What Makes Australian Wines Worth Drinking

Take a close look at a map of Australia and you notice right away it’s about the same size of the United States. It’s also the only continent to be occupied by one country.

The 30 to 50 degree latitude location makes it potentially a sweet-spot growing area. You might call it the southern hemisphere version of the fine wine regions of Europe and the U.S. The cooler valleys of the southern coastal regions do best. Look for appellations like the Clare Valley, Barossa Valley and McLaren Valley in and around Adelaide.

Near Sydney, the best come from the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley and Coonawara. The southernmost island of Tasmania is surprising wine lovers, especially with their Pinot Noir.

The varietal that Australia is known for is Shiraz. Its’ really the Syrah grape, but Aussies like to be different, so there it’s Shiraz. The best comes out of the Barossa and Mclaren Valleys. Seductive aromas and fine texture signal excellence in Shiraz. Try high-end, high quality D’arenberg or Penfolds.

Huree to Belle Marie!!!

Master Chef Giovanni, Belle Marie G.M. Jeff Lazenby and winery owner and host Mick Dragoo salute the event.(Foto by Frank)

Italian Wines Flourish at Belle Marie
by Frank Mangio

When Italian wines are featured at special event dinners, the host winery or restaurant is suddenly transformed into extended family celebration. The talk is loud and happy, the food takes on the flavor of a wedding or anniversary and the wines embody the very essence of the Italian lifestyle.

I started being served sips of Italian wine when I was all of four years old in Boston, where my grandfather had a press and a barrel in his cellar. My uncles used to play a simple game throwing fingers, for a double pour of this home-made red. Back then the wines were poured into large double strength glasses that beer is normally served in now-a-days. They knew nothing of the thin-stemmed tulip shaped glasses that are popular now.

This atmosphere was captured at a recent Italian wine dinner at Belle Marie Winery in Escondido, when Mick and Mary Dragoo hosted a feast for some 120 guests in their barrel room.

Six different grape varietals were served, paired with a luscious five course gourmet dinner created by Master Chef Guiseppe di Giovanni of Ciao Restaurant in nearby Vista. Mick told stories of each of the wines that were selected to pair perfectly with each course. All wines were Belle Marie or the limited edition Chateau Dragoo.

The Italian wines presented were cellar creations to be released at a later date: the 2007 Dolcetto, 2006 Montepulciano, 2005 Aglianico, 2007 Late Harvest Primitivo, 2005 Chateaneuf du Pape ( from the south of France) and my favorite of the group, the 2005 Super Tuscan which is available on the Chateau Dragoo label. “We were really fortunate on this Super Tuscan which has major portions of Brunello in it,” said Mick. “We got first cuttings from the Guadalupe Valley where all of our Italian grapes come from, before the Italians copyrighted the Brunello name. Ours contains 6% Cabernet Sauvignon to solidify the taste.

The cost is well below what the Italian brands would charge.” (Cost is $28. Case price is $22.40 per bottle.)

Mick made wine in the Napa Valley for 12 years before realizing he could do better in San Diego County with Mediterranean style grapes. A pioneer winemaker in Temecula, Joe Hart, introduced him to Italian style grapes from the Guadalupe Valley and master grower from Italy, Camillo Magoni.

“He grows perfect grapes,” Mick exclaimed. “It’s the classic climate for all that is wonderful about Italian wines.”

The next major wine event for Belle Marie and Chateau Dragoo is the Vintage Club Pre-Release Party on Saturday, July 18 from 2 to 4pm, free of charge for club members and their friends. The newest wines will be tasted before they are released to the public. Visit the winery on line for more information about the Vintage Club at www.bellemarie.com. The phone number is 760-796-7557.

Wine Bytes
 Eli’s Wine and Food in Del Mar is helping present the Rady’s Children’s Hospital Wine and Food Tasting “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” on Sun. June 7 from 5 to 8pm at Del Mar Plaza. Admission is $50. and can purchased at Eli’s or by calling 619-871-9700.

 The next San Diego State University class on Exploring Wine is June 8 to July 6 from 6 to 9pm on-campus. Includes an extensive overview of the world of wine, taught by expert Lisa Redwine. Cost is $295. or $325. after June 1. Call 619-594-6924.

