Music is in the Wine at Lorimar

by Frank Mangio

Mark Mansfield wants to stimulate your senses. To that end, the ex Kansas City businessman who came here from the hospitality industry, has some good ideas on exactly how to do that with his Temecula Wine Country newcomer Lorimar Vineyards and Winery.

The first time I laid eyes on Lorimar, the winery was revving up for a Kansas City style BBQ Wine and Blues event. With the smokers cooking the tri tips, chicken and pork ribs and the blues band pickin’ BB King, Mansfield was running around, making sure everyone tried the new wines he couldn’t stop raving about.

Taste of Wine Columnist Frank Mangio tastes a Lorimar 2008 “Fusion” blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, with owner Mark Mansfied.

“What you see around you is everything I love about a winery,” he declared. “I love to cook and drink great wine while listening to lively music, surrounded by lovely art…this is the foundation of our winery’s philosophy. You know, we are in the middle of a 150 acre orange grove,” he revealed as he popped open the 2010 Lorimar Riesling that had a distinctive orange blossom aroma and taste to it. “It filters into the wine and gives it that zesty citrus flavor, like candied fruit,” he judged. ( $21.)

Mansfield then showed me his plans for a Tuscan style stone two story building with a high bell tower that will be seen from a distance along the main Temecula Wine Country highway. “Here we’ll have musicians, artists and chefs meeting for memorable gatherings and events…nourishment for the soul,” he murmured. “The patio deck will have a huge state-of-the-art pizza oven with a bridge access from the tasting room. I want fruit-forward wines with an old-world characteristic,” he said as he opened his Lorimar 2010 Sangiovese, an Italian varietal that yielded an intense cherry, rasberry flavor.

By far the best example of a wine set to music was the 2008 “Fusion” blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah that hit some high notes for me. It was a simpatico symphony, with Old Vine Zin, linked with the always potent Petite Sirah Late Harvest. An element of pepper laced it all up into Lorimar’s most vibrant wine. ($38). If you join the “Concerto Club of Lorimar” you can expect 25% off the prices shown; more if you purchase a case. See the new web site for more at www.lorimarwinery.com. Or call 951-240-5177. There is a tasting room in Old Town Temecula at 42031 Main Street.

New Bubbly & Jazz in the Vines of Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards stands tall as one of the greatest success stories in the Temecula Valley. With over 70 acres of pristine vines, both reds and whites do well here.

A hot air balloon positions itself for a panoramic look at the 70+ acres of Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards over Temecula, before it built a special events center and major restaurant.

Under the watchful eye of winemaker Etienne Cooper, Wilson Creek has nurtured recent gold medals for its 2008 Late Harvest Zinfandel and its blend, Golden Medley.

The Wilson Family is a story in itself, with an extended family of over 21 active members including the family dogs. Matter of fact, Extended Family is what they call their wine club, one of the most active in this wine country, thanks in part to Wilson Creek Almond Champagne, a gold-medal winner and a huge selling white sparkling wine, naturally fermented with a hint of almond flavor, selling at a budget price. It has lifted the winery to national recognition.

Now, the news is out that two new editions of this champagne are ready for an introduction in July: Wilson Creek Peach Bellini and an Orange Mimosa. Both will have hints of Almond. “People have enjoyed our Almond Champagne since day one ten years ago,” beamed Bill Wilson. “It was Almond Champagne that set us apart from the others.”

The two new wines will be rolled out at a special “Bubble Bash” reception at the winery on Thursday July 7 from 5:30 to 7:30PM with the public invited to attend.

And yes, great Sunset Jazz is returning to Wilson Creek, with the premiere show being Warren Hill Saturday July 23 at 7:30pm. The acclaimed Canadian Sax man has sold over 1 million CDs and is as smooth as they come. Dinner seating is available. Other artists include Paul Shilts and Craig Chaquico, and Jeff Golub. Ticket information at 951-699-9463. Or check out www.wilsoncreekwinery.com.

Wine Bytes

Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp downtown San Diego is pouring Rhone Style Blends Fri. July 8, 4 to 8:30pm and Sat. July 9 from 2 to 8:30pm. $15. charge for 7 pours. Call 619-236-0005.

A Benefit Taste of le Tour de France is being presented at Tommy V’s in Del Mar, Thurs. July 14 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. It benefits “Do Something Now” that sends bikes to Third World Countries, currently to South Africa. Taste fine wines and micro brewery beers, hors d’ouvres, music, auction items. Cost is $40. in advance, $50. at the door. More info, call 760-940-0880.

The California Wine Festival 2011 is in Santa Barbara with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting Fri. July 15, 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Pier; and a Beachside Food & Wine Fest Sat. July 16 from 1 to 4pm also at the Pier. Buy tickets at www.californiawinefestival.com.

French Bastille Day is being celebrated at the Westgate Hotel, downtown San Diego, on Thurs. July 14 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Famous painter Avendano will showcase his art to live music, French wine and hors d’ ouvres, in the grand lobby. $15. charge. RSVP at 619-238-1818.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has its Napa Valley Vintners Tasting Sat. July 16 from 4 to 7pm. 11 of the hottest wineries pour their latest releases. $50.pp. RSVP required. 760-479-2500.

A Salute to John and Sally Thornton

by Frank Mangio
John and Sally Thornton, owners of Thornton Winery in Temecula with their son Steve, recently added three more awards to their decades-long accomplishments in wine and hospitality. The Southern California Restaurant Writers bestowed their Golden Bacchus Wine Award and Golden Five Star Sceptre Award to the winery’s Café Champagne after a year-long evaluation from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. Both are the organization’s highest awards in their category.

