Chef Nick Nolan’s Inspired Pairings for Copia Vineyards
From First Sip to Final Bite: The Story Behind the Pairings
When Chef Nick Nolan of Trumpet Vine Catering first tasted through Copia Vineyards’ wine lineup, he was immediately struck by their complexity and elegance. “I really enjoyed it,” he recalls. “And I thought we’d try and reach out to see about a tasting. That turned into something bigger than I expected—it became a full collaboration.”
That initial tasting sparked a creative journey between Copia and Chef Nick, one rooted in shared values and mutual respect for craftsmanship. As it turned out, Copia’s co-owner Anita is a former chef herself—someone who deeply values food and wine pairing as both an art and an experience. “She wanted someone a little more established for their new pairings,” Nick said. “We knew this partnership could blossom into something really fun.”
Balancing Notes: The Art of Wine Pairing
For Nick, pairing food with wine isn’t about mimicking flavors. It’s about contrast, balance, and storytelling. “If you taste blueberry in the wine, that doesn’t mean you make a blueberry dish,” he explains. “You want to make something that contrasts, that cuts through, so it all comes together in the bite.”
Take Copia’s 2024 white wine, for example—a bottle that sings with notes of orange blossom and peach. To complement it, Nick created a smoked salmon profiterole with lemon curd, whipped cream cheese, and dill. “It plays off the brightness of the wine, but also softens it,” he says. “It creates a harmony between the citrusy notes and the richness of the dish.”
A Cultural Conversation in Every Course
With Copia’s 2022 Story—a red wine with cherry and red fruit notes—Nick went in a savory, indulgent direction. “We felt that duck would really complement the fruit,” he shares. The result? Seared duck breast à l’orange with soy-orange sauce, baby bok choy, pickled carrot, and crispy wonton. “It’s rich and playful. That mix of texture and flavor gives the wine something to wrap around.”
But one of the most personal and culturally inspired pairings came from the 2022 Cure, a GSM blend brimming with baking spice. “We knew we wanted to work in garam masala,” Nick said. “Anita and Varinder have roots in that spice profile, and we wanted to honor that.” The dish: garam masala-rubbed petite tenderloin served with eggplant and date caponata, toasted pine nuts, and parsley—a nod to both tradition and refinement.
A Cultural Conversation in Every Course
And then came the final act: dessert. But Nick didn’t go the conventional route. “Copia’s team really enjoys the idea of a savory dessert, and I hadn’t looked at it that way before,” he says. “If you’ve got a heavy red like The Source—100% Syrah—then a super sweet dessert just overwhelms it.”
Instead, he served a blue cheese panna cotta with a bacon crumble. “It’s funky, creamy, and unexpected,” Nick says. “But the fruitiness of the wine cuts through the richness and makes it work. It’s bold, but it lands.”
Crafted with Intention, Shared in Harmony
His collaboration between Copia Vineyards and Chef Nick Nolan is more than just a food and wine pairing—it’s a dialogue between flavor, culture, and craft. Each course tells a story. Each sip finds its match. And every guest is invited to experience the thoughtful harmony of a chef who knows how to listen to the wine—and elevate it.
Stay tuned for more from this inspired partnership. And next time you’re sipping Copia, just imagine the perfect bite to go with it. Chances are, Chef Nick has already dreamed it up.
Ready to bring this kind of elevated experience to your own winery or tasting room? Partner with Chef Nick Nolan and the Trumpet Vine Catering team to create a custom food and wine pairing that speaks to your brand, your story, and your wines. Whether you're dreaming up a one-night event or an ongoing culinary series, we’ll work with you to craft unforgettable pairings that captivate your guests. Or, if you’d like to experience this collaboration firsthand, book a tasting and pairing at Copia Vineyards and enjoy the magic of food and wine in perfect harmony. Contact us today to start planning.
