Family Style Winemakers Gather at Del Mar Fairgrounds

by Frank Mangio
So how’s the family?  If it’s the Family Winemakers of California, they’re doing just fine thank you.

For the 5th consecutive year, this association of wine producers with an active membership of 550 California wineries, will be coming to the San Diego area and assembling 175 producers Saturday March 9th and Sunday March 10th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall.  The Saturday show is for the public, as well as trade and press with public hours from 3 to 6pm.

For all public ticket options and prices, go to www.familywinemakers.org.

A big idea from this event is that no matter where you go throughout California you will find winemakers making quality wines. I spoke to Ray Falkner from Temecula Wine Country about pouring side by side with Napa and Sonoma wines.

Ray and Loretta Falkner of Falkner Winery in Southern California’s Temecula Wine Country, will be at the Family Winemakers event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

  He confidently commented “We pour at these events because it gives the trade and the public the opportunity to sample our wonderful Temecula wines in comparison to other regions.  Most wine writers don’t know much about Temecula Valley and think about us as a small hot region.  Wine events like this allow consumers to make up their own minds on what wines are worth purchasing.”

I asked Falkner what kinds of wines he will be bringing. “We have our 2011 Viognier, 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Amante-Super Tuscan, 2008 Meritage-Bordeaux Blend and 2009 Cachet Syrah Blend, made for wine club members.”

In Napa Valley, Ceja Vineyards is prepping  and packing their ultra-premium wines for the trip south  with their gold-winning wines like the 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay. They’ll also be pouring Carneros Pinot Noir, Vino de Casa red blend and Dulce Beso late harvest white wine.  The latest gold came from the San Francisco Chronicle Competition, one of the toughest and most competitive in California.  Ceja’s tasting room is in downtown Napa and combines with an art gallery for a complete sensory experience.

Ceja Vineyards co-founder Amelia Ceja and Sales & Marketing Director Dalia Ceja will be offering their 2008 Cabernet at the Family Winemakers event in Del Mar.

Three generations of the Ceja family work their 113 producing acres and have grown wine grapes for 47 years for other top quality wineries.  The Ceja brand was launched in 2001.  Company President Amelia Ceja is the first Mexican-American to be the President of a wine production company.

David Ramey owns Ramey Cellars in Sonoma County’s Healdsburg. He makes traditional, artisan wines with elegance and richness, drawing grapes from both Napa Valley and Sonoma.  I asked him what it was like to be both an owner and winemaker.

“Owning a winery is the dream of every winemaker. At Ramey Wine Cellars, we have a team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. My hope is to create an atmosphere of great opportunity for all,” he noted.

He also is Family Winemakers top representative as Chairman of the Board, where he brings that big idea to the organization.  “We’re in a vibrant industry with room for the small winemaker to move in.  Good people help each other out with events such as the one in Del Mar.  There is lots of diversity. We urge visitors to come both days to taste wineries that will bring their best offerings.”

Ramey Wine Cellars will be one of those you can taste test. The complete list is on the web site at familywinemakers.org.

Wine Bytes
March 2nd and 3rd, Temecula Wine Country celebrates the World of Wine when 30+ wineries offer their latest releases and barrel tasting, with gourmet food sampling.  Details on the self guided tour including pricing, at 800-801-WINE.

SDSU has an intensive course focusing on French Wines, Mondays March 4 to 18 from 6 to 9pm on campus.  This is part of the Certificate of Wine program.  For details, call 619-594-1138.

The Laguna Beach A La Carte Food and Wine Experience is a celebration taking place around town Sat. March 9 from 12:30 to 3:30pm. Price range of $75. to $145.  Hear details at 949-497-9229.

Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula presents a Reserve Zinfandel and Chocolate Dinner, Fri. March 8th.  Four course dinner.  $62.50 pp.  RSVP at 951-694-9893.

The first of a series of 2013 Musical Wine Pairing Dinners at Europa Village in Temecula will be unveiled on Thurs. March 21 at 6:30pm.  A four-course French dinner, each with Europa Village french wines, will be topped off by professional singing waiters.  Cost is $79. ea.  Details and RSVP at europavillage.com.

VinDiego Event Features California Wines, Helps Disabled Marines and Sailors

VinDiego Wine and Food Festival on April 6 is a wine connoisseurs delight. The event is about people coming together to celebrate a shared passion…a passion for great wine and mouth-watering gourmet food.

