Interviews with California's Winemakers and Wine Experts

Nick Palumbo of Palumbo Family Vineyards in Temecula Valley Wine Country

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:16:46 -0700

Located in the heart of Temecula Valley Wine Country, Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to small lot, handcrafted wines from varieties that are grown on the property. The 13 acre, 2500 case per year family run winery has often been described as “boutique” but favors the term “Artisinal” to describe the involvement and passion that goes into the daily operations. Nicholas Palumbo, passionate Viticulturist and budding Enologist, believes in producing only what he grows himself. “I believe there is only two basic ingredients in making fine wines, the fruit itself and the barrels it ages in”. With one foot in modern techniques and the other foot firmly planted in tradition, the wines produced posses a depth and elegance that is becoming harder to find in California wines. Along with his wife Cindy and their four children, Reed, Ryan, Sophia and Dominick, the Palumbo’s believe that the vineyards come first. The 13 acres are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese varietals. A new block of Viognier and Syrah was planted on neighboring properties to round out the line of wines available. Specializing in full-bodied reds, the estate-grown and produced offerings include both single variety bottlings as well as a few special blends, like the very popular Meritage called “Tre Fratelli”. Other blends like the 2005 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon help round out the wine list and showcase the versatility and depth of quality that the Palumbo wines are known for.

Interviews with a few of Bordeaux's Wine Experts

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:40:39 -0700

Over 700 million bottles of Bordeaux wine are produced every year, ranging from large quantities of everyday table wine, to some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world. Most Bordeaux wine is red, but sweet white wines have also contributed to the region's reputation, and dry white, rosé and sparkling wines (Crémant de Bordeaux) are also produced. Bordeaux wine is made in 9,000 wineries usually called châteaux from the grapes of 13,000 grape growers. There are 57 appellations of Bordeaux wine.

Don Reha of Thornton Winery Talks About Their New Champagne Release

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:49:07 -0800

CHAMPAGNE HISTORY A little splash of history . . . No one had to "invent" sparkling wine. Effervescence has always been a natural phenomenon, produced as a result of fermentation. But it took the legendary Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk in the Champagne region of France, to develop a process that could produce a consistently fine sparkling wine and make it commercially viable. In the late 17th century, Dom Perignon discovered that by blending the wine from several of his best vineyards, he could produce a wine greater than any of its components. Intrigued by its naturally sparkling tendencies and helped along by the introduction of glass bottles and corks, Dom Perignon is credited with developing the méthode champenoise, allowing his exquisite cuvée to ferment in individual bottles. When he first tasted his champagne, Dom Perignon is said to have exclaimed, "I am drinking stars!" Today, most of the practices he developed are still in use by champagne makers throughout the world. While some steps of la méthode champenoise have been mechanized, the basic process has remained the same for all these many years. WINE PAIRING FACTS Rules are Meant to be Broken . . . It has been said that when pairing wine with food that red wine goes well with red meat and that white wine pairs well with fish and poultry. However, this rule fails to acknowledge the complexity of ingredients that make up a dish, as well as the wide range of wines available. There are some basic guidelines that can be taken into consideration when selecting a good food/wine pairing. Generally, the chosen wine should complement the dish. Acidic Wines Acidic wines, such as the Thornton NV Brut and 2001 Sauvignon Blanc are exceptional with sour, acidic, or salty food. Thornton sparkling wines generally pair with salty foods because the acidity cuts the saltiness. Sweet Wines Sweet wines, such as the 2002 Muscat Canelli and Cuvée de Frontignan, go well with sweet foods. The sweetness of the wine and the sweetness of the food will cancel each other out. However, be careful not to pair a wine with food that is sweeter than the wine. Dry Wines Dry wines, such as the Thornton 2000 Reserve Merlot, 2000 Nebbiolo, 2000 Côte Red, have a high level of tannins and will make bitter foods taste less bitter. Tannic wines are also calmed by protein, making rare beef an excellent choice for pairing. Light-body and Full-body Wines There are many other aspects of wine pairing to take into consideration. Try pairing light-bodied wines with lighter food and fuller-bodied wines with heartier, more flavorful, richer and fattier dishes. Also, consider how the food is prepared. Is there a sauce, seasoning or dominant flavor of the dish? How is the food cooked? If poached or steamed, a delicate wine would pair appropriately. If grilled, braised, roasted or sautéed, a more flavorful wine would pair well. Pairing Flavors Match the flavors of the food with the wine. It is important to read the wine notes or the back of the label for information on what flavors are dominant in a wine. For example, the cranberry taste of Thornton Cuvée Rouge goes with holiday turkey for the same reason that cranberry relish does. Try creating new flavor sensations by pairing opposites. Very hot or spicy food works best with sweet dessert wines, such as the 2002 Muscat Canelli. The goal of pairing wine and food is synergy and balance. The food and wine should complement one another, and not be overpowering. The "perfect match" will bring out the nuances and enhance the flavors and unique characters of both the food and the wine. Bon