 A wine class on the Piedmont district wines of Italy is being held at Bacchus Wine Market Thurs. June 11 from 6 to 8pm for $45. Taste your way through the grapes of the region, like Barbera, Dolcetto, Barolo and Barbaresco. Light appetizers and 8 to 10 wines. Call 619-236-0005.

 “Wines for Summertime” is the theme for the next event at the Grand Del Mar’s Culinary and Wine series on Wed. June 10, 6:30 to 8:30pm. Light, elegant wines are on the list, like German Riesling, Austrian Gruner Veltliner and domestic Pinot Noir. $95. pp. For an RSVP, contact 858-314-2000.

 333 Pacific Restaurant at the Oceanside Pier opens its posh great wine room for a Suhr Luchtel Napa Valley wine and dine event on Wed. June 17 with a 6:30pm start. Winemaker Gary Luchtel will educate and entertain, choosing five wines to match with the lovely courses presented that evening. The main entrée will be: grilled Australian lamb sirloin, matched up with the ’05 Sur Luchtel Cabernet “Stagecoach Vineyard.” $75. each. To reserve space, call 760-433-3333.

Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His columns can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com. He is one of the top wine commentators on the web. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.

Self Guided Vineyard Tour in Temecula Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA –Leonesse Cellars has always been able to talk the talk with its lineup of award-winning wines but now it can walk the walk.

Starting in May the winery introduced Vineyard Walk, a self-guided walking tour of a working vineyard complete with informational plaques and tasting stations where you can sample wines that are not available in the tasting room.

The tour is open to anyone who purchases a $12 ticket on the weekend to taste six different wines.

The Vineyard Walk is an opportunity to learn about history of the vineyard, new wines and the grape growing season and the commitment by Leonesse owners Mike Rennie and Gary Winder to viticulture in the Temecula Valley.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the busy tasting room and learn about winemaking and vineyard management from the roots up,” said Rennie, who also co-owns Stage Ranch Farm Management, the region’s leading vineyard management company.

The decision to stroll among the vines from the winery’s main tasting room to the Barrel Room was an easy one for Kevin Burns and Renee Greenberg of San Diego.

“Just look at all the people in the tasting room and we are out here,” said Burns as he sipped on a glass of yet unreleased 2008 Late Harvest Muscat Canelli. “What better way to enjoy wine than in the vineyard from where it came.”

At the second tasting station, Vineyard Walkers got a chance to sample an unreleased 2007 Cinsaut.

“It is very unique,” said Karen Wangeline of San Pedro. “I think this is what draws people to Leonesse Cellars.”

If a day in the vineyards works up an appetite, Leonesse now serves Small Bytes, bit-sized gourmet appetizers prepared by Leah DiBernardo, a moving force in the Slow Food movement in Southern California.

Visitors to the winery’s tasting room and barrel room can order seasonally prepared artisan food from a self-service menu with most of the dozen or so items priced less than $20.

Choose from lamb burgers and prawns poached in Chardonnay with an orange infused cocktail sauce or a charcuterie platter and homemade country pate.

Guests can enjoy the food and wine while relaxing on the tasting room patio, in the picnic area with its spectacular vistas of Wine Country and in Leonesse’s barrel room.

Small Bytes will be served Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Leonesse Cellars is an award-winning winery in Temecula’s Wine Country. Its tasting room at 38311 DePortola Road has breath-taking views of the southern part of Temecula’s Wine Country and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. . For more information call ((951) 302-7601 or go to: www.leonessecellars.com

More on Temecula Valley Wines…

by Frank Mangio
Awards keep coming in for the wines of Temecula Wine Country. Examples:

 Double Gold and Chairman’s Award at the ’09 Riverside Wine competition for Maurice Car’rie’s 2008 Sara Bella Blush, a white Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery also got Silver for their ’08 Chenin Blanc and ’08 Riesling. See more at www.mauricecarriewinery.com.

