Big Red Fest on the De Portola Trail

by Frank Mangio
Have you seen and tasted wine on the De Portola Trail these days? It’s a compelling experience. With the recent opening of Fazeli Cellars and the new ownership of Masia de la Vinya by the current owner of Danza del Sol, the winery count is now 10 with an increasing visitor population that  likes the “elbow room” and scenic vistas that the De Portola Road wineries provide.

The trail is part of the Temecula Valley wine country, winding south of the main body of wineries. Most of these DePortola owners have sunk lots of improvement money into their properties and most importantly, the wines are vastly improved. Owners like Robert Renzoni  understood early that a complete wine experience was crucial, so he set about to make fine Mediterranean style wines with lots of choices, from Tuscan Sangiovese to the complex star-quality Sonata, which matches The Italian Super Tuscans. After years of crucial funding searches during the great recession, a state of the art tasting room was buit, with indoor-outdoor amenities second to none. An Italian style bistro serves an authentic old-world menu (try the pizzas…meats and cheeses direct from Italy !)  Lots of live entertainment, even a bocce court.

We have documented the newest wine attractions, Fazeli Cellars, next door to Robert Renzoni and the exciting CAVE produced by Oak Mountain Winery a few blocks up the road.  I stopped in to see Christina and Ken Gershon of Gershon Bachus Vintners in the same neighborhood as the others. The winery produces 12 varietals of wines, and none are released less than 5 years old.  The Gershons have been owners for some 10 years and were pouring wines like a 2010 Zinfandel ($45.) and a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.). These wines  are in limited production offering the highest quality possible. The cab received 93 points in Wine Enthusiast.

I asked Gershon what he has observed about this wine region over the last 10 years.  “We weren’t wine people. We came from L.A. to build a house for weekends. One thing led to another and it became a winery.  First few years we found out this was not Cabernet country like Napa Valley. But over time and maturity in the vineyards., even the cabs are so much better now.  Our biggest challenge is marketing, getting the word out about this valley. Most of the media think we’re a party valley and don’t take our wines seriously.  We want visitors who enjoy the wines.  We’re pooling our resources and linkng up to make it easier to visit.  We’re really pleased to see that this Big Red event has brought a lot of new people to our wineries.”  Visit their website at deportolawinetrail.com.

Big Time Wins for South Coast Winery
The 2016 Pacific Rim International Wine Competion is in the books and Temecula Valley ’s long-time winning winery South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has done it again.  Their talented wine team of winemaker Javier Flores and Master Winemaker Jon McPherson brought home the Grand Champion Best Red Wine award with a 2014 Mourvedre ($14.) among other honors.  This wine is classic red cherry fruit and a Rhone Valley French favorite.  I have walked the vineyards with these two winemakers who are veteran Temecula Valley  creators, who have aways kept up with the changing trends in wine production. Other winners were the 2015 Verdelho and the 2014 Muscat of Alexandria. Other Temecula wineries that did well included: Thornton, Callaway, Falkner, Maurice Carrie and Hart Winery.  For more, go to southcoastwinery.com.

Romancing the Wines of SoCal – WoW!

by Frank Mangio
Saturday March 7th and 8th, the bloom is on the vines of Temecula when more than 30 wineries, together, open their barrels for introductory tastes and bites, for guests with self-guided passports, at the World of Wine event (WoW).

I’m up there every chance I get.  The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association really knows how to put on a special show.  More about this later.  First I want to clue you in on the fact that whenever the urge presents itself, you can make a special day of it any time in the wineries of Temecula.

One recent Saturday, some close wine-loving friends of mine treated me to a day in the vines, the tasting rooms and the palatial wine and dine hideaways of exclusive wine club member suites.  The day’s locations were kept a secret.

The upscale Tasting Room at Wiens  Family Cellars in the Temecula Valley of Southern California.