Proceeds from a silent auction will go to Freedom Station, a San Diego 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  Freedom Station helps severely wounded, medically discharged young Marines and Sailors transition from military life to the tough new challenges faced in civilian life. 

Sip, swirl and savor a selection of over 300 handcrafted wines from the best wineries in California.  Passionate winemakers and winery representatives welcome guests, offering practical knowledge and sharing delicious wines.

Discover a new wine and pair it with a variety of gourmet appetizers, tasty cheeses, artisan breads, and olive oils.

VinDiego offers a variety of twenty-five wonderful local restaurants sampling culinary delights, highlighted with a steady stream of musical entertainment.

A ‘General Admission’ ticket includes an elegant crystal souvenir wine glass and unlimited tastes of California’s best award winning wines. A ‘Early Entry’ ticket allows you to get in one hour earlier than the general admission ticket. More info. at www.VinDiego.com

Paso Grand Tasting Tour Stops in San Diego

by Frank Mangio
Since I first began my wine tasting journey as a journalist and creator of TASTE OF WINE the column, I have traveled round the wine world and tasted many wine countries.  Paso Robles has always impressed me as a young, diverse, multi-faceted sense of place.  And what a place it is! There are 26,000 vineyard acres producing more than 40 kinds of wine for over 200 wineries.  They are an ambitious, creative group and they are coming to San Diego with a Grand Tasting Tuesday, February 26 at the McMillin Events Center, with wine dinners Monday February 25.  Paso Wine Country is halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Highway 101.  It’s California’s fastest growing wine region.

 From the downtown area, the AVA appellation is 35 miles from east to west and 25 miles from north to south. West of the 101 on Highway 46, the elevation is significant, enabling many different sub-climates with over 45 soil types, not typical of other viticultural areas.  This explains why Cabernet Sauvignon can be grown successfully just a few miles away from Zinfandel.  East of the 101, the elevation drops to that of a valley and blends in with the giant San Joaquin Valley about 20 miles east, to Interstate 5.

 Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard features Rhone French style wines from Paso Robles.

Paso Robles as a wine source was not born yesterday.  Back in 1815, wine was being made by the friars of the Mission San Miguel Archangel.  Commercial wines were made starting in 1882 from Ascension Winery.  Today it is known as Epoch Estate Wines in the York Mountain area of Templeton, just south of Paso Robles.

Today, Paso is making an impression on the wine world by making New World wines, best described as “Paso Blends.”  It is typical to taste non-traditional Bordeaux mixed with Spanish style varietals, or a Rhone varietal with a Zinfandel.

Two maverick-style wineries are Tablas Creek, run by Jason Haas, with his emphasis on Rhone style wines using vines from French Beaucastel, creating a world-class Chateauneuf-Du-Pape style of wine; and Cass Winery, specialists in Rhone varietals such as Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, Syrah and Roussane. Playful Ted Plemmons runs the show on Paso’s east side in the shadow of a huge heritage oak tree, symbolic of Paso Robles (which literally means “the Pass of the Oaks.”)

TASTE OF WINE columnist Frank Mangio shares a Paso Robles CASS Mourvedre with co-owner Ted Plemmons.

The Rhone Valley plays a big role with its French varietals, but Zinfandel is the celebrated grape in this part of the California Wine World.  March 15 to 17, Paso invites the public  to more than 130 wineries that offer barrel tastings, winemaker dinners, BBQ’s and live music.  It’s called “Grow Zinfully Wild.”

But back to the Paso San Diego Road Show this month on the 25th and 26th.

I asked Communications Director Chris Taranto why a road show of this type is best for SoCal wine lovers that want to learn about Paso wines.  “We have more than 30 wineries showcasing over 150 wines with many of our marquee wineries and our lesser known properties that are looking to be discovered,” he said.  I asked him what varietals he recommended. “Historically we became known for Zinfandel.  Italian immigrants brought it with them as they homesteaded the area.  In the 80’s we saw a lot of Cabernet  planted in the region.  Today, Paso has earned a lot of acclaim for the Rhone varietals  and blends.”

Wine Bytes
A premium Rose’ tasting is continuing Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9pm at Addison in the Grand Resort in Del Mar.  Flights of three beautiful wines for $20. pp.  More information at 877-814-8472.