Kendra Morales-Gillette Talks About ZD Winery of Napa Valley Wine Fame

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:10:23 -0800

ZD Winery, that respected family winery along the Silverado Trail in Napa, was in San Diego recently and stopped at the Azul La Jolla for a formal wine dinner to present its new releases. Chris Pisani, the winemaker, has a lineup of lovely wines that I wanted to taste. I visited this innovative winery in 2005 and now the harvested grapes were ready for release. Azul La Jolla is a member of the Brigantine Family of Restaurants and is the showcase for the company with a lovely bay view and richly appointed furnishings. Helen Nguyen, manager; Kendra Morales-Gillette, ZD Sales; and Summer Lang, Azul Sommelier and wine director, all shown in the accompanying photo, tasted the wines and matched the menu. They paired the 2005 Reserve Chardonnay with the White Truffle Lobster Purse and the 2005 Napa Cabernet with Tahitian Vanilla & Cracked Peppercorn Crusted Tenderloin of Beef. Both wines were the standouts in a memorable evening. For more on Azul, access www.azul-lajolla.com. ZD’s site is www.zdwines.com. The mission of The Brigantine Restaurant Corporation is...To achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction and trust by providing value and quality in our food, beverage and service; To offer energetic, friendly and professional service in order to provide our guests with positive, memorable experiences; To search continually for new ways to improve our total operation to ensure growth and profitability. The Brigantine Family of Restaurants, since its inception in 1969, has built a reputation based on an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction. With nearly one-thousand team members serving 1.2 million meals each year, our investment in our staff and in our communities around us has earned us the respect and loyalty of our personnel, of local business leaders, and of those in charitable circles as well. And so it begins... The first Brigantine Restaurant was opened by husband and wife team, Mike and Barbara Morton, on Shelter Island in 1969. With a loan against her house to finance her son's venture, it's been rumored that fear of losing Mike's mother's house was the only thing that kept them in business during those early lean times. The name of the restaurant was derived in a very democratic way - they drew names from a hat. "The Brigantine" won. The first menu consisted of nine menu items, including a "Late-Night Entrèe", and the dreaded "Beef Stew". On display in the home office are two original menus - both on round wooden plank. The early version with all nine menu items, and the revised one where "Beef Stew" has quite literally been "86'd" from the menu (a steak knife was the likely tool of choice). Fortunately, The Brigantine overcame the odds, and in the summer of 1973, Mike and Barbara opened their second Brigantine location in Coronado, followed thereafter by restaurants in Del Mar and Escondido. Before all was said and done, there would be Brigantine Seafood Restaurants in seven locations throughout the county, including La Mesa, Poway, and Old Town. House Wine Anyone? - Have you ever stopped to wonder which vineyard’s label is hiding beneath that house-labeled wine on your table? Or when the last time the restaurant’s proprietor paused and taste-tested the current vintage? Maybe when you asked what the house wine was, it didn’t have an affiliation with the establishment at all… Well, it’s been said that when it comes to wine, The Brigantine Family of Restaurants goes “the extra mile”. Yes, in fact, they actually go about 500 extra miles, traveling each spring without fail to the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Every year since 1987, a small contingent of hand-selected employees and managers travels from San Diego to Sonoma to participate in the custom blending of The Brigantine’s house Chardonnay and Merlot. Working with their own personal wine-maker, the process not only ensures quality and consistency, but also a pride of ownership.

