Hangin’ Out in the Wine Countries of Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo

by Frank Mangio
California is truly a remarkable state for many reasons, but none more significant than its wines that make up about 80% of the country’s sales worldwide.

My home base in the San Diego area, has its own wine country that is beginning to awaken and realize what it can do, given the desert-like land and weather conditions, and many of the 80 some vineyards turn to Mediterranean style grapes.  But the great majority of travelers to wine countries in California instead prefer to spend their days along the Central and North coasts, from Paso Robles up into Napa Valley and Sonoma. I am one of those that when I set out to see and experience the great vineyards, I choose the historic wineries from Paso north.  It’s time now to consider that 100 miles of wine country between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obisbo, affectionately called “SLO LIFE.”

Fess Parker Winery in Los Olivos is one of the wineries on a must-see and taste list of premium properties in Santa Barbara County making many Rhone varietals including Syrah.

 SLO is a cute little nickname for San Luis  Obispo.  This is another California town where wine making began in the mission era in 1772.  Zinfandel was the first varietal to show up in the Arroyo Grande district.  The area began to get a reputation just south of town in the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande areas in the late 1960’s when Chardonnay and Pinot Noir started earning a lot of attention.

A little further south on Highway 101, the main highway for these wine countries, you’ll find Santa Rita Hills and the Santa Ynez Valley, where it’s cooler and more coastal.  Towns include:  Santa Maria, Los Olivos, Buellton, Solvang and Santa Barbara.  This was the area made famous by the quirky hit movie, Sideways.

Fess Parker, the movie legend of Davey Crockett westerns, built one of the biggest and best wineries in the Los Olivas district.  The Fess Parker Winery makes high-end Syrah, Viognier, Pinot Noir and other varietals spanning 300 acres.  The accompanying country inn and spa is a fashionable place to stay on a multi day tour.  Another smart stop to make is Laetitia, making premium wines, especially Pinot Noir, just off the 101 in Arroyo Grande.

So think twice about your next road trip north to “wine country.”  You may want to hang out in “SLO Country.”  See www.slowine.com, and www.sbcountywines.com.

Love and Passion’s on the Menu at SOLARE

In Point Loma’s Liberty Station Shopping Center, SOLARE, an Italian Restaurant committed to the Italian lifestyle with a total dining experience. Randy Smerik applies his love of all things Italy with a menu of stunning goodness, embraced by Italian and other worldy wines.

 The SOLARE team includes:  Chef Accursio Lota, Owner Randy Smerik and Pizza Chef Brian Smerik.

“We have about 2,000 wines in our cellar, with over 40 by the glass,” he declared.  “We believe in discoveries, with most coming from Italy. The rest come from coastal California.”

He opened a bottle I had not known, a Super Tuscan from the 2007 vintage, called Tenuta di Castel Giocondo “Lamaione”( $79.), from an area most known for Sangiovese.  “This one is 100% Merlot and one that is as good as any in Bordeaux,” Smerik revealed. I was amazed!

 The Chef, Accursio Lota’ from Sicily, uses menu dishes from his mother and grandmother, made with locally caught fish, farm-raised meats and fruit and vegetables from his own gardens. He has cooked in Milan Italy and catered for Oprah Winfield at Montecito, Santa Barbara.  He has also more recently cooked with executive chefs at the Marine Room in La Jolla.

My recommendations:  traditional lasagna, pork chop and pillow pasta with Sicilian sausage.  The daily( closed Monday) Happy Hour is an unforgettable deal with 7 menu items for $5.00 each.  Select wines are $5.00 per glass.  Call for more information at 619-270-9670.  Web site is www.solarelounge.com.

Wine Bytes
The 3rd annual Temecula Taste in front of City Hall in old town Temecula is Sat. Apr. 27 from 11 to 7pm.  With the best of nearby restaurants, wineries and micro breweries, the cost is $10. admission and $2. taste tickets. Live entertainment.  Information at 951-551-5352.

Wines from Australia are featured at Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego, Fri. May 3 from 4 to 8:30pm.  Cost is $20. for Cabs, Shiraz, Riesling and more.  Info at 619-236-0005.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas presents its 1st annual Oyster Festival Sat. May 4th from 1 to 3pm.  All you can eat, with a big list of wines included.  $50. pp.  RSVP a must at 760-479-2500.

The Junior League of San Diego holds its Food & Wine Festival, Sat. May 4 from 2 to 6pm, at Scripps Park in La Jolla, overlooking La Jolla Cove.  Cost is $75. general admission, $125. VIP.  Also beer and spirits with 50 restaurant samplers.  Call 858-869-5771 for ticket info.

