Serving Size: 8
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Nana’s Lasagna has been a cherished tradition in the Brys family for generations. Passed down from my Nana, Kathleen Keskeny—mother of Eileen Brys—this dish has always been a go-to for special occasions, birthdays, and anniversaries. The recipe has its origins in New York City during the 1940s. At the time, Nana had recently immigrated from Ireland to Manhattan, where she became neighbors with an Italian family downstairs. A friendship quickly blossomed, and at a dinner party, Nana was introduced to this iconic lasagna recipe, which her Italian neighbors graciously shared. Through decades of refinement, the recipe was passed down from Nana to my mother, then to me, and is now shared with you. The result is a rich, satisfying dish with layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella. Paired with a glass of Signature Red, this lasagna enhances the wine’s bold fruit notes while the tangy acidity of the sauce complements its depth. It’s the perfect dish to share with loved ones and create your own lasting tradition. Enjoy! -Patrick Brys
Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Drain any excess grease, then return the pan to the heat. Pour in 1 cup of Brys Estate Signature Red to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add 2 jars of marinara sauce, followed by the basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. You can use an electric mixer for a smoother texture.
Prepare the Noodles:
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes. Drain the noodles and drizzle them with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top, followed by a thin layer of the cheese mixture. Add a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Repeat the layers: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan. End with a final layer of meat sauce on top. Finish with a light sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake the Lasagna:
Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbling.
Let it Set:
Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to firm up before slicing and serving.
Serving Size: 1
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Chicken Milanese is a simple yet delicious dish featuring seasoned, pan-fried chicken, served with a fresh lemony arugula salad and shaved parmesan. It’s quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy summer evening or a casual weekend get-together.Pair it with Brys Estate Pinot Grigio Reserve and cheers to a delightful Italian meal!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Place chicken breast on a piece of parchment paper and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Using a tenderizer or wooden rolling pin, pound the chicken until the breast has flattened evenly to about 1/4 – 1/2″ thick.
Prepare three dishes (a low bowl or high-lipped plate is ideal) with flour, whisked eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Set the chicken first in the flour lightly coating the breast, shaking off any excess. Then move the chicken to the egg wash, coating, and removing any excess. Finally, move the chicken into the panko breadcrumbs and press to adhere the crumbs to the chicken. Salt and pepper on both sides.
Over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil into a frying pan. When the oil begins to shimmer, place the chicken into the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown (turning down the heat slightly if the crumb begins to darken too fast). Flip and finish cooking on the other side, for another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Set aside. (Optional: if preparing multiple chicken breasts, place the cooked chicken in a preheated 250℉ oven on a sheet tray with a wire rack to keep warm until ready to serve.)
Prepare the salad by combining arugula, basil, tomatoes, shredded parmesan, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice – tossing until coated. (Ingredients for the salad are to taste. Add more or less of whatever you’d like!)
Plate the chicken and top with the salad. Sprinkle more parmesan if you’d like and garnish with a couple of lemon wedges – which can be squeezed onto the chicken for extra lemony flavor. Pour a glass of Pinot Grigio Reserve and enjoy!
Serving Size: 4
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Fresh, light, and full of seasonal flavor, this simple dish is a wonderful way to welcome spring to the table. Tender chicken breast is paired with asparagus, lemon, and thyme, creating a bright and refreshing meal that feels both elegant and effortless.
A splash of Pinot Grigio brings the ingredients together, while baking everything in a parchment packet helps lock in moisture and flavor. Easy enough for a weeknight yet beautiful enough for entertaining, it’s a recipe you’ll return to all season long.
Serve with a glass of Brys Estate Pinot Grigio and savor the fresh flavors of spring.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Â
Rip 4 sheets of parchment paper each approximately 2 feet long. Fold each in half crosswise.
Wash fingerling potatoes then cut in half lengthwise. In a bowl, toss with olive oil, salt & pepper. Set aside. Wash asparagus. Cut off or break off the woody ends. In another bowl, toss asparagus with olive oil, salt & pepper. Set aside. Cut the ends of each lemon, then cut each lemon into six 1/4in slices. You should have a total of 12 lemon slices. Set aside.
Wash chicken and pat dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Take 1 sheet of parchment paper and open it up so it looks like you are reading a book. On one side of the crease in the middle of the paper, place 6-8 fingerling potato slices with the cut side facing up. This will become the bed for the other layers. Next layer on some asparagus; 8-10 pieces or whatever looks good. Next place a chicken breast on top of the asparagus. Top each chicken breast with 3 slices of lemon, 2 sprigs of thyme, and 1/2 tbs of butter. Add a splash of Pinot Grigio on top of the chicken.
Fold the parchment paper on top of the chicken like you are closing a book. Starting on one side, fold the paper over in a triangle shape and crease. Then keep folding the paper, over and over itself and around the chicken. When you get to the end, tuck the corner under the packet to lock everything in place. Repeat steps above for the other 3 packets.
Once your chicken presents are wrapped, place all 4 on a sheet tray and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165 with an instant read thermometer.
