Lubrication Blog
We love hippies.
Hop in the VW bus, because we're going on a quick road trip through the 1960s to explore the impact of the hippie movement in California.
Born from the San Francisco Renaissance of the 1950s, which saw beatniks create a more free-thinking counter culture, the hippie movement evolved these ideals into a lifestyle filled with free love, long hair, psychedelics, and progressive music.
1967 became the "summer of love" after nearly 100,000 hippies congregated in San Francisco, establishing the Haight-Ashbury district as the epicenter of hippie culture. Musical talents like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Jefferson Airplane, created a harmony for this generation that preached love, acceptance, and peace.
But it wasn't all concerts and communes, hippies served a vital role in advances in civil and human rights during the 1960s. Largely attributed to the young thinkers that emerged from UC Berkeley during this time, hippies represented a loud anti-war voice during the US's involvement in Vietnam.
Which, honestly, pissed quite a few people off. While some loved the hippie ethos of relaxation and reefer, others raged against them, banning "dirty" hippies from their business and demanding them to cut their hair or get jobs.
But the hippie, man, they just marched to a different beat. While much of the movement fizzled nationwide as people became older and took on responsibilities, much of the hippie movement consolidated to places in Northern California like Alameda County, Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino. In fact, our very own consulting winemaker Tim Milos was born and raised in a hippie kibbutz in Marin.
This brings us to the question. Why does Tank loves hippies? Well, aside from promoting a message of peace, kindness, and diversity, we believe the hippie molecule is interwoven into California's DNA. And being a winery of California, we like to trip to the groovy vibes and play in the mud like hippies do. Which is how we approach winemaking. Keep an open mind, experiment, and work to bring people together.
And that's what we've done with our latest limited release, Hippies Welcome. This "solera" blend combines five successive vintages of California Nebbiolo into a festival of flavor and love. Check it out yourself.
Jan 24, 2023 at 12:00 AM
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Occhiali da Sole X Crunchwrap Supreme
If your guilty pleasure is a midnight run to Taco Bell, we've got a pairing for you, dreamer. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, a crunchy tostada shell, sour cream and satisfying veggies, this Crunchwrap Supreme is what dreams are made of.
Serve it up with a glass of Occhiali da Sole and you've got your next obession.
Crunchwrap Supreme
[time: 30 min] serves 4
1 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground paprika
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 large flour tortillas
1/2 c. nacho cheese sauce
4 tostada shells
1 c. sour cream
2 c. shredded lettuce
1 c. chopped tomatoes
1 c. shredded cheddar jack
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
Step 1
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef and spices and season with salt and pepper. Brown the meat, breaking it up into small crumbles with a wooden spoon until fully cooked (about 6 minutes). Remove meat to a bowl and set aside. Drain fat and wipe the skillet clean.
Step 2
Build the Crunchwraps: Add a scoop of ground beef to the center of each tortilla, leaving a generous border for folding. Drizzle cheese sauce over the meat, then place a tostada shell on top. Spread sour cream over each shell, then top with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Tightly fold edges of large tortilla toward the center, creating pleats. Quickly invert Crunchwraps so the pleats are on the bottom and they stay together.
Step 4
In a skillet over medium heat, add oil. Add Crunchwrap seam-side down and cook until the tortilla is golden, approximately 3 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining Crunchwraps.
based on a recipe by Delish.
Jan 16, 2023 at 12:00 AM
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How To Taste Wine Like A Pro
We firmly believe that wine is meant for everyone to enjoy – and with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can start tasting wine and developing your palate like the pro's do! It all starts with the 5 S's of wine tasting...
See
It all starts with the wine in the glass. In the first step of wine tasting, we evaluate the color and opacity of the wine using sight. To evaluate the color of the wine, hold the glass at a slight angle against a white or neutral surface and notice the color range from the core of the glass to the rim. Certain colors, like deep purple, may indicate full-bodied varietals like Syrah or Malbec, while a lighter red core with a pale to clear rim may indicate a lighter variety, such as Pinot Noir or Grenache.
In addition to color, we also look at the opacity of the wine. Traditionally, clear and brilliant wine in the glass can be indicative of a quality wine, however Natural and unfiltered wines do appear cloudy in the glass. Another reason for a cloudy wine is the appearance of sediment that can come from a wine being shaken up too much prior to serving.
