Monday, May 9, 2016

Vin Diego Serves Up Primo Vino

by Frank Mangio
Dave Fraschetti, producer of Vin Diego, delivered again in this, the 4th annual two day, only wine and food festival, held recently in Liberty Station, San Diego . On a Friday evening at a Marriott hotel, Fraschetti orchestrated “A Passion for Rare & Reserve Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.”  Most of the winemakers and owners were there from prime wine districts like Oregon , Napa Valley and Sonoma , Monterey and Paso Robles.

Fraschetti was a corporate marketing manager, who, late in his career got  a sudden assignment to put together a major company concert that starred a super pop singer.  After a few bumps on the road to the event, he came out with a big success and has put that experience, plus his long-time love of wine, to good use  in his Vin Diego events. He sold out this year’s show late last year.  Wineries love the fact it is wine only at this festival, with no beer and no spirits to bulk up the show.  Some wineries at the Friday affair were also pouring some high quality choices like J.Lohr and Senior Manager Bruce Smithan and his Cuvee Series Bordeaux Blends, with 6 extraordinary wines in the series.

There were some lovely Chardonnays and Pinot Noir wines to taste, from tropical tasting Chards to oak style Pinots. Winemaker Jeff Meier, with owner Jerry Lohr since 1984, have crafted wines for every palate and price range. Other wineries at the event included: Ferrari Carano from Dry Creek Sonoma, with  over 19 vineyards throughout Napa , Sonoma and Mendocino, totaling 1,500 acres. Hook & Ladder from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma , founded by veteran fireman Cecil De Loach , with 4 decades of growing and selling at value prices.  Stoller Family Estate in Oregon , with old world style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Fiddlehead Cellars with owner and winemaker Kathy Joseph hails from Lompoc , north of Santa Barbara where she nurtures distinctive Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Both varietals have an old world pedigree.

Fiddlehead sources grapes from lesser known west coast wine countries like Willamette Valley Oregon , Santa Rita Hills and Happy Canyon Santa Barbara.  Kathy is a gardener of ferns and so while searching for a name early-on for her winery, she hit on a memorable botanical term that describes a coiled frond of an emerging fern leaf, a Fiddlehead! And so her winery had a new name.

I loved the Oregon Pinot Noir she poured for me, a 2012 “Oldsville  Reserve”from the Willamette Valley , with a distinct cherry and plum taste, with savory herbs to garnish. Just 450 cases produced.

The two day Vin Diego was classy in every way.  Guests report "there was a lot of freedom of movement in the spacious grounds and indoor venues and a lot of choices in both food samples and the 75 wineries represented." Look for it next year on April 18th, 2017.  It’s a must attend event. Visit vindiego.com.

Opportunities for Teaching about Wine, Beer and Spirits at CSUSM

Adult students can now receive a Professional Certificate in Wine, Beer and Spirits in a comprehensive program at Cal State University San Marcos, with a campus in Temecula.  There are 7 courses to complete the Certificate. Each class is 5 weeks, 3 hours a week, with part lecture, tours and tastings.  Classes will be off site in Temecula and North County at wineries, breweries and distilleries.  The university is looking for industry experts to teach in the program, beginning with the Foundations of Wine that starts Thursdays, June 2nd to June 30th.  For more information email Wendy @ Wevers@csum.edu.  For all 7 courses go to www.csusm.edu/el/wbs.

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