Big Gains for Temecula Wine Country

It fits that the next big event for Temecula Wine Country is the Harvest Celebration November 2^nd and 3^rd.  Temecula is harvesting some big awards these days. From the California State Fairs to New York,Florida and London England, Temecula’s wines are boldly mixing it up with the Northern California establishment and are coming up winners.

An exclamation point was the excitement of two Temecula winemakers making the top 100 winemakers list in theU.S.  out of some 7,000. That distinction belongs to Joe Hart of Hart Winery, with over 30 years of winemaking, and  Jon McPherson of South Coast Winery, again named California Winery of the Year at the California State Fair.

Sorting through this success is no simple matter.  In 1968 there was only one commercial vineyard, established by Vincenzo and Audrey Cilurzo.  Callaway began farming grapes in 1969, then opened the first winery in 1974.  Within recent years, the winery population has fast-forward ahead to some 35, spread out over 33,000 acres, with 5,000 more acres protected as agriculture by Riverside County.

Temecula Valley Wine Country proclaims itself as Southern California’s Wine Country and indeed, sitting central to San Diego,Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, it is. 

At the helm of all this big picture change is the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, with Peggy Evans, Executive Director, Cori Cocca, Marketing Communications and Krista Chaich, Sales and Membership.  We spoke to Evans, who has been with the association for 5 years and who is orchestrating the sensational growth.

TOW:  How long have you been working with wine in the valley?

Evans: I came to work in wine country in 1989, first for what is now Thornton Winery. After Thornton Winery, I went to Callaway in 1996 and stayed there for 10 years.  In 1989 there were only 8 wineries in Temecula and a lot of dirt roads.

TOW:  It seems like only recently that the fast growth has come.  What do you think brought this on?

Evens: The big thing for Temecula’s future is the population base inSouthern California.  We have 22 million people in 5 counties, only an hour or so from our front door.  Because of this and other reasons, people are looking to get into the wine business and we’re attracting long term investors who are building a name for themselves.

TOW:  Are there some wine varietals, or maybe one, that best expresses the area.

Evans:  Temecula went from the market-following Chardonnay and Cabernet, to many Italian, French Rhone and Spanish inspired varietals.  But we don’t want to put ourselves in a box.  We can grow everything here.  Lately we’ve been very excited about the tasting results of Malbec.

TOW:  What keeps you up at night?

Evans:  I think a lot about how to control the growth and make it of the highest quality.  Our primary purpose is wine making and we want to make it the best experience possible for our visitors.

Temecula Valley Wine Country’s next event is the Harvest Celebration, Sat. Nov.2 and Sun. Nov. 3 from 10 to 4:30pm.  Visitors can go to 35 member wineries for a self-guided tour, taste food and wine samplings at each stop, as well as exclusive barrel and tank samplings.  Prices start at $79. for Sun./locals. See www.temeculawines.org.  You can also call 800-801-WINE.

Wine Bytes

• A Temecula Haunted Winery Tour is being staged at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Sat. Oct. 26 through Thurs. Oct. 31 from4:30 to 5:30pm.  This walking tour gets up close with “ghouls and goblins” in the vineyard, then in the winery.  Cost is $45. pp.  Call 951-587-9463.
• A Harvest Dinner with winemaker Craig Larson & Executive Chef Mike Henry is planned at Callaway Winery, Sat. Oct. 26, 6:30 to 9:30pm. This unique wine & 5 course culinary feast is $120 ea. RSVP at 951-676-4001.
• Gen 7 Wines is celebrating its Fall Release Party, Sun. Oct. 27, at1pm in Rancho Santa Fe.  5 courses of cuisine are paired with GEN 7’s 5 new wines.  $65. before the date, $75. at the door.  Visit Gen7Wines.com.
• Vigilucci’s Restaurant in Coronado has an Italian Wine Tasting, Fri. Nov. 1 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Featured wines are from Feudi di San Gregorio, this years’ winery of the year in Italy.  Cost is $25.  RSVP at 619-522-0946.
• The Ramona Art & Wine Benefit Festival is Sat. Nov. 2 from Noonto 6pm, at the Mt. Woodson Castle.  Fine art, live music, Ramona wines, chef’s small bites, and a live auction of painted wine barrels.  $60. pp.  Visit RamonaArtandWineFest.net, or call 760-787-1102.

Toast the Coast at Vigilucci’s Restaurants

by Frank Mangio

From Carlsbad in the north to Coronado in the south, San Diego County Coastal wine aficionados and diners have their choice of 7 prime Vigilucci’s locations to enjoy the beach scene.

Between these locations, founder Roberto Vigilucci has a second restaurant in Carlsbad, two in Leucadia, and one in Encinitas and La Jolla. All have excellent wine lists, lots of Italian menu items and select locations have savory beef and seafood highlights. Catering is a growing part of his business with many unforgettable parties created by Vigilucci’s team.

