Rhythm and Vine is Music, Food and Wine

by Frank Mangio

Indulge all your senses Saturday April 9 from 6 to 9pm at Westfield Center North County San Diego, as Rhythm and Vine comes again for an unforgettable night of hot tunes, hot food and cool, award-winning wine, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego.

The music lineup includes the Clay Colton Band with Rock, Country and Folk (shown in photo), Simeon Flick with Acoustic Soul, and Anthony Garcia (Flemenco Guitar). Over 60 wineries will be pouring, paired with 35 gourmet restaurants.

Under the professional guidance of Fast Forward Event Productions, with an unbeatable history of success in large wine and other lifestyle events, the Boys and Girls Club has found a singular food, music and wine event to raise funds for the 25,000 plus children of San Diego County who ultilize its services.

A highlight for guests is the optional VIP tent granting VIP ticket holders access to exclusive food and beverage partners, as well as a VIP after-party that will last until 10pm. The cost is $125. in advance and $150. at the door. General admission tickets cost $75. in advance and $100. at the door. A special discount is available for students and the military-two tickets for $99, pre sale only. Purchase tickets at www.rhythmandvine.org. You can call 760-858-0591, x203 for questions.

Most wine countries in California are represented with generous pours of Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Sauvignon Blanc and a host of wine blends.

One of the wines showcased in Rhythm and Vine is Callaway Winery of Temecula, fresh from big wins at the 2011 Winemaker Challenge in San Diego.

Callaway Winery in Temecula has recently won Gold for its Chardonnay and will be at the Rhythm and Vine event in Escondido.

Callaway was Temecula’s first winery and lately has come a long way with recently changed ownership, winemaker and marketing support. They have secured gold with the 2008 Winemaker’s reserve Chardonnay and 2009 Winemaker’s Reserve Late Harvest Chardonnay.

Other wineries worth noting are: Artesa of Napa Valley, Cass from Paso Robles and Michael-David from Lodi.

Wine-Speak from Robert Renzoni

I really enjoy trading comments on wine with the new “millennial.” Say what, you say? That’s’ OK, I had no clue what this new wine force was until I found out it’s a crucial part of the marketing of Paso Robles wine country, and their college and night club events. It’s all the young adult generation who turned 21 in 2000, to the present time.

I was at a wine dinner recently at the Temecula Creek Inn and they were featuring nearby wines by Robert Renzoni, who himself is a young, good looking Italian guy who does wine-speak in an easy-going harmonious manner. He’s all about family. Robert is full of stories about father Fred’s involvement in Italian wines from back east and how they have built up a family tradition of wine since 1886.

Robert Renzoni, left, brought his wines to Temecula Creek Inn to pair up with the tasty Meditteranean small bites of Chef Sal Giuliano

A Pinot Grigio, Julia’s Vineyard, is named after his mother, and La Rosa 2008 Rose’ is named after his grandmother. As he likes to say “alla famiglia!” With this spirit in place, many young “millennials” who came that night listened intently to the wine stories and spoke up about their wine choices. A young, well-dressed lady beside me (who brought her young baby to the event) flashed a winning smile and loved the Robert Renzoni 2008 Sangiovese as a beautifully structured, balanced body of wine with a soft finish. The Temecula Creek Inn event planners scored big-time on this one. Check out future events at www.temeculacreekinn.com.

Wine Bytes

PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar is planning a Taste of Bordeaux Sat. April 2 from 2 to 5pm in the Wine Bar, served with chef’s selection of fine cheese and fruit. Five wines will range from an ’09 Blanc to an ’07 St. Emilion. A wine host will be at PAON to educate. $20. pp. Call 760-729-7377.

Falkner Winery in Temecula will have Free Live Jazz on Sundays, starting April 3 from Noon to 3pm. It will be held on the outside lawn area next to the Tasting Room. Saxman Jason Weber will blow.

Lovers of Italian wines will want to get on a plane and go to Verona for this years’ Vinitaly, one of the largest showcases for Italy, Thurs. April 7 to Mon. April 11. Banfi of Tuscany plays a leading role in the event.

