Ceja Vineyards

Napa Valley Entertaining Book

Summer is almost over but it doesn't mean that you have to put your hostess with the "mostest" party hats away! We're excited to be part of the new coffee table book, Napa Valley Entertaining. In Napa Valley, eating, drinking and entertaining with friends and familia is a feast for all senses and seasons. This book is an insider's guide to entertaining with a bit of wine country flair by highlighting a variety of dishes, décor and diversity that make Napa such a special place to call my hometown.  

Go behind the scenes and experience a meal with dozens of Napa Valley's most preeminent hosts and wineries through this gorgeous collection of photography, recipes and stories by Blakesley Chappellet and Briana Marie. Our colorful and festive spread will have your mouth watering and excited to throw your next fiesta!

P.S. Books are available for purchase HERE and will soon be available at our Ceja wine tasting rooms. Salud! 

Behind The Vines: Meet Pedro Ceja

Pedro Ceja harvesting grapes in 1982

Behind The Vines: Meet Pedro Ceja, Founder & Engineer

If there’s a way to build it, Pedro Ceja will find it. Coming as he did to the Napa Valley at the age of 12 and working with his father—a bracero—Pedro’s heart has always been in Napa’s vineyards and the pursuit to leave a legacy of the Ceja familia.

Pedro, who graduated from Napa Valley College in 1977 with a degree in electrical engineering, is a great fan and supporter of the NVC where he studied telecommunications, electronics and radio frequencies is grateful for the education he received. “The NVC gave me the opportunity to secure my future and my existing job as an electrical engineer with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.” The company is the world leader in scientific products and services with revenues of $17 billion and approximately 50,000 employees in 50 countries. The company’s mission is “to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.”

Pedro knows from his work as an engineer that even the simplest product represents a lot of skill and work. He brings a forward-looking practicality and analytical eye to the family’s expanding the Ceja winery plans. “Creating a beach with one grain of sand at a time is a lot of work.” As Pedro unfurls the architect’s rendering of the new winery building that Pedro designed many times in his mind over the years, there’s an understated pride in his explanation of each detail. There’s also a sense that this milestone in the life of the family is only the beginning of a long future that Pedro can already see.

 

Add Some Spice To Your Everyday Life!

Last week I was honored to share my story with Cru Podcast - Stories from The People Behind the Wine! I had a blast chatting with founder, Chappy Cottrell, about my career, passion projects, family story and much, much more!

Behind the Vines: Meet Amelia Morán Ceja

Behind the Vines: Meet Amelia Morán Ceja, President & Founder

Her philosophy: Amelia Morán Ceja reveals her conviction that the diligent pursuit of a passion is key to success. She notes, “My grandmother told me, whatever you do, if you love it and learn everything you can about it, you will always be successful.”

Amelia’s love affair with food started in Las Flores, Jalisco, Mexico, where she began cooking on her own at the age of eight in the farm kitchen of a strong maternal grandmother. “Mamá Chepa” taught Amelia to cook with fresh, home grown ingredients. When Amelia joined her father, Felipe Morán, in Rutherford in 1967, Amelia threw herself into her new world. On her first weekend in the Napa Valley, Amelia was in the vineyard, harvesting with a knife that seemed half the size of the petite 12-year old.

Along with her key roles at Ceja Vineyards, some of her other passions include social justice causes and giving back to the community. She's the recipient of the 2016 Dolores Huerta Farmworker Justice Award and she's honored to share her story as the Keynote Speaker at the upcoming MLK Monday Community Celebration. Join her for a community gathering celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King while continuing his legacy through a day of action and compassion.

MLK Monday Community Celebration Event - Everyone is Welcome!
When: Monday, January 16th, 2017
Where: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Address: 960 Caymus St, Napa Ca 94559
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free

Photo by Sarah Deragon

Behind The Vines: Meet Armando Ceja, Winemaker

Behind The Vines: Meet Armando Ceja, Winemaker 

His philosophy: “Making wine is more like making preserves than jam,” he says; he favors preserving bright fruit over highly-extracted flavors and high alcohol because it creates wines that stay balanced, youthful and vibrant.

Armando made his first wine when he was 17 years old. He jumped at the offer of a free lot of Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon grapes turning it into his first vintage. After earning an associate degree in chemistry, he graduated in 1985 from UC Davis with a BS in Enology. From there, he worked at Kenwood Vineyards in both winemaking and vineyard management before joining the management team at the Christian Brothers winery on Mt. Veeder. His experience as a viticulturist and enologist continued to thrive from there. 

Balance and perspective is key for him as a winemaker. “I know my roots,” says Armando. “I enjoy being with my crew and I enjoy being with other winemakers. I am who I am. My job is to ensure that the fermentation is going clean and that the things that make good wine are in place. The biggest compliment is when someone says, ‘I had a glass of your wine. I really enjoyed it.'

Ceja Vineyards featured on NBC Latino's One Heritage, Two Generations Series

 

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Amelia and Dalia Ceja were selected to be featured on NBC Latino. We're grateful to our family and friends for the continued support.

Mission San Francisco Solano: A Wine Connection

 

Mission San Francisco Solano has a controversial past that includes grape growing and winemaking. Dalia Ceja highlights the emergence of this landmark.

Mission San Francisco Solano was the 21st, last and northernmost mission in Alta California. It was the only mission built in Alta California after Mexico gained independence from Spain.

The Mission was successful given its short eleven year life but was smaller in number of converts and with lower productivity and diversity of industries than the older California missions.

The mission building is now part of the Sonoma State Historic Park and is located in the city of Sonoma, California.

Cosmo For Latinas Magazine Features Ceja!

Two Words: Latinas Rock.

We are over the moon to be featured in Cosmo for Latinas Magazine summer issue featuring Ceja as their top summer wine tasting destination in Sonoma!

"This gorgeous family-owned vineyard was founded by former Mexican migrant workers who used to pick grapes in the fields before they started their own vinedo. You will be inspired as well as delighted by both the winemakers and their award winning varietals like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc..."

The May/June issue with Sofia Vergara is on stands now - pick up a copy today! 

Besos,

Dalia x

GEV Magazine Cover Girls: Amelia & Dalia Ceja

HOT OFF THE DIGITAL PRESS!

Please check out GEV Magazine's spring fashion cover featuring my mom and me for their first mother-daughter editorial. In this feature, read about Ceja Vineyards excitement around the combination of wine, women, food, fashion and fiestas. I would like to send a big shout out and thank you to the entire Gastronomique En Vogue Magazine team + Glam squad for bringing their vision to life. Please share with your family and friends!

Read full cover story HERE! 

Besos,

Dalia 
 

Amelia and Dalia Cooking Video Teaser

 

Lights.... Camera.... Action!

Go behind the scenes with the dynamic mother-daughter duo of Ceja Vineyards. Meet Dalia and Amelia Ceja as they share their passions of wine and food. Learn how to make Salmon Ceviche paired with Ceja Vineyards estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 

P.S. Click HERE to watch more food and wine pairing videos from the Ceja ladies!