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Wine Country Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Easy Lemon-Dill Sauce and Asparagus

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Grilled Salmon with Easy Lemon-Dill Sauce and Asparagus

Recipe Courtesy of Wilson Creek Winery

Perfect for warm summer nights, this weekday meal is simple, quick and balanced. It has a lightness and lemony tang that refreshes and doesn’t weigh down the palate.

Pair this dish with…

While Wilson Creek pairs this with their Family Reserve Syrah, if you’re looking for a white – try a Sauvignon Blanc! Top choices include Callaway’s 2010 Special Selection Sauvignon Blanc or Falkner’s 2012 Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients:

2.5 lbs. fresh wild salmon fillets or steaks
1 lb. fresh asparagus
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons of fresh dill
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lemon

Directions:

Prepare a charcoal or gas-fired grill. If using a charcoal grill, group hot coals on one side of the grill base. Chop dill.  Remove woody end of asparagus by cutting off last inch of the stalk or snapping at the base. Season salmon generously on both sides with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Place asparagus onto a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle asparagus with olive oil and juice from half the lemon, and turn with tongs to coat evenly. Place salmon directly over hot coals or on lowest shelf of charcoal grill for 2 minutes to sear, then move to a higher shelf (gas grill) or across from the coals (charcoal grill). Add asparagus with salmon on the grill and cook covered for about 10 minutes (five minutes on each side, depending on thickness of salmon.) For best results, do not cook past medium.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add sour cream, dill, paprika, salt & pepper and juice from 1/2 lemon and mix thoroughly. After salmon and asparagus have been removed from the grill and cooled slightly, pour lemon-dill sauce over salmon as well as over asparagus if desired, and garnish with fresh lemon and dill sprigs.

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Temecula Valley Winery and Mother’s Day Events for May

Monday, April 29th, 2013

~ Mother’s Day is Sunday May 12 ~

Check out the fabulous events and exciting activities happening at our Temecula Valley wineries throughout May! Don’t miss Cinco de Mayo festivities, a fashion show luncheon, spa specials, winemaker tours, tons of live concerts and the best wine country brunches for Mother’s Day.

 

Baily Vineyard & Winery

Mother’s Day Champagne Buffet Brunch at Carol’s Restaurant
Sunday, May 12, 11:00am Seating/1:00am Seating. Includes champagne, soft drinks, coffee, or tea. $54.95 per person plus tax and gratuity | $19.95 Children 12 and under, children 5 and under free. Reservations necessary, credit card for reservation: 951- 676-9243.

New! Saturday Knight’s at Carol’s begins Saturday, May 4. Live local musicians will be featured every Saturday night along with a new, more casual dinner menu featuring flatbread pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes, and appetizers. Hours: 5p to 8:30p on the vineyard patio or in the European inspired Bacchus Hall. Local wines and micro-brewed beers as well as wine cocktails will be offered, plus two local beers on tap. Reservations recommended, dancing shoes optional. For more info, please contact Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery: 951-676-9243.

 

Bel Vino Winery

Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 12 from 10:00a-2:00p
Includes live music by Mark Renk/ $55 per person plus tax and gratuity, Wine Club Members / $65 per person plus tax and gratuity, Non-Members/$25 per person plus tax and gratuity, children 3-12.


Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Mother’s Day Special
Wine tasting for two, two sandwiches or salads or a large meat and cheese platter for just $24!

 

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Mother’s Day at Meritage at Callaway
Sunday, May 12; 
11am-4:30pm. Join Meritage at Callaway this Mother’s Day for a relaxing lunch or dinner in 
beautiful Temecula Wine Country. Live music performed by local favorite, Ryan Dart, will begin at 2pm. Regular dinner menu available afterwards, last reservation at 7 pm. Reservations required by calling 951-587-8889.

 

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Cinco De Mayo Celebration
Sunday, May 5; 12:00p-4:00p. Live music, Mexican food, beer, specialty wine drinks and wine tasting. Please call 951.491.0825 for more information.