 La Cereza picked up eight medals at the same competition, including a gold for its “Girlfriends” white blend. Visit www.lacerezawinery.com

 Best of Class at the West Coast Wine Competition in Santa Rosa went to Keyways Winery for its ’08 Chenin Blanc and the ’08 White Blend Santa Teresa. More at www.keywayswine.com.

 I was privileged to get an initial release taste of the new Wilson Creek ’07 Viognier, a varietal favorite of mine. It is right up there with the best of the best for this Rhone Valley grape varietal. Brilliantly crafted by winemaker Etienne Cowper, this tropically fruited, exotic wine should not be missed by fans of a summer wine that pops. Bursting with flavor. Check it out at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com.

 Two Best of Class emerged from the Monterey and Pacific Rim competition….Briar Rose with its ’04 Cabernet Sauvignon and South Coast Winery with its ’07 Riesling.


Wine Bytes
 Four San Diego wineries have banded together for a “Passport to a Taste of San Diego.” For just $20. you can visit Hacienda de las Rosas, Orfila, Belle Marie and Bernardo Winery, each with a full wine tasting experience. Go to any of the wineries to purchase. Use until Labor Day in Sept.

 Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has a Rhone Valley wine tasting Fri. May 29 and a Stars of Spain tasting on Fri. June 5. 6 to 8pm. Call 760-479-2500 for cost and wines.

 The Rotary Club presents the annual Encinitas Wine Festival, Sat. June 6 from 5 to 8pm, at Quail Botanical Gardens. Sample fine wines and beverages from around the world plus dishes and desserts from the finest restaurants in Encinitas. The event benefits local charities. Three ticket options from $100. Look at www.encinitaswinefestival.com.

 Up in Napa, the Vintners Association of 350 members brings you Auction Napa Valley Thurs. June 4 to Sun. June 7. Lots of ways to have a unique and fun time with tastings, auctions and dinners. Look at www.napavintners.com, or call 707-968-4209.

 The Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival takes off Fri. June 5 to Sun June 7 at Lake Skinner in the Winchester area. Mass balloon ascension begins Sat. at 6am. 20 wineries in Temecula will be pouring. 2 day passes for $30. Call 951-676-6713.

A Salute to John and Sally Thornton

by Frank Mangio
John and Sally Thornton, owners of Thornton Winery in Temecula with their son Steve, recently added three more awards to their decades-long accomplishments in wine and hospitality. The Southern California Restaurant Writers bestowed their Golden Bacchus Wine Award and Golden Five Star Sceptre Award to the winery’s Café Champagne after a year-long evaluation from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. Both are the organization’s highest awards in their category.

Kudos to Café Champagne’s top chef, Steve Pickell, who has guided its success for over 13 years. He saluted the Thornton’s “contribution to the culinary vision with their expertise, dedication, talent and integrity.”

The Thorntons were also honored as Humanitarians of the Year due to the constant and major giving to community charities. Their name is on one of the largest medical centers in San Diego. Thornton Winery has a 20 year legacy of winemaking that has brought it world acclaim, especially in blending “Methode Champenoise” Sparkling Wine/Champagne, which created worldwide excitement for its freshness and bursts of flavor as an ideal celebratory drink, best expressed by the Brut Reserve series.

John and Sally Thornton toasting with one of their popular Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wine/Champagne varietals which brought fame to their winery.

The distinguished old world look of the property displays elegant French influence with an overlook of the pristine vineyards that bear the estate fruit of Thornton. Their champagne jazz series is in full bloom and the lineup reads like a who’s who of talent. Yet the best part of this success story is the work of winemaker Don Reha and his movement into Mediterranean style red wines since his arrival in 2003. Latest release names to know are: 2005 Viognier, 2006 Nebbiolo, 2005 Estate Bottled Syrah and the 2006 Late Harvest Zinfandel.

You can now pick up a 30% discount on any case purchase with free shipping. Check out this short term offer by calling 951-699-0099 or visiting www.thorntonwine.com.

In Memory of a Jazz Great: Wayman Tisdale

Wayman Tisdale left us last week. Here's the story behind this superb athlete, primo jazz bass musician, lover of life, and nice, nice guy.

