From My Pantry To Yours: A Wine Country GIVEAWAY
August 26, 2009
Every now and then I write up a feature of some to the best places to visit in Northern California’s Wine Country. Autumn is near, and the leaves are beginning to change. The colors are so beautiful from September through November.
When I visit my favorite wineries, I always pick up some special savory treats to give as hostess gifts. In honor of reaching over 1,000 followers, and in anticipation of the new website design, it’s my turn to sponsor a giveaway. It’s a basket of goodies hand selected by me.
Take a peek:
From our latest visit to Ledson and Chateau St. Jean:
Ledson Winery’s Merlot Chocolate Wine Fudge, made with California Merlot and Belgian chocolate. Delicious with crepes, ice cream, or drizzled over strawberries. Chateau St. Jean’s Champagne Mustard, wonderful in sauces or paired with meats.
My absolute most favorite fig balsamic vinegar by the famous girl and the fig restaurant in Sonoma. Take a peek at this recipe with strawberries. Yum.
Chateau St. Jean’s Riesling Vinegar, so perfect for mixing the best salad dressings.
From my last visit to Domaine Carneros, two soaps from the Napa Soap Company. Soapignon Blanc is a blend of grapeseed, avocado, and sunflower oils that smells delightfully of grapefruit and pomegranate. Classic Lavender with shea butter and sweet almond oils, scented with lavender essential oil. Both handmade in Napa Valley.
A charming striped jute wine or sparkling water tote, made by Art of Wine, together with 101 Essential Tips on Wine.
From my pantry to one of yours.
I have to take a few days off to get organized for fall, and plan my ten year anniversary. I am also spending a ton of hours with my site designer in the next few days. Fingers crossed, the new and improved Centsational Girl will be up by Monday morning !
Giveaway Eligibility:
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Tell me the item in the basket that appeals to you most.
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Optional: share any tips you might have on improving the site.
Giveaway ends Sunday August 30th at 8 p.m. PST. One entry only please. Winner to be chosen by Random. org.
Also, I’ve got so many great projects in the works and nearing completion. I can’t wait to show you !
delicious, delicious balsamic vinegar…can't cook without it!
Ooo, both the vinegars sound SO good! I love me some vinegar & oil on my green salads and caprese salads, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I really love the burlap tote also.
Your site is easy to navigate; I especially love the thumbnail links on the right-hand side. I can't wait to see it!
What a tough choice?! I think the soaps look amazing! I feel like I can smell them through the computer screen. :)
Your blog is fantastic! Keep up the great work. I would love to see what other great things (that you didn't buy!) are at the thrift stores you go to. I can't believe you find so many wonderful pieces!
allison M.
allisonmills79@hotmail.com
i think the vinegar is most appealing. i love vinegar.
evalina
emyline@juno.com
Congrats on your 10year — ours is next year and I'm alreay planning! :) I really want to try the fig balsamic vinegar. Looks and SOUNDS yummy! The Napa theme brings back memories of a wonderful weekend my husband and I spent before we had kids … such a nice time we had.
I'm definitely all about the balsamic vinegar — I but that would make some fabulous salad dressing. It all looks scrumptious!
Love your blog! My only suggestion is to make the header a bit smaller — it takes up most of my browser when I first load up. Can't wait to see your new design!
Oh the balsamic vinegar is just calling for some focaccia bread and of course who could go a day without some chocolate. Love your blog.
Over 200 comments? Will you ever get to mine. :) I love the book on the wine tips and the tote. But call me crazy…what I really love the basket!!
The only suggestion on the side is to update the header every so often. Your projects are so amazing…
I am a lurker – but will do this for a giveaway – the champagne mustard looks very tasty.
I love the mustard. Isn't it funny that there are millions of types of mustard and only one ketchup? To improve your site- more contests like this one!
alanalerch
oh man, this is such a great basket. The fig balsalmic vinigrette sounds so delicious. But they all sound sooo good. Thanks for the giveaway.
I'm a huge fan of mustard and the soap sounds just wonderful! I'm not sure how to improve upon your site because it's great but I know you are always up for a change! Good luck! I'm sure it will look great.
The fudge sauce. My mouth is now watering.
Would it be bad manners to eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon?
I love fancy soaps! But all of it looks like a luxurious fun mix!
I already heart your site, so no improvements that I can think of.
Oh, that chocolate fudge sounds incredible, as does the vinegar – but probably not together!
