New Wines and Summer Concerts Uncorked in Temecula

by Frank Mangio
The sun shines brightly in Temecula this time of year.  My e mails are full of good news from the 35 + wineries, offering  big names, big bites and big vintage wines. It’s the new world version of the sound of music in the vines.

Nobody does it better than Thornton Winery producing 20 Champagne Jazz concerts from Saturday May 4 through Sunday October 20. It’s Thornton’s 25th season of presenting leading Jazz headliners that draw from all over to enjoy the brightest stars, like:  Peter White, Michael McDonald,

Thornton Winery is the Temecula venue for top drawer Jazz concerts as the season starts May 4th.

Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Kenny G, George Benson and many more.  One thing always stands out with Thornton concerts.  These events are well attended by concert-goers who love the music and appreciate that these musician who could be playing in large arenas commanding many more dollars, choose to return to Temecula year after year.  I have spoken to many who love playing this venue.  The sound system is flawless, Chairs for general seating are set up so that every seat is a good seat, and those who buy dinner tables have an intimate club atmosphere as they enjoy the music, sip their wine and savor a full menu of gourmet food.

For artist dates, times and Champagne Jazz tickets, go to www.thorntonwine.com.

Proving that there is always room for another great Jazz concert series for another great winery, Leonesse Cellars, in the DePortola Trail district of Temecula Wine Country, introduces its “Friends and Wine” lineup from May though August, hosted by Jazz and R& B great Ronnie Laws.  Kickoff concert on Mothers Day, May 12, is the “First Lady of Jazz,” two time Grammy winner , Diane Schuur with a performance at 4:30pm. The series of three concerts will benefit Our Nicholas Foundation, supporting music therapy for students with autism, and placement of musical instruments in local Temecula Valley schools.

Diane Schuur, two-time Grammy award winner and performer at the White House and Carnegie

Hall, will open the Leoness Cellars Jazz concert series.

Following the opening concert, Joe Sample, pioneer of contemporary Jazz piano and a Platinum selling recording artist, will play on Sunday, June 9th at 4:30pm.  Ronnie Laws, formerly with Earth, Wind and Fire, will play Saturday July 20th at 7pm.  The top tier VIP concert tickets include a winery tour, a meet and greet the artist, wine reception and prime seating.

Concert producer Joel Reese is encouraging guests to bring a musical instrument of any kind to donate to the Our Nicholas Foundation.

Leoness Cellars concerts are outdoors on the vineyard lawn.  It has an outdoor restaurant for food service.  For concert pricing and other information, call 951-302-7601, extension 150 or access www.leonesscellars.com.

Most Temecula Wine country wineries are making a concerted effort  to offer Jazz and other types of music on the weekend as a free accompaniment in the tasting rooms and outdoor lawn areas, so as you cruise around, enjoy the sound of wine.  It’s music for the palate.

Wine Bytes
The Junior League of San Diego has a Food and Wine Festival at La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, Sat. May 4 from 2 to 6pm.  Over 50 restaurants and beverage companies will participate. Cost is $75. with VIP perks for $125.  Ticket info at 858-869-5771.

A Night at the Mission Wine Tasting is happening at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, Fri. May 10 from 6 to 9pm.  Sample international wine selections from Schlossadler, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

Tickets $30. in advance, $35. at the door.  Call 760-213-5622.

Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas is offering a Justin Wine Dinner Thurs. May 9 from 6:30 to 9pm.  Justin is a top wine selection from Paso Robles. Cost is $65.  Make an RSVP at 760-635-1066.

Speaking of Paso Robles, this wine country is presenting its annual Wine Festival, with 60+ wineries planning to pour in the downtown city park on Fri. May 17 thru Sun. May 19. Times and prices vary, so check out the web site at www.pasowine.com.

Wine and Jazz Share Equal Billing at Thornton

by Frank Mangio

Wine and Jazz are true soulmates. They are joined at the hip, are twin heaven-sent creations, and both make people very happy.