Rossi’s Pizza and Pasta in San Marcos is having a Pedroncelli Wine Dinner Sat. Feb. 23rd at 6:30pm.  Cost is $60. Five courses with five tastings including the acclaimed Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel.  RSVP at 760-533-4486.

Movie night at Orfila Winery in Escondido on Sat. Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30pm features Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart.  Cost is $8.  Wine and snacks available.  Details at 760-738-6500 x 22.

Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy San Diego presents an evening with Peter Neptune Master Wine Sommelier on Tues. Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 10pm.  Spanish wines with a 6 course dinner are featured.  $ 85. ea. RSVP at 619-237-9606.

Il Fornaio in Del Mar hosts a Michele Chiarlo Wine Dinner Thurs. Feb. 28 from 6 to 10pm.  Cost is $55.  Wines include Barolo and Barbaresco. Call for RSVP at 858-755-8876.

A Bottle of Wine at COSTCO for $2,399. What’s Going On?

by Frank Mangio

During the holiday period, one of the sales days in the wine department of the COSTCO store in Carlsbad, north of San Diego, brought in 120 thousand dollars, a huge number by any standards. Not only has the volume gone through the roof, the price point for the wines has increased measurably.  Witness a French large bottle format wine, the Pontet Canet Red Bordeaux from the Paulac District. It’s a 2009 vintage that scored 100  points in a leading wine publication.

The COSTCO wine department in Carlsbad north of San Diego carries over 250 brands, many with higher ratings and higher prices.

The cost is a whopping $2,399. This is not an isolated event.  Standing beside it is five other sought-after French beauties with prices ranging from $229.99 to $1,599.

I quizzed Mathew, the department manager and he said “we have sold some of these expensive bottles, and I have some names of our regular customers that want to be notified if prices are reduced.”

Napa Valley is also well represented with this new inventory of premium wines, including:  Joseph Phelps Insignia, 2007, for $139.99; BV Georges De Latour, non vintage for $179; Hall Cabernet, 2009, $35.

The Italians dominate with three times the space they used to claim.  The Banfi Brunello, 2007, is $49.99; Il Poggione Brunello, 2006, was recently $75.99; a Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis, 2010, was $34.; and a Guiseppe Rinaldi Barolo/Nebbiolo, 2007, was $199.99.

COSTCO has a very large number of corporate buyers who are scanning the world’s markets for value, and who have parlayed this wine surge into a 1.4 billion dollar business for COSTCO. The cardinal rule at COSTCO for any item carried, and in particular for special wines at value prices (they state that no wine is marked up any more than 15%) is “if you see it…buy it.  It may not be there tomorrow.”

Six Romantic Wines to Try for a Special Occasion

Castello di Amorosa La Castellana Blend Napa Valley, 2008.  $68. An authentic 13th century Tuscan winery that houses this mix of 70% Cab,16% Merlot and 14% Sangiovese. An American Super Tuscan, sold only at the castle. www.castellodiamorosa.com.

 The magnificent Castello di Amorosa near Calistoga, Napa Valley CA. It has 107 rooms with 

eight levels and 900 feet of caves.

Castello Banfi Brunello, Tuscsany Italy, 2007.  $49.99.  The finest style of Sangiovese.  Minimum 4 years in barrel, one year in bottle.  Intense ruby red color and flavor. www.castellobanfi.com

Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Sagratino Di Montefalco Italy. 2005. $60. A unique grape native to Umbria, Italy.  Rich and complex.  Drink with meats and roasts.  www.arnaldocapraiusa.com.

Enza Prosecco Sparkling Wine, Treviso Italy, non vintage. $14.99. Sensual hints of honeysuckle, green apple and citrus.  Clean and crisp. Try with fine chocolates.  www.wjdeutsch.com

Monte De Oro Synergy 65 Owner’s Blend, Temecula Ca.  2008.  $33. Five varieties of grapes aged for 28 months produce plum and pepper accents. Award winner at a recent San Francisco competition.  www.montedeoro.com.

Rombauer Merlot, Carneros Napa Valley CA. 2008.  $30.  Limited production, high quality vintage.  A Merlot for Cab lovers.  Concentrated flavor.  www.rombauer.com.

