Post Earthquake: Napa Valley is All for One, One for All

by Frank Mangio
As of day five after the 6.0 earthquake that struck the southern district of Napa Valley, damage estimates may top four billion dollars, with 120 injuries, 3 critical, with over  103 dwellings “redtagged” as non-inhabitable. Over 100 smaller earthquakes have been recorded since the big one early Sunday morning, August 24th.

In a sign of gritty resilience, the world famous "Napa Valley Welcome" sign stood its ground and didn’t crack or crumble. Six wineries out of the more than 500 in the valley, reported major damage with Trefethen Winery’s main building, a classic historical site built in 1886, near collapse.

Napa Valley wineries, for the most part, have cleaned up and are ready for the harvest season, after the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck August 24th.

 Located in the Oak Knoll district, just north of the city of Napa which took the brunt of the damage, Loren Trefethen is quoted as saying, “we are one family, one estate and one passion. This is who we are. Nature has dealt us a blow, but we will come back.” You may want to see a remarkable helicopter video at www.trefethen.com. Silver Oak Winery lost hundreds of bottles of a rare collection of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that were “literally priceless,” according to CEO David Duncan.

Over 3 million visitors a year sojourn to Napa Valley , one of the great visitor attractions in the country. It is not big. Just 4% of the wine produced in California comes from Napa Valley. Most wineries are family owned.  This is an American “Camelot”…a paradise, shared by the chosen few, who provide visitors with the finest wine on the planet.

Before me are dozens of e mails from many wineries who escaped major damage, like Lewis, Frank Family, Spring Mountain, Joseph Phelps, Michael Keenan, Tamber Bay, and the list goes on.  Here’s the “one for all” part:

One by one, they express gratitude that they have been spared major damage.  All are focusing on the less fortunate and helping in any way they can, especially to those wineries that sustained injury and property damage.  The Napa Vintners Association has announced that it will be the lead donation of $10 million dollars to create a Napa Valley Community Relief Fund “to meet the immediate needs of local residents and local businesses impacted by the disaster.”  Individuals may also donate to the fund to serve earthquake victims.  Visit www.napavintners.com.
 

Moon Over Mangio

Joel Reese of Leonesse Winery toasts CRUSH with columnist Frank Mangio.

Wine Event of the Year Coming to Temecula
It’s CRUSH time in Temecula Wine Country, Sat. Sept. 13 from 7 to 10pm!  This is the one and only event showcasing the 30+ members of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, all in one location, at Wiens Family Cellars.  Enjoy a walk-around tasting of all-Temecula wines and culinary bites from area wineries and restaurants. General admission $85. Or VIP admission at 6 pm for a private premium tasting for $110. Meet the owners, chat with the winemakers. Visit www.temeculawines.org for ticket information, or call 800-801-9463.

Wine Bytes in Temecula
September is California Wine Month; Celebrate with an event in Temecula.

The blessing of the wine, grape stomp and harvest festival are all happening at South Coast Winery Sun. Sept. 21st at 4pm.  Dine on a chef’s special feast, live music and dancing and grape stomping.  $55. ea. Details at 951-587-9463.

Keyways Winery kicks off a jazz concert series Sat. Sept. 20th with guitarist Paul Brown and saxman Michael Lington.  Tickets are $45., and $75. for VIP perks. Call 951-302-7888.

At Thornton Winery, Summer Horns Jazz concert returns Sat. Sept. 27 and Sun. Sept. 28 at 7pm. Enjoy Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot. Ticket information: thorntonwine.com/champagne-jazz-series.

Monte De Oro Winery has its 2nd annual Grape Stomp Sat. Sept. 27.  Live entertainment, BBQ dinner, games and more.  Adults $34.95, children $14.95.  Details at 951-491-6551.

New Wines, a New Villa and All That Jazz at Thornton Winery in Temecula Wine Country

by Frank Mangio
A friend of mine recently passed me the official site map for  Temecula that I speculate could have been printed in the 80’s.  It showed 12 wineries, some 25 less than are counted today in the winegrowers brochure, an amazing growth record.

