Article and photo by Frank Mangio
Six weeks ago this column mourned the passing of a winemaking saint who touched the hearts of wine lovers in two continents. Leon Santoro of Orfila Winery in San Diego County’s Escondido brought to market some of the most outstanding wines ever tasted in Southern California. Judges in major world competitions agreed and presented Orfila with over 1,300 awards of excellence.
The winery’s owner, Alejandro Orfila of Argentina and a former official for that government, upon the passing of Santoro, placed many calls to this columnist and others who could spread the word and make suggestions for a successor. At best this was a difficult search. Santoro had sharpened his skills in French Rhone Valley varietals like Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and Syrah, as well as Italian grapes like Sangiovese.
When I learned that the brilliant winemaker from Temecula’s Thornton Winery, Don Reha, had agreed to split his time between Thornton and Orfila, I silently said to myself “I do believe in miracles.”
Reha had been hired by Thornton 6 years ago from Northern California where he had a rich tenure with some household name wineries like Fetzer and Cline. All the while he was honing his skills in the Rhone and Italian style of winemaking, a footprint of what made Leon Santoro so popular in the wine community.
In a recent interview with A Taste of Wine, Reha echoed that thought. “It’s an honor and a privilege to come in to Orfila after Leon and carry on his legacy that will always remain here. My ideas of winemaking are the same ideas he had with him. The quality here has been outstanding.”
I asked him what favorites he had tasted and he quickly replied, “the Viognier Lotus 67 is perfectly structured for this appellation. It screams for more Viognier and we’ll plant more, as well as the Syrah with its great reputation at Orfila the past 10 years. I will be getting comfortable with what has been done and strive to use more estate grapes that will thrive.”
Orfila Vineyard and Winery is in a very good position and I have no doubt that Reha will be putting his skills in full throttle to make this winery even more successful and take it to greater heights. See the new website at www.orfilawinery.com.
Wine Bytes
In downtown Los Angeles, the historic San Antonio Winery has a Wine 101 four course lunch and wines on Sat. Apr. 11 from 12 to 3pm. Hosted by Michael Papalia. Cost is $65. pp. RSVP at 323-223-1401 ext 8745. Taste Maddalena, Luigi Bosca and Ruggeri Prosecco.
A wine & dinner salute to Federal Court Justice Gilbert Nares to benefit the North County Bar donor advised fund will be Thurs. Apr. 16 starting at 5:30pm with a reception. Location is The Crossings at Carlsbad. Orfila Wines will be featured. Cost is $95. pp. Call Mary Cervantes at 760-758-5833 for details.
Sat. Apr. 18 at Vintage Wines on Miramar Rd. San Diego, taste the latest Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon from 11 to 3:30pm. Just $5. Call 858-549-2112 for more.
The new Charlie Palmer inspired Next Vintage Wine Shop at Bloomingdales, South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa has a Cakebread Cellars Winemaker Dinner featuring Dennis Cakebread of Napa Valley Mon. Apr. 27. Call for prices and times at 714-352-2525.
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