New Wine Releases – Tasting the Future

by Frank Mangio
A wealth of new releases, poured in double the number of wine shows and winemaker appearances in restaurants, resorts and wine bars, have swept into the market.  This has given consumers more choices than ever. In California, the size and value of the wine grape crop in 2012 has been over the top at over 4 million tons, surpassing the record in 2005 by 6.5%. And more importantly, the price of wine grapes rose 20% to $772. per ton.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the price champ at over 5 thousand dollars per ton. By comparison, Chardonnay, the next pricey wine grape is in at a little over 3 thousand dollars per ton.  A good rule of thumb for pricing is to move the decimal point over two places for the average price per bottle.  If we take the 2012 “Cab” price per ton of $5,000. and apply the rule, the typical “Cab” in Napa Valley would be $50.

A trend to watch for in the flood of new releases are the white wine blends.  Pedroncelli  2012  Friends White, Sonoma, $12. is a proprietary blend of Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  This is a smart follow up to the successful red version of Friends, and was introduced recently at Rossi’s Pasta and Sports Bar in San Marcos. www.pedroncelli.com.

So Cal’s Pedroncelli Wine Sales Manager, Mark Abraham premiered the new Pedroncelli “Friends” at Rossi’s San Marcos. Friends is one of a growing number of white blends.

Season’s 52 Restaurants, with locations in San Diego and Costa Mesa Ca. has a trendy attraction with wines.  It’s a “Drink Them Before They’re Famous” list, an insider wine lineup carefully selected by Master Sommelier George Miliotes that changes every season.  Two Pinots, a Sauvignon Blanc and a white blend from Arizona are the spotlights for this Spring.  Other new release wines worth trying are:

      Jordan 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma. $53.  Since 1972, French style with superior California flavor and elegance.  www.jordanwinery.com.

      Mazzei 2010 Badiola Red, Tuscany Italy. $10.  Could be the best value of the group, with 70% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot.  Mazzei has been making wine since 1435.  Aged 9 months in Oak. A “Super Tuscan” with a super price.  www.mazzei.it.

      Norton 2010 Privada Blend, Mendoza Argentina.  $18. 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet, produces a top rated Norton with elements of primal pleasure.  www.norton.com.ar.

      Niner 2009 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo.  $41.  Newest breakthrough wine from world class winemaker Amanda Cramer. Sustainable farmed.  www.ninerwine.com

      South Coast 2008 Wild Horse Peak Sangiovese, Temecula. $34.  An Italian style mountain wine from master winemaker Jon McPherson. The vineyard grapes are selected from a 2,200 foot steep terrain. Competitive with the best of Tuscany.  www.southcoastwinery.com.

      Smokescreen 2011 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley/made in the Napa Valley.  $19.  Here’s the darkhorse of the lot.  An affordable, quality wine that defines the Napa Valley pinot style. Even has a convenient twist-cap.  www.smokescreencellars.com.

Wine Winners Showing at the Paddock, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Sat. & Sun. Apr. 27 & 28

The 2nd annual San Diego Wine Show comes to the Del Mar Fairground’s Paddock, Sat. Apr. 27th from 2 to 6pm and Sun. Apr. 28th from 1 to 5pm.  Make your plans to experience fine wines, gourmet food trucks, food sampling from celebrity chefs, entertainment and a Pinot Noir Blind Tasting by an expert sommelier on Saturday.

A major feature will be wines from the Guadalupe Valley of Baja, in the beautiful outdoor setting of the manicured Paddock area, scene of the parading of the racehorses when in season. Tickets are $55. presale, $65. at the door. Go to  www.sandiegowineshow.com to buy tickets.

Local winemakers Justin Mund of Orfila, left, and Chris Broomell of Vesper, right, with Donato Santarsieri of the San Diego Wine Show.



Wine Bytes

The Campo Railway Museum in Campo has a benefit food and wine festival, Sat. Apr. 20 from Noon to 5pm.  Enjoy locally produced wines from San Diego County.  $25. pre sale, $30. day of event.  Call 619-465-7776.

North County Wine Company in San Marcos invites you to meet the winemaker and drink the 2010 vintage of Powell Mountain, Paso Robles, Fri. Apr. 19th from4 to 10pm.  $15. fee includes appetizers.  760-744-2119.

The Carmel Mt. Ranch Country Club will present a Wine & Chocolate Tasting and benefit auction Sun. Sun. Apr. 21 from 3 to 6pm.  Cost is $50. pre sale, $60. at the door.  Info at 904-477-7084.

Encinitas Wine Merchants has a premium Champagne Tasting Wed. Apr. 24th from 5 to 7:30pm.  Names like Dom Perignon, Clicquot and others, for $38.pp.  Call 760-479-9891.

Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse has a Girard Winery Wine Dinner, Fri. Apr. 26 at 6:30pm.  Feature menu includes Grilled Filet Mignon and porcini truffle sauce, with a 2009 Girard Cabernet.  $80. ea.  RSVP at 760-434-2580.