“Franco, ( most of my close friends call me Franco), be ready outside your front door  at 9:30am when we pick you up and strap you in the back seat, no questions asked,” they commanded. If this was a kidnapping,  it should happen to me more often. The day was divided into three segments:  a tour and tasting through the vines, a picnic and wine tasting on a newly finished patio of a tasting room and a sit down banquet wine tasting in a palatial, exclusive wine club setting. This was as good as it gets, anywhere!

World of Wine, the event on March 7th and 8th, will give you the look and feel of the trip with my close friends.  A majority of wines tasted at the wineries you select at your own pace, will be old world varietals. These are European style grapes with a  Temecula style new world twist.   It’s a barrel tasting with the latest vintages from each winery both days, from 10am to 4:30pm. The wines from each location will be paired with finely crafted cuisine from experienced gourmet chefs. Be sure to view the newest winery still being built, Fazeli Winery, coming soon on the De Portola Trail.

Another singular feature of wine events in Temecula that you are sure to enjoy is the one-on-one conversations with the winemakers and owners of the wineries. Somehow the wines taste a little bit better when you get the story from the source.

Cost for both days, and a best buy, is $99. per person.  Other price offers are available.  Pre-sale tickets are on line at temeculawines.org.

Another wine and dine peak experience in Temecula Wine Country is a Valentines Day dinner at one of the ten winery restaurants in the district. Some restaurants to consider include:  Europa Village – “Romance, Romance” Fri. Feb. 13 at 6:30pm.  A special Valentines dinner with a comedy musical set in old world Vienna .  Five course dinner, with each course paired with Europa Village wines.  Tickets are $89. pp.  VIP tickets available. See more at, store.europavillage.com.

Monte De Oro – Valentines Dinner 2015 Sat. Feb. 14, each of the four courses paired with award winning wines.  Prix-fixe meal.  Live music and dancing.  $145. per couple.  Special VIP tickets.  951-491-6551 X115.

Pinnacle Restaurant Falkner Winery – 4 course Valentines Dinner Sat. Feb. 14, 5:30 to 9:30pm. Wine pairings for each course. Choice of Filet Mignon or Chilean Sea Bass.  $89. each. Enjoy the hilltop ambiance views.  Call for RSVP at 951-676-8231 ext 1.

Thornton Winery – Romantic Rendezvous. Sat. Feb. 14, starts 7pm.  4 course dinner matched with Thornton wines.  Live music, long stem rose for the ladies.  $135. each.  Thornton  also has a Valentines dinner at their Café Champagne. A 3 course dinner for $75. per person. Call 951-699-0099.


More Valentine Wine Bytes

TWENTY/20 in Carlsbad and its heated terrace with the pretty coastal view, will be offering its special 3 course Prix-fixe menu Fri., Sat., and Sun. Feb. 13, 14 and 15.  $55. pp. Wine list pairings available.  Reserve at 760-827-2500.

Il Fornaio, at the Del Mar Plaza and Coronado has its Umbria Festa Regionale menu on Feb. 14. Highlight is the Fondente ai Tre Cuori, a heart shaped flourless dark chocolate cake with berry gelee hearts.  RSVP in Del Mar at 858-755-8876 and in Coronado , 619-437-4911.

Chandler’s in Carlsbad has a Valentines Dinner Feb. 14 from 4:30 to 9:30pm. Three courses for $70. ea.  Add $35. for wine pairings.  Entrée choices include:  Rack of Lamb, Beef Tenderloin & Lobster or Duck leg confit.  RSVP at 760-683-5500.

For the get out of town type, RENAISSANCE, the Marriott Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa is celebrating with a “Discover Your Senses”a 3 day Valentine package with a wine dinner Feb. 14. Get the full story by calling 800-321-1508.

Temecula’s In-Demand Winemaker is Tim Kramer

by Frank Mangio
I first met Tim Kramer back in 2005 not knowing a lot about Temecula Wine Country or much about other California Wine Countries for that matter.  I had just made a name for myself by spending valuable time in the wine country of Tuscany Italy, then taking a writing job at the San Diego Union Tribune, creating TASTE OF WINE.

