Wine? Check. Chocolate? Jelly? Gift sets? Check, check, check. Even more impressive than the product selection from Clif Family Winery & Farm in St. Helena, California, is the dedication to a business model that’s sustainable for the planet.
How Clif Family Winery & Farm Got its Start
You may recognize the name from the notably familiar Clif Bar lineup that catapulted onto the energy bar nutrition scene in the early 90’s. Five years after the initial launch, Clif founders Gary and Kit moved to Napa Valley California where the emphasis on sustainability really took hold. In the 25 years that followed, the company added the uber popular Luna Bars to the mix, started a winery, launched a food truck, opened a bakery, and rooted itself in its commitment to eco-friendly practices and corporate responsibility.
Discover: Trade Coffee Delivers Craft Coffees to Your Door
Think Like a Tree
Clif Family says, “Sustainability is part of our DNA and our motto is to Think Like a Tree in every business decision that we make. This means supporting organic food and farming, sustainable production, zero waste, and conserving and restoring our natural resources.”
It’s more than just talk. It’s an effort that can be seen from farm to table.
Clif Family Winery & Farm Earns B Corp Certification
Clif Family Winery & Farm earned the coveted B Corp Certification in April of 2022, joining over 6,000 companies around the world to achieve this status. B Corp Certification is a reflection of the company’s commitment to regenerative farming practices, organic certification, facilities and vineyards supported by 100% renewable energy, and efforts to achieve zero waste.
Clif Family Winery & Farm Products
Nestled into the heart of Napa Valley wine region, the farm balances 10 acres of vegetable gardens with 90 acres of vineyards. In addition to creating an alluring flight of wine options, the orchard and gardens inspire home-produced accouterments like organic dark chocolates, nut mixes, olive oil, preserves, jelly, hot sauces, and honey.
Through responsible farming practices, such as no-till planting, controlled grazing, and use of cover crops, the enriched soil supports over 70 types of produce including fruit, citrus and olive trees, blueberries, peppers, tomatoes, beans, corn, and lettuces. These foods are then lovingly converted into dishes for the wine tasting room and the Clif Farm’s Food Truck.
Review of Clif Family Winery and Farm Wine and Chocolate
The company reached out to offer a sample box. With my response, an assortment of chocolates and nuts arrived a few days later, coupled with Gary’s Improv Zinfandel.
Packaging
The packaging is notably focused on environmental responsibility. Each gift pack was placed in a sturdy cardboard box and products were protected with shredded, recyclable materials.
The chocolates are in compostable containers and the nuts are packaged in a bag that can be recycled with other plastic film at store drop-offs, but not in curbside recycling. Overall, the company reports 98% of its shipping and product packaging is recyclable or compostable. That’s a darn good ratio as long as customers make the effort to properly dispose of packaging. Clif Family Winery & Farm supports those efforts by providing a QR code where you can find more disposal information.
Gary’s Improv Zinfandel
I’m still in the tasting phase of this wine, but it has been an interesting experience. Straight out of the bottle, the first pour offered a forward of semi-tart berries. Currant or cherry came to mind. The finish brought out a distinct note of black pepper that intrigued the palate.
The next day I poured another partial glass and the taste profile was very different. It had noticeably more acidity and the complex flavors had mellowed into a more uniform flavor. I enjoyed this glass with a chocolate pairing and found it fun to analyze how the wine shifted with each sample. For example, it adopted a nuttiness when paired with the dark chocolate almonds, notes of vanilla with the sea salt caramels, and coffee overtones with the toffee crunch.
Clif Family Winery & Farm Chocolates
The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds are delightfully rich with a nice balance of crunch and nuttiness. I’m a huge fan of caramel and dark chocolate so it’s no surprise the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels are already gone. I might prefer a touch more caramel, but the creamy texture, satisfyingly dense chocolate, and overall flavor kept me reaching for more. Rounding out the trio was the Dark Chocolate Toffee Crunch, which surprised me a bit. Again, the chocolate offers just the right amount of bitter and sweet. I think I expected there to be toffee tidbits throughout, but it’s more like a crunchy marzipan in the center. Delicious, but not exactly the butteriness I associate with toffee flavors.
Clif Farms Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds
If you like flavored almonds, this is one to try. With strong notes of cumin and paprika, these almonds are both a bit overwhelming and more than a little addictive. They feature a slightly oily flavor balanced with a bit of spice and a gratifying crunch. I haven’t tried them with wine, but with a flavor this robust, it’s a combination I imagine to be noteworthy.
Recent Comments