 

Danza del Sol Winery

“Get Sauced”

Thursday, May 23; 6:00p-8:00p. 
$45 per person, plus tax | $40.50 per person, plus tax for wine club members
Cooking demo, class, and small plates by the M Group, wine pairings by our educated staff, recipes to take home, special wine discounts! Menu: Shrimp Sautéed w/Margarita Sauce (Tomatoes, Garlic & Basil), Carne Asada Lettuce Wraps w/ Pickled Jalapeno Sauce, Fresh Fruit Sauce w/Spiced Chocolate-Dipped Chips. Reservations are required. Call Kelly at 951-302-6363 ext. 26

 

Doffo Winery

Mother’s Day Special
Sunday, May 12. Complimentary cupcakes for all of the ladies coming for wine tasting. Call 951-676-6989 for more details.

 

Europa Village

Live Music; Complimentary
6:00p-9:00p
Friday, May 3 – Classic Rock Tribute | Friday, May 10 – Guilty Conscience | Friday, May 17 – Big Truth Band | Friday, May 24 – Abacus | Friday, May 31-Different Drum

1:00p-4:00p
Sunday, May 5 – Jim Gentry | Sunday, May 12 – Guilty Conscience | Sunday, May 19 – Geoff Ryle | Sunday, May 26 – Leo Gosselin

Cinco De Mayo
Sunday, May 5. Come dressed for Cinco De Mayo and receive 10% off purchases; Save $2 on Southwest Chicken Paninis

Rancho Damacitas – Cooking Demonstration
Tuesday, May 7
6:00p-8:30p
$85 per person for three events. For Tickets & Information Call Rancho Damacitas – 951-302-2317

Mother’s Day Luncheon
Sunday, May 12
 at 1:00p; $58 per person, plus service charge and sales tax. $25 per person, plus service charge and sales tax for children 11 and under. Wine club members are $52.50 per person, plus service charge and sales tax and $22.50 per person, plus service charge and sales tax for children 11 and under. Includes a gourmet three-course lunch, Sangria, and entertainment.

Mystery Dinner Theater
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19; 6:00p-10:00p. For reservations and more information, please call 1-888-383-3767 or e-mail events@europavillage.com

Theater Foundation Gala Dinner
Monday, May 27; 
5:00pm. 
$85.00 per person. For reservations & questions call 951-541-2588

 

Falkner Winery
VIP Vertical Tasting


Saturday, May 4, 10:30am-12:30p. $50/person plus tax; $40/person plus tax for Food & Wine Club members. This tasting session will focus on eight (8) vintages of the Falkner Amante-Super Tuscan. *For those who are not familiar with the term “vertical tasting,” it means tasting multiple vintages of the same wine from the same producer.

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch

Sunday, May 12; 10:00a-3:30p. $59.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity | $49.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity for Wine Club members | children 3-10 are $24.50, plus tax and gratuity | $19.95, plus tax and gratuity for Wine Club members. Children under 3 are free. All food will be prepared by their award winning Executive Chef Gianni Ciciliot and his excellent staff. Having been designated “Best Restaurant of the Inland Empire” six years in a row and “Best Chef” for 3 years by readers of Inland Empire magazine, this promises to be a spectacular and memorable event. Champagne will be part of the meal along with other beverage options. Plus live entertainment. Reservations should be made by calling the restaurant at 951-676-8231 ext. 1 or by visiting the website.

 

Frangipani Estate Winery

Mother’s Day Brunch
10:00a-2:00p; 
$16.95 per person | $10.95 children 10 & under. Along with your brunch, enjoy a complimentary glass of specialty sparkling wine drinks. Advance reservations are required by calling the winery at 951-699-8845.

 

Keyways Vineyard & Winery

2 1/2 Hour Winemaking Tasting Tour
Every Monday and Friday at 12:00p; Saturdays & Sundays at 10:00a & 1:00p. $29 per person. Includes 2 1/2 hours with a wine specialist in our vineyard, production facility and barrel room with at least 12 wine tastings (including tank & barrel tastings) and food and wine pairing with gourmet cheeses and meats. Reservations required by calling the winery at 951-302-7888.

