $40 Now: $32
    Includes a bottle of 2016 Pinot Gris & 2017 Rosado de Pinot Noir, plus a free Cubanisimo Vineyards corkscrew!

     


    A Gift for the Host
    Was: $84 Now: $67
    Includes a bottle of 2016 Pinot Gris, 2011 Rumba Pinot Noir, 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, 2 wine glasses, plus a free Cubanisimo Vineyards corkscrew!

     


    For the Picky Ones
    Was: $126 Now: $100
    Includes a bottle of 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir, 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir, 2 wine glasses, plus a free Cubanisimo Vineyards corkscrew!

     


    A Lifetime of Giving
    Was: $165 Now: $132
    Includes a bottle of 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, 2 wine glasses, 2 t-shirts, plus a free Cubanisimo Vineyards corkscrew!

     


    Something for the Turkey Too
    Was: $67 Now: $53
    Includes a bottle of 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, t-shirt and a Cubanisimo Vineyards corkscrew!

     


    A Little Something for Everyone
    Was: $508 Now: $338
    When you purchase a mixed case of 3 bottles of 2012 Estate Pinot Noir, 3 bottles of 2013 Estate Pinot Noir, 3 bottles of 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, and 3 bottles of 2015 Estate Pinot Noir you will receive 50% off shipping, a free MAGNUM bottle of Estate Pinot Noir, and a corkscrew!

    Shop all specials here 

  • The Story Behind Cubanisimo

    The Story Behind Cubanisimo

    Our venture into the wine industry started with the purchase of a 21 acre parcel evaluated for its vineyard potential in 1986. We planted 8 acres of Pinot Noir on our SE facing hillside as we further developed our estate property in the Willamette Valley. Initially our focus was on refining our vineyard management, and we would sell our grapes to larger wineries in Oregon such as King Estate, and Erath. It was in our dealings with Erath that we had the opportunity of getting to know our winemaker, Rob Stuart.

    In 2003, we decided to forge ahead with the dream by keeping ½ the product from our vineyards to produce our own wines under the label of Cubanisimo Vineyards. Much soul searching took place in the name selection, and label design since we wanted our homage to our Cuban heritage to be a quality product in every way. Cubanisimo means “very Cuban”, and from the beginning we have committed to developing our wines into the top quality product meriting the name.

    In 2005, as our vineyard/winery contracts expired we kept all our grapes, and began construction of our wine tasting room facilities, and slowly started adding to our vineyard plantings. Our wines are currently produced, and bottled at R Stuart & Co. in McMinnville, with plans to move production to our own estate as our wine production increases.

    We continue to see phenomenal growth in the popularity of our wines as we pursue expansion of our distribution. Our award winning boutique wines are getting increasing recognition in fashionable wine circles. We relish the opportunity of sharing the passion, and pride we have for our wines, and our heritage through your enjoyment of Cubanisimo Vineyards wines.