It’s always a friendly debate as to which wines are best, but when it comes to Jazz, I know of no other venue that does it better than Thornton Winery in Temecula. The jazz greats that play at Thornton make sure it is on their schedules every year. Most have received their big break at Thornton.

Champagne Jazz originated 23 years ago when owner John Thornton was looking for something that would keep wine customers coming back and at the same time draw music lovers in. He realized the magical fusion of the two attractions. John and his son Steve who operates the winery and restaurant, have provided 21 total wine, food and jazz concerts this year, in an intimate, personal, garden patio environment.

The first concert begins Sunday May 1st at 4pm with Spanish and Jazz Flemenco Guitarist Jesse Cooke (pictured). Mindi Abair and Bobby Caldwell follow on Saturday May 7th at 7pm. You could not choose a more exciting 1-2 combination than these two; sort of like a Thornton California Champagne Brut Reserve, followed by an Estate Bottled Syrah. Mindi has broken open new Jazz trends with a pop music path. She blows a mean sax and sings with a refreshingly unique cross-over voice that’s brought her stardom. Bobby has this smooth Sinatra-like style, sprinkled with R&B and big band. Like fine wine, he gets better with age.

Other top music stylists on the bill include: Boney James, Dave Koz, George Benson, Chris Botti and many more throughout the summer and on to October 15. For the complete list and pricing, go to www.thorntonwine.com. Or talk to Tonya Wake, the brilliant Events Manager, now in her 17th year of managing the concerts. Call 951-699-0099.

Witch Creek, an Urban Cellar by the Sea

I really enjoy a winemaker with a gleam in his eye as he proudly pours his latest release, knowing he or she has hit it so right this time. Sitting across the table from winemaker Ryan Baker at Witch Creek Winery, on the Coast Highway in Carlsbad with the ocean air off-shore, was a vintage moment in time.

Last year I pointed him out as one of the four most interesting winemakers in Southern California. Baker grew up in nearby Olivenhain but had to go to Northern California to learn how to make wine. After studying at UC Davis and working in Sonoma, he settled at Witch Creek in 2005. Decisions were then made to commit to the Italian style of winemaking with most grapes coming from the Guadalupe Valley of Mexico and Clarksburg in Northern California.

A wine menu from Witch Creek reads like an Italian map. Names like Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Brunello, Primitivo, Teroldego, Montepulciano and Aglianico take their place alongside the more familiar Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot.

The cork popped on a bottle with no label and Baker had me smell the bouquet and taste the just-bottled 2009 100% Montepulciano. The ’08 was a winner with club members and in the tasting room at $21. It was showing the youthful fruit and had a wine baby’s-breath, but 2009 had been a really good year and expectations are high for this Italian varietal.

“I am allowing the spicy raspberry fruit to show itself in the taste,”he said. “We’ll do 116 cases. I don’t think it gets any better than that.”

I thought so too…until we got to his 2009 Sangiovese. It’s all good at Witch Creek. Look it up at www.witchcreekwinery.com.

Wine Bytes

North County Wine Company continues their Fri. fun Apr. 22 from 4 to 8pm with 7 wines for $10., from new Chardonnays to Italian Brunellos. Details at 760-744-2119.

Belle Marie Winery in Escondido is planning a Winemakers Dinner on Fri. Apr. 22 from 6 to 8pm. It’s a 5 course dinner paired with their wines, with the use of spice blends. $89 pp. 760-796-7557.

San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Rd. has a Blind Wine Tasting Sat. Apr. 23 from 11am to 4:30pm for $10. Details at 858-586-WINE.

DAOU Vineyards and Winery is featured at FLAVOR Restaurant in the Del Mar Plaza, Tues. Apr. 26. Reception at 6:30, dinner at 7pm. $95. ea. Enjoy DAOU paired wines from Prosecco to Cabernet and Moscato. RSVP at 858-755-3663.

The hottest get-a-way will be up in Pebble Beach near Carmel/Monterey for the annual Food & Wine event. 70 celebrity chefs, 250 world class wines, 4 days: Thurs. Apr. 28 to Sun. May 1. Call 866-907-FOOD (3663) for tickets.