Frank Mangio's Ten Best Wine Tastes of 2007

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:28:54 -0800

Frank Mangio's Top Ten Tastings for 2007 This year has been a huge one for wine sales, an increase in wine events and the many individuals in the industry that I have met who have a passion for wine. As the Italians would say…”finche c’e vini c’e sperenza” (as long as there is wine, there is hope.) I have attended roughly 200 wine events this year, always seeking wines that I can call my own. If your palate is like mine, it is constantly changing. What might have been lovely last year is so last year’s news. This year I found 3 Cabs from Napa to merit my 10….last year there was none. Italy is again represented with 2 entries. Nearby Temecula keeps getting better and this year a cab whose grapes come from above and beyond the appellation scored in the ten. There was a repeat from last year, a delicious old vine Zinfandel from Sonoma. Chile also repeated with a consistently wonderful Syrah. And rounding out the ten, an oh-so-smooth Shiraz from Australia. The wines are listed alphabetically and not by rank. All are excellent for the varietal they represent. Prices listed may vary and are mostly taken from actual purchases or the winery websites. ÿ Antinori Toscana Tignanello, Italy, 2004. $75. The trophy wine of the Piero Antinori family. The ’04 harvest bloomed beautifully all over Italy for this “Super Tuscan,” a blend of Cab, Cab Franc and Sangiovese. Concentrated and velvety, this vintage is close to the heavenly ’97 harvest. www.italianwinemerchant.com. ÿ B Cellars Blend 24, Napa Valley Ca, 2004. $36. 75% Cab, 15% Merlot and 10% Syrah, this ’04 does well to typify the exciting yield of the ’04 Napa harvest. Sweet red fruit fills the palate with fresh raspberry and currants. Fine balance on the finish. www.bcellars.com. ÿ Bogle Reserve Petite Syrah, Clarksburg Ca, 2004. $20. The top “PS” varietal at the big San Diego Wine and Food Festival. Has a heady scent of ripe fruit with spicy oak evidence from14 months in French and 1 year in American Oak. Nice backbone…could age 10 years. www.boglewinery.com. ÿ Chateau St Jean Cabernet, Napa Valley CA, 2004. $19. Highly acclaimed veteran winery that doesn’t disappoint, it’s a lavish wine with smooth tannins and smoky flavor; a pleasing price. www.chateaustjean.com. ÿ Gaja Sperss Nebbiolo, Piedmont Italy, 2001. $50. In keeping with the powerful character of the Nebbiolo brand, this is a wine for the ages, from the legendary hand of Angelo Gaja. ( Accompanying photo shows daughter Gaia with this writer.) 94% Nebbiolo, 6% Barbera; 12 months in small oak, 12 months in large casks. Classic hints of the land: tar, licorice and a touch of truffles. www.terlato.com ÿ Montes Syrah, Chile, 2005. $25. A repeat from last year’s ‘04, this hot appellation should be in anyone’s collection. The ’05 has some Viognier in the mix. From the Colchagua Valley. Sweet texture. www.monteswines.com. ÿ Pedroncelli Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma CA, 2005. $14. This “mother clone” old vine Zin shows style and class with a deep garnet hue. Demands respect as any matriarch would. www.pedroncelli.com. ÿ Robert Mondavi Cabernet, Napa Valley, CA, 2004. $20. The final touch of the Mondavi family before they got bought out. Every bit as great as the “reserve” that cost over 4 times a much as this gem. www.mondaviwines.com. ÿ South Coast Wild Horse Cabernet, Temecula, CA, 2003. $28. Best of class medaled at the CA State Fair, these cab grapes come from high ground Palomar Mt. area. Ripe and big…from the hand of award-winning winemaker John McPherson. www.wineresort.com. ÿ Schild Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2005. $17. 400 acres of estate vineyards, about 1/3 devoted to luscious Shiraz. 25 year old vines. www.schildestate.com. More news at www.TasteOfWineTV.BlogSpot.com

Nature Sweet D'Vines (Those Tasty Little Tomatoes that Pair Well With White Wine)