Leonesse Cellars Enhances Wine Country Experience with “Small Bytes”

by Don McAuliffe

Leonesse Cellars, known for its high quality wines, elegant tasting room , friendly staff and stunning vineyard and mountain views, has partnered with Leah DiBernardo, executive chef and owner of Delyte’s Fine Foods, to create the perfect Temecula Wine Country experience.

Starting this weekend, the winery will begin offering Small Bytes, a selection of gourmet appetizers that have been carefully selected and prepared with seasonal foods that will enhance the tasting experience of Leonesse Cellars selection of fine wines.

‘We are excited to feature top organic producers from our region, along with seasonal and fresh dynamic dishes that pair perfectly with Leonesse wines,” said DiBernardo, who is president of Slow Food Temecula and is well known throughout the region for her gourmet cuisine prepared with local, seasonal foods.

Visitors to the winery’s tasting room and barrel room will be able to order seasonally prepared artisan food from a self-service menu with most of the items priced less than $20.

The menu will features such items as lamb burgers and prawns poached in Chardonnay with a blood orange infused cocktail sauce or a charcuterie platter and homemade country pate’.

Guests may enjoy the food and wine while relaxing on the expansive tasting room patio, in the picnic area with its spectacular vistas of Wine Country or in Leonesse’s barrel room. Small Bytes will be served Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Delyte's Green Gourmet To Go, boxed gourmet food items from organic local food producers, also will be available for sale at Leonesse Monday through Thursday.

Leonesse Cellars is an award-winning winery in Temecula’s Wine Country. Its tasting room at 38311 DePortola Road has breath-taking views of the southern part of Temecula’s Wine Country and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (951) 302-7601 or go to: www.leonessecellars.com

Delyte’s Fine Foods is an award-winning “green” event and catering company dedicated to preparing gourmet foods using only the freshest, local ingredients and supporting a sustainable lifestyle. For more information about visit www.delytes.com.

Crab is King at Truluck’s

article and photo by Frank Mangio
When a restaurant owns its own fishery and can guarantee freshness for its seafood, focusing on an array of succulent crab, it gets my attention. On top of that accolade, add a wine list that favors the flavor of crab meat and is awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year of its existence, and you have the new and exciting Truluck’s at the Aventine at I-5 and La Jolla Village Drive in La Jolla.

The menu showcases the always fresh 100% Stone Crab off the Florida coast. Claws are offered as tiered appetizers, with medium, large and jumbo sizes.

The Crab House menu has a Stone Crab Claw Platter, Dutch Harbor Red King Crab, which was my personal favorite, and fresh steamed Oregon Dungeness Crab. For foodies with the hungries, I would urge them to catch the All-You-Can-Eat Fresh Florida Stone Crab Claws every Monday night.

The congenial General Manager Matt Hunstman describes the essence of Truluck’s as “a high quality crab house that tantalizes the senses with a wine list of over 100 wines by the glass as well as an international array of reds and whites by the bottle.

Server Robert Turner displays the fresh crab choices on the menu at Truluck’s

"We have nine locations and we have a central selection process, but we work hard to get the best of the local wineries represented,” Huntsman said. “We are also proud of our many selections of wine flights with decided themes where our guests can be adventurous. This list is ever-evolving.”

Steaks, chops, chicken and other seafood fill out the rest of the menu and there are wines to bring out the full flavor of each. I chose a cool, crisp white for starters, the Austrian Gruner Veltliner 2007. Next I tried the R. Lopez Rioja Alta 2006, and finally with my Filet Center-Cut, I enhanced it with the Napa Ladera Meritage Red 2005. Truluck’s serves dinner nightly. Its Stone Crab Lounge cocktail hour is from 5 to 7pm. Learn more by visiting www.trulucks.com.

Wine Rating System Needs Updating
I hope you are relying less on wine ratings, those ubiquitous numbers you see at wine shops attributed to a wine critic or magazine. I did a quick count of 90 to 92 ratings and found that they were about the only two or three numbers posted on the supposed 100 point scale of quality. It seems that is the range at which most wines are blessed.

Too often, critics and consumers forget that wine has a living history, carefully crafted for the most part, and subject to personal taste. For instance an Italian wine will taste very different than the same varietal that is made in California.
Wine, at its core, is farming and a single number is not the story of the wine.

