Mike's Guide to the World of Wine - Pinot Noir

Michael Wray talks about the history and legacy of Pinot Noir. The wine (and food) world is better off for having this little grape!

 

Cooking Tortilla De Patata with Amelia Ceja

Amelia Ceja prepares one of Spain's most popular dishes, tortilla de patata. This recipe can be made in so many different combinations, you'll surely find the one that keeps you coming back for more!

 

In The Cellar With Armando Ceja: 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Armando Ceja of Ceja Vineyards takes a closer look at the future 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage in the cellar.

 

Cooking Sweet Potato Fries with Amelia Ceja

Give us some Southern comfort! Amelia Ceja prepares a wonderful side dish just in time for Thanksgiving to pair beautifully with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and all the classic trimmings.

 

Cooking Baked Apples with Amelia Ceja

Amelia Ceja prepares one of her favorite desserts - baked apples. This easy to prepare recipe will have your home smelling like the holidays in no time at all!

 

In The Cellar with Armando Ceja: 2008 Carneros Merlot

Armando Ceja of Ceja Vineyards takes a barrel sample of the developing 2008 Sonoma Carneros Merlot.

 

In The Cellar with Armando Ceja: 2008 Carneros Pinot Noir

Armando Ceja of Ceja Vineyards takes a closer look at the developing Sonoma Carneros Pinot Noir. Finesse and elegance soon to be bottled!

 

Spicy Camarones (Shrimp) by Dalia Ceja

Join Dalia Ceja as she makes her cooking debut! "Camarones a la Dalia" is an easy and succulent dish to prepare that is sure to impress all your guests. Pair this delicacy with Ceja Vineyards' Carneros Chardonnay and we promise you'll be the talk of the town!

 

Mike's Guide to the World of Wine - Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine - gotta love it. Michael Wray explains the three processes of making this bubbly beverage but focuses on the traditional "methode champenoise." Of course, talking about has his limits so Michael indulges the audience on proper opening techniques using a Pinot Noir Brut Reserve from Domain Chandon.

 

Ceja Family Crest

 

A family crest, also known as a coat of arms, is the expression of a family's pride and aspirations; it is a graphical display of a family name history. While perusing the internet and doing research on the Ceja name, I found the Ceja family Crest in three styles as well as information on the origin of the Ceja name.

Purportedly, the Ceja name comes from Galicia in Northern Spain. This area has strong Celtic roots and in fact shares many Celtic traditions with Ireland and Scotland. The first reference to the Cejas was in 1387 in the small village of Friol, in the province of Lugo in Galicia. More references to the name were made in Brates near the Northern coast. There were several spellings of the name, and it was pronounced in the Galego language (Galician). Don Vasco Gomez das Seixas (Cejas) was a communal leader in those times, an important leader who oversaw several communities during his reign. Other spellings of Ceja are: Aceijas, Azexas, Aseixas, Acejas, Acexas, Azeixas, Sejas, Seixas and Xexas. The surname also spread to Portugal and to the Canary Islands where they were known as "Cejas,” "Seijas" or "Sejas."

Spain was a great sea power and one of their major ports was Vigo, on the western edge of Galicia. Most likely the first Cejas probably left from this port to the New World. Although it is not certain of the date that the name Ceja appeared in the New World, the earliest reference to a Ceja was in the mid 17th century in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. Guanajuato borders the state of Michoacan where the Ceja family of Ceja Vineyards originated from before immigrating to the United States in the 1960s.