Wine Down Fridays
6:30p-9:30p. Live music by Michael Chain and discount wine by the glass and bottle.

Jill Roberts Art Class
Every Wednesday in May; 1:00p-4:00p; $50 per person. Come take an art class in the vineyard, conducted by Jill Roberts of Dorland Arts Colony – includes a glass of wine!

 

Leoness Cellars

Fashion Show & Luncheon
Thursday, May 9; 11:30a-2:30p. $58.00 per person, plus tax | $48 per person, plus tax. Includes lunch, a glass of wine, and a fabulous show with special show discounts and giveaways.

“Friends & Wine” Concert Series, hosted by Ronnie Laws and performance by Diane Schuur, two-time Grammy Winner with repeat performances at The White House and Carnegie Hall. Sunday, May 12th; 4:30p Showtime. Limited winery tour, VIP Seating, Private Meet & Greet and wine reception with Diane Schurr and Ronnie Laws. $89 per person, plus tax | VIP Seating with glass of wine is $69 per person, plus tax. | Open seating is $49 per person, plus tax. A portion of the proceeds will support music therapy for students with autism and placement of musical instruments in local Temecula Valley schools. Reservations required by e-mailing reservations@leonesscellars.com or by calling 951-302-7601 ext. 150.

 

Lorimar Winery

Mother’s Day Special
Sunday, May 12. On Mother’s Day, Lorimar Winery will be offering a glass of Grenache sparkling wine, as well as a chocolate covered strawberry.  There will also be a “Buy a bottle of wine for your Mom, because you are the reason she drinks” sale of 20% off all wine purchases. Call 951-694-6699 for more information.

 

Monte De Oro Winery

Mother’s Day Brunch at Monte De Oro
Sunday, May 12; Seating at 10:00a and 12:00p. $58.95 per person, adults | $48.95 per person, adult Wine Club members | $14.95 per person, children 3-12. Enjoy a gourmet brunch and toast Mom with Mimosas or champagne to say “thanks” for all that she does for you throughout the year. Includes unlimited champagne and a bottle of wine for each Mom. For reservations, call 951-491-6551.

 

Mount Palomar Winery 

Mount Palomar Winery, Shorty’s Bistro

Fridays in May; 5:00p-9:00p.Wine & Unwind- Friday Night Dinner, Wine Tasting and Live Music performed by Mark Sage Band. Questions contact Cristina Lagman 951-676-5047 x112. RSVP - http://www.mountpalomar.com/Events/Wine–Unwind-Friday-Nights

4th Annual Wine Country Wiener Fest

Sunday, May 5; 11:00a-4:00p– Family-friendly games, local vendors & services, silent auction, raffles & door prizes. Food & Beverages and Adult Wine Tasting. “Dexter’s Derby” Dachshund Races! Mount Palomar Winery, Event Pavilion. For more info – www.wienerfest.info.

 

Mother’s Day Brunch w/ unlimited Champagne and Mimosas

Sunday, May 12; 11am, 1pm or 2pm Seatings. Mount Palomar Winery will be prepared to spoil your taste buds. This brunch offers up such goodies as Salmon drizzled with a lemon dill sauce, around the world cheese display and amazing carving and salad stations…plus much more to satisfy your every delight. Questions contact Cristina Lagman 951-676-5047 x112. RSVP - http://www.mountpalomar.com/MothersDay

 

Thornton Winery

Cafe Champagne’s Mother’s Day Buffet
Sunday, May 12; 12:00p-5:00p. $59.95 adults, $22.95 children (under 5 free). Reservations required by calling 951-699-0099.

