There’s something about summer that makes gathering around the table feel a little easier. Dinner can stretch into the evening, the wine stays chilled, and a few simple dishes are all you really need.
For their Mediterranean-inspired summer dinner, Aly and Niki leaned into exactly that feeling. The table was bright and inviting, the menu was filled with tomatoes, herbs, seafood, and other fresh flavors, and Wente Family Vineyards wines were poured throughout the evening.
The result was a dinner that felt special without being too formal, with plenty of reasons to stay for another glass.
Great food and fine wine are best enjoyed with friends, so start by sending your invites a week or two in advance.
Steal the exact invite and menu template Aly used right here, then customize it to fit your gathering.
Once your guests RSVP, you can set the table, pour a bottle of Wente Family Vineyards wine, and get ready to turn an ordinary evening into a celebration.
A Mediterranean-inspired table is all about keeping things simple. Start with fresh flowers or greenery, then mix in natural textures and serving pieces that don’t feel too coordinated.
For this table, fresh herbs and plants from Ace Hardware and Alden Lane Nursery were mixed in with peaches, lemons, pluots, and oranges for an easy, colorful centerpiece. The rest of the table décor came from Trend Event Collections.
Let the food bring color to the table with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, warm bread, and seasonal salads. Serve everything family-style so guests can help themselves, pass plates around, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
As the sun goes down, add a few candles, keep the wine chilled, and you’re set.
Rather than choosing just one wine for the evening, Aly and Niki set out a mix of Wente Family Vineyards favorites for guests to enjoy throughout dinner. Cresta Blanca Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc kept things fresh and easygoing, while bottles of Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc, Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riva Ranch Chardonnay gave everyone something different to reach for as the evening unfolded.
It’s an easy approach to summer entertaining. Put a few bottles on the table, let guests pour what they like, and enjoy discovering which wines they come back to as different dishes are passed around.
This Mediterranean-inspired baked fish is simple, colorful, and built around fresh ingredients. Mild white fish is roasted until tender, then surrounded by sweet burst tomatoes and caramelized onions that create a naturally rich, savory sauce. Fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and olive oil keep the dish bright and make it perfect for serving family-style with crusty bread.
Fresh, colorful, and full of Mediterranean-inspired flavor, this tomato and feta salad brings together juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy feta, peppery greens, and plenty of fresh herbs. A simple lemon and olive oil dressing keeps everything bright and refreshing, making it an effortless side dish for warm-weather meals and casual entertaining.
Here’s to warm evenings, plates passed around the table, chilled bottles within reach, and dinners that last well past sunset.