Swirl
Before we smell the wine, we should first swirl the wine in the glass. Swirling wine helps introduce oxygen and release aromatic compounds in the wine. If you've never swirled wine, here's a tip: keep the bottom of the wine glass on a hard surface, and gently grip the glass and move your hand in a small circle. After you've practiced this for a while, you'll be able to start swirling your glass in the air freestyle like a champ.
It is in this step that we are able to evaluate the viscosity or legs of the wine. A wine with higher sugar content typically has slower-moving legs, while higher alcohol wines typically yield more droplets or number of legs.
Smell
After swirling the wine to release all the beautiful aromatics, it's time to smell the wine. No, you don't need to stick your nose all the way into the glass, but if that's you're style, do you boo. We find it best to take a series of short sniffs from different angles to allow our brain time to evaluate the information coming in. It's okay if all you smell is grapes – keep trying and the more you practice, the more you'll be able to identify different smells. Keep it simple and think about these three categories:
Primary Aromas: These are derived from the grapes themselves and include, fruit, herbal and floral notes.
Secondary Aromas: These smells come from the winemaking process (from things like yeast) and can smell like bread, nuts or cheese rind.
Tertiary Aromas: These aromas come from the aging process and can include things like baking spices, vanilla, cedar and tobacco.
Don't worry about identifying each and every aromatic. There are no wrong answers – have fun with it!
Sip & Savor!
Now, the part you've been waiting for – it's time to taste the wine! Notice how the wine tastes similar or different to the aromatics you smelled in the previous step, and how the wine changes as it moves across your tongue. Does it taste sharp and acidic like lemons, or do you notice your mouth feeling drier than before you took a sip, indicating tannin structure? All of these clues can tell you the type of variety you may be tasting or how the wine was made. While no two wines will taste exactly the same, what you are looking for in this step is balance. If the wine taste like alcohol, if it's too sweet, too sour, etc., then it's not considered a well-balanced wine and will not age well.
Most importantly, what matters is whether or not YOU like the wine. Wine tasting is meant to be fun, and the more you practice, the better you'll get at identifying various tastes and smells. Eventually, as you learn to recognize individual characteristics of grape varieties, you may even begin to be able to identify specific varieties in a blind tasting!
Taste at Tank
Our goal is to make wines that add to the collective conversation. Wines with soul and purpose. By sourcing fruit from California’s most important vineyards, we’re able to create delicious wines that are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.
During our fun wine-tasting experience, you’ll taste a variety of unique, one-off wines inside our vintage gas station and garage. Each wine is a limited-edition blend created from unique varieties picked from California’s most interesting and important vineyard locations and partners. Blends include red wine, white wine, sparkling pét-nat, orange wine, rosé, and natural wine. Regardless of the occasion, we have a bunch of unique experiences for you and your whole squad. Can't make it to Napa Valley? We have Virtual Tasting options too!
Dec 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM
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Let's Get Cozy with Mulled Wine
There's just something about sipping a warm drink in front of the fire that brings out all the holiday cheer. Our libation of choice? Mulled wine – a red wine concoction packed with warming spices and seasonal fruit that is oh-so delicious and easy to make.
Known by many names across cultures and dating back to Roman times, Mulled wine is an amazing holiday sipper and is perfect for serving a crowd. This delectable drink comes together within minutes and can be customized with your favorite spices and liqueurs.
Mulled Wine Ingredients
for this recipe you'll need:
Wine: We used Softcore for our version, but you can use any bottle of dry red wine. We recommend something that is fruit-forward and medium to full-bodied. Think varieties like Zinfandel, Grenache, Merlot or Syrah.
Liqueur: Traditionally, Brandy is used to spike your mulled wine. If that's not your style, try an orange or raspberry liqueur or even a tawny port.
Fresh citrus: Oranges add an amazing amount of flavor to mulled wine and make a beautiful garnish. Since it's peak citrus season, we included a mix of blood oranges, Valencia, and Cara Cara oranges. Note – oranges that are simmered with the wine should have the peel and pith removed to avoid bitterness.
Mulling spices: Mulling spices can vary depending on location, but we love a mixture of cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, cardamom, peppercorns and allspice. While you can find store-bought mulling mixes, we highly recommend making your own mix. These spices can also be simmered with apple cider for another spectacular holiday drink.
Sweetener: Sweetened to taste, mulled wine can be made with sugar, honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener.