I urge indulging in the background of the wine, its terroir( homeland) and the grower’s philosophy of wine making. Use your own rating system, say a simple 1 to 5, with 5 as an excellent! Weigh in the color, smell, taste and finish.
Log in your findings, recording the brand, grape varietal, vintage and price. Learn to extract other information from the label, like alcohol content and winemaking process. Be smart and don’t use a rating number as your only source of choice.

Wine Bytes
 The lovely Gondola Wine Cruises at Loews Coronado resume with this year’s premier tastings on Sat. May 23 from 7 to 8:30pm. Guests glide through canals and waterways near the resort in an authentic Venetian gondola as sommelier Kurt Kirschenman presents a tasting flight of six wines and an attractive dessert plate. It is easily the most innovative wine tasting event in San Diego, and a romantic adventure. $45. each. RSVP at 619-429-6317. Access the site at www.gondolacompany.com

 Wine Street in Carlsbad presents Robert August, world famous surfer and now wine maker on Wed. May 27 from 6 to 8:30pm. His role in the iconic Endless Summer movie, brought world wide attention to Southern California’s surfing industry. A signature surfing “What I Ride” longboard is being raffled off with the winner named on June 14 at Wine Street. Taste Merlot and Pinot Grigio. $5. pp. Call for details at 760-431-7286.

 The 2nd annual San Diego Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival is Fri. May 29 from 6 to 9pm at Casa Del Prado Balboa Park, benefiting the Womens History Museum. Enjoy artisan cheese, breads, a chocolatier and swing music with Sue Palmer. Reserve your $30. tickets now at 619-955-8884.

 The California Center for the Arts in Escondido is rocking Sat. May 30 from 4 to 10pm as the Bonsall Rotary Club brings you its annual Wine, Brews and Blues Festival. Two stages of dance music, a great international list of wines and beer to taste, 20 local restaurants to sample and a huge silent auction with gifts, trips, wines and much more. Tickets are $60. each. Call 800-249-2024 for advance tickets or pay at the door the night of the event.

Jazz, Wine, Paso Robles!

If you're heading to Paso for next week's festival, the highlight of the weekend will be this concert! Click Here....You May Be in Luck, with Some Tickets Still Available!

Pacific Coast Fest Spotlights Chateau St. Michelle

Article and photo by Frank Mangio
If your travels take you to the Pacific Northwest and the Seattle area, a trip to nearby Woodinville and Chateau St. Michelle is a must. I first set foot on the wooded 87 acre property during a festive jazz concert some 8 years ago and enjoyed their Cabinet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the staples of the wine industry at that time.

Recently, Chateau St. Michelle was the favored winery at the elite Orange County Pacific Symphony Wine Festival at the five diamond Island Resort Hotel in Newport Beach. It was a choice event for just 300 guests, all that were allowed for this intimate setting.

Kyle Twitchell, the winery’s rep, poured the 2007 Eroica Riesling, the 2005 Artist Series Bordeaux and the 2005 Col Solare, all of which we have mentioned in previous columns as excellence in a bottle and a prime example of the exclusive flavors of Washington state.

Chateaux St. Michelle began making wine in 1934, the oldest winery in Washington, with grape growing in the eastern Washington Columbia Valley. The state is now the 2nd largest producer in the U.S. but still far behind California in number of wineries and acreage grown. It produces more than 20 grape varietals, about 44% red and 56% white.

Cabernet Sauvignon barely edges out Merlot as the state’s most frequently offered red. The long hot summer days in the shortened growing season, along colder nights, contribute to a superior growing ground for Cab and its big, heady bouquet and fruity character.
Kyle Twitchell of Chateau St. Michelle offers a 2007 Artist Series wine to guests at the Pacific Symphony Wine Festival.

None is a more stunning example than the 2005 Col Solare which in Italian means “shining hill”. An unusually cool harvest gave the grape longer hang time and matured the fruit for intense sugar development. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, a partnership of Tuscany’s Marchese Antinori and 26 month aging, created a unanimity of mission and purpose: the most excellent wine ever to come out of Chateau St. Michelle.