Wine Bytes

More Valentine’s Day dinner events include:  a Prix Fixe three-course dinner from 5 to 10 pm at Marina Kitchen San Diego. Call 619-234-1500.  In Temecula Wine Country, Vineyard Rose Restaurant has a 4 course feast. RSVP at 951-587-9463. 

At Wilson Creek a five-course prix fixe meal is being presented. Reservations at 951-699-9463. And Miramonte Winery has a 4 course romantic dinner with live music. Call 951-506-5500.

Adobe El Restaurante at Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa presents Napa Meets Verona, an evening of the wines of Trinitas and Fumanelli with owner Marchesi Armando Fumanelli, Fri. Feb. 22 from 6 to 9pm.  A five course dinner accompanies.  $125. pp.  RSVP at 858-964-6521.  This event is a launch of the new Meritage Collection of resorts, at Estancia, and in Napa Valley and Balboa Bay Resort Newport Beach on Feb. 20 and 21 respectively.  More details at www.estancialajolla.com.

Tripping Around the Romance of Temecula Wines

by Frank Mangio
The stars are aligned for a banner year in Temecula Wine Country this year. My in-box is full of exciting developments for most of the 35+ wineries that are anticipating an overwhelming public response to their ambitious programs of improvement offering more tastings, tours, dining, lodging and event activity. In a recent interview with Jim Carter, owner of the renowned South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, TASTE OF WINE learned that Carter plans to build a new winery, Carter Estates.

TASTE OF WINE columnist Frank Mangio exclusively interviews winery owner Jim Carter, who revealed ambitious plans for expansion in Temecula Wine Country.

It will be part of a much bigger resort, winery, spa, office and meeting space.  The existing property will be offering new hotel space in March.  “We have 50 new all-suite rooms in a three story structure with units from 538 to 850 square feet.  Each suite will have a fireplace, soothing tub and lanai deck in the vineyards,” he said.  “It will include a rooftop garden for receptions and banquets.”

South Coast produces 65,000 cases of wine annually and has now topped 1,800 medals with the 2013 wine competition results, one of the highest in the nation.

A short drive beyond Jim Carter’s winery on Rancho California Road, up on a hill, sits Monte De Oro. It has a spectacular 180 degree panoramic view, lavish all-stone exterior, glass floor overlook to a barrel room and premium wines.  Monte De Oro electrified the wine world by winning the Best of Class, Red Blend at the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition with its 2008 Synergy 65, a five varietal estate grown wine.  This wine earned the TASTE OF WINE February Wine of the Month. $32. at the winery. Club price $26.40.

 Monte De Oro General Manager Ken Zignorski guides the ambitious premium estate vineyard 

and winery program, since its introduction in 2010.

Robert Renzoni Vineyards is taking the wraps off the new Robert Renzoni Prosecco coming in direct from Italy. They delighted their wine club recently with their brand of Brunello, one of Tuscany’s finest reds and will introduce the latest vintage in mid-February along with the latest Sonata Blend, a big seller at the Italian style winery on De Portola Road.

The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association has its next wine country event Sat. March 2 and Sun. March 3 from 10am to 4:30pm.  It’s the World of Wine (WoW) 2013.  Visitors will be able to barrel taste the latest old world style wines that are locally made.  Some 30+ wineries will offer food and wine samplings. This is a self-guided event. Two day tickets are $99. per person.  Full details are yours at www.temeculawines.org.

Wine Bytes
Valentines Day events in Temecula are blooming and here are some that crossed my “Bytes” desk.
Thornton Winery is presenting its Romantic Rendezvous Thurs. Feb. 14 at 7pm with an array of fine cuisine and matching Thornton wines.  $90. pp.  There is also an optional choice of menu items at Café Champagne from 5 to 9pm.  Reservations for both by calling 951-699-0099.

Callaway Winery has a Vine d’Amore Valentines Day dinner Sat. Feb. 9 from 6:30 to 9:30pm held in the Barrel Room. Live entertainment with dinner and Callaway wines. $216. per couple inclusive.  $195. for wine club.

It also has a Pre Fixe menu at Meritage Restaurant on Valentines Day at 5:30 and 7pm, for $75. ea.  To reserve either event, call 951-587-8889.

