Wining Around the San Diego Wine Scene

by Frank Mangio
Some of the most creative people I know are connected to the wine scene. From winemaker to wine server, they get it that wine has a special place in our lives. Wherever people gather, wine plays a role in adding to the success of the evening. So let’s get a taste of some recent wine events that left everyone smiling.

Ferrari Carano, always a quality winemaker from Sonoma, presented its new releases recently at Capri Blu, the Italian Bistro and Winebar in the 4S Ranch area west of Rancho Bernardo. The new and summer-style 2009 Bella Luce was introduced, a light wine of mostly Chardonnay, with 6 other world-class white grapes to produce its own individuality. ($14.) Other winners were the 2008 version of Siena, made of mostly Italian Sangiovese and Argentina’s Malbec ($18.), and the limited release PreVail West Face, a rich-bodied dark ruby red wine of mostly cabernet with a healthy dose of Syrah ($55.).

Up north on the 15 freeway and into Escondido, Holiday Wine Cellar filled its underground wine tasting room with eager fans of Frank Family from Napa Valley. Catherine Uzeta, the Frank Family rep and Jim Kern of Holiday offered 5 Frank Family varietals for tasting and had attractive discounts on sales for that evening. I was most attracted by the 2008 Pinot Noir from the Carneros district of Napa Valley. ($31.99). Fresh strawberry fruit impresses the palate, with hints of hibiscus tea, cinnamon and honey.

Word just in that Jim Carter’s South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in the Temecula Valley has won some 56 medals at the California State Fair, including 15 Best of Class. It’s still another tribute to the determination of Carter to raise the level of quality wines in Temecula, with the expertise and wine wisdom of Master Winemaker Jon McPherson. The 38 acre property also has a world class restaurant and spa, and is a major concert venue.

Many of the awards were for the Wild Horse Peak wines, with grapes grown up in the hills near Palomar Mountain. The 2006 Sangiovese is a distinguished version of the Tuscan great.

The Shores Restaurant in La Jolla, recently rejuvenated by restaurant manager and sommelier Lisa Redwine, presented Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars in the San Francisco Bay area. Five different tasting stations made it a pleasure to participate. There were five Rhone varietals presented including a Granache. Brockway underlines his small production quantities and a hands-on approach as keys to his recent success since 2004 in making pocket-friendly drinkable wines.

Did you know that the family of the late Frank Sinatra now has Sinatra Family Estates wines, starting with a high quality 2007 Cabernet from Calistoga, Napa Valley (79.99). It’s starting to show up at finer wine shops.

The highest quality magazine for searching out the most contemporary information on food and wine is San Diego’s own Dining Out, a complimentary glossy publication available in finer restaurants and wine bars. The Summer/Fall edition is out with fascinating revelations about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as full menus of your favorite restaurants.

Carlsbad Wine Merchants Friday nights are really rockin and getting a fun reputation with live music, small bites cuisine and memorable wine tastings. First music set is usually 6:30pm. Caesar or Berry salad, gourmet pizzas, chicken wings or cheese boards compliment the wine tastings which go from 5pm to 8pm. $10. for wine club members, $20. for non-members. TGIF never felt so good.

Old Vines Rule in the Land of Zin

by Frank Mangio
Spring has again brought life to the venerable old vines, whose age reach back over 100 years in the root stocks of Mother Clone Zinfandel at the Sonoma vineyards of Pedroncelli. This Spring, the buds that will be concentrated juice are now leaves and showing another year of life. Plenty of “Goldilocks” rainfall, not too much and not too little, support the delicate leaves and shoots that will shape the 2010 harvest.

Jim Pedroncelli watches over his ¼ acre, 1st generation Mother Clone Zin vines like a mother hen would over her eggs. The 2008 vintage is just out, from 30 acres of 2nd generation Zin vines using budwood from the original century-old vines, adding a Pedroncelli flavor to this classic blackberry, spice, black currant beauty. 5% Petite Sirah has been added for color and tannin balance.