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 13:22:36 -0800

Recipes Shrimp Boats - Cut NatureSweet tomatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully slice off a small amount of the rounded bottom of tomatoes to stabilize tomatoes and set upright on a serving platter. Gently scoop seeds and pulp from tomatoes. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper and turn tomatoes upside down on paper towels to drain. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, white wine or white wine vinegar, Dijon, mayonnaise, oregano and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Finely chop shrimp and add to a large bowl. Combine the shrimp, corn, bell pepper, celery, red onion, parsley, chervil and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Pour dressing over shrimp mixture, tossing gently to coat. Taste mixture again and adjust seasoning and dressing if necessary. Spoon the shrimp salad into halved D’Vines tomatoes, set upright on a serving and garnish with fresh parsley and sprigs of fresh chervil. 2 packages NatureSweet D’Vines tomatoes (approximately 12 tomatoes per package) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds medium peeled, deveined and cooked shrimp, chopped 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white wine or white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano 6 tablespoons minced fresh dill ½ cup of thawed frozen corn ½ cup minced red bell pepper ½ cup minced celery ½ cup minced red onion 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley leaves 24 sprigs of fresh chervil & , parsley for garnish Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Yield: 12 servings of 2 appetizers each NatureSweet D’Vines Caprese Stack Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F Lay out the puff pastry on a lightly flour dusted surface. Roll out the pastry to between a 1/8-inch – ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cutter dipped in flour, cut into as many rounds as possible. Brush the pastry with the egg white. Transfer puff pastry rounds to un-greased baking sheets, about ½-inch apart. Bake pastry rounds until pastry puffs for approximately 20 mins.and cool to room temp. Add vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture is thick and syrupy, for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Slice the mozzarella into ¼-inch thick slices. Using a 1 – 1 ½-inch round cutter, cut the mozzarella into as many rounds as possible. Cut the D’Vines tomatoes in half lengthwise. Using a small, very sharp paring knife, cut a very thin small slice off the rounded side just to stabilize the tomato so it will set upright when placed onto the mozzarella and pesto. To assemble, place a piece of mozzarella on the puff pastry round, dab pesto in the center of the mozzarella. Lay the D’Vines tomato on top, with the cut side facing. Drizzle balsamic syrup over the top, then a light drizzle of organic olive oil. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, garnish with a basil leaf and serve. 1 (17 ¼-ounce package) puff pastry – two sheets, thawed Flour, for dusting 1 cup balsamic vinegar, reduced to a thick syrup 2 pounds fresh Burrata mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch thick rounds 1 package NatureSweet D’Vines tomatoes, approximately 16 tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise Basil-arugula pesto, recipe follows Extra virgin olive oil. Fleur de sel & Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Fresh basil, for garnish Basil Arugula Pesto 1 ½ cups baby arugula, stemmed 2 cups basil leaves, washed and dried ½ cup fresh herbs (parsley and mint) 4 cloves garlic, chopped ¼ cup pine nuts lightly toasted ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan ½ cup olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Add all ingredients, except the olive oil to a blender Process until the ingredients form a smooth paste. Add the olive oil in a stream until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yield: 30 servings

Opolo Wineries - Paso Robles - Rick Potruch

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:38:55 -0800

Opolo Vineyards 7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Phone: (805) 238-9593 Fax: (805) 238-9594Winemaker: Rick Quinn/ David Nichols Hours: daily 11am-5pm Tasting: yes, no charge; Tours: yes Year Established: 1996 Vineyard Acres: 270 Production: 13,000 cases Distribution: National Opolo Vineyards, with 270 acres on both the East and the West sides of Paso Robles, is uniquely positioned to produce the finest, ultra-premium wines. The vineyards are planted by matching the varietal to 'terroir' and our expert growing techniques allow the Paso Robles influence to shine through from budbreak to bottle. We invite you to visit our cellar to taste current releases as well as barrel samples of your favorite varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Meritage Rhapsody, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel

Mashed Potato Time of Year - Here's a Great Way To Prepare Them by David Rogow

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:59:42 -0800

Our commitment to 100% satisfaction with both our foods and service is unrivaled. Every party we cater, is the most important party to us. Only friendly, hardworking and efficient staff are permitted to be part of our team. Whatever your occasion, with DINNERS by DAVID Inc., YOU get to enjoy the party too! AND THE GREATEST MASHED POTATOES THIS SIDE OF BOSTON! (4) Course Dinners Sizzling Cocktail Parties Catered Events Rehearsal Dinners Special Occasion Celebrations Theme Parties Romantic Anniversary Dinner for Two Wedding Day Salon Party Munchies Holiday Dinners Sunday Brunches Pool Side BBQâ€™s Football Fiestaâ€™s Meal Delivery Service Wine Pairing & Appetizer Parties Personal Chef Services Private Cooking Lessons at home with your Friends And much, much moreâ€¦

San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival - Mark Abraham of Pedroncelli talks about how wine glasses get their shapes.

