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Archive for July, 2011

August Winery Events & Concerts

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Temecula Valley comes alive in the summer with awesome concerts, special happy hours, and fun wine-pairing dinners! Be sure to check back to this post throughout the month for added events and dates!

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Summer Sunsets at Callaway
Fridays in August – 6pm-9pm
Wine specials, appetizers and live music.
No reservations necessary.

Sunday Sunset Tapas Buffet – Meritage at Callaway
Sundays in August – 5pm-9pm
Live music (beginning at 6pm) and buffet is served until 7:30pm
Drink specials; Tapas buffet price is $20 per person

Cougar Winery

Sister Speak, acoustical duo
Sunday, August 21 – 2:00pm-5:00pm

Frangipani Estate Winery

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
Friday & Saturday, August 5 & 6
Doors open: 7:00pm; Performance: 7:30pm
Reservations Required

Keyways Winery

Wine Down Fridays, every 2nd & 4th Friday
Live music, dinner and wine
Reservations Required

Live Entertainment every Saturday & Sunday – 1:30p-5:30p
Saturday, August 6 – Jacqui Foreman
Sunday, August 7 – Tony Suraci
Saturday, August 13 – Tim Cash
Sunday, August 14 – Steph Johnson
Saturday, August 20 (1p-5p) – 2 Daves
Sunday, August 21 – T.J. Gobel
Saturday, August 27 – David Scott
Sunday, August 28 – Jodi Siegel

Friday, August 26 – Escape- A Journey Tribute Band
Doors open: 6:00pm; Concert: 7:00pm

Monte de Oro Winery

Happy Hour on the Hill
Every Friday in August – 4pm-8pm

Saturday, August 20 – The Romantics and the Missing Persons
Doors open: 5:30pm; Concert: 7:00pm
VIP Seats – $95 / $90 Wine Club
Preferred Parking, Reserved Table Seating, Plated 3 Course Meal, Souvenir Glass, (2) Complimentary glasses of Wine – Your Choice
General Admission-$45 / $40 Wine Club
Souvenir Glass, Complimentary Glass of Wine – Your Choice

Sunday, August 21 – Open Mic Night; hosted by Kelly Cowan
3:00pm-7:00pm

Oak Mountain Winery

Friday, August 12 -6:00pm-9:00pm Cooking Class with Chef Michael

Live music every Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-5pm

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

T.G.I. Fridays – Members Only
Friday nights in August – 6:00pm

Join South Coast Winery Resort & Spa “after hours” each Friday night in August when Wine Club Members and their guests enjoy tasty foods, award winning wines and live musical performances under the stars. There’s absolutely no place more romantic in Wine Country at night. Up to four people per member.

Stuart Cellars Winery

“Sip Into Sunset” Entertainment Series
Friday, August 5 – The Storytellers
Friday, August 12 – Abrakadabra
Friday, August 19 – Swift Pony
Friday, August 26 – Rhandi & Associates

Thornton Winery

Champagne Jazz Concert Series

Sunday, August 7 – 5:00pm – Keiko Matsui & Sax Pack (featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters & Steve Cole)
General Admission Ticket: $55
Gourmet Supper Package: $120
Sunday, August 14 – 5:00pm – Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
General Admission Ticket: $55
Gourmet Supper Package: $120

Sunday, August 21 – 5:00pm – Soul of Summer (featuring Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius & Maysa)
General Admission Ticket: $65
Gourmet Supper Package: $130

Wiens Family Cellars

Friday Night Wine Lounge – 5:30pm
Friday, August 12 – Stone Senses
Friday, August 26 – Buzz Campbell

Sunday, August 14 – 6:30p – Crowded Vertical Tasting
Will be pouring their 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009 Crowded along with paired appetizers served on each table.

Friday, August 19 – Rockin’ Blues & Folk Festival (Featuring Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real)
Doors open: 5:30; Concert: 8:00pm

Wilson Creek Winery

Live Jazz on the Weekends
Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14 – JD Priest
Saturdays, August 20 & 27 – Jason Weber
Sunday, August 28 – JD Priest

Sunset in the Vines Concert Series
Saturday, August 20 – Paul Shilts & Craig Chaquico
Doors open: 6:00pm; Concert: 7:30pm

Briar Rose Winery
Friday Night Sunset at Briar Rose Winery Friday
Experience amazing sunsets and live music while enjoying fabulous food and wine.
August 5, 5:30pm-8:30pm. $40 per person; space is limited; call 951-308 1098 to reserve

Have a fantastic time in Temecula Wine Country!

Tags: temecula concerts, temecula events, temecula music, temecula summer concerts, Temecula Wine Country Events, temecula winery concerts, temecula winery events
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Temecula Wine Country – Summer Wine Pairing Guide

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Ah, the sizzle of summer is upon us. Whether you’re spending your hot summer days and long summer nights relaxing at the beach, chowing down at a backyard barbecue, or picnicking in the park under a shady oak tree, these cool and crisp whites, rosés and sparkling wines will please every palate. All of these wines can be purchased online or in the tasting rooms, so choose your favorites this week! Here’s our guide to beating the heat in the most delicious way:

Whites

Miramonte Winery 2006 Chardonnay – Well-integrated flavors with notes of honey, vanilla, and toasty oak – a great pairing with your gourmet cheese and summer fruit plate, $19.96

Monte de Oro 2009 Pinot Gris - 100% Estate Grown and everything you would expect from a summer white: light and crisp with a refreshing finish, $16

B riar Rose Winery Citronier 2007 – Aromas of exotic fruit with a brilliant lemon flavor. Sure to bring a smile to every summer celebration, $26

