Wine Stewards and Growlers – only at LJ Crafted Wines

by Frank Mangio
I have been writing  frequently about the surge in Urban Wineries, smartly located in large communities  with high traffic volume and offering  high quality branded wines by the glass or bottle.

TASTE OF WINE has found another remarkable play on the Urban Winery format in the Birdrock area of La Jolla , LJ Crafted Wines.  What’s different here? Plenty!  Guests at the indoor or outdoor tables and bar in the tasting room are served wine direct from the barrel that made the wine, thanks to a revolutionary device called the Wine Steward, a pouring device that allows the wine to be served from the barrel while it is aging, while maintaining the integrity of the remaining wine.

  

Scott and Nancine Hagner from the Grapeheads Association with

Lowell Jooste of LJ Crafted Wines and columnist Frank Mangio.

The barrels are displayed in bold, easy to read labels that show the vintage, varietal, vineyard and appellation.  On the day we were given a walk-through by the owner, Lowell Jooste, himself a 4th generation, 20 year winemaker from South Africa, the barrels represented some of the finest to be made from Napa and Sonoma vineyards.  Favorites were a 2014 Pinot Noir Rose’($8./glass, $24./bottle) from the Sonoma Coast with a lilting light raspberry, strawberry twist to it.  Drop in a hint of honey and you have a spritzy refreshing wine.

LJ Crafted Wines also offers a tropical flavored 2015 Viognier with a slightly lemon-drop hint, with the bedrock tropical fruit that makes it special ( $11/glass and $32./bottle).  On the red side, my heart belonged to the 2014 Petit Verdot Napa Valley ($14. /glass, $40./bottle) with a big elegant nose of violets, molasses and vanilla. Lots of plum on the palate.

I mention bottle, but many of these juicy wines  are offered only in a re-fillable “Growler,” a liter sized vessel with a flip top cap, previously only used in breweries.  This gives the customer an extra 6 ounce pour.  When joining the wine club, a complimentary wine growler and tote are received. Growlers are filled with your favorite wine selection straight from the barrel with the wine steward.

When you’re  finished, you return it for more or something different from the many barrels available. Seasonal gourmet small bite plates are also offered.  LJ Crafted Wines is open 7 days a week.  See more at ljcraftedwines.com.

Beautiful Beaujolais , the Seasonal Wine
 Beaujolais wine is meant to be consumed young, in some cases the same year as it’s harvested.  The French play it up as an every-day party wine. They have about 120 celebrations in November in the Beaujolais region north of the Rhone Valley. It was fitting that La Gran Terraza Restaurant on the USD Campus has the best San Diego celebration. Manager Emma Van Dusen  (photo) welcomed a full house, along with John Yelenosky (photo), the Beaujolais specialist from American Wine & Spirits. Yelenosky talked about the seasonality of Beaujolais and its timely distribution during the Thanksgiving holiday.

 Its genetics are sourced to old world vines from the Gamay grape. Occasionally you will be able to find an aged Beaujolais like what was poured to pair  an entrée at La Gran Terraza with their Beef Tenderloin. This was a 2013 Chateau Des Labourons Fleurie, a “cru Beaujolais ” from a single village, made by Henry Fessy ($16.).  That was the most expensive bottle of Beaujolais that evening, an amazing value.  See other wine dinners and info about the restaurant at lagranterraza.com.

Wine Bytes
Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula has its popular Wine Blending Experience, Sat. Jan. 21at 6pm.  Find your inner winemaker in you.  Guided by a winemaker, you will taste, evaluate and blend selected varietals and create your own bottle of wine. Includes appetizers, and you get to keep your own creation.  Priced from $80. Call 888-98WIENS.

Pechanga Casino in Temecula presents its 9th annual Wine Festival and Chocolate Decadence Fri. and Sat. Jan. 10 and 11.  Check out the details at pechanga.com or call 877-711-2WIN.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas continues their top shelf wine events on Fridays at 6pm.  On the 27th  it has The Noble Six wine tasting. Cost is $30. Details at 760-479-2500.