Place one packet on each plate and let your guests unwrap their presents! Serve with a generous glass of Brys Estate Pinot Grigio and raise a glass to Spring!
Note: after opening packets, the lemon slices and thyme sprigs can be placed on the side and are not intended for consumption
Nothing says summertime like grilling up some brats! But who wants boring ketchup, mustard & relish? This month I created four new topping combinations for your summertime brats which will certainly elevate the boring brat to gourmet grilling status! Enjoy your summer brats with a cold glass of our wildly popular Pinot Noir/Riesling and raise a toast to summertime!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Four new topping combinations to elevate your grilling experience:
Southwestern
Kansas Style
Hot Chili Cheezzzie
Blue Cheese, Apple & Onion
Serving Size: 6
Cook Time: 4 hours
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Short ribs are a longstanding comfort food for many who appreciate slow cooking, and Patrick has held nothing back with an all out feast of earthy, creamy flavors that satisfy the winter palate. Nestled on a bed of roasted wild mushrooms and finished with a from-scratch cream sauce, these Pinot Noir-infused ribs are worth the time it takes to impress your guests. Cozy up!
Ingredients:Â
Directions:Â
Trim off any excess fat from the short ribs. Salt and pepper both sides. In a large dutch oven over medium high heat, add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the short ribs and sear for 1-2 minutes per side working in batches if necessary. Transfer short ribs to a bowl.
Add the leeks and garlic to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the leeks have softened.  Add the red wine and using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the wine to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until the wine has reduced by half.
Add the beef broth, rosemary and thyme to the pot. Add the short ribs back to the pot along with any juices from the bowl. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a 300 degree oven for 2 to 2½ hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
During the cooking process, on a sheet tray, add the sliced mushrooms then drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
When the ribs have finished cooking, remove the dutch oven from the oven and increase heat to 425 degrees. Add the sheet tray of mushrooms to the oven and roast for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, transfer ribs to a bowl, and cover with foil.  Place the dutch oven on the stove top over medium heat. Cook uncovered for about 5 minutes. Once the liquid has reduced slightly, add the Dijon mustard and cream and continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly – about 5 more minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary.
Transfer the ribs back to the pot and coat with the sauce. Remove mushrooms from the oven.
Serve the ribs over a bed of roasted wild mushrooms, drizzle the cream sauce on top and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Serving Size: 6
Cook Time: 1 hour
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Having quiche for brunch on holidays has always been a tradition in the Brys family. Expanding on the traditional Quiche Lorraine which has bacon and gruyere cheese, I decided to add shittake mushrooms, sauteed spinach and shallots. In the recipe I call for heavy cream (it is a holiday after all!) but if you are feeling more calorie conscious you can always use half and half instead. Also, if you are feeling really energetic you can always make your own pie crust from scratch, however in this recipe I make life easy for the holidays and simply use a store bought frozen pie crust – just make sure to buy the deep dish kind. My secret is that I pinch the machine crimped edge of each pie shell up a bit so that it looks like a homemade pie crust! I traditionally serve this with roasted potatoes and roasted asparagus or a simple mixed green salad with a basic vinaigrette. The recipe makes two quiche – but there are rarely leftovers! Enjoy this with a glass of our rich Merlot and raise a glass to the holidays with family and friends!Â
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large saute pan over medium heat, add the bacon and cook about 8-10 minutes until the bacon is crisp and has rendered it’s fat. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels.
Dump the rendered bacon fat from the pan into a bowl, then add 1/3 cup of the bacon fat back into the pan. Over medium heat, add the shallot and the mushrooms and saute about 3 minutes till the mushrooms have browned and the shallots have softened. Add the box of spinach and continue to cook until the spinach has just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in the cooked bacon.Â
Add half of filling mixture to each pie shell. Sprinkle gruyere into each pie shell, reserving about 1 cup of cheese for later.
In a mixing bowl, add the eggs, cream, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Pour half of the egg and cream mixture into each pie shell. With a small spoon or your fingers, stir the mixture in each quiche to mix things around a bit. Finally, top each quiche with the remaining gruyere – about 1/2 cup per quiche.
Put both quiche on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 until the tops are golden brown and puffed, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Size: 6
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Asparagus is in abundance during the late spring and early summer on Old Mission Peninsula. I picked up some fresh Michigan asparagus from the local farm stand and created this light and summery dish that can be prepared days in advance. Serve this with grilled shrimp splashed with fresh lemon juice, a panko coated chicken breast (see additional recipe below), or have it as a casual lunch with your favorite sandwich.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbs olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper. Set dressing aside.
Chop asparagus diagonally into 3/4 inch pieces. On a large sheet pan, toss asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until bright green and crisp tender. Set asparagus aside.
In a large sauce pan, add 1 tbs olive oil, 1 cup couscous and a sprinkle of salt. Saute 3-4 minutes over medium heat until lightly toasted, stirring frequently. Add 1 1/2 cups broth and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed, about 8-10 minutes stirring every few minutes so the couscous doesn’t stick to the bottom of pan.