Proper, a Gastro Pub next to PETCO Park downtown San Diego will have Anglim Winery of Paso Robles in a wine dinner on Mon. Apr. 4 for $49. ea. RSVP at 619-255-7520. Amglim is a small-lot Rhone style winery.

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula brings in the blessing of the Vines Celebration & BBQ Sun. Apr. 10 from 4 to 7pm. Guests take the processional tour through the vineyards for the blessing and chefs cook a BBQ’d meal of Bratwurst, chicken and burgers, with live entertainment and dancing. Call 951-587-9463 for pricing.

RELM Wine Bistro, downtown Carlsbad is hosting Pre-Dating Speed Dating with the next event Sun. Apr. 17 at 5pm and 7pm. Different age groups are matched up so call for details on pricing and demographs. 760-805-5398. Happpy hour is now extended from 3 to 7pm at RELM.

The latest issue of Dining Out San Diego, a free glossy magazine on restaurants and menus, is now on display at hotels, restaurants, wineries and galleries.

Four Southern California Winemakers That Are Making a Difference

by Frank Mangio
Southern California does so many things in such a big way. The rest of the world can only follow, and when trends catch on elsewhere, “SOCAL” is on to something else. People flock here to catch the trendy wave of opportunity.

Population has swelled to some 13 million in 5 counties, yet the big puzzle is why hasn’t the wine industry kept pace. After all, the first wine in the state was made in the 1700’s by the missionaries in San Diego. Now over 50 wineries operate in the county, mainly in Ramona and Julian. Temecula in Riverside County has 1300 acres planted in wine grapes and plans to create up to 5,000 more acres of “citrus/vineyards” in a protected zone. It is fast becoming Southern California’s Wine Country with easy access to over 30 wineries. Elsewhere, vineyards and wineries show up in such urban areas as Malibu, downtown Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga and Westlake Village.

If we look a little closer, we can find some competitive and dedicated professionals making high quality wines, mainly in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Here are four you’ll want to know.

Les Linkogle will be the first one to tell you that he makes only ultra premium handcrafted wines that are expensive, with some reds as good as any in the Valley. Tasting is by appointment only. That makes him a wine making contrarian and that is a label he will gladly wear over his heart. “We are very different and like to feel we are like those smaller, premium boutique wineries in Napa Valley,”he said. He and his wife Dorian opened the doors of Briar Rose Winery in 2007, converted it from a country cottage home built with the wistful imagination of a Disney builder in the 70’s who fashioned it from Snow White’s cottage.

Linkogle considers his wines “art in a bottle.” Discerning locals and even Hollywood celebrities caught on to the Briar Rose wine experience and soon orders for Briar Rose wines were coming from such diverse locations as the White House and the Playboy Mansion. His reds were gathering medals by the bushel, especially small batch, barrel enhanced Cabernets that are turning heads in the wine world. Linkogle is now the Southern District Director of the prestigious Wine Institute. You must try the wines, but keep in mind, you must also make a reservation. Call 951-308-1098. The website is www.briarrosewinery.com.

Ryan Baker cut his teeth in the wine industry in the Napa -Sonoma area before arriving at Witch Creek Winery, an urban operation in the tourist-friendly beach resort of Carlsbad. He makes mostly Mediterranean style wine in the tasting room, rarely over 200 cases, and the varietals sell out quickly. Grapes are brought in from northern California and the Guadalupe Valley in Baja, Mexico. A decision was made in 2009 to enter 7 varietals, including lesser known Italian wines sourced from the Guadalupe Valley, into the San Francisco International Wine Competition. All 7 took medals, including Witch Creek’s 2006 Nebbiolo that was awarded “Best of Class!”

Baker, who was a chemist before the epiphany and listening to the call of winemaking, calls his Nebbiolo as good as any Barolo or Barbaresco in Piedmont Italy. (those are the premium wines that are made from the Nebbiolo grape).