On the night we visited, the beachfront Vigilucci’s in Carlsbad was selected on a beautiful, balmy night with a never-ending sunset. I was greeted by manager Julian Oesterlein and server Francisca Simon who introduced me to a husky and luscious Italian Tuscan Brunello wine from Col D’ Orcia. It was a special cellar 1997 selection, available to any diner. Vigilucci is passionate about food and wine. He has often told me he personally tastes the sauces in each of his restaurants and selects onlythe finest price to value wines, with emphasis on Italian varietals.

Roberto Vigilucci shows one of his Italian selections in the

wine cellar at the La Jolla Vigilucci’s.

My selected entree to pair up with this rich, red wine was the nightly special; a Rossotto del Giorno with grilled swordfish and asparagus. The pasta selection was Gnocchi al Tartufo (potato dumplings in a creamy truffle sauce au gratin.)

All pastas are made daily at Vigilucci’s.

This location is open for lunch at 11am. Happy Hour is in the lounge Monday though Friday from 3 to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. During July and August, dinner is served to 11pm Friday and Saturday nights, with Sunday brunch 10 to 3pm.

Saturday July 16 starting at 8am on the beach at Del Mar, the Vigilucci’s sponsored 31st annual Beach Bocce Ball World Championship Games are presented to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. Roberto has also been honored by the Sons of Italy as the 2010 Italian American of the Year in San Diego County. Take a Vigilucci’s internet tour and “Toast the Coast” to the music of Frank Sinatra at www.vigiluccis.com. It’s classic Italian!

Mark Russo: his Roots Go Back to Julia Childs & Robert Mondavi

Mark Russo… now there’s a guy that was born and nursed with an Italian red.

After a blazing career in culinary arts including owning a prestigious restaurant in Newport Beach and winning numerous wine and food awards, Mark’s fortunes accelerated when he met the legendary chef/author Julia Childs and with world renowned Napa wine maker Robert Mondavi, collaborated with both to start the American Institute of Wine & Food.

His current labor of love is the Black Bottle Winery, already a medal-winning “cult” wine of small production and powerful devotees.

Typical of Mark’s “outside the box” thinking, a good portion of the bottle is coated with the actual earth that makes this vintage 2007 Cabernet, a benchmark year with grapes that

Entrepreneur and winery owner Mark Rizzo displays his award winning 2007 Black Bottle Cabernet at a recent lunch at Bentley’s in Encinitas.

A touch of Merlot and Syrah makes it that much more lush and rich. The sad news is the 2007 is sold out. The good news is the 2008 is just about ready after 2 years in French oak and Mark is taking orders on his web site at www.blackbottlewinery.com.

He also has founded Angel’s Share International, a company focused on food, wine, spirits and luxury lifestyle. His are highly prized events and programs for those who can afford to have the very best. See more at www.AngelsShare.com.

Wine Bytes

TGI Wine Country Friday at South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is Fri. July 15 at 7:30pm. Two bands will be playing country rock. $10. pp. RSVP at 951-587-9463 x 7210.

WineSellar & Brasserie is having a “Pinot-Palooza” with 40+ Pinot Noirs at warehouse prices, Sat. July 16 from 11 to 3pm. Cheese and bread available. From more, call 858-450-9557.

San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Rd. is tasting a French Extravaganza of great wines on Bastille Day, Sat. July 16 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. fee. Details at 858-586-WINE.

The Summer Pre-Release Party is at Belle Marie Winery in Escondido, Sat. July 16 from 2 to 4pm. Cost is $7. pp, free to Vintage Club members. It’s a sneak preview of the newest wines. Call 760-796-7557.

“Summer of Riesling 2011” is being celebrated at the lounge, Club M and the restaurants of the Grand Del Mar Resort. Several of Germany’s most famous Rieslings have been hand-picked by Wine Director Jesse Rodriguez at highly reasonable glass-prices. Information at www.summerofriesling.com.

The Encinitas YMCA and Rancho Coastal Humane Society is planning an annual benefit Casino Night Sept. 17 and is looking for gift baskets and sponsors. This is a great opportunity for a winery or wine shop to build loyal customers with a wine donation for silent auction or raffle drawing, and sponsorship. Contact me at mangiompc@aol.com.

The Mondavis Move On and Up

by Frank Mangio
Quietly, without fanfare, Michael Mondavi, favored son of the great one of wine, the late Robert Mondavi, is re-building his place in the Napa Valley Wine Hall of Fame. Michael’s story is the stuff of legends, after 40 years and 2 empires. The current success is Folio Fine Wine Partners.