Jim Pedroncelli inspects one of Pedroncelli’s carefully cultivated hundred year old Zinfandel vines, which he calls “Mother Clone.”

Old Vine Zinfandel has been planted on the property since 1904. The Pedroncelli family purchased the home vineyard in 1927 in a district of Sonoma called Geyserville. The family scraped through Prohibition by selling grapes to home winemakers with a 200 gallon government mandated limit. It wasn’t until 1934 that Pedroncelli could bottle wine under its own label due to restrictions after Prohibition was lifted.

Fast-forward to this day and this winery is still a personal, family operation with sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the environment, reducing water consumption and keeping the soil healthy for the next generation of family. All pruning, thinning and picking of the 2nd generation Zin vines is done by hand, better to respect the Mother Clone vines that have been among the longest producing of any in Sonoma.

Other wines that are popular with the Pedroncelli Wine Club members and area restaurants are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The price range is a pleasing $10. for the Rose, to $25. for the Estate Cabernet. The Mother Clone Zinfandel is just $15. Mark Abraham, the Pedroncelli Southern California Sales Manager, is a popular guy when he delivers his latest releases to client restaurants. There is no better value in a bottle, and business has never been better. After all, mother would want it that way. It’s a family tradition. Learn more by accessing www.pedroncelli.com.

More Zins and other Rednecks
After exploring what’s new at the Zinfandel Road Show Tasting and the California Wine Festival in Orange County, then the Rhythm and Vine Festival in Escondido, my tasting notes show a few stand-outs that deserve attention:

Ancient Peaks 2007 Zinfandel, Paso Robles. $16. Sizzling nose, fruit forward and packed with tangy herb accents.

Cakebread 2007 Zinfandel, Napa Valley. $44. Class act, classic Zin with a zesty, super –long finish.

Four Vines 2007 Zinfandel Maverick, Paso Robles. $25. This one jams with super fruity taste and a nutty injection.

Artezin 2008 Zinfandel, Napa Valley. $17. Well balanced fruit, more earthy than most.

Cass 2008 Mouvedre, Paso Robles. $38. Rhone Valley grape usually used for blending. Just a touch of Syrah added here with spectacular results.

Lucas and Lewellen 2006 Petite Sirah, Santa Barbara. $28. Elegant tasting blue-blackberry texture with inky-black look. Big mouth-feel, smooth tannins. Silky finish.

Just reviewed: Zaca Mesa Estate Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley 2006. $23. Aged in Oak 16 months, the high altitude, cool climate allows perfect expression of terroir. Syrah sales have tripled year over year at Zaca Mesa. The ’06 should provide more momentum.


Wine Bytes
- South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula is hosting Rhythm on the Vine Benefit Concerts, with Jazz greats Stephanie Mills and Najee Fri. May 14 at 7:30pm and Country great Clint Black Sat. May 15 at 8pm. Full details and pricing at www.wineresort.com or call 951-587-9463.

- Tesoro Winery in old town Temecula opens its newest SOCAL Artist Series with California artist Richard Powers, Thurs. May 13 at 7pm. This free showing includes Tesoro Wine and cheese selections. Call 951-526-4540.

- Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido holds a Vintage Chardonnay event on Mon. May 17 at 5:30pm. California and French vintages compete. Cost is $5. Call 760-745-1200.

- The 12th annual San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts Grand Tasting and Auction is Sat. May 22 from 6 to 9:30pm. The best of California wines will be poured, paired with farm-fresh local dishes from the best restaurants. Auction will include the finest lots of rare wine vintages. Cost is $100. each, with VIP pricing for special feature packages. Go to www.mopavintage.org or call 619-238-7559 x 207.

- The California Center for the Arts in Escondido is the place for the 15th annual Rotary Club of Bonsall Wine, Brew and Blues Festival, Sat. May 22 from 4 to 10pm. Wine, handcrafted beer, tasty bites, dessert court, 2 stages for live blues bands, dancing and a live auction. Tickets are $60. For more information and tickets, access www.bonsallrotary.com or call 800-249-2024.