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:04:59 -0800

Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family's dedication to making fine wines. From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going, to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s,to the second generation joining their father: son John becoming winemaker in 1948 followed by Jim in 1955 as sales director, to 1963 when the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father, to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification, to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to our sales base including national sales and export, the third generation coming on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s to the 21st century where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks...and it is still a family owned business. Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards 1220 Canyon Road Geyserville, CA 95441 (707) 857-3531 (800) 836-3894 Fax: (707) 857-3812 E-Mail General: service@pedroncelli.com Julie Pedroncelli St. John, VP Marketing: julie@pedroncelli.com Richard Morehouse, VP Sales: rpedroncelli@comcast.net Shirley Buchignani, Tasting Room Manager: shirley@pedroncelli.com Ed St. John VP Sales and Marketing: ed@pedroncelli.com

Build a Wine Cellar-Free DVD at Temecula House Of Wine

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:18:36 -0800

With today's fast paced lifestyles, why risk the investment of your wine collection? With your in-home personal wine storage system, you can keep your wine at the perfect temperature 24/7, while you take care of life. The Nation's Best Cooling Systems are available for your personal Wine Cellar. Whether you are building a wine cellar in your new home or choose the convenience of a wine cabinet, you can rest assured that your wine selections are aging properly. An Authorized Vinotheque Master Distributor for California and Nevada works with you for the best system for your collection. All WhisperKoolTM Cooling Systems, Cabinets and new construction installations are back by factory warranties and guarantees. Our Top of the Line Wine Cabinets provide afforable storage solutions for 100 to 750 bottles of your collection. Our verstatile line of fine cabinets enhance any home or office decor. Ask Us About our new Cellar Door Program and the New WhisperKOOL Split System Download 2008 Information on Vinotheque Cabinets, WhisperKool Cooling Systems and NEW Split System Cooling and Cellar Door Systems, just go to www.CoolWineStorage.com

Cheri Linn of La Cereza in Temecula Wine Country Talks About "Girlfriends" Wine Release

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:46:35 -0700

La Cereza (Spanish for cherry) welcomes visitors to its Spanish-style winery where the charming tasting room entrance leads out to lush picnic grounds overlooking beautiful vineyards, and leads into our rich and cultural tasting room. Guests are invited to enjoy gourmet cheeses and a selection of deli items while sampling La Cereza's 22 varietals and blends. Popular wines include a crisp and refreshing Chardonnay, a Zinfandel, a flirty raspberry-flavored champagne, and Girlfriends – the first wine produced in Southern California designed specifically to appeal to female palates. Other distinguished varietals include a Gold- and Silver-Medal-winning Grenache and a multi-Gold Medal -winning Gewürztraminer that earned Best in State and Best White Wine of Competition. La Cereza is also proud to receive Best Viognier in the State of California and Best Red and Best White in the Temecula Valley. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1994 and is operated today by Buddy and Cheri Linn. Winemaker Gus Vizgirda and Assistant Winemaker Jim Swelgin help the Linns produce premium boutique wines in small quantities, where every bottle is an extraordinary creation in itself. The labels are original works of art, the bottles hand-numbered, and stories of adventure and intrigue are displayed on the back label. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery, along with Temecula-based Sunrise Balloons (800-548-9912), recently embarked on a joint marketing effort in which the winery's newly released Peach Girls sparkling wine is prominently displayed on the side of a new hot air balloon. Visit La Cereza Vineyard & Winery for a European retreat in Temecula wine country. While touring the marvelous grounds, don't forget to inquire about the winery's exciting wine club, as well as outstanding facilities for private functions, corporate retreats, and weddings. We are open for tastings everyday from 10 am-5 pm. We are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tastings are $8 for five tastes and a logo glass. We also offer a Passport Ticket at $12 which entitles you to five tastings and a logo glass at La Cereza AND at our sister winery, Maurice Car'rie. The best deal in the Valley!

Temecula Wine Country's Wine and Cigar Bar and Lounge

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:21:54 -0700

Cheri Linn's "Girlfriends" (See PodCast Badge Logo ) wine is now available at La Cereza Winery in Temecula Wine Country, or at www.LaCerezaWinery.com At Hemingway's Cigar Bar, guests can enjoy superior quality cigars, fine wines, and spectacular vineyard views. Open Saturday and Sunday 10-6. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery is home to award-winning VR and La Cereza wines...Best Viognier in the State of California, Best Red Garnacha in Temecula Valley. The winery was founded in 1994 and today is owned by Buddy and Cheri Linn, who are giving the winery a new Mediterranean look and setting a new standard in Wine Country. One of the founding vineyards of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, La Cereza Vineyard and Winery is conveniently located midway through the rolling hlls of the beautiful Temecula Valley. La Cereza Winery carries on the tradition of pleasing wine country guests year after year. The Spanish-style tasting room acts as a reception area for private wine tastings and dining. Hemingway’s Cigar Lounge provides an unique and aromatic escape for up to 30 guests. Cigars are hand-rolled by Cuban masters. On Saturday and Sunday in Temecula Valley Wine Country, ladies and gentlemen can be found out on the charming patio, relaxing after a hot air balloon ride, wine tasting tour, shopping adventure to Old Town Temecula, or a special event or wedding. Buddy and Cheri Linn, and their warm friendly staff are always around to answer wine questions, greet guests, and help direct parking for the many limousines that stop at the award winning winery and gift shop before taking wine country package passengers home after a fun day of Temecula Wine Country