How To Make Mulled Wine:
Making this seasonal sipper is as easy as…
Combine ingredients: Combine all ingredients in a large pot (for a hands-off version, try using a crockpot!)
Simmer: Over medium heat, bring wine to a simmer (about 170°F), and do not boil. Reduce heat to low, cover completely, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes and up to several hours. Avoid over-cooking your batch, as it will create a raisin-like flavor and syrupy consistency.
Strain and season: Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquid to remove any citrus and mulling spices. Give the mulled wine a taste, and sweeten as needed.
Serve: Serve warm and top with sliced orange peel, cinnamon sticks or your favorite seasonal garnish!
Mulled Wine
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 (750 mL) bottle Red Wine
1/4 c liqueur of choice
1 orange
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
2 cardamom pods
8 whole cloves
3 allspice berries
3 peppercorns
about 1/4 c maple syrup or preferred sweetener
for the garnish (optional):
orange slices, star anise, cinnamon stick
Method:
Combine ingredients: Combine all ingredients in a large pot (for a hands-off version, try using a crockpot!)
Simmer: Over medium heat, bring wine to a simmer (about 170°F), and do not boil. Reduce heat to low, cover completely, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes and up to several hours. Avoid over-cooking your batch, as it will create a raisin-like flavor and syrupy consistency.
Strain and season: Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquid to remove any citrus and mulling spices. Give the mulled wine a taste, and sweeten as needed.
Serve: Serve warm and top with sliced orange peel, cinnamon sticks or your favorite seasonal garnish!
Dec 14, 2022 at 12:00 AM
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Holiday Wine Gifts...Now in Stereo
You know what's cooler than a wine gift this holiday season? A wine gift that comes in a boombox! You heard that right. No longer must wine be gently wrapped in tissue paper and tucked away between bits of crinkly paper (it's called "sizzle," by the way) and bows. You can now give a wine gift that rocks.
Like all good things, the boombox was born out of the 1970s. The advent of the cassette format and batteries inspired a new concept for portable music players that could be brought to the beach or basketball courts to jam out with on the go. By the 1980s, the popularity of the boombox had exploded, proliferating hip-hop culture and finding its way into every teen's bedroom. Hoisted upon the shoulders of The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and The Clash, the boombox became an American icon.
Over time the size and weight of boomboxes exploded to accommodate bigger, booming bass and features like equalizers, dual cassette decks, and tricked-out sound meters. While the 1990s would introduce CD trays, remotes, and plastic gimmicks, our hearts will forever recognize the classic Panasonic stereos as the most iconic boombox of the early '80s.
Which, of course, is why we chose it as the successor to our beloved Hi-Fi gift boxes that recreated a portable record player from the '60s. We needed to get bigger, we needed to get louder, and we were hellbent on realizing this dream.
Modeled after the legendary Panasonic RX-5500, we painstakingly transplanted our favorite elements of this boombox to our cardboard box design. The tape went in the middle, some big speakers for both channels and some knobs here and there. It slowly took shape. But there was one thing we needed to make this thing legit: a handle. And we'll have you know we went to the far reaches of the pandemic world to find one that fits the bill.
After nearly a year of waiting, our boomboxes finally arrived, and we must say, they are fucking sick. Not only do they look like the real deal, but once you load them up with delicious Tank wines, it feels like the real deal too. The only thing we couldn't pull off was getting it to play music, but we gotta leave something for the next revision, right?
Starting this holiday season, we will have curated gift options pre-packaged in our vintage boombox gift boxes. Your friends, family, side piece, and work colleagues will all be blown away when they open up this cool gift box to discover California's coolest wines inside. To explore the 2022 options, just follow the button below.
Nov 18, 2022 at 1:00 AM
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Even Fckboys Gotta Eat
If you've never had Enfrijoladas before, get ready for an orgasmic party in your mouth. A tasty enchilada smothered in yummy bean sauce and stuffed with your favorite filling, this recipe packs a whole lot of flavor and won't break the bank. We made ours with chorizo and potatoes, and HOT DAMN was it delicious. Scroll below for the recipe.
Chorizo and Potato Enfrijoladas
Serves 4
Ingredients:
oil (for frying)
10 corn tortillas
For the bean sauce:
3 cups cooked pinto beans
1 cup bean broth
1 can chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (7 ounces)
1/2 tbsp salt
For the filling:
2 cups potatoes, small dice
4 oz Mexican pork chorizo
2 10-oz packages Queso Fresco crumbled
For the topping:
onion, finely diced
avocado, sliced
cilantro, finely chopped
Method:
Step One
Add pinto beans, bean broth, chipotle, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth, and if it's too think, add a bit more broth until it reaches a sauce-like consistency. Taste, and adjust seasonings to taste as needed. Note: If you're sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of chipotle added to the mixture. We used pinto beans for our recipe, but black beans can also be used.
