Wine + Cheese Party with Robert Mondavi Private Selection

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Before my husband and I were blessed with children, we spent a weekend getaway exploring the charming vineyards in California, sampling wines, and soaking in the glorious sunshine. Our little weekend escape left us with lasting memories, a wine opener we still use exclusively, and a loyal love of Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines. Today, I’m thrilled to share my love of Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines with you and how I complimented them with a wine + cheese party for friends! 

From friends gathering for a relaxing evening to fancy milestone celebrations, the base of a memory filled get together is built off of the drink, food, and space styling. I’ve pulled together some fun, easy tips and tricks to help you create a wine + cheese party with a relaxing atmosphere and a rustic touch of elegance. 

The Wine: Robert Mondavi Private Selection

Let’s jump right into the fun of picking out the perfect wine! 

Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines pair perfectly with a gathering of friends catching up on life’s adventures and enjoying each other’s company. I recommend having both reds and whites on hand for your guests to enjoy. I selected three Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines to celebrate the evening with: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Each one has a superb flavor, color, and scent that pairs nicely with delicious food and good friends. 

Pssst… while shopping for Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines at your local retailer you’ll notice they have a new look! Robert Mondavi Private Selection is known and respected for their bold, high quality flavor. Their stunning packaging matches the distinct flavors of the wine inside. Unsure which wine to pick for your special gathering? Be sure to visit the Robert Mondavi Private Selection website for recipes + pairings, as well as details on color, smell, and taste of each wine.

On the Menu

Caprese Kabobs

My favorite go-to recipe is a caprese kabob made with buffalo mozzarella and ripe tomatoes garnished with fresh basil. I adore this recipe because it’s simple, easy to prepare, and anyone can make it regardless of their skills in the kitchen. Plus, it tastes amazing!

Ingredients:

• buffalo mozzarella
• cherub or cherry tomatoes
• fresh basil
• fancy toothpicks
• olive oil
• salt + pepper

How to make:

1. Wash the tomatoes and basil.
2. Tear the basil into small, bite sized pieces.
3. Slide a tomato onto a toothpick followed by a piece of basil, buffalo mozzarella, and basil again. Repeat until the toothpick is full.
4. Brush a light coating of olive oil across each completed kabob.
5. Keep salt + pepper close by so guests may season to their liking.

Blackberry + Brie Bites

If you thought the caprese kabobs were a snap, you’re going to love this recipe! These blackberry + brie bites are super simple and delightfully quick to make.

Ingredients:

• blackberries 
• brie
• fancy toothpicks

How to make:

1. Wash the blackberries.
2. Cut the brie into bite sized triangles.
3. Slide a blackberry followed by a piece of brie onto each toothpick.

That’s it. Yup, I told you. Super easy!

Cheese Accented with Yummy Nibbles

Everyone loves a cheese bar, especially the host. It’s a cinch to prepare (no cooking or baking) and restock as the night goes on. I love layering different types of cheeses accented with meats, fruits, nuts, and yummy nibbles for a colorfully fresh presentation.

Ingredients:

• cheeses such as brie, provolone, cheddar, gorgonzola, goat, and gouda
• thinly sliced meats such prosciutto
• fruits such as grapes, apples, and pears
• berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
• apricot spread
• honey
• nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews
• medley of jarred olives
• dried apricots
• sliced baguette from the local bakery
• crackers, bread sticks, flat breads, and bread sticks

Putting it all together:

I transformed my coffee bar into a wine + cheese bar for the evening. I started by laying out the dishes I planned on using as well as cutting boards and cheese slates. Aim for a layout that allows guests to snack, mix, and mingle effortlessly. Once I settled on a design that flowed nicely, I added the meats and cheeses first then layered the other nibbles into the presentation. I saved the berries, apricots, and extra nuts for the very end. Sprinkle them around like kindness to add color, texture, and interest! 

Don’t stress about it looking perfect! It’s all about creating an inviting presentation that will have your guests snacking the night away.

Keeping it Simple + Setting the Scene with Style

Every occasion is worth celebrating in style. No matter how big or small a gathering, it’s the simple touches inspired by love that brings everything together. I view these special touches as a gift to my guests and a thank you for being a part of my life.

Contained in Style

My love of milk glass and white dishes fills a china cabinet full. They are my go-to pieces for all occasions. For the wine + cheese party, I used various shapes, sizes, and heights to create a collected, casual feel to match the relaxed evening planned ahead. Some match and some don’t. That simply adds to the charm.

I removed my coffee mugs from this drying rack and replaced them with stemless wine glasses.

Wine Pairs Nicely with Good Friends

I typed up a quote reflecting the theme for the evening, printed it out on my computer, then tore the edges to match the rustic feeling of the decor. Using double stick tape, I attached it to an old farmhouse chair back and framed it with a vintage picture frame.

The Napkins

Each napkin is tied with a piece of twine and a rosemary sprig. It smells delightful and adds a sweet touch of color. After the party ends, add the sprigs to a crystal drinking glass and display on your kitchen table. 

Fresh + Fragrant Flowers

Touches of fresh flowers transform any occasion. The morning of the party, I shopped my local grocery store for flowers and greenery with shades of greens and whites. By keeping the tones similar and simple, they are easy to style and don’t require an eye for perfection. I gathered up a variety of clear bottles and vases found throughout my home and scattered them on the wine + cheese bar. 

Capturing the Moment and Celebrating it

Many, many years ago, my husband and I started a wine cork tradition. Each bottle of wine we open, we write the date and occasion on the cork. We have a jar full of corks filled with memories. Every once in awhile we will look through the jar and reflect on those happy memories shared together. It’s a fun tradition to enjoy with family and friends!

Now, my friends, it’s time for me to pour a glass of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, fill up a milk glass plate with yummy nibbles, and settle into a relaxing evening with friends… cheers!

To learn more about Robert Mondavi Private Selection, please visit the Robert Mondavi Private Selection website. I’d love to hear how you celebrate with Robert Mondavi Private Selection. Please feel free to share in the comments below or on social media!

I hope you feel inspired and excited to seize each precious moment and celebrate it! Please reach out to me with any questions you may have about the wine + cheese party I prepared. I always love hearing from you!

 Blessings to you and your home,

Not ready to throw your wine + cheese party quite yet? Simply pin this image to Pinterest to refer back to later!