TOAST Enoteca and Cucina, downtown San Diego hosts an Italian “Vinitaly” with more than 30 award winning Italian wineries, Thurs. Apr. 25th, 6:30 to 9:30pm. Appetizers, antipasti and menu samples.  Tickets $50. pp.  RSVP at 619-269-4207.

The Napa - Verona Wine Connection

by Frank Mangio
When Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa owner Tim Busch recently introduced his Italian winemaking friend and partner Marchesi Armando Fumanelli at a recent gathering, wine history was being made.  For the first time in anyone’s memory, a California bottle of Amarone was available.  The Trinitas Napa Valley 2006 Amorone, also owned by Busch, made its debut at Estancia in a posh dinner featuring Fumanelli from Verona Italy, who has helped him develop this wine.

The evening was heightened when it was announced that this was going to be a “Parallel” tasting, the Old World versus the New World of Fumanelli and Trinitas wines for  each of the five course menus.

An alliance between the two men formed some 15 years ago, when Tim Busch sipped a glass of dark, full-bodied Amarone  in the ancient town of Verona, known more for Romeo and Juliet’s liaison. The wine’s unique character stayed with him until he had to make an American version to add to his Trinitas Family Collection of wines in 2011.  He set out to Italy and met Armando Fumanelli, whose family has been making wines since 1470.

Tim Busch of Trinitas Family Wines and Marchesi Armando Fumanelli of Fumanelli Wines.

 The two shared their wines, introduced their families and that led to the unveiling of the 2006 Amarone from Trinitas.  “Very few people know about Amarone,” explained Busch.  I want to offer a unique old world wine experience.” Fumanelli is the Valpolicello District’s largest landowner, northeast of Verona in the Lessini Mountains.  The primary grapes are Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella.  The wines are concentrated, flavorful and complex.

Busch also had a blockbuster resort alliance announcement to make that night. His lifestyle company, Meritage Collection, now has four esteemed properties linked together for “a complete resort experience,” asserted Busch.  They are: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Balboa Bay Resort Newport Beach, Bacara Resort & Spa Santa Barbara and The Meritage Resort & Spa Napa Valley.  An immediate benefit for guests of any of these properties will be VIP access to the Fumanelli estate with stays at the vineyard for wine tasting and cooking classes.

Like others of its class, Estancia has been undergoing extensive upgrading of its rooms and its Mustangs and Burros restaurant and bar, under the watchful eye of General Manager Terry Buchholz.  Its Rancho style décor remains the dominant look at the 210 guest room hotel with a world class spa in place.

The Executive Chef at Estancia La Jolla is Kimberly Kramer preparing 

Southwest style plates motivated by the season.

Kimberly Kramer is always “searching for great flavor.” As Executive Chef at Estancia, Chef Kramer oversees the AAA Four-Diamond hotel’s kitchen.  She has steered the Mustangs and Burros restaurant into regional cuisine inspired by the season.  The special dinners, breakfast and lunch are at Adobe El Restaurante with fresh California fare. She has developed expertise in Asian and Latin influences.

“I’m passionate about seasonal foods, especially fresh seafood caught with sustainable practices,” she said. Most recently, she was at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa Valley, now one of the partner resorts for Estancia.

Her Sea Bass with mélange of mushroom, asparagus and roasted pepper was a delight to the senses.
Mustangs and Burros spotlights a Monday through Friday Happy Hour until 6pm, with discounted drinks and food.  Try the Trinitas family of wines led by the new Amarone 2006, and a knockout  2009 blend called “Mysterium” Mendocino Red. It’s Estancia’s family wine.  Learn more at www.estancialajolla.com


Wine Bytes
Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Santa Fe is donating a dollar for every glass of wine sold to benefit National Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month during April.  For details call 858-832-1518.

PAON in Carlsbad has a Joseph Jewell Wine event Wed. Apr. 17 from 5:30 to 8:30pm, with the owner/winemaker as special guest.  Sonoma based wines are featured.  Six wines with small bites for $28.  No RSVP needed.

North County Wine Company in San Marcos is featuring a “Blend Party” Wed. Apr. 17 from 5 to 9pm for $25.  Each customer will get carafes of Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec, to create their own blends.  Fun contest with winner getting a $25. gift card.  Details at 760-744-2119.

The Big Red Fest is back with wineries on the DePortola Trail in Temecula, Sun. Apr. 21 from 10 to 5pm.  Taste three wines paired with gourmet food at each of the 10 wineries and receive a free logo glass.  Early price $45.,  $55. after Apr. 15.  For more information call 855-398-9463.

West Steak and Seafood in Carlsbad presents the Silver Oak/Twomey Wine Dinner with vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma, Tues. Apr. 23 at 6:30pm.  This will be the wine/food event of the season with marquee names and an elite menu.  $175. pp.  RSVP a must at 760-930-9100.