Falkner Winery will host a romantic dinner  on Valentines Day at its Pinnacle Restaurant.  A 4 course meal with wine pairings is planned with live entertainment.  A single seating starts at 6:30pm.  Cost is $79. pp.  VIP Food/Wine Club members pay $69. For an RSVP call the winery at 951-676-8231 x1.

Monte De Oro Winery has its Valentines Day 4 course dinner with wine pairing at 7pm. A feature will be live music and dancing.  Salmon and Filet Mignon top the menu.  RSVP at www.montedeoro.com

San Diego Wine Show Call for Entries

by Frank Mangio

The San Diego Wine Show presents two days of tasting and food pairing at the historic Paddock area  at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday April 27th and 28th. A fascinating new feature this year will be a number of gourmet food trucks that have been making a splash in San Diego and elsewhere. Executive Director  Donato Santarsieri is looking to bring even more wineries to the show and is requesting that all interested vineyards, wineries and distributors contact him at 800-978-6558.  More information and ticket pricing is available at www.sandiegowineshow.com.

An evening of first class wine tasting and a wine inspired feast is promised at the 6th annual Pacific Coast Wine Festival at the Island Hotel, Orange County Sat. Feb. 9 starting at 5pm.  Celebrity wine experts and live symphonic performances included, benefiting Pacific Symphony. Tickets start at $375. ea. For more information call 714-876-2364

Harrah’s Rincon Rolls a Winner with Fiore
One of the fascinating trends in dining these days is the move of the 14 or so San Diego casinos to be big players in fine wines and dining.  For many years, they modeled their marketing of meals at the gaming meccas after the Las Vegas Buffets.  They now play down these cattle calls and focus on the menu and wine pairing experience.

Harrah’s Rincon is a richly endowed playground a number of miles north of San Diego in Valley Center . It’s in the middle of a massive expansion, bankrolled by Caesar’s Entertainment of Las Vegas. Rooms will double at the 620,000 plus square foot resort and casino.

There are currently seven restaurants for Executive Chef Jon Paisson to juggle, plus room service and banquets.  Chef Paisson draws from an extraordinary 20 years of experience to make it happen, with a food service staff of over 150.

The winning team at Fiore’s at Harrah’s Rincon are left to right: Chef di Cuisine Daniel Garcia, Wine Director Angel Abril and Executive Chef Jon Paisson.

His signature restaurant is Fiore’s Steak and Seafood, a 6 time Wine Spectator Award recipient for its world-wide wine collection.  Angel Abril, the Wine Director, pointed out that “we have budget and value wines as well as premium names.”  I noticed that Abril took good care of his guests.  While waiting for a table, a couple of diners were engaged in wine conversation and were treated to wine samples, courtesy of Abril.  Nice touch.

My personal favorite on the extensive beef menu was the 20 ounce bone- in Rib Eye Steak with garlic butter.  All beef at Fiore’s is certified Angus, that is aged for maximum tenderness.  In separate dishes were my sides:  the asparagus with Bearnaise Sauce, and sauteed mushrooms.

The chef’s favorite steak  at Fiore’s is the bone-in 20 ounce Rib Eye.

“A large operation such as Harrah’s Rincon allows me to grow as a chef,” said Paisson.  He has been at many fine restaurants in San Diego from an initial assignment at Harrah’s, to a return in 2010 when the resort committed to a major upgrade to the buffet and restaurants. “There are over 247 items in the buffet and we serve some 3 thousand guests per day.  Our crab is the most popular, but guests want to try everything.  Its’ all delicious,” he smiled.   Search for Fiore’s at www.harrahs.com.

Wine Bytes
Chandler’s Restaurant in the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa now has half-price wine offerings for Tuesday diners.  20 well known labels have been selected including some top Napa Valley names.  Reservations at 760-683-5500.

WineSellar and Brasserie in the Sorrento Valley district of San Diego has a “Brown Bagged Blind” event Sat. Feb. 2 from 11:30 to 2pm .  They will pour through 6 wines blind at your table while you match up the descriptions with your tasting ability. Optional lunch available. $20. cost.  Call 858-450-9557 for details.

Wine, Cheese and Chocolate are the stars at this event at Sbicca Del Mar, Sat. Feb. 9 from 2 to 4pm . It’s a 2 hour escape. Enjoy gourmet chocolates, premium wines and artisan cheeses in a seminar format.  $49. pp.  RSVP at 858-442-2749.