Notice anything? Lights on Bright went in for routine maintenance and emerged with a total makeover.

This week New York City's Salome Chamber Ensemble performed at Guyomar Wune Cellars during their 2014 California Tour.  Photo by Cail Gresham

This week New York City’s Salome Chamber Ensemble performed at Guyomar Wine Cellars during their 2014 California Tour.   Photo by Gail Gresham

#1 Happening

Here’s how it happened. Last Christmas Eve I joined our SilverKing Drive neighbors who annually gather at the O’Leary’s home for dinner. This marked my first December in Aspen in a decade. To join those who knew the Hirschs through happier times seemed comfortable to me.

My dinner partners that night were two whiz-kids from Denver I did not know. Ten years. A neighborhood changes. The short version is: Zoe; Kenneth; Partners of Peak Solutions Marketing; Lightbulb Moment for Mary. Since I was already planning a blog redesign, I thought they might know some tech designers. “Why, Mary,”  Zoe quickly interrupted as I was asking that question, “that’s what we do.”

During the next few weeks Zoe and I talked. Well, to be truthful, Zoe talked, I listened. That young lady was relentless in promoting her company and sharing ideas. (I loved that.) We signed a contract. They went to work. I left to spend the winter on the central California coast, drinking great wine, eating fresh food and meeting the farmers who grow the goods.

Guyomar Wine Cellars in Templeton, California     Photo by Guyomar

Guyomar Wine Cellars in Templeton, California    Photo by Guyomar

 

 

 

 

 

Ishka Stanislaus of Guyomar poured his 2010 blends at the 2014 Paso Robles Rhone Rangers Experience.

Ishka Stanislaus of Guyomar poured his 2010 blends at the 2014 Paso Robles Rhone Rangers Experience.

 

 

#2 Happening

Since arriving in Cambria, that’s been my focus. However, nothing prepared me for the celebratory evening I enjoyed this week that will arguably be the highlight of my winter’s work here.

Here’s how it happened. In mid-February I joined 600 others and 50 local Rhone wine producers for a day-long seminar at Broken Earth Winery. One of those pouring during the Grand Tasting was Ishka Stanislaus who owns Guyomar Wine Cellars. At my luncheon table that day was winemaker Matt Ortman of Villa San Juliette Winery. After lunch, Matt said to me, “My friend, Ishka, is making some very interesting wine. Would you like to meet him?”

 

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Matt introduced us. I tasted Ishka’s 2010 Monsignor, a Petite Syrah-based blend and was impressed. Surprisingly, a few weeks later I received an invitation to an Evening Musical Soirée and Sri Lankan feast hosted by Ishka and his wife, Mareeni, a local Ob/Gyn. The affair was in their home at the Guyomar winery. I hesitated. From Cambria it was a 30-minute drive to TempletonGap to their vineyard. I knew no “and, guest” to accompany me. The other attendees, I suspected, would be locals, all acquainted.

Because Guyomar’s has no tasting room yet, this would be my only opportunity to visit the winery. I decided to go. Good decision, Mary.  Words cannot effectively describe the evening.  When I arrived, I was greeted by both Stanislaus at the entrance door (pictured above).  I was about to reintroduce myself when Ishka said, “Mary, thank you for coming. I’m glad to see you again. Meet Mareeni.”  (Readers, that guy had done his homework.) 

Yes, the group, about 65-strong, was local but I didn’t lack for dinner partners. As I’ve said before, folks in this area are kind to strays. The Manhattan-based Salome String Chamber Ensemble presented a 45-minute concert. They are talented, accomplished and create a gorgeous sound. The Sri Lankan dinner, prepared by Ishka, reminded me what turmeric, ginger, cumin, saffron and garam masala, can bring to a dish.

#3 Happening

 

The Mise En Place for Sausage-stuffed Cornish Hens, our French Fridays with Dorie recipe this week.

The Mise En Place for Sausage-stuffed Cornish Hens, our French Fridays with Dorie recipe this week.

 

 As for French Fridays, here’s how it happened. This week’s recipe is Sausage-Stuffed Cornish Hens. When was the last time you roasted one of those tiny darlings? For me, it’s been twenty years. The two-pound hefties I bought at my local market are not the Cornish Hens of my memory.

 

The sausage stuffing is ready for the birds.

The sausage stuffing is ready for the birds.

Look at those thighs. I've never before met a Cornish Hen who looked like that.

Look at those thighs. I’ve never before met a Cornish Hen who looked like that.

The first step was making the sausage stuffing which is easily mixed together after browning the sausage, shallot and garlic. I then buttered and brushed each hen with olive oil before stuffing them and tying their legs together. Using the side-side-back,15-15-10, roasting method, I gently placed them in my cast iron skillet and put into my 425 degrees oven. They baked for 40 minutes. The birds rested for 5 minutes while I drained the fat, replacing it with butter and wine to create pan jus. The result was tasty although in a blind test I might guess it was chicken. That’s why I probably will not return to this recipe again. I blame Mr. Tyson.

 

Almost ready to eat - I  covered the wings with tinfoil and flipped the hens on their backs for 10 more minutes of roasting.

Almost ready to eat – I covered the wings with tinfoil and flipped the hens on their backs for 10 more minutes of roasting.

French Fridays with Dorie is an international cooking group working its way through Dorie Greenspan’s Around my French Table, more than 300 recipes from my home to yours. To see if my colleagues were able to locate real Cornish Hens, check out our FFWD site. I apologize for any blips and glitches on my newly-designed blog. Only I am responsible for them.