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Casual Outdoor Gathering
Surrounded by friends and family, the Mondavis toast the season. Try their scrumptious menu paired with the perfect wine.

Fall Gathering For Friends Menu:
Serves 4 to 6
1. Goat Cheese Torta
2. Saffron Butternut Squash Soup
3. Barbecued Pork Quesadillas
4. Kettle Corn

This is my favorite time of the year in the South," offers Rob Mondavi as he adds a handful of wet hickory chips to his smoker. "There's a crispness in the air, which is perfect for outdoor entertaining. I mean, I can't think of a better time to barbecue." Neither can his friends and family, all of whom will clamber later this afternoon for his downright irresistible Barbecued Pork Quesadillas.

Not bad for a guy born and raised in California wine country. Of course, you'd expect the grandson of legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi--the man whom many folks consider to have put American wines on the world stage--to know a thing or two about entertaining.A few steps away, Rob's new bride, Lydia, a Southern woman through and through, ices down a few of their favorite white wines in anticipation of arriving guests. "Rob loves everything about the South, including the humidity," she says with a big smile. "He even loves vegetables that have been cooked all afternoon," playfully adds Anita Wilbanks, Lydia's mom. Anita's home in Canton, Georgia, which just oozes regional charm, serves as the backdrop for many get-togethers, including those hosted by Rob and Lydia.

Though the couple experienced very different childhoods, both see striking similarities between their Italian American and Southern families. "Food, cooking, and being around the table have always been important in our lives," says Rob. Both intend to carry on the tradition. Meantime, we're happy to pass along a few of their favorite recipes.

Smart Wine Pairings

"When it comes to wine, the only rule is to drink what you enjoy with the foods you enjoy," says Rob. Here, he offers the following pairings ranging from budget friendly to those worth the splurge. All are widely available throughout the South. (Prices may vary.)
  • Goat Cheese Torta: Danzante, Pinot Grigio ($10); Robert Mondavi Winery, Fumé Blanc ($18)
  • Saffron Butternut Squash Soup: Woodbridge, Select Vineyard Series, Chardonnay ($10); Frescobaldi, Castello di Pomino, Benefizio ($27)
  • Barbecued Pork Quesadillas: Danzante, Pinot Grigio ($10); Woodbridge, Select Vineyard Series, Zinfandel ($10); Robert Mondavi Winery, Zinfandel ($20)
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