We first visited the Ranch Market in Yountville before we did a tasting at Silver Trident Winery. We needed to grab a bottle of water as it was a very hot day and we were thirsty before going in to drink wine. Dehydration plus alcohol consumption leads to bad headaches so we try to avoid that.
At first glance, it looks like most convenience grocery stores. They have a selection of freezer meals and smaller sized pantry items in a pretty nondescript building. But that is where the similarity ends.
They have a wonderful wine section, stocked with wines from all over the valley. They also have fresh-baked bread from the famous Bouchon Bakery. There are all kinds of gourmet items like cheeses, specialty crackers, chocolate, and craft alcohols. I was amazed at the range and quality of items that they have.
I then saw that they have a deli/sandwich shop attached to the market. It sells prepackaged salads, sandwiches, chips, and muffins. I thought the prepackaged salads looked really good with generous toppings on them. I made a note to try the food there when I got the chance.
The other day my chance to visit the Ranch Market’s deli finally came. I was returning from a meeting in St. Helena about a new article from the blog and I was starving. It was lunch time and I needed to eat. As Yountville was right on my way home, The Yountville Deli seemed like a perfect choice.
I ordered a “Mason” sandwich for me, and a “Hopper Creek” to take home to The Brit. The Mason includes roasted turkey, pesto, and Monterey jack cheese with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on a sweet roll. The “Hopper Creek” includes ham, Swiss cheese, and hot sweet mustard on a ciabatta roll. It comes with lettuce and tomato too but I excluded those as I was going to take it home and I didn’t want it to get soggy.
Both sandwiches were tasty, fresh, and filling. The price was good, about $8.00 each. I bought one of the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies that was sitting on the counter in the deli to go with it. I have to say that I am not a fan. After one bite, it ended up in the garbage. I didn’t need the calories anyway. Unlike the good quality sandwiches, it was dense, dry, and lacking in flavor.
The Ranch Market is on our highly recommended places. Grab your picnic from them and head off to the beautiful wineries of Rombauer or Rutherford Hill.