“Our 2007 Nebbiolo is released and the $30. price is way lower than the Italian style price. The Cellar Club price is just $21. The mouth-feel is rich and round with blueberry and blackberry notes,” he said. “I m constantly experimenting, trying new combinations and blends. You have to try my latest, Due Pastore, a combination of Brunello and Aglianico.” We did and we loved it. Access www.witchcreekwinery.com.

Jon McPherson, along with Assistant Winemaker Javier Flores, have put South Coast Winery on the state and national map by capturing the Gold Bear California State Fair award for best winery in the state two of the last three years. This year it earned 56 medals at the fair. “It’s about letting the grapes speak. We listen and then carefully nurture the process.” He planted grapes in Texas as a kid, helping his father in the wine industry, then came to Southern California, determined to make great sparkling wines. He got his chance in 1986 as winemaker in what is now known as Thornton Winery in Temecula.

The winery eventually earned the title of “America’s Most Honored Sparkling Wine Producer.” When South Coast opened in 2003, Jon saw the opportunity and joined the team. The Wild Horse Peak series, with estate fruit harvested from South Coast’s vineyard at nearby Palomar Mountain is the crown jewel, producing best-of-breed 2006 Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. See more at www.wineresort.com.

Justin Mund is a winemaker with swagger and self-confidence , like a quarterback in football that always wants the ball. He’s been a winemaker for 9 years, making a name for himself in Sonoma with Ferrari Carano, then in the Central Coast with Addamo. He has recently come to Orfila replacing a winemaker legend in the area, Leon Santoro, who had been in charge since the origins of Orfila in 1994. “My challenge is to continually improve the wines while keeping the style on track. My wines are fruit driven and clean,” he said. “I found a lot of ’07 and ’08 varietals in-barrel and bottled them all. I want the wine in bottles and out for sale 18 months to 2 years after harvest.”

I asked him about the unusual 2010 growing season and he answered “I loved it! It was a cool season in a hot climate. We’ll have great flavor and a lower sugar count, with more hang time. We’ll get the acid up and the wines will be more accented. There is great potential here at Orfila and I want to step up the quality and ratings with a fresher, fruit forward style and a shorter vintage with lower alcohol. They will be balanced,” he promised.

Southern California wines have pockets of tradition and greatness and deserve our attention. Serious, quality wines can make their place among the “wine countries” of California. The new kids on the block are growing up.

Wine Bytes
Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo has its 33rd annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair Sat. and Sun. Oct. 16 and 17. Over 140 artisans will be on hand from 10am to 4pm. Live music, wine and food available. Park on the grounds. More details at 858-487-1866.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido presents St Francis Winery Sat. Oct. 16 from 5 to 7pm. Big, bold Sonoma style wines will be tasted including Cabs, Merlots and Old Vine Zins. $10. pp. More at 760-745-1200.

Orfila Winery in Escondido starts Concerts in the Vines Sun Oct. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Latin jazz kicks it off. $15 for club members. $20. everyone else. Questions call 760-738-6500.

Girls Night Out parties rock on at Tesoro Winery Tasting Room in Old Town Temecula Fri Oct 22 from 7 to 10pm. $24. includes wine tasting, appetizers, chocolate fountain and a chance to wine a prize basket. Call 951-308-0000.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is pouring Merlot Mania Fri Oct. 22 from 6 to 8pm. $20 ea. Check out the list at 760-599-1200.

Huree to Belle Marie!!!

Master Chef Giovanni, Belle Marie G.M. Jeff Lazenby and winery owner and host Mick Dragoo salute the event.(Foto by Frank)

Italian Wines Flourish at Belle Marie
by Frank Mangio

When Italian wines are featured at special event dinners, the host winery or restaurant is suddenly transformed into extended family celebration. The talk is loud and happy, the food takes on the flavor of a wedding or anniversary and the wines embody the very essence of the Italian lifestyle.

I started being served sips of Italian wine when I was all of four years old in Boston, where my grandfather had a press and a barrel in his cellar. My uncles used to play a simple game throwing fingers, for a double pour of this home-made red. Back then the wines were poured into large double strength glasses that beer is normally served in now-a-days. They knew nothing of the thin-stemmed tulip shaped glasses that are popular now.