Tomi Arbogast of Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:24:10 -0700

More info at www.TemeculaWines.org Any Season, Any Reason, Temecula Wine Country is a Great Idea! Just 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego lies Southern California's beautiful wine country - Temecula Valley. Rolling Hills covered with vineyards, expansive views that reach to the highest mountains in four Southern California counties, air swept clean by ocean breezes coming through a gap in the coastal mountains, shopping, antiquing, fine dining, golf, hot air balloon rides and Old Town combine to make Temecula Valley an exciting place to visit for a day or a weekend. Area wineries produce award-winning premium wines made possible by a unique microclimate and well-drained decomposed granite soils. Our 1100-foot elevation makes for cool summer nights, and cooling breezes come through the vineyards every afternoon throughout the summer. There is a feeling among wine lovers that a fine wine tastes even better if it is consumed in the region in which it is made. Why not test this theory by coming to visit us, tour our wineries and enjoy a bottle of our world class wine with lunch in one of our winery's inviting picnic areas? Open all year round, Temecula Valley is perfect for any reason, in any season.

Wine Spectator San Diego Recognition

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:37:40 -0700

Wine Spectator, America's largest-selling wine publication, is read by educated consumers who value fine wines. Articles focus on wine, wineries, wine tastings, travel destinations, dining and other lifestyle-appeal pieces.

Interview with winemaker Jeff Stewart of Historic Buena Vista Winery

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:16:47 -0700

Before there were vineyards in every valley north of San Francisco, before Napa and Sonoma were household names, before there was a California wine industry at all, there was Buena Vista. Founded in 1857, Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery, and its history is as colorful as it is proud. Just outside the town of Sonoma, the original winery is now a California Historic Landmark, and home to our Tasting Room & Visitor’s Center. Buena Vista’s founder, Count Agoston Haraszthy, arrived in Sonoma County as a Representative to the State Legislature from San Diego (nearby Vallejo was the capital at that time). Previous to this post, he had been Sheriff of San Diego, founder of a city in Wisconsin, ferryboat owner and member of the Hungarian Royal Guard. But chief among the Count’s many interests was growing grapes. Upon arriving in Sonoma, he planted some of the state’s first European varietals and laid the foundation for Buena Vista’s winery buildings. As California’s wine industry grew, so did the Count's role in its leadership. He brought back thousands of vine cuttings from Europe and published an account of his journey, which helped to bring California’s wine industry into the world spotlight. Unfortunately, he met an untimely demise not long after. While exploring rum interests in Nicaragua, legend has it that Count Haraszthy perished crossing a crocodile–infested river. A dramatic ending for a vibrant and important figure in California wine history. Buena Vista lived on, however, and became a prominent name in California winemaking until the great earthquake of 1906 destroyed its underground cellars. It was not until 1940 that the winery drew new breath under the direction of journalist Frank Bartholomew. With the help of famed winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, Bartholomew restored Buena Vista to its original grandeur. In 1979, the winery began investing in vineyard land from the then up–and–coming Carneros region. Strong confidence and commitment to the quality of the Carneros region paved the way for today's remarkable Buena Vista Carneros wines. Today, the working winery is located in the heart of Carneros, and Buena Vista is the largest landowner in Carneros, investing in new rootstock clones and a new winemaker are helping to ensure Buena Vista’s rich tradition of world–class wines endures another 150 years.