In the late 80’s, John and Sally Thornton, shortly after gaining ownership of Culbertson Winery, founded the Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series.

“We needed an attraction to sell more wine and I thought a concert series would do it, and it did,” said John.  Like the rites of Spring, the Champagne Jazz Series has again arrived for its 26th year. A stellar lineup of nationally known artists perform at outdoor concerts each weekend from May 17th. to October 19th.

Dave Koz is the longest running Jazz artist to appear at Thornton Winery’s
Champagne Jazz Series in Temecula.

 
Champagne Jazz manager Tonya Wake was excited about her first act Saturday May 17th at 7pm. It’s Jazz Attack, a collaboration of great Jazz, with triple threats Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove.  A high point in the series will be Summer Horns on Sat. September 27th at 7pm, when Dave Koz, longest running act in the series, partners up with Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot. For more information and tickets, call 951-699-3021. www.thorntonwine.com.

New Dynamic Wine Duo at Falkner
Amante and Meritage are the brands.  Ray and Loretta Falkner, in Temecula Wine Country, have made a living off these two wines that have been a home run since they had their first corks popped.  The 2010 vintages are out and about .  Each is $39.95 on the Falkner site and at the winery.

One large difference about the two: Amante follows closely the Italian Super Tuscan model of a dominant Sangiovese, followed by the classic blending grapes of Merlot, Cabernet and Cab Franc.  From the earthy aroma to the chewy fruit/tobacco flavors, it’s deep rooted Italian.  This bottle made my “Great Eight” recently.

Meritage is an all-Bordeaux style with a healthy blend of Cabernet, supported by Cab Franc and Merlot.  Duncan Williams came over from Fallbrook Winery to be winemaker at Falkner, and he’s on board with the new concept  “Seductive Series” based on the success of “Luscious Lips.” This is a slightly sweet  party wine that is the lead for a four-pack of similar semi-dry fun wines.  They match up nicely with the new Summer Menu at the attractive hilltop Pinnacle Restaurant, the full service Falkner dining room with spectacular hilltop views.  Check out the specialty burgers on the web site www.falknerwinery.com.

The Bell is Finally Tolling for Robert Renzoni Vineyards

The bell tower is shown, part of the new tasting room and villa at
Robert Renzoni Vineyards in Temecula.

After 6 years of grit and determination, the Renzoni Family now has its tasting room and Tuscan Villa, despite its primary bank going bust during the deepest recession in decades.  “We stuck it out,” asserted family paternal leader Fred Renzoni.  “We operated from our production warehouse, got some good business, built up the wine club and found another bank who believed in us.  By the time we got permitting from the county, we started building in 2012.  We’ll have a large number of outdoor features for dining, tasting, entertainment, even a bocce court. It’s all about Tuscan Italian living with the architecture that reflects our heritage east of Florence . Our original family crest will be prominently displayed as will our family history.”

The tasting room will be three times as big as the current one tucked into the original production room.

The bell will toll daily at the open and close of business, a symbol of the celebration of this deep rooted wine family and their biggest victory. www.robertrenzonivineyards.com.

Wine Bytes

Morada in the Rancho Santa Fe Inn will present a wine dinner Tues. May 13 from 6 to 8pm, featuring Mirror Wines.  Cost is $190. each.  Call 858-381-8190 for more.

Dolce Pane E Vino, also in Rancho Sante Fe, will join with B Cellars of Napa Valley for a wine dinner Wed. May 14 with dinner at 7pm. Make your reservation at 858-832-1518.  $150 pp.

Wine, Brews & Blues are all featured Sat. May 17 from 5:30 to 10pm at the Escondido Center for the Arts by the Bonsall Rotary Club.  Tasty bites will be prepared by leading restaurants in Escondido .  Silent auction, art sales and dancing.  Tickets are $75. available at BonsallRotary.com.