September is that in-between moment when summer flavors are still here, but fall is starting to make its way to the table. Late-season tomatoes, sweet corn, figs, mushrooms, and stone fruit all bring something different to the glass.
Here are five simple ways to pair the season's best produce with Etude wines.
Tomatoes + 2024 Carneros Rosé
Late-season tomatoes are sweet, bright, and full of the concentrated flavor that only comes from fruit that has had all summer to ripen. That intensity needs a wine with enough freshness to match it without competing.
Etude's 2024 Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé is estate-grown at Grace Benoist Ranch, with the kind of crisp, vibrant acidity that cuts through richness and keeps every bite feeling alive. Pair tomatoes with the Rosé in a tomato and burrata salad, a fresh panzanella, or simply sliced with good olive oil and sea salt. Simple preparations, outstanding produce, a great bottle. That is September.
Corn + 2022 Heirloom Chardonnay
Sweet corn and Chardonnay share a natural affinity. Both carry a richness that feels indulgent and a sweetness that stays elegant when handled well. The 2022 Heirloom Chardonnay, sourced from a select parcel at Grace Benoist Ranch and rated 95 points, brings the texture and depth to meet corn at its peak.
Try it grilled with herb butter, folded into a creamy corn risotto, or served alongside crab for a richer seasonal pairing that makes the most of what is left of summer.
Figs + 2022 Carneros Pinot Noir
Fresh figs are one of the great seasonal pleasures of early fall, and they are a natural partner for Pinot Noir. Their soft sweetness and subtle earthiness find a mirror in the 2022 Carneros Pinot Noir's lifted red fruit and mineral-driven depth. This is Etude's flagship estate wine, rated 96 points and grown on volcanic soils at the foot of Sonoma Mountain.
Serve figs with prosciutto and a drizzle of honey, alongside goat cheese and a handful of walnuts, or tucked into a simple arugula salad with a light vinaigrette. The wine does the rest.
Mushrooms + 2021 North Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mushrooms and Pinot Noir are one of the great pairings of the table, and for good reason. Earthy, umami-rich mushrooms amplify Pinot's savory depth while letting its red fruit stay lifted and expressive.
The 2021 North Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir, rated 91 points, has the structure and earthiness to meet autumn mushrooms on equal footing. Roast them simply with olive oil, thyme, and garlic. Fold them into a mushroom risotto. Toss with pasta, parmesan, and fresh herbs. Any of these will remind you why this pairing has been a classic for generations.
Stone Fruit + 2021 Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs
The last peaches and nectarines of the season deserve a send-off worth remembering. Blanc de Noirs, sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir at Grace Benoist Ranch, has the bright red berry character and lively acidity to pair beautifully with late stone fruit.
Try peaches with torn burrata and a drizzle of honey. Grill nectarines until caramelized and serve warm. Slice plums over a simple fruit tart with a vanilla cream. Or simply open the bottle, set out a plate of whatever looks best at the market, and call it a perfect September evening.