Step Two
In a large skillet, heat 2-3 tbs of oil over medium heat until it begins to ripple. Add potatoes and brown on all sides until cooked through. Remove from pan and add pork chorizo, cooking over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the meat into small, bite-sized pieces. Combine chorizo and potatoes and set aside for later use.
Step Three
Heat oil in a clean skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry tortillas for approximately one minute per side and place on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil.
Step Four
To assemble, there are two different options. Option 1: Dip a tortilla into the bean sauce and add a spoonful of cheese and a tablespoon of the chorizo and potato mixture. Fold over to close and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Option 2: Enfrijoladas can also be assembled by adding fillings first and then topping with bean sauce. We went with option 2 since it's a little less messy but the choice is yours.
Step Five
Garnish with onion, avocado and cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Note: Enfrijoladas can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Based on a recipe by Maggie Unzueta
Nov 10, 2022 at 12:00 AM
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Harvest 2022 Update
Our first harvest of 2022 began in early August with 10 tons of Gewürztraminer from the McCormack Ranch vineyard outside Rio Vista in Solano County. Since then, Bertus, Matteo, and the rest of the cellar team have been working day and night trucking grapes, pressing fruit and tending to our fermentation tanks barrels. Harvest is hard work, and our boys have been busy.
The Stats
290 Tons Harvested
36 Varieties
40 Vineyard Sources
Foot-Stompin'
If there's one guarantee for our cellar interns, it's that they'll be stomping A LOT of grapes. While many winemaking cellars solely utilize mechanical presses for their fruit, our philosophy is that foot-stomping provides a more delicate approach than a mechanical press and allows for stem inclusion, which results in more complexity in the wine. We love utilizing this method for our skin-fermented white wines, light red wines, and sometimes even Cabernet Sauvignon! More than a third of the grapes that pass through our cellar are foot-stomped.
Punch-downs and Pump-overs
Every day (and sometimes twice a day), each of our fermentation tanks and bins goes through a punch-down or pump-over process. Throughout fermentation, the grape skins and stems float to the top of the vessel as a large cap and we need to make sure our fermenting juice is properly mixed up.
We're trying out appassimento!
Italian wines have always been near and dear to our hearts, and this year, our assistant winemaker Matteo is taking the lead on a very special project. Appassimento wines, like the Italian Amarone, are made from partially dried grapes, which results in more concentrated colors, aromas and flavors in the wine. In the photo above, Matteo is carefully laying out each cluster onto screens for the drying process. We can't wait to taste the resulting wine!
Follow Along
If you're into all things vintage, adventures, cool wines, and good vibes, you'll love our Instagram. Stay connected for behind-the-scenes looks at cellar antics, new bottle releases, deals, giveaways, and more! Tap the Instagram logo below to give us a follow.
Oct 19, 2022 at 12:18 PM
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Occhiali da Sole X Pasta with Roasted Tomato Sauce
One of our favorite things about the harvest season is the sharing of abundance with friends, family and the community. We were gifted a bounty of heirloom tomatoes from a friend's garden this week and we had the perfect recipe in mind to use them: a simple roasted tomato sauce over pasta paired with crisp white wine.
For this recipe, we look towards our newly released Occhiali da Sole, a skin-contact Trousseau Gris from Fannuchi-Wood Road Vineyard in Russian River Valley. Tap the button below for the recipe, and start cooking!
Stock up on any $250+ online order and score $25 off your next order with code: OCCHIALI at checkout through 9/15.
Roasted Tomato Sauce
[time: 30 min] serves 4
- 1 head of garlic, peeled
- 2 shallots, roughly chopped
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
- 10 fresh basil leaves, torn or roughly chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- salt
- pepper
- parmesan, grated
preheat oven to 400°
2. Place peeled and cored tomatoes cut side down on the baking sheet and drizzle with 1-2 Tbs olive oil.
3. Roast tomatoes, garlic and shallots in 400° oven for 30 minutes.
4. Add oregano and basil to pan and continue roasting for 10 minutes or until the tomato skins begin to loosen.
5. Allow pan to cool and gently remove tomato skins and herb stems and discard.
6. Add roasted items to a blender and generously season with salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until smooth and strain to remove seeds (optional).