Champagne Jazz Series

Saturday, May 4 – 7:00 pm: Poncho Sanchez, Arturo Sandoval. General Admission: $65; Gourmet Supper:$140 | Saturday, May 18 – 
7:00 pm. Peter White. General Admission: $75
; Gourmet Supper:$150

Live Music on the Patio, Complimentary

Friday, May 3rd; 6:00p – 9:00p: Big Truth | Sunday, May 5; 12:30p – 3:30p: Tim Walsh | Sunday, May 12; 12:30p-3:30p
: Diego Mondragon 
(Mother’s Day) | Sunday, May 26; 12:30p-3:30p: Mrs. Jones Revenge (Unplugged) | Friday, May 31 
6:00p – 9:00p| Master Splinters & Shredders

 

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch 
Sunday

Sunday May 12; 10:00a-4:00p. South Coast Winery celebrates mothers in grand style in the Vineyard Rose Restaurant. This event sells out each year so reserve early for best selection. Call today: (951) 587-9463 ext. 7237

Mother’s Day Spa Package

Three treats in one at South Coast Winery Resort’s GrapeSeed Spa. Celebrate that special mother in your life with this exclusive treat now thru May only! We’ll pamper you with three body treatments wrapped into one dynamic spa service that include:

•    Delectable Exfoliating Sugar Back Scrub
•    Ultimate Back and Foot Massage
•    Fabulous sugar kissed hand treatment
•    Complete your treatment with a skin-tastic 25-minute facial including anti-stress oil and a pressure point facial massage.

Seal this delicious day with a chilled glass of sparkling wine and spa goodies to go. Visit www.WineResort.com for details or Call 951-587-9463. Book Now For Only $185 PP. (Original Price $240) Mention Code: Just Because… Spa reservations subject to availability and must be booked in advance. Expires May 30, 2013.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s Wines of the Month Offerings:
SAVE 10% on these special monthly selections now:

  • May: 
2011 South Coast Winery Riesling, $14
  • 2011 South Coast Winery Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard Merlot, $24

 

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Five Fun Facts About… Moscato

Friday, April 26th, 2013

Moscato, Muscatel, Muscat… what’s the difference between them? Just the names, actually.  Rather than just being one grape, Muscat includes a family of grapes in a range of colors (from white to brown, or to near black.)  For instance, Moscato is the Italian name and Muscatel the Spanish.

Here in the U.S., Moscato is making its mark and has become the hot wine of the moment. Some would say sweet versions of Moscato are ideal for the American sweet tooth; it’s also an easy wine for the new wine drinker to love.

For a perfect spring day, pack a picnic with a chilled bottle of Temecula Valley Moscato and pair it with good cheese, buttery crackers and seasonal fruit. Salud!

pipesmagazine.com

Here are Five Fun Facts About Moscato

1.  Muscat is the only fine wine grape that doubles as a table grape.

2.  Twitter currently buzzes with an average of 250 tweets an hour about people drinking their Moscato.

3.  In addition to Moscato, Muscatel and Muscat, this common white variety is also known as Muscadel, Muscat Blanc and Muscat Canelli.

4.  Virtually all pink Moscatos gain their hue from a splash of red wine, not skin contact.

5.  The breadth and number of varieties of Muscat suggest that it is perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety, and there are theories that most families within the Vitis vinifera grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety.

Looking for a great bottle of Moscato wine in Temecula Valley?

Check these wines out!

 

Article sources:
Wikipedia, Muscat
WineIntro.com
Michigan University
Broker-wine.com
RoBeRt Haynes-Peterson/HawaiiBevGuide

 

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Wine Country Recipe: Salt and Pepper Skirt Steak, Courtesy of Doffo Winery

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Salt and Pepper Grilled Skirt Steak

Recipe courtesy of Doffo Winery in Temecula Valley, CA

Skirt steak is a flavorful cut of beef so you don’t need to do much before throwing it on a hot grill. Just a simple marinade followed by a healthy salt and pepper seasoning will do the trick. Serve with roasted spring veggies or salad greens and a generous side of garlicky chimichurri sauce. Purchase Doffo’s famous chimichurri sauce here!

