You really don’t need an excuse to gather friends for a glass of wine during the summer (as everyone is usually game!)–but after discovering a friend’s amazing rooftop with one of the best views in Sacramento I quickly jumped at the chance to throw an intimate summer soirée and make use of the awesome space. To keep things as simple as possible, because that’s the way any summer celebration should be, I picked up a sampling of cheeses, asked a girlfriend to help me decorate the table and relied on the crisp and refreshing glasses of Chateau Ste. Michelle wine to do the entertaining. Hosting at its best if you ask me!
When it came to putting together the cheese boards, I’ve found that a variety of flavors and textures are best. Try to include one or two familiar cheeses (you can’t go wrong with a creamy brie and I always like to include my personal favorite, a sharp Gouda), and be sure to think about what will pair best with your wine selection. On hot summer evenings a fruity Chardonnay or crisp Riesling have my vote, but I also made sure to include a Cabernet Sauvignon for all of my red wine fans (my guy included). Accompany cheeses with other sweet, salty and savory bites that will compliment your beverages and provide an assortment of crackers and fresh baguette slices.
For easy summer dining, I like to keep the decor as simple as possible. I asked my girlfriend Shannon to help me put together an organic looking centerpiece and she showed up with a bucketful of eucalyptus. So perfect! Her tip: trim your table greenery right out of your yard! We added a mix of tea lights and taper candles for ambiance once the sun went down.
And possibly my most important and favorite hosting tip: open and scatter the bottles of wine down the table so guests will feel comfortable re-filling their own glasses throughout the night. Plus, the open bottles add to the family-style and casual feel of the dining experience.
Stay tuned for photos from the rest of the evening–it was one of those magical warm summer nights toasting to close friends, rooftop views, and yummy cheese boards! (Makes me wish summer would never end!) Speaking of yummy cheese boards, Chateau Ste. Michelle is hosting a summer contest over at AToastTo.com. Each week, they’re toasting to a new theme, and this week’s theme happens to be cheese. Head on over to make a toast, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a basket of essentials for your next wine & cheese night, or even a trip to enjoy wine and cheese at their beautiful Summer Concert Series in Woodinville, Washington. Need I say more?
Thank you to Chateau Ste. Michelle for collaborating with me on this evening!
Photography by Ashley Maxwell