The next Pacific Symphony grand tasting experience will be Saturday August 1. For ticket pricing and more information, visit www.PacificSymphony.org or call 714-876-2363.

Value Wines of the Month
• Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, Pinot Noir 2006. $14. This wine is from Carneros and Russian River Valley growing grounds, Pinot Noir country in California. Lush cherry flavor envelopes the palate with an easy-feeling finish

• Colle Maggio, Italy, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2005. $18. This red grape varietal is causing a stir for fans of luscious central Italian wines. This new kid in town is making some forget about Sangiovese.

• La Cereza, Temecula, Viognier 2007. $24.95. Pronounce it anyway you want, but call it the next big tasting white to eventually compete with Chardonnay. This one wins gold this year at the Pacific Rim competition with its tropical taste of ripe apricots and peach.

• Montes Alpha, Chile, Syrah 2006. $15. Benchmark for Chilean wines, premium wine without the premium price. Mountain vineyards give it a taste-now model of a French Rhone varietal.

• Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Sonoma, Zinfandel 2006. $18. Consistent quality from three generations of Pedroncellis. Jammy concentrated fruit sets the table for a structured, full mouth-feel. Pass the cheese pizza!

Wine Bytes
 Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas innovates its new Small Plates Menu and Wine Flight of the Night, served nightly in the bar. Menu items get down to half price during happy hours 4:30 to 6:30pm. Items like Tapas Trio and Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp are sure to please. Wine Flights are also half price during happy hours. Details at 760-635-1066.

 Roll Out the Barrel, a great event produced by Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, returns Sat. May 6 on location at Humphrey’s at Shelter Island San Diego from 5 to 8pm. It benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation. 456 wineries, live auction and concert included. Call 858-707-9474 for details.

 Wine Vault & Bistro in San Diego’s Little Italy on India Street will present a Tablas Creek wine dinner on Tues. May 19, 6:30 to 9:30pm. A full 7 course dinner and great wines from the Paso Robles area for just $47.50. Call 619-295-3939 for your RSVP.

 Wine Styles in Encinitas is uncorking something special on Wed. May 20. From 6 to 8pm, enjoy Italian Food and Wine with 6 wines paired with appetizers and desserts. $25. pp. RSVP at 760-633-0057.

 Thurs. May 21 from 5:30 to 7pm, Holiday Wine Cellar welcomes winemaker Ryan Hill from Napa’s Hill Family Estate, who will be pouring his best. Cost is $15. and you can get details at 760-745-1200.

Mother's Day 2009 in Temecula Valley Wine Country

This weekend make plans for a special Mother's Day in Wine Country. Pick from several venues, each offering a unique package of wine and food.

On the day before Mother’s Day, Callaway Vineyard & Winery will give mom a chance to relax, sip and shop as it hosts A Treat for Mom "Time Out" Tasting. Seatings are at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. and include the first release of the winery’s dry Rosé of Sangiovese, sparkling Bella Rosé and Nebbiolo Bello. It all comes with a chocolate dipped strawberry, a pink rose and a souvenir wine glass.Cost: $20.

Falkner Winery will hold a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Pinnacle restaurant on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All food will be prepared by new Executive Chef Gianni Ciciliot. Live entertainment will be provided. Cost is $54.95 per person; children 6-12 are $24.50; children under 6 free.

Ponte Family Estate Winery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is hosting its 6th annual Mother's Day Brunch, which features breakfast favorites, seafood and desserts and an open bar with Ponte wines, mimosas, bellinis, and the Smokehouse Restaurant's famous sangria. Seatings are on the hour. Cost: $70 per adult; $30.50 for children.

A Mother's Day Luncheon at Wilson Creek includes numerous buffet stations, mimosas, almond champagne and sangria, indoor seating and live entertainment. Cost: $70 per person; children $34.

Mother's Day Brunch at Thornton Winery includes a fabulous three-course menu. Cost: $49.95 for adults; $19.95 children 6 to 12; children under five, free.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa will host a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Can't Take Mom to Wine Country this Mother's Day? Then Send Wine Country to Mom! (Click One of The Moms)
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