Zinfandel Advocates & Producers

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:55:43 -0700

Zinfandel may be one of the most unusual grapes around---according to all of us who have studied it intensely, farm it carefully and enjoy consuming it (carefully). Zinfandel.org is the official website for Zinfandel Advocates & Producers! Zinfandel Advocates & Producers consists of over 5,000 Advocates across the United States and internationally and over 300 producers of Zinfandel. Click here for a complete listing of all of the producer-members. The organization is headed by an Executive Director, Rebecca Robinson , and a Board of Directors . The Board for 2006/07 consists of President Justin Boeger, Boeger Winery. The Vice President is Bruce Walker, Starry Night Winery. The Treasurer is Bernie Scarinzi, an advocate who has been actively involved with ZAP for a number of years. The ZAP Board Secretary is Duane Dappen, D-Cubed Cellars. Founded in 1991, ZAP is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's wine. ZAP organizes seminars, educational programs, and tastings at wineries and other settings across the United States to explain the uniqueness of the Zinfandel grape. ZAP promotes the continuing research surrounding the origins and history of the Zinfandel grape, including support of the Heritage Vineyard , the development of the Zinfandel Aroma Wheel , and acts as a resource, connecting the Zinfandel community around the world. The organization brings its members together through a busy calendar of events literally across the country, ranging from the Annual Festival in January, to tours of different cities in the U.S. ZAP also organizes Zinfandel Days in each of California's winegrowing regions, where Zinfandel producing wineries in a specific growing region open their doors for specialized tastings and entertainment for members of ZAP on specific weekends.

Wine Street in North County San Diego

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:42:47 -0700

Wine Street is a North County San Diego full-service wine shop specializing in premium wines from around the world. In 2007, the shop entered its 14th year of serving the North County community. We offer everything from the biggest names in Napa to up-and-coming producers from Spain, Italy and beyond. We feature a Friday Night Tasting every week and offer three popular Wine Clubs. We have an excellent selection of wines, a terrific staff and great service. If we're not your wine shop already, we welcome the chance to serve you. Please check out our site at www.WineStreet.com or give us a call (760-431-8455) if you would like to order, or if we can help you find a specific wine. About Tanya Kinberg: As owner of Wine Street for over seven years, Tanya has overseen the growth of the shop to a 4,000 square foot facility offering wines from around the world. After earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology, she caught the wine bug. With her parents Art and Trece Kinberg, she acquired Wine Street in 1999. These days, when she's not in the shop, she can be found numerous times a year kicking the dirt around Napa and Sonoma, solidifying relationships with up-and-coming producers and arranging first calls on projects from some of the biggest names in California....and the hotshots who will be really big names in the coming years. From San Diego Downtown: Take the 5 Freeway North to the La Costa Exit. Turn Right at La Costa and got the the third light, El Camino Real. Turn Left on El Camino Real and proceed to the fourth light, Dove Street. Turn Right at Dove Street (You'll see a Union Bank building on the corner) Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. From Orange County: Take the 5 Freeway South to the Palomar Airport Road. Take Palomar Airport Road East, away from the beach. Proceed about two miles to El Camino Real. Turn Right on El Camino Real Go to the third light, Dove Street Turn Left at Dove Street Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. From Inland North County: Take the 78 Freeway West to San Marcos Blvd. Turn left at San Marcos Blvd and continue past Santa Fe Road. San Marcos Blvd becomes Palomar Airport Road Continue on Palomar Airport Road to El Camino Real Turn Left at El Camino Real Go to the third light, Dove Street Turn Left at Dove Street Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. More wine news at www.TasteOfWineTV.com

Learn About Laird Family Family Winery in Napa

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:36:49 -0700

The Lairds have seen a family dream come to fruition, from vine to tasting room, based primarily on the incredible diversity and quality of their vineyards. The stewardship of these vineyards began nearly twenty-five years ago when many pioneer farmers passed on critical knowledge and techniques to Ken Laird and later to son Justin, all in the spirit of kindness and helping hands. Several of these farmers, like Guillermo “Willie” Medina, were there in the beginning and continue to play core roles within vineyard operations. Today Justin oversees nearly 2000 prime vineyard acres for Bayview Vineyards, the Laird’s vineyard management company. While Bayview Vineyards is small and completely family run, it serves over 35 ultra premium wineries including our own family label. Geographically, these vineyards offer incredible diversity, from the cooling Carneros fog of Suscol Ranch to the rock and cobble soils of Mast Ranch just north of Napa. These variables express themselves through Laird estate wines, most evidently in subtle nose and flavor elements. By capitalizing on and combining these unique characteristics of site, we have created wines of true distinction. More wine news and interviews at www.TasteOfWineTV.com

Interview with Winemaker Aaron Piotter of Ferrari -Carano Vineyards

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:02:10 -0700

Don and Rhonda Carano's dream when they first came to Sonoma County was to create a winery estate where they could craft world-class wines of unprecedented quality. Today, Ferrari-Carano's success is based first and foremost on the persistent dedication of the best vineyard and winemaking teams, and their commitment to making the finest wines year after year, without compromise. Characterized by their elegance and finesse, depth of flavors, complexity and richness, Don and Rhonda's vision for Ferrari-Carano's multidimensional wines has been realized, and are among the most enjoyable wines on the market today. For special discounts for this winery, please go to www.TasteOfWineTV.com, or e-mail wineclubber@yahoo.com Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His library of columns can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com, where he is one of the top 5 wine commentators on the web. Reach him at mangiompc@aolcom.