This atmosphere was captured at a recent Italian wine dinner at Belle Marie Winery in Escondido, when Mick and Mary Dragoo hosted a feast for some 120 guests in their barrel room.

Six different grape varietals were served, paired with a luscious five course gourmet dinner created by Master Chef Guiseppe di Giovanni of Ciao Restaurant in nearby Vista. Mick told stories of each of the wines that were selected to pair perfectly with each course. All wines were Belle Marie or the limited edition Chateau Dragoo.

The Italian wines presented were cellar creations to be released at a later date: the 2007 Dolcetto, 2006 Montepulciano, 2005 Aglianico, 2007 Late Harvest Primitivo, 2005 Chateaneuf du Pape ( from the south of France) and my favorite of the group, the 2005 Super Tuscan which is available on the Chateau Dragoo label. “We were really fortunate on this Super Tuscan which has major portions of Brunello in it,” said Mick. “We got first cuttings from the Guadalupe Valley where all of our Italian grapes come from, before the Italians copyrighted the Brunello name. Ours contains 6% Cabernet Sauvignon to solidify the taste.

The cost is well below what the Italian brands would charge.” (Cost is $28. Case price is $22.40 per bottle.)

Mick made wine in the Napa Valley for 12 years before realizing he could do better in San Diego County with Mediterranean style grapes. A pioneer winemaker in Temecula, Joe Hart, introduced him to Italian style grapes from the Guadalupe Valley and master grower from Italy, Camillo Magoni.

“He grows perfect grapes,” Mick exclaimed. “It’s the classic climate for all that is wonderful about Italian wines.”

The next major wine event for Belle Marie and Chateau Dragoo is the Vintage Club Pre-Release Party on Saturday, July 18 from 2 to 4pm, free of charge for club members and their friends. The newest wines will be tasted before they are released to the public. Visit the winery on line for more information about the Vintage Club at www.bellemarie.com. The phone number is 760-796-7557.

Wine Bytes
 Eli’s Wine and Food in Del Mar is helping present the Rady’s Children’s Hospital Wine and Food Tasting “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” on Sun. June 7 from 5 to 8pm at Del Mar Plaza. Admission is $50. and can purchased at Eli’s or by calling 619-871-9700.

 The next San Diego State University class on Exploring Wine is June 8 to July 6 from 6 to 9pm on-campus. Includes an extensive overview of the world of wine, taught by expert Lisa Redwine. Cost is $295. or $325. after June 1. Call 619-594-6924.

 A wine class on the Piedmont district wines of Italy is being held at Bacchus Wine Market Thurs. June 11 from 6 to 8pm for $45. Taste your way through the grapes of the region, like Barbera, Dolcetto, Barolo and Barbaresco. Light appetizers and 8 to 10 wines. Call 619-236-0005.

 “Wines for Summertime” is the theme for the next event at the Grand Del Mar’s Culinary and Wine series on Wed. June 10, 6:30 to 8:30pm. Light, elegant wines are on the list, like German Riesling, Austrian Gruner Veltliner and domestic Pinot Noir. $95. pp. For an RSVP, contact 858-314-2000.

 333 Pacific Restaurant at the Oceanside Pier opens its posh great wine room for a Suhr Luchtel Napa Valley wine and dine event on Wed. June 17 with a 6:30pm start. Winemaker Gary Luchtel will educate and entertain, choosing five wines to match with the lovely courses presented that evening. The main entrée will be: grilled Australian lamb sirloin, matched up with the ’05 Sur Luchtel Cabernet “Stagecoach Vineyard.” $75. each. To reserve space, call 760-433-3333.

Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His columns can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com. He is one of the top wine commentators on the web. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.

Wine and Food Event for Boys & Girls Club Rawks Saturday Night!

Fotos by Mojo
Saturday night's wine and food event at Westfields North County Mall was a huge success, if great wine and tasty food had anything to do with it. Check back for complete TV segment coverage.