I think your site is great, love your posts.
newmommie@gmail.com
for sure, i would say the soap is the best item in there. nothing is better than feeling clean, refreshed and smelling good!
as for your site, i definitely love the content and the detail of the posts. all i could ask for is more, haha! as if you weren't busy enough already! i would also love to know more about where you find inspiration… thanks for giving me inspiration!
just found your blog and love it! Chateau St. Jean’s Riesling Vinegar is catching my eye!
Oh, that's tough…but I think chocolate always wins. And the merlot chocolate wine fudge just sounds decadent! I don't know what to improve on your site, but however you change please still use lots of photos! They are so helpful in the tutorials. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I cannot choose… I love it all. I would definitely love the wine book… and the soap… and the fudge. =)
Um, did someone say chocolate? I mean, all of the items appeal to me, but wine and chocolate together? Has to be pure heaven.
I'd love to try out that Riesling Vinegar!
I love your blog and can't wait to see what new changes you have in store!
I am most excited about the fudge- sounds very good! Thank you!
Chocolate Wine Fudge…need I say more?
I'm a follower! Love your blog, I read it all the time.
http://www.domesticprncs.com
Found you through TCB, and Ooooh, so glad I did! That fig balsamic vinegar looks so Yummy! Makes my mouth water just thinking about how awesome it must taste! Looking forward to spending the next 3 days reading all of your past posts! : )
I didn't even know they made fig balsamic vinegar and now I must have some! I hope I win!!
Yummm, balsamic vinegar! My favorite! And I love the blog and reading your posts. :)
I think the most appealing thing to me is the Napa Soap Company soap bars. I was in Napa for the very first time last spring and saw that store but didn't get a chance to go in.
I actually got that wine 101 book while I was there and was just flipping through it a little while ago before I got online…and there i see it again as i visit your blog! ;o) so cool!
my hubby and i just celebrated our 5 year anniversary and i can't wait to celebrate our 10 year anniversary like you…so cheers to you and you hubby!
PS – i love your site – can't think of any changes necessary!
tbn_22 at yahoo dot com
the soaps from the Napa Soap Company sound divine. I'm into trying new toiletry items.
Hey Kate! Basket looks great! That Reisling is looking awfully appealing to me- the mustard too. It all screams Napa!
I wanted to just mention that there are some links on the page (those that show at the bottom of a post, as "you may also like…" options) that when clicked take you to an error page… I wasn't sure if those were from the old format? There's been a few projects I'd love to look at but the links are broken. The one I can recall right now is the Monogram table?
Love the site- the photos, commentary, and of COURSE all the projects. By the time you get back Monday, I hope to have put my $20 Ethan Allen thrift store buffet back together. (it's my project right now, inspired by your fabulous finds…)
:-)
Take care!
It all sounds so delightful, but I have to go with the Merlot Chocolate Wine Fudge-I mean seriously does it get any better!!!
I think I would enjoy that wine fudge the most, yummy!
I love the fig vinegar, I love figs and this would be great in a salid dressing and add walnuts too. I love your site and think it is great as is.
I L♥VE the wine bag and book cause who doesn't love to chat with someone that knows about wine? And I love your site, wanna come decorate mine? ;)
Take a visit: http://www.cherishscupoftea.blogspot.com
Hi, the soap appeals most to me as it sounds almost good enough to eat.
Leeann x
I think the soap option of classic lavender would make anyone (including me) very happy :)
Lunachance
Hi – I love the giveaway, we were in Sonoma in September 2008, and had a fantastic vacation. Everything appeals to me, but especially the tote…i am trying to be more 'green'
I'm not sure how to improve th site, you provide excellent details for all your projects. The only thing 'missing' is video tutorials.
helen
ganhl@optonline.net
The balsamic vinegar…but truthfully, they ALL appeal to me!
Found your blog through Today's Creative Blog and I'm so glad I did! Loved the ideas she showed of yours and I can't wait to look through your blog! I think the soaps appeal to me most, but I love it all! I have a thing for soaps! I actually gave handmade soaps as favors at my wedding! Can't wait to see your changes to the site!
Jan
Those things all sound awesomely lovely.. I love the idea of the fudge!
I have always had a passion for handmade soaps-such great scents!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca
I love your blog, its one of my favorites so I dont really have any tips for making it better. But I love the Jute tote,, Thanks for the giveaway. Cant wait to see your upcoming projects.
The balsamic vinegar looks wonderful! Your site is great! I have no specific recommendations for changes but do think that changing it up keeps it interesting.
Vee
vrowe@gartman.com
it is all very appealing but the one that is calling out to me the most, at least in this moment, is the Merlot Chocolate Wine Fudge!