Kramer, at that time, was and still is the winemaker for Leonesse Cellars.  He was self-taught from books, kits, 5 gallon buckets and great volunteer experience from the Temecula wine-making legend Jon McPherson when he was with  Thornton Winery. From his Leonesse base, he was approached in 2005 to make wine for Monte De Oro and Robert Renzoni Wineries.

Temecula’s Monte de Oro Executive Chef Taylor Harris and Winemaker Tim Kramer 

at a recent Winemakers Dinner.

Eventually, his client list to make wines grew to the point that he now shares his winemaking abilities with many wineries under the name Temecula Valley Winery Management.

I managed a few minutes with Kramer at a recent Monte de Oro “Black Label” Winemaker’s Dinner that featured 5 special reserve wines and barrel samplings.  The four Cabernets and Syrahs poured, all showcased what the wines of Temecula can do. Kramer pointed to the last offering, the 2009 Synergy 65, a wine that I featured as “Wine of the Month” as being the one he was most proud of.

“We received a Best of Class in the Winemakers’ Challenge in San Diego on this wine,” he declared.  “It was barrel aged in new French Oak for 28 months. Our vines that were planted 5 or 6 years ago are coming into their own and really showing what they can do.  There are 5 varietals in this blend, depending on what nature gives us.” Last year, in the beautiful 2012 harvest, 238 tons of grapes were made into wine.  According to Monte de Oro G.M. Ken Zignorski, the red wine harvest came in at 25% more than forecast from the 72 acres under vine.

Kramer’s most recent client is  Fazeli Cellars that will be building a winery inspired by the ancient traditions of Persia, between Robert Renzoni and Keyways, on the DePortola Trail section of Temecula Wine Country.  Its wine is named for the ancient city of Shiraz, where some say this grape originated.

Wine is already being made and critically acclaimed.  The wines are the passion of BJ and Wendy Fazeli who recently opened a tasting room  on 4th Street, in Old Town Temecula. You’ll taste many selections of French style whites and reds, premium fruit with a lovely earthy flavor.

A sense of excitement ran through the diners at a recent private dinner at Temecula’s new Cellarz93.

The lineup of Fazeli Wines was poured, enhancing a chef-inspired menu hosted by Cheri Ellstrom, a principal investor and designer of Cellarz93.  She introduced the menu creator, Executive Chef Gary Stillman, who has impressive credentials, coming from the legendary Napa Valley French Laundry in the late 90’s where he developed his culinary skills from owner and world famous chef, Thomas Keller.  Fazeli’s “Khayyam Cabernet Sauvginon 2009 ($55.), a rich boysenberry and blackberry based cab grabbed the most attention of the wines served.

Cellarz93 will continue its local vintners series of wine dinners Thursday June 13 with an intimate event featuring winemaker Nick Palumbo of Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery.  The evening will cost $75. pp.  RSVP at 951-296-9700.

Wine Bytes
Meet Jaime Orozco from Mi Sueno Winery of Napa Valley at North County Wine Company San Marcos, Thurs. June 6 from 5 to 9pm.  This special tasting event is $20. pp.  Call 760-744-2119.

Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar in Carlsbad has a Street Fare with a Taste of Spain Wed. June 5 from 5 to 8pm.  Live music, street food and house made Sangria for a $20. entry fee.  Details at 760-827-2500.

An Encinitas Night Out is being hosted by Meritage Wine Market Thurs. June 6 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Local speaker and humorist Ed Cozza will MC, personalizing his book “Nowhere Yet.”  Cost is $35. ea.  Call for an RSVP at 760-479-2500.

The Grand Del Mar is hosting The ABC’s of BBQ, Fri. June 7 from 7 to 9pm.  Discover tricks and tips with a BBQ expert and Chef Mathew Sramek.  Dinner and wine tasting included for $65.  RSVP at 858-314-1996.