It's that time of year again. Heat waves are making their way through the country and we're roastin' and toastin' in this warm weather! Dodging the heat during the daytime is doable for many with indoor gigs, but what about at night? Beating the heat at home isn't easy, but we have a couple ideas on how to 'get Barefoot' and still stay cool! 

Hot or not, dinnertime calls. Why not enjoy a cool summer salad & a nice chilled Barefoot beverage? We can't think of a better way "cool off" after a long, warm, summer day. See our suggestions on how to build-your-own tasty summer salad and a few ideas on how to keep your Barefoot nice n' cool.

Essentials for a Summer Salad: Transforming a side salad into an entrée is easy peasy, just follow this simple step-by-step..

1. Select a Protein:  Whether it be grilled chicken breast, steak or even seafood (legumes or potatoes for our vegetarian friends!)--pick a protein as your "base" for the salad and build on flavors from there!

2. Go Green: What kind of greens tickle your fancy? Romaine, butter lettuce, arugula or good ol' fashion iceburg. Simply select your fav kind of greens and feel free to go with what's fresh & in season and don't be afraid to mix!

3. Crunch Element: What salad is complete without packin' a crunch? Croutons are the easy go-to, but we also love these crunchy additions too; pumpkin seeds, cashews and dried rice noodles.

4. Seasonal Fruits & Veggies: Here's where you can really go wild! Throw in your preferred combination of vegetables and/or fruits to add some color to your already fabulous salad. We love tossing in things like cucumber, strawberries, pomegranate seeds & artichoke hearts. Just be cautious of what flavors go well together, but we trust that you've got that covered :

5. Cheese: For those of you who love cheese, here's your chance to toss it into your salad. Cheeses like Goat , Bleu, Feta and parmigiano-reggiano are TOEtally awesome in a salad

6. Dress it Up!: We LOVE getting "Barefoot" even with our salads. Try one of these delicious, light vinaigrettes made wih our wine to round out your salad: Barefoot Bubbly Champagne Vinaigrette or Roasted Pear & Moscato Vinaigrette

And there you have it! A salad made up of greens, protein (or other hearty ingredient), fuits/veggies, cheese and crunch and you have yourself a nice, cool & crisp dinner option! Now, what to sip on that is equally chilly? Here are our top 3 tips on how to keep your Barefoot nice n' cold…

1. Frozen Fruit: Try slicing up and freezing your favorite fruit (think blueberries, grapes, strawberries, etc), then tossing it into a glass of Moscato, Pinot Grigio or your personal fav flavor.

2. Chill Your Glass: What's the best way to keep the contents in your glass cold? Chill the glass itself! Try these helpful instructions on how to safely chill your glass.

3. Reusable Ice Cubes: While traditional ice cubes can do the trick, we prefer reusable ice cubes like these because they won't water down your vino and are a great way to add a little fun to your vino!