Transfer couscous to a large mixing bowl. Add asparagus to the bowl along with the peas, dressing, feta, chives and mint. Toss well and serve.
Panko Chicken
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pound chicken breasts thin. Dredge in flour, then in whisked eggs, then in Japanese Panko Bread Crumbs. Drizzle olive oil in a large fry pan and cook chicken over medium high heat on both sides until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and cook in the oven until the chicken is cooked through (cooking time will vary by thickness.) Remove from oven, squeeze lots of fresh lemon juice over each breast, sprinkle with salt & pepper and serve.
Serving Size: 4
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Measurements: Imperial (US)
At Brys Estate, we offer cheese and charcuterie boards to enjoy in our cozy wine lounge or on our beautiful Upper Deck overlooking the vineyard. Composed of artisan cheeses, cured meats, pickled vegetables, bread, and stone ground mustard, these boards make the perfect accessory to a glass of wine and a vineyard view! Want to re-live your wine country experience at home? Looking to create a unique appetizer spread for your next dinner party or wine tasting party? Now you can with these simple tips on what it takes to make the perfect wine country cheese and charcuterie board!
Ingredients:
Directions:
– What is “charcuterie”?  Charcuterie (shar-cu-tah-ree) is the art of making sausages and other cured, smoked and preserved meats. In addition to sausages, classic charcuterie items include pâté, terrines, galantines, and confit.
– Types of Boards & Cheese Knives: I prefer a well used wooden board, and I picked mine up at an antique mall for $19. You can also use slate or ceramic platters. For a cheese knife I would recommend ones that have a fork tip at the end of the knife – this way you can use the fork tip to pick up items on the board. You can also cut a piece of kraft or parchment paper to fit the shape of your board. The paper serves as a liner for easy clean up and also allows you to write the names of the items on the board in pencil so your guests can easily see what each item is.
– Number of Items: the number of items you choose is largely dependent on the number of people you have. A general rule of thumb for an appetizer sized portion is 3 items for 1-2 people, 5 items for 3-4 people, and 8-10 items for 6-8 people.
– Item Types: a well rounded board will have an assortment of cheeses, meats, and pickled vegetables. I usually choose at least one item from each category. So for a 3 item board I will have a cheese, a meat and a pickled item. In addition, every board should have bread or crackers (or both) and a spread of some sort. See item suggestions below.
– Wine Pairing Suggestions: the items you select for your board will determine which wines pair best. Sharp cheeses such as white cheddar go well with sweeter style wines or crisp whites, creamy cheeses such as Fontina go well with Pinot Noir, salty or crumbly cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano go well with red wines. Cured meats typically pair best with red wines. Experiment and taste – it’s part of the fun!
Serving Size: 8
Cook Time: 8 hours
Measurements: Imperial (US)
Inspired by a recent trip to Italy, Patrick has decided to create this super easy make-ahead dinner that’s perfect for entertaining. Crock Pot Spaghetti Bolognese, paired with Pinot Noir, is something you can prepare in the morning and enjoy in the evening. Patrick’s secret to creating a rich sauce with extraordinary flavor is a simple crock pot. There’s no need to fuss over the stove all day, watching and simmering. The crock pot takes care of that for you! Go out, enjoy the day, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing! When you come home, you’ll have a delicious meal waiting for you. Cheers!
Ingredients:
Directions:
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, onion, carrot and celery. Sauté about 5 minutes till the vegetables have softened. Add Italian sausage and ground beef, sauté about 5 minutes till the meat is browned and well cooked. Add Pinot Noir, continue to cook until most of the wine has evaporated – about 5-10 minutes.
Add meat and vegetables to a crock pot. Add pureed tomatoes. Add salt and black pepper. Stir. Set your crock pot to low and cook for 8 hours. The longer you cook it the better it will become. You can’t over cook this sauce!
For the last hour of cooking, crack the lid slightly to allow the sauce to reduce slightly.
Serve over spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese.
Fan favorite Naked Chardonnay makes an appearance in this easy one-pan dish meant to be enjoyed any night of the week. Savor the creaminess of a light mushroom sauce and moist, flavorful chicken perfectly complimented by a glass of our clean and refreshing Naked Chardonnay when you recreate this Garlic Mushroom Chicken recipe at home. This recipe won’t keep you beside the stove for too long or demand you spend too much time without your wine glass in your hands – we promise!
Ingredients:
Directions:
In a saute pan, over medium-high heat, add olive oil and butter. Season chicken breasts on each side with salt and pepper. When the butter begins to foam add chicken breasts. Cook 3-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and set aside.
In the same saute pan over medium heat add onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the white mushrooms and cook 3-4 minutes until mushrooms have cooked down. Add Naked Chardonnay, scraping up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook and allow the wine to reduce by half.
Add heavy cream, spinach, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir and continue to reduce  3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Add chicken and any accumulated juices back to the pan, turning the chicken breasts to coat with sauce. Remove from heat.Â
Serve with a glass of Naked Chardonnay and enjoy!