Makes 6 Servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

For the marinade:

2 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves mashed garlic
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
2 lbs beef skirt steak
1 1/2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
kosher salt to taste

Preparation:

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and whisk together thoroughly. Add the skirt steak, and toss in the marinade until all the pieces are coated evenly. Cover the bowl and let sit, at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Remove skirt steak from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Season with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt. Cook about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare on a very hot, preheated outdoor grill, or on a grill pan indoors. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Be sure to slice against the grain for the best results.

Pair this dish with Doffo Private Reserve 2010 Malbec.


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California Wine Round-Up: Unusual Wines for Spring

Saturday, March 30th, 2013

Spring has sprung and Temecula Valley is celebrating with some unexpected wines! For the seasoned wine-lover, these unusual varietals offer a new and surprising twist to the classic wine tasting experience.

Check out our recommendations for some exciting wines coming out of Temecula Valley wine country. Now that’s something worth toasting – cheers!

 

Temecula Sparkling Wines for Spring

California sparkling wine is primarily made with chardonnay and pinot noir – but here are a few surprising sparklers to liven up your spring table!

South Coast Winery grows a large variety of fascinating grapes in Temecula Valley. This winery estate currently offers Sparkling Gewurztraminer (a popular German grape) and Sparkling Pinot Grigio (Italian white grape), both at $18. Their famous Ruby Cuvée* ($22) is bright red in color and made from syrah, which is a key grape from the Rhone region of France. The stylish bottle makes a favorite host gift for bridal showers, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and other girlie special occasions.

Thornton Winery offers a similar sparkler: their syrah/grenache blend – N.V.** Cuvée Rouge – retails for $24.

Counoise Blanc de Noir Sparkling ($24), produced by Oak Mountain Winery, offers an unusual sparkling wine – fruit-forward with a blush color and an earthy finish.

Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these wines?

Pair these spring sparklers with some seasonal fruit (oranges, cherries and strawberries) and locally-sourced cheese. We recommend a visit to Temecula Valley Cheese Company (951-693-9500.) Or top off with some OJ and you’ve got yourself one classy mimosa to serve with a simple spring frittata.

 

Temecula White Wines for Spring

Commonly found in Spain and Portugal, Albariño is a lesser-known white grape which does very well in Temecula Valley. Keyways Vineyards & Winery produces this bottle for $23, along with the French grape Roussane ($29) which is similar in taste to Viognier.

Bright, zesty and crisp, French fave Sémillon makes an appearance at the micro-boutique winery, Doffo Vineyards.

Wilson Creek Winery’s Spring White ($18.99) is a light and refreshing choice, and an obvious selection given the season.

Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these wines?

Sip these rare white wines alongside citrus-marinated salmon or a light asparagus & pea pasta dish topped with Parmesan. Might we also suggest a spring-vegetable paella?

 

Temecula Red Wines for Spring

Robert Renzoni grows an unusual Italian grape called Lagrein, which he then combines with Merlot to create an unexpected blend called Vecchio Frate – translation “Old Friar” – resulting in a perfectly light and fruity red to sip during these spring months. ($38)

Heard of Primitivo, Vermentino or Arneis?  Don’t worry, most of us haven’t!  But Cougar Vineyard & Winery boasts these virtually unknown Italian red grapes, happily introducing them to Southern California wine enthusiasts. (prices vary)

Food Pairing Tip: What should I eat with these?

Quick crab stew in tomato-fennel broth or Mediterranean grilled chicken salad not only pair well, but are simple weekday supper options when you want to keep things light and easy.

 

*cuvée means blend

**non-vintage meaning grapes from different years blended together

 

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”  ~William Shakespeare

www.ronaldpratt.com

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Temecula Valley Celebrates First Ever “Wine Tourism Day” on May 11

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

 

The first-ever Wine Tourism Day in North America will take place on Saturday, May 11th, 2013 with wineries, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses offering a variety of events to the public throughout the country.

 

Temecula Valley wine country is proud to celebrate Wine Tourism Day with a very special tasting offer! On May 11 only, join us for “Reserve