I recently found your blog and keep finding myself back here looking through it. Two days ago I made the cement candleholders and I love them so much I will be making more soon! Thanks for all of the great ideas!
I'm torn between the vinegars and the chocolate wine fudge – I am a chocoholic but I love experimenting with different vinegars for cooking and dressings. But I think I would have to go with the Riesling Vinegar.
Great giveaway!
I have to say the Riesling vinegar. I'm kind of into making my own salad dressings on the spot these days using vinegar, oil oil, whatever herbs are closest to me and perhaps a little balsamic. Happy anniversary! Keep inspiring us :)
My pantry would appreciate this very much! We always make salad dressing from scratch, and the vinegars look delicious… but the item Most Likely to be Opened First is definitely the fudge.
I'm about to embark on my first spray paint project – bar stools that were free but in need of a makeover – and it's due in part to the examples on your blog, so thanks!
I'm new to your blog and I'm so glad I found you! What appeals to me most is the fudge, of course, with the soap being a close second. Your blog looks great and I'm so glad I found it!
I like the soaps!
That Fig balsamic vinegar looks fabulous! I must try it!
I just love the repurposing and creating something beautiful out of old items you find, thrifted thing. And how easy most of your projects are. So inspiring. Even the simplest projects – are often the best!
The entire basket looks Wonderful!!
I would love the soap! from your description they smell really good. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. I really love all your DIY projects, can't wait to see the new layout!
Regards,
Joanne
fudge! mmmm…
I'm most interested in the Riesling Vinegar…actually I just saw some Riesling vinegar and contemplated getting it…but didn't! But, hopefully your goodies will be in my pantry soon! :)
I love the site – though I'd love to see more of your house! Your site is so inspiring!
I just found your blog. You have so many amazing ideas.
As for the giveaway I love the wine tote. Thanks for the giveaway.
Dawnita
d.addington@hotmail.com
the merlot chocolate wine fudge is calling my name! sounds delish.
love love love your blog. i can't see any way to improve, but i'm oh-so-sure that your brilliant self will come up with something i never could have dreamed up on my own :)
Although "free" is appealing, I love to take a bath on Friday nights and unwind so the soap is my preference (I'll supply the wine).
Gosh, every item appeals to me! They're all so awesome. Great idea. If I were to narrow it down, I would have to go with the Wine Tote. Looks so fab.
I love Autumn, too. My favorite time of the year.
Your website is great.
all of this looks and sounds so yummy and interesting. I've been hooked on figs and a vanilla fig balsamic this summer. I've never had them before! Boy, have I missed out! The Riesling Vinegar would be a very new thing for me to try. Should I make a salad dressing with it?
The pretty, pretty soaps please!! I can smell the lavender now… ahhh… divine….
That Riesling Vinegar bottle looks so lovely in the sunlight. Just looking at it relaxed me and sent me into a fabulous-meal-on-the-veranda-at-dusk fantasy. (Obviously, I need a vacation!)
The mustard looks amazing! I would love to be able to try it :-)
Thank you!
Monique
lovinyahweh@yahoo.com
Chocolate Wine Fudge? It has me intriqued and as I was just talking about at lunch any tastes good with chocolate along side it!
While I always love chocolate, the fig vinegar is really calling my name.
The wine fudge (for obvious reasons) and the 101 tips. Hubby and I just started getting into wine so it would be nice to have some simple basics to refer back to!
I’m going to have to go with the fig balsamic…. how delightful!
Would love to see more “how to’s”. Other than that, not much to improve!
Soap for me..chocolate fudge for hubby. Nice giveaway
Ha..this is over..must be all the pain medicine i’m on tonight…lol. Still was a great giveaway and your blog is awesome.
Definitely the chocolate wine fudge, which I will hand right over to my chef husband and hope he makes me something delicious. Or just eat it out of the jar with a spoon, because that sounds pretty delicious too.
Thanks!
I am totally in love with the lavender soap!!!
I’m definitely the most excited about the fig balsamic vinegar. Ever since my favorite brand was discontinued, I’ve been looking for a new replacement!
The taste of Wine Country basket is just the ticket to make it through the hot days of summer.
If I had to select one item, it would be the Riesling Wine Vinegar. I would love to try on a spinach and strawberry salad.
Your blog is so inspirational and informative. I would like to know how and where you come up with all the great ideas. Do you constantly shop, scan the internet, naturally gifted….?
Keep up the DIY projects with the photography for all of us visual learners. :)