About a year or so ago a new winery emerged at an out-of-the-way location in Temecula Wine Country, operated by a husband and wife team, Dorian and Les Linkogle. They called their winery Briar Rose. Since opening their doors, this fascinating winery has made great strides in leaping forward with lovely, quality wines in small batches that command respect in the premium market.
I asked Les if he was comfortable with the description of Briar Rose as a cult winery, with a different, contrarian approach to making and presenting his wines.
“Oh yes,” he responded. “We are very different and like to feel we are like those smaller, premium boutique wineries in Napa. We follow our palate! Sure, in areas like PH and alcohol level we follow the rules, but in all the other dynamics of winemaking, we want wines with their own personality and characteristics. I’ve been making wine 12 years now and have found that great wines take a lot of work. They have to be handcrafted with the highest quality grapes and the best barrels. I use my own methods which can be contrary to anyone else in the valley,” he said confidently.
Photo:Les and Dorian Linkogle of Briar Rose Winery in Temecula Wine Country, producers of ultra premium handcrafted wines.
“I do straight varietals, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot, which no one else around here touches, Cab Franc, some Malbec and Sangiovese.” His small batch, barrel enhanced Cabs are what are turning heads in the wine world. Les and Dorian brought their wines by invitation to a white house Library of Congress dinner for world leaders, where they got to meet the President Bush and Vice President Cheney, including a 1997 Cab that sells for $350. a bottle. They have poured wines at their European cottage style tasting room for Jay Leno and other wine-wise celebrities who have caught on to the special qualities of Briar Rose wines.
Not one to rest, Les is constantly creating. “I’m working on a wine lager made with beer yeast that actually has a head on it, with 12% alcohol. It’s possibly going into sports stadiums.” He also has a white wine that combines Viognier grapes with lemon skins that he calls Citronier. It’s an estate wine harvested in 2007, and he advises drinking it with ice. It’s available for $20. His cabs start at $46. for a 2004, club prices.
The winery is on 23 acres with 18 acres of vineyards and is open for tasting by appointment only with 14 varietals. As Dorian says, “it’s not just a wine tasting at Briar Rose, it’s a wine experience.” Call 951-308-1098. www.briarrosewinery.com.
Salerno Winery of Ramona Now Selling in COSTCO
Cheers for Salerno Winery in Ramona, run by Herman and Rose Salerno and their General Manager Angelo Abril as they have their wines in most COSTCO locations in San Diego County. Herman, a trained opera singer from Italy and a winemaker of many years, is now appearing on selected dates at COSTCO, signing bottles and promoting his lovely Petite Sirah, Barbera, blends and ports.
Salerno winery also has a closeout special on the beautiful 2004 Inspiration, a gold medal winner of petite sirah and ruby cab that is being deeply discounted at 50% off the retail price for a limited time only. Call Angelo at 760-504-1274 for orders of 6 bottles or more.www.salernowinery.com.
Wine Bytes
North County Wine Company in San Marcos is pouring “Nothing But Racy Blends” on Sat. Nov. 15, including 5 hearty wines from Napa, Lake County, Chile, Sonoma and Argentina. 6 wines for $10. Call 760-744-2119 for details.
Falkner Winery in Temecula is holding a Wine Appreciation class Sat. Nov. 15 from 10:30am to 2:30pm. George Myers, the in-house sommelier is doing the teaching. Cost is $45. pp. Call 951-676-8231 for more.
The Wine Loft in Carlsbad is serving Wines for Thanksgiving at its Sun. Nov. 16 tasting. From 3pm to 6pm. 10% discount on wines you’ve tasted that you wish to purchase. $20. fee. Call 760-944-1412.
Wine Street in Carlsbad is planning an adventure in Spanish wines Fri. Nov. 21 from 4pm to 7:30pm with new releases and special guest Rory McMahon of Adventures in Wine. $15. fee. Details at 760-431-8455.
Eli’s Wine & Food in the Del Mar Highlands Center opens premium champagnes for tasting on Sat. Nov. 15 2pm to 5pm. The lineup includes Dom Perignon 2000, Krug Cuvee, Veuve Cliquot and more. $20, fee. Phone Eli’s at 858-481-2323.
Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has a Cakebread Cellars tasting on Thurs. Nov. 20 5:30 to 7:30pm, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cab and Merlot. $25. pp. advance, $30. at the door. Call 760-745-1200 x 228.
Meet Delia Peju of Peju Wines in Napa at Vino 100 in San Marcos, Fri Nov. 14 & Sat. Nov. 15 from 5-9pm. Her great wines will be tasted for a $15. fee. 760-591-9113.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
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