Sep 9, 2022 at 8:00 AM
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What the Heck is Trousseau Gris?
Planted in 1981, this Russian River Valley vineyard is home to the last plantings of Trousseau Gris in the US. Gaining access to Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard's scarce fruit is like finding the holy grail.
Just off of the old Wood Road in the town of Fulton is the Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard in Sonoma County. It is dry-farmed and has been hand-tended by the Fanucchi family for the last 29 years.
The Fanucchis have raised the gnarled, head-trained vines from ground level to chest height to provide greater sun exposure and air circulation, enhancing the production of high-quality, old vine fruit. Planted in sandy loam soil and organically farmed, these precious vines exist not only because they are important to the world of viticulture, but because they are essential to the Fanucchi legacy.
Peter's role as a grape grower started in childhood, working alongside his father Arcangelo who had long dreamt of farming grapes and had purchased an old Italian field blend vineyard in the early 1970s. After discovering some existing plantings of Trousseau Gris thriving in their vineyard, they together decided to plant a small block in 1981. But just three years later, before a single harvest, Arcangelo suddenly and tragically passed, leaving a 21-year-old Peter to carry on their shared legacy.
We’re really grateful to be a part of it.
Interested? You’re in luck. We harvested the highly coveted Fanucchi Trousseau Gris on September 1st, 2021, some of the first fruit we brought in for last year’s harvest. After spending 1 year in neutral oak barrels, we released what can only be described as the best Trousseau Gris we've ever made.
Perfect for lounging in the last of the late-summer sun, Occhiali da Sole is a reminder to throw on some rose-colored shades and let all your troubles melt away. The color of a peachy-orange sunset with enticing aromas of rosewater and zesty citrus, this wine draws you in from the moment it hits your glass. On the palate, we get these mouth-watering flavors of lychee, earl grey tea, and a touch of cranberry. The balanced acidity with a slightly textural tannin structure makes this wine an ideal pairing for shellfish, poolside fare, or watching the sun disappear over the horizon.
Sep 7, 2022 at 1:17 PM
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How to Store Your Wine Bottles
Courtesy of @sammser
Whether you're building a new wine cellar in your estate or just bought a (hopefully) cool final sale wine rack from West Elm, you're officially in the business of cellaring wine. Congratulations!
But wine can be fussy and delicate, so let's create a game plan to assure our wine will store safely and age perfectly. Here are the things to keep an eye on when storing wine at home.
1. Keep temperature and humidity in mind
The single most important factor in preserving the quality of your wine will be the temperature and humidity. Ideally, wine should be stored at a consistent temperature of around 55°F, though anywhere between 50-65°F should be good. Make sure that temperature is CONSISTENT, as variations that cause the wine to heat up or cool down over and over rapidly will damage the wine. Oh no!
Wine also likes moderate humidity, and overly dry or moist storage can damage the cork, which will, in turn, damage your wine. So if you live in Arizona or want to store your wine in a damp basement or under a sink, please consider another location or an appliance that can moderate humidity.
2. Limit sunlight and vibration
Wine doesn't like to be messed with. And though those decorative bottles in your kitchen look great, the UV from sunlight can damage the wine or warm the wine in a way that degrades quality. Additionally, if you are storing wine next to a subwoofer or dishwasher, make sure the bottles aren't constantly vibrating. So stash your wine away somewhere nice and dark and chill. For sparkling wines, we also suggest letting them relax for a few weeks after shipping.
3. Store wine in the right orientation
Still wine bottles are best stored on their sides to assure the cork remains moist and doesn't dry out, which will lead to excessive aging, seepage, or damage. But we recommend storing sparkling wines like pét-nat upright to allow any sediments to settle at the bottom of the bottle and reduce the chance of these carbonated beverages from turning into cannons if stored on their side.
4. Get a wine fridge
A good wine fridge can solve most of the problems above for you, storing wine at an ideal temperature and climate and limiting light and vibration from reaching your bottles. The regular refrigerators you store your food in are not great options for long-term storage, as they tend to run cooler and dryer than wine fridges. When buying a wine fridge, there are great options for different sizes and budgets. Just make sure to get one with a good warranty.
Aug 25, 2022 at 12:00 AM
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