ABOVE: Even the vendors took some time out to demonstrate their best "grape grins".

ABOVE: San Diego winelovers and foodies catch up to compare vintages and help a great cause.

ABOVE: Taste of Wine TV's own J.T. Meadows took time out from wine interviews to do his own research of a most excellent line-up of Aguirre Tequilla.

ABOVE: Taking time out from a busy evening of wine sampling to spoon up some of the great pasta offered by the friendly folks at Macaroni Grill.
ABOVE: Taste of Wine TV cameraman Ed Stockton calls in a rental truck to haul away some of the top-notch wine finds that he came across at Saturday night's event.

Leon Santoro: A Great Winemaker, and a Great Guy...

Article and photo by Janene Roberts (Wine Girl)

“You’re a romantic,” Leon Santoro tells me as I sit across from him in his office at Orfila Winery in Escondido.

“It takes one to know one,” I respond. He smiles and says, “These other people, they’re just about the money.”

Leon starts telling me stories and there are a lot of them. He takes me with him on his life’s trails as he traces his index finger along a map from Italy to New York to Napa Valley and finally to San Diego. He tells me he was learning his winemaking skills in areas that weren’t known for their wines until after he had already left. “You know,” Leon’s saying, “I’m not going to be around forever. You’re going to have to tell this winery’s stories.”

“Oh stop it,” I say.
“No, it’s true.”

Little did I know these were words of a dying man. On Thursday, January 22, 2009, Leon Santoro the award winning winemaker at Orfila Winery died at the age of 58 while awaiting a lung transplant. I was shocked, as most people that did business with him were.

“You know we all went back to Italy last summer,” his brother Paul Santoro is telling me after Leon’s funeral at the table where they have pictures of Leon and Paul and their family in Italy. “Our dad died just one month before on the same day, “he continues. “Leon was still doing business with his Blackberry in the hospital.”

“You’ve had a lot of losses,” I say. “I’m sorry.”

I tried not to cry when the contemporary singers at Grace Lutheran Church sang Amazing Grace, but my efforts didn’t work. I wasn’t the only one there with tears in my eyes. Leon affected a lot of lives with his big heart. The church had to set up folding chairs in the back of the chapel to seat all the people that were there for him. There were people from his son’s soccer team, from the church and the wine community.

Leon leaves behind a wife, and a young son and daughter. He also leaves behind a huge hole in the San Diego winemaking scene.

The Future is Now at Orfila Winery

Article by Frank Mangio
Photo by Joe Zazzaro

Wine futures have always fascinated me. The fact that wine loyalists will invest in purchasing cases of wine after harvest but before bottling, betting that the wine will be of the highest quality without tasting it until the following year, is a sign of trust in the winery’s ability to produce consistent excellence.

Orfila Vineyard and Winery in Escondido each year presents its Merlot Futures Winemaker Dinner. The most recent gala, the 10th annual, brought aficionados from Las Angeles to New Jersey to make sure they picked up their orders for the 2006 Merlot, and placed their case orders at a discount for the 2007 which will be released at the next dinner in the fall of this year.

Last year’s 2005 Merlot received high praise at the 2008 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition in San Diego.

The Orfila creation was awarded a Platinum Medal, the highest possible accolade. Leon Santoro, Orfila’s winemaker, emphasized the low production, high quality of the Merlot grapes for the 2006. Just 1,116 cases were available.


A Taste of Wine columnist Frank Mangio with Steffi Habermann Event Manager for Orfila and performer Tom Rizzotto, at the Merlot Futures Winemaker Dinner.

He promised “beautiful notes of cherries, raspberries and violets. It has a deep, complex Merlot flavor with delicious oak overtones and maximum color and was aged primarily in French oak barrels blended with 4.5% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The 2006 is the 16th production of San Diego County Merlot and counting the turnout to take possession of the 2006 futures and sign up for the 2007, many wine lovers have faith in their “Merlot Futures” at Orfila. For more information, contact the winery at 760-738-6500 or www.orfila.com.