Sausage and Mushroom Ragout - Alexander Valley Vineyards

Ingredients

• 1 lb. mild Italian sausage (bulk or removed from casings)
• 1 ½ lbs. mixed mushrooms, quartered
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 tsp. AVV olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried thyme, or 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1- 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups Cabernet Franc
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 1 ½ tsp. flour
• ½ tsp. sugar
• Chopped chives