TASTE OF WINE visited with Michael recently at his estate in Napa Valley and found the passion and heritage in place, but with a relaxed and mild-mannered posture. If we fast-rewind the clock back to 1966, when Robert Mondavi Winery was first-born, Michael was already winemaking and with fire in his belly. He was determined to show his father he could be every bit as good as Mondavi confidants Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich, two Napa greats, who would later leave Mondavi and present wines that would topple French dominance in the “Judgement of Paris” in 1976.

Michael is now beyond the go-go days that ground out one of the largest public wine companies in the world. In 2004, he and his son Rob, daughter Dina and wife Isabel combined fine family wine with world-wide premium wines from Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.


Mondavi patriach, Michael Mondavi, founded Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa producers and importers of wine from exciting countries around the world.

The tradition continues as son Rob is now the winemaker at Folio, highlighted by the 2007 M, a Cabernet aged in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months. The wine is rich yet supple, and has soul beyond its years. This is Michael’s signature wine. It was racked several times then cellared15 months in bottle before release.( $200.) Michael was quoted as saying that “wines are like people; some age quickly and flame out; others continue to improve over the years. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

It’s been a long time since the chaos of the boardroom at Robert Mondavi Winery and age has been kind to Michael Mondavi and his true family. He and his son are making the best wine of their lives and he is a happier man for it. See for yourself at www.foliowine.com.

Vigilucci’s Restaurants Pour It On
Roberto Vigilucci and his team of restaurant managers are running fast lately, with an array of wine events that have stirred a lot of attention. From Coronado to Carlsbad, Vigilucci’s and fine wineries have paired up to treat guests to world-class names.

Two recent occasions included Chateau St. Michelle, pouring at the Carlsbad Coast Highway location; and the premier winery in all of Italy, Castello Banfi based in Tuscany, in a special appearance at the original Encinitas Vigilucci’s. Vittorio Homberger, the affable manager in the Carlsbad coast location, runs a lovely, contemporary seafood and steak Vigilucci’s with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.

Chris Livingston with Marc Lipovac of Southern Wine & Spirits, help manager Vittorio Homberger at a recent Chateau St. Michelle wine event at Vigilucci’s Carlsbad.

Based in Washington, Chateau St. Michelle is a major west coast wine producer with a portfolio of familiar fine wines. This night, we were treated to a wine that made my top ten last year: the 2008 Eroica Riesling, a product of the genius of Chateau St. Michelle’s winemaker and Germany’s best winemaker, Dr. Ernst Loosen. The name itself is a product of the musical genius of Beethoven and his Third Symphony. It sells for $25. You will love the crisp acidity. Another that has showed up on my previous Top Ten lists is Erath Pinot Noir from Oregon. It is in top form with the current 2008 release.( $19.). Fruit forward silky finesse with concentrated structure. In Encinitas,

Manager Paolo Pastorelli brought in Castello Banfi with their Educational Director Sharron McCarthy. Sharron informed us that 3 generations of the Mariani family have guided Banfi to a prime position in the Italian wine world, from Castello Banfi in Montalcino, Tuscany, to Banfi Vintners a world-class wine distributor.

“The reds with the Banfi banner are made on our 7,100 acres of vineyards near Montalcino that have virtually 100 micro-climates, enabling Banfi to produce wine grapes from Pinot Grigio to Brunello,” she said. She was especially fond of the 2007 BELNERO, an exciting Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and French varietals, and made a point to remind us that Banfi reds are best served at 64 to 67 degrees instead of “room temperature.”

Castello Banfi is a featured visit on the TASTE OF WINE Tuscan Tour October 7 to 10, part of our Celebrity Mediterranean Cruise from October 10 to 20. You can find out more by calling 800-359-3772.

Wine Bytes
Meet the Chefs of Del Mar Sun. Apr.10 at the Hilton Del Mar from 1 to 4pm. Top chefs are presenting their best dishes and fine wines. Drawings for exciting food and wine prizes. Tickets are $125. VIP $185. All proceeds to Casa de Amparo. Visit www.casadeamparo.org or call 760-754-5500.

Wine Vault in San Diego brings in Cass Winemaker Ted Plemons for a wine dinner Sun. Apr. 10 from 5 to 9pm. Ted has made my column many times with his Paso Robles Rhone Valley style. Reception at 4:15pm. Cost is $49.50. Contact by phone at 619-295-3939.

Keyways Vineyard and Winery in Temecula has its annual birthday Karnival Sun. Apr. 10 from 3 to 6pm. Games, food, wines and more. $25. for club members, $35 non-members. $10. for kids 5-12. Call 1-877-KEYWAYS.

Orfila Winery in Escondido has its next Concert in the Vines with artist Laura Roppe singing Sun. Apr. 10, 4:30 to 6:30pm. Tickets are $20. Call 800-868-9463.

Flemings Steakhouse & Wine Bar in La Jolla has a Justin Winery event Fri. Apr. 15 at 6:30pm. Appetizers and a 4 course dinner. $95. pp. Call for an RSVP at 858-535-0078.