Kudos to Café Champagne’s top chef, Steve Pickell, who has guided its success for over 13 years. He saluted the Thornton’s “contribution to the culinary vision with their expertise, dedication, talent and integrity.”

The Thorntons were also honored as Humanitarians of the Year due to the constant and major giving to community charities. Their name is on one of the largest medical centers in San Diego. Thornton Winery has a 20 year legacy of winemaking that has brought it world acclaim, especially in blending “Methode Champenoise” Sparkling Wine/Champagne, which created worldwide excitement for its freshness and bursts of flavor as an ideal celebratory drink, best expressed by the Brut Reserve series.

John and Sally Thornton toasting with one of their popular Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wine/Champagne varietals which brought fame to their winery.

The distinguished old world look of the property displays elegant French influence with an overlook of the pristine vineyards that bear the estate fruit of Thornton. Their champagne jazz series is in full bloom and the lineup reads like a who’s who of talent. Yet the best part of this success story is the work of winemaker Don Reha and his movement into Mediterranean style red wines since his arrival in 2003. Latest release names to know are: 2005 Viognier, 2006 Nebbiolo, 2005 Estate Bottled Syrah and the 2006 Late Harvest Zinfandel.

You can now pick up a 30% discount on any case purchase with free shipping. Check out this short term offer by calling 951-699-0099 or visiting www.thorntonwine.com.

The House That Almond Champagne Built

by Frank Mangio

Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards in Temecula Wine Country stands as a beacon to a wine family’s hard work and an attitude of “let’s make it fun.”

The Wilsons, with patriach Gerry and his energetic wife Rose, gathered themselves together and acquired the 20 acres they first organized in 1996. They sold their homes and businesses, spread out over the country, and came to Temecula to make wine.

As Bill Wilson puts it, “we are right in the middle of Southern California wine country, 20 miles from the ocean".

The decomposed granite soil and climate are perfect for growing grapes and we enjoy the southland lifestyle with about 20 million people to draw from. We want to put Temecula on the map as a major wine country.” Over the years, it’s been Wilson Creek’s Almond Champagne that single handedly has lifted the winery into prominence. This gold-medal winner is naturally fermented, with a hint of almond added, that has enchanted champagne style wine lovers. It has amazed me with its popularity and wide distribution into wine shops up to the largest of supermarkets and discount wine departments.


Bill Wilson, General Manager, toasts his new restaurant, Creekside Grille. (photo by Frank Mangio)

Prices vary, with the wine club at Wilson Creek listing it at $16.95.
“We have tripled our 5 year business plan,” declared Bill. “ It has allowed us to build new facilities that are functional, including our new Creekside Grille which is kind of a Southern California Wine Country Cuisine Menu. It’s an easy to understand lineup of great food and wines…nothing ostentatious, just comfortable food.”

The chef is Clay Blake from the fine restaurants in Seattle before re-locating in wine country. Hours at the new addition are 11 to 5pm daily with a lovely Sunday Brunch. Reservations at 951-699-9463.

Etienne Cowper, the lead winemaker at Wilson Creek, loves to “bring out the personality of the grape to produce an enjoyable wine.” He has increased the breadth of wines presented. I can personally attest to his handicraft with the new release 2006 Zinfandel( $32.95) with just the right balance of concentrated fruit and spice that a great Zin posseses. www.wilsoncreekwinery.com.

2008 Harvest in Temecula Wine Country Successful
Saturday and Sunday October 1 and 2, Temecula Wine Country is planning its 2008 Harvest Celebration with winning wines, barrel tastings and food sampling. They have good reason to celebrate. With wide smiles, the winemakers all feel that the ’08 harvest is among the best ever! “it was an ideal growing season. Just the right amount of early rain and a mild summer. The grapes have gone crazy,” asserted Bill Wilson of Wilson Creek.

Mike Tingley of Keyways exclaimed “so far, fruit quality is excellent.” August was the right time to pick Chardonnay and Syrah used in sparkling wines with red grapes the last to be picked.

Up north the cold snap last spring is going to hurt the ’08 vintage in Napa and Sonoma, so Temecula’s 33,000 acres could be producing an ’08 vintage better than most others in California.

The Local Sip
The Wine Loft in Carlsbad has a Halloween flight going on Fri. Oct. 24 from 5 – 9pm. Sample Bogle Phantom and other “spooky” specials. Details at: 760-434-9463.

Wine Street in Carlsbad is asking support for the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at its Tasting for a Cure on Fri. Oct. 24, 4 to 7:30pm. Great lineup of wines to taste plus raffle drawing. $20. ea. Phone: 760-431-8455.

Alternative Wines on Fri Oct. 24 starting at 6pm presents Pairng Wine and Cheese, featuring fabulous cheeses from Venissimo. Fee is $29. RSVP please at 858-780-9463.

Thornton Winery in Temecula celebrates its 2008 Hallow-Wine Party on Fri. Oct. 31 starting at 7pm. Four Star buffet includes 2 glasses of lovely Thornton wine plus champagne reception. Prizes for best costume. $85. pp. Cal 951-699-0099 for an RSVP.

Explore Australia is the theme of the wine dinner at Tapenade in La Jolla on Tues. Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 9pm. Enjoy D’Arenberg wines such as Viognier, Shiraz, Riesling and the brand’s blends. $92. ea. RSVP at 858-551-7500 x 1.

The famous New Zealand wine Kim Crawford is being poured at an Institute of Wine dinner at Roppongi in La Jolla Mon. Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 9pm. You will taste Rose, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Cost is $90. for members and $105. for non-member guests. 619-297-0951.