Rosés

Oak Mountain Winery 2010 White Merlot - A bright pink color, sweet cherry and raspberry aromas characterize this wine. Serve chilled as an aperitif, or as an excellent accompaniment to picnic and barbecue fare, seafood, poultry and ham, $19

Robert R enzoni Vineyards 2010 La Rosa (Rosé of Sangiovese) – Perfect for drinking on its own, this rose has light strawberry and citrus flavors, layered with hints of cranberry, passion & tropical fruit, $16

Falkner Winery 2010 Rosato - A lovely blend of Cabernet and Italian grapes, this delicate and delicious wine is great for sipping chilled or pairing with cheeses, salads, and fruit dishes, $14.95

Sparklers

Thornton Winery NV Almondage - Light almond flavors; excellent served chilled with cheese, fruit and especially dessert, $15

Maurice Car’rie & Van Roekel Wi nery Pineapple California Sparkling Wine – This lively refreshing California Sparklin g Wine is bursting with flavors of pineapple and tropical fruit – a perfect accompaniment to your summer picnic basket, $13.95

Cougar Vineyard & Winery Bubbly Blush – Made from 100% Sangiovese, brut style; to be enjoyed with Mimosas on the patio or a late summer night on the terrace, $16.95

Tags: best wines for the summer, summer wine pairing, summer wines, Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine, temecula wine country, temecula wine events, temecula wine tasting, temecula wines, visit temecula, wine tasting, wine tasting temecula valley
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Cougar Vineyard & Winery: Summer Recipe

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Provided by Cougar Vineyard & Winery owners Rick & Jennifer Buffington

*Pair with Cougar Vineyard & Winery Estate Sangiovese

Ingredients

Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4-5

1/2 pound rotini or fusilli (corkscrew-shaped pastas)
1 garlic clove
1/2 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 tablespoon water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 ounce (1/4 cup) sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes and drained well
1/4 pound smoked mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
8 ounces canned garbanzos, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 ounces sliced hard salami, cut into julienne strips
5 to 10 bottled small pepperoncini (pickled Tuscan peppers)
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves, minced

Method

In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the rotini until it is tender and drain. Refresh the pasta under cold water and drain well.

In a blender blend the garlic, the mustard, the vinegars, the water, the oil, and salt, to taste, until the dressing is emulsified.

In a very large bowl toss the pasta well with the dressing and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, the mozzarella, the garbanzos, the salami, the Tuscan peppers, the red pepper flakes, and the parsley.

Chill the salad, covered, for 1 hour. The salad may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.

Enjoy!

Cougar Vineyards is located at 39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592

Open daily 11-6pm

951-491-0825

cougarvineyards.com

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Winemakers Roundtable: 5 Facts About… Rhone Whites!

Friday, July 15th, 2011

For this month’s roundtable, Temecula Valley is talking about Rhone white varietals. Unfamiliar territory, you say? Well, that’s what this blog post is for! Here’s five fun facts about these refreshing grapes that you can toss around at your next wine party:

The four main grapes in Rhone whites are Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc
A white Rhone blend consists of two or more white grapes from its namesake appellation – the famous Rhone wine region in France, which is situated in the Rhone river valley.
The Northern Rhone region is characterized by harsh winters and warm summers while Southern Rhone has a more Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers.
Top four regions for growing Rhone whites are California, Australia, South Africa, and Rhone (of course.)
Common descriptors include honeysuckle, green apple, peach, nut, and spice

For examples of Temecula Valley Rhone whites, try:

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Get to Know…Frangipani Estate Winery

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Slightly off the beaten path, Frangipani Estate Winery and Vineyard offers a boutique tasting experience in the Temecula Valley Wine Country. From the doorstep of the winery, surrounding foothills, neighboring equestrian farms, and estate vineyards, it creates a feeling of simple country life and ease.

The Wines

Don Frangipani has taken French varietals of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Verdot and combined them with old world, Italian styles to create an unique addition to his consistently collection of wines. Estate grown offerings include 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Late Harvest Zinfandel, and 2001 Cabernet Franc. Planted over 30 years ago, the Zinfandel vines are some of the only “foundation vines” owned directly by the winery.

The Winery

Guests are treated to breathtaking views of the estate vineyard and surrounding valley from their choice of wine tasting in the boutique tasting room or the olive tree- lined patio. The Frangipani tasting room is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. The grounds are a perfect setting for small equestrian events, wine parties, and country barbeques, by appointment.

A Little History

Don Frangipani’s passion for winemaking was ignited when he began working at Cilurzo Winery in 1995. Through his experience in the Temecula Valley, Don developed the unmistakable quality attributed to the wines produced at Frangipani Estate Winery. Family owned and operated since 2006, Frangipani Estate Winery offers a dynamic selection of wines with a passion for reds.

A Great Place for Events

This boutique winery offers an intimate place for parties, celebrations and other special events. It’s also a popular spot for local Shakespeare performances, especially over the summer out on the hillside.

Winemaker Don Frangipani and wife JoAnn are on-property daily and encourage you to visit their charming Spanish Villa style winery. The welcoming atmosphere and award-winning wines make it a necessary stop on a day of wine tasting in Temecula Valley.

Frangipani Winery is located at 39750 De Portola Road Temecula, CA 92592 | 951-699-8845 | Monday-Sunday from 10am-6pm

Tags: Temecula Valley Wine Country, temecula valley wineries, temecula wine tasting, temecula wineries, temecula winery, temecula wines, visit temecula, wine country, wine tasting temecula valley, winery events
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