DISCOVER ANDAZ’S SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE WITH ‘SALON’ SERIES

(SAN DIEGO) –Andaz San Diego recently debuted its signature Andaz Salon, a monthly series of inspiring social events intended for guests and ‘neighbors’ to discover the hotel’s creative culture. To kick off the series, Andaz is hosting a wine pairing class event in the popular Ivy Wine Bar to tap into San Diego’s local wine culture and culinary artisans.

Wine Smarties sommelier and expert host, Lindsay Pomeroy, will lead guests in a spirited demonstration of wine pairings in the next series to take place on Tuesday, October 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Ivy Wine Bar.

Pomeroy has teamed up with San Diego's prominent cheese experts to help guests learn which delicacies best complement four distinctive glasses of wine.

“We created the Andaz Salon to engage our guests and locals in an interesting, educational experience that reflects our personal culture,” said Rachael Giannecchini, marketing manager of Andaz. “We hope our guests leave the event feeling as though they have taken part in something special.”

For each event, Andaz will gather some of San Diego's ‘movers and shakers’ to attend to collect their thoughts and impressions of the overall experience. These local influencers will share their experience via the Andaz Living Guest Book, a virtual salon hosted on the brand’s Facebook page, which is designed to connect and inspire creativity digitally.

Each of the five Andaz hotels around the world has launched the Andaz Salon series focusing on culinary, wine, art and music reflecting the hotel’s creative landscape. From wine and cheese immersions, to art exhibits, local music performances and culinary demonstrations, guests will have the opportunity to interact with leading cultural arbiters, learn something new and spark their own personal creativity. Andaz San Diego Facebook page.

For more information about Andaz San Diego, visit www.andazsandiego.com or call 619-849-1234.

Michelle Metter and Ken Loyst Kick-off SD Bay Wine & Food Week

The "Magnificent 7" at Thornton Winery

by Frank Mangio
Success in any endeavor these days, no matter what the product or service, is measured by a number of different yardsticks. Image means a lot in any enterprise, but in the wine world, product is first and foremost.
In the Temecula Valley, Thornton Winery’s 22 years making acclaimed wine seems a lifetime compared to the recent flurry of new wineries that have come on board or have aspirations. A recent drive-thru revealed six colorful “coming soon” vineyard and winery signs.

In 1988, a prominent San Diego family, John, Sally and son Steve Thornton, made the decision to purchase an existing winery and opened Thornton Winery at the gateway to the Temecula Valley.

They concentrated on award-winning and premium varietal wines. Using a process called Methode Champenoise to make sparklingwine/champagne, the awards and medals quickly followed, in a burst of fame from this traditional French method of production.


Steve Thornton, the President of Thornton Winery and Café Champagne, has steered the winery into adding Mediterranean and Rhone style wines.

Their Brut Reserve is considered one of the finest classically made Methode Champenoise in the country. This varietal got so much of a reputation that for a while, Thornton was considered a “one trick pony,” a winery that was known for this one style of wine. No More. Under Steve Thornton’s direction, the winery smartly diversified into the French Rhone-Italian style that has uncorked a magnificent 7 new releases, mostly 2007 vintage wines. They are:

1. 2008 Viognier $28. My favorite white. Floral notes with a tropical underbelly of coconut and tangerine.

2. 2007 Thorny’s Coast Red. $18. What’s a complex wine like this doing with a value price like that? A blend of 9 vineyards with a combination of Syrah, Grenache, Barbera, and Sangiovese.

3. 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. $30. Native grapes from the west hills of Temecula and the Deluz area of Fallbrook.

4. 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel $28. Produced from century-old vines from Cucamonga, with original clones planted by Italian and Portuguese farmers. Rich berry fruit and spice.

5. 2007 Huis Vineyard Zinfandel. $36. Barrel aged 22 months highlights what the Temecula Valley can do with Zinfandel. Balanced flavors and lowered alcohol. A “delicate monster,” raves the winery.

6. 2007 Nebbiolo. $34. My personal favorite of the 7. The grape backbone for the famous Italian twin towers: Barolo and Barbaresco. Rich, visceral red fruit and mocha on the palate. A sell-out every year.

7. 2007 Estate Petite Sirah. $40. Complex and big, color and structure reaches new heights. California style wine, grown on the property.

So there it is, a five-star lineup of new, exciting wines from the proven cellars of Thornton. Other features to be familiar with are: the wine clubs and their special pricing and benefits, and the Champagne Jazz and Supper Club Concerts that run every weekend through September. Get all you need to know at www.thorntonwine.com.

Wrap Your Lips Around These
Other wine tastes worth noting this past month or so…

Banfi Chianti Classcio, Tuscany Italy, 2007. $10. Banfi just won the Best of Italy award at the San Francisco International Wine competition. It’s easy to see why with this worthy value wine. Lovely cherry and plum flavors.

Ferrari-Carano Prevail West Face, Sonoma, 2005. $55. Deep purple. Vineyards faced for ideal exposure. Blend is 65% Cabernet, 35% Syrah. Classic Proportion.

J Vineyards Pinot Noir Nicole’s Vineyard Sonoma, 2007. $50. Dark plum, cherry and fennel. Steeply banked hillside vineyard that stresses the vines, bringing intense flavor.

Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon, Three Vineyards Sonoma, 2008. $16. Full bodied, hand picked fruit from the first family of value wines in Sonoma. Recent gold winner at the Orange County Fair. Will excel even more with age.

Wine Bytes

Cal State San Marcos has a Wine & Brew Festival for Sat. Aug. 14 from 4 to 7pm. 12 local wine and beer names to know. A variety of local restaurants will be offering food samplings. Live music and silent auction. Cost is $35. for alumni and $50. for the public. Call 760-750-4270.

San Diego Wine Company presents Italian and French wines Sat. Aug. 14 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. fee. Contact 858-586-9463.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has come up with a $5. Wine-Down Monday starting at 5:30pm. Aug. 16 it’s the Wines of Portugal and the 23rd it’s Chardonnay. Details at 760-745-1200.

San Diego State’s next wine class is “Red, White and Champagne,” Mondays starting Aug. 16, part of its Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine. Call 619-594-6924 for the complete story.

Wine Courses Offered in San Diego