Don Reha of Thornton Winery Talks About Summer 2007 Syrah and Zinfindel Releases

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:49:25 -0700

Nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, THORNTON WINERY opened in 1988. The winery combines old world style with new world taste to create award-winning and premium varietal wine. The Méthode Champenoise process is used because it has proven to be the best for producing fine quality Sparkling Wine/Champagne. From the beginning, THORNTON WINERY has utilized skills perfected in blending Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine/Champagne and then applied them to the new premium varietal still wines in 1993. The result: more awards and medals. Over the years, some very unique premium varietal wines have been added to the product line. These varietals emulate classic wine styles of the Mediterranean and Rhône regions. THORNTON WINERY favors producing wine that is exciting for its freshness, bursting with flavor and showcasing the distinct characteristics of the varietals included in the blend using whole cluster pressing, extensive blending, barrel aging, and different vinification techniques.

Ray Falkner Talks About His 2003 Meritage

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:45:37 -0700

While vintages of wine may differ due to natural variances in the growing season climate, Falkner wines all display a similar style: full fruit flavors with a soft, clean finish. Like one wine and you will probably like many more. This consistency is achieved through meticulous winemaking by our region renown winemaker - Steve Hagata. Another reason for our great, consistent style is our willingness to continue to age wines until we believe they meet our style and are very “drinkable”. Most of our red wines age at least 3 years before public release. Located in Temecula Wine Country, Falkner also prides itself on producing great blended wines. Wine such as the Falkner Amante™ is an example of a great Super Tuscan Style red wine that blends together the great flavors of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Another Falkner great blend is the Bordeaux Style Meritage which is a robust blend of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. If you enjoy a touch of sweetness in your wine, try our Luscious Lips red wine or our Sweet Loretta or Riesling white wines. Sweet or dry, you will be happy with any of our hand-crafted wines. www.FalknerWinery.com

Temecula Wine Country Bed & Breakfast

Tue, 15 May 2007 21:35:35 -0700

Welcome to a traditional B & B, the Loma Vista. Where you can sit back and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. It's conveniently located to any spot in Southern California, right in the heart of the Temecula Wine Country. This lovely Mission style home with its beautifully appointed rooms is only five miles east of the I-15 in Temecula. The Loma Vista Bed and Breakfast was established in 1988 and was, and still is, the only true Bed and Breakfast in Temecula. All of our rooms are individually decorated and are all named after favorite wines. The Fume Blanc is a whimsical white wicker room while the Zinfandel is styled more in a Queen Anne look - there's a room with a different feel for each individual, right down to the Cabernet Sauvignon room with large jacuzzi tub for two, fireplace and king size bed.

Kristin Sartore of Callaway Vineyard and Winery

Wed, 09 May 2007 14:49:50 -0700

Callaway Winery was founded in 1969 by Ely Callaway, who went on to gain fame and fortune in the world of golf. Extensive research led Mr. Callaway to Temecula, to veteran viticulturist John Moramarco, and to his belief that the area was ideal for growing premium wine grapes. In the rolling hills, he found what he believed to be the perfect spot to plant his vines; a 1600 foot plateau, located below the peaks of a foggy mountain range "where the sun shines through the mist". And the legacy began. At Callaway, we believe we are merely stewards of our land. The vineyards are farmed with the philosophy that seeks to sustain, for the long term, the viability of the land. From the winery, one can see the many specially constructed nesting boxes and perches nestled throughout the vineyards, which encourage a stable population of hawks and owls. Cover crops are encouraged to grow between the vineyard rows to provide habitat for beneficial insects. These are but a few ways we encourage nature to, well, be nature! Approachable, flavorful and extremely well balanced wines are synonymous to the Callaway name. The time honored, Callaway tradition of using unusually cold temperatures during fermentation to slow and prolong the process, allows our wines to retain their natural fruit flavors and aromas. And the result? Wines that are fruit forward, food friendly and that are the perfect complement to today's eclectic lifestyles. Wines for whatever, whenever. Wines made to be enjoyed. From our vineyards to your table. Privately owned, Callaway Vineyard & Winery was purchased by the Lin family of San Diego upon the dissolution of industry leader, Allied Domecq Wines, in late 2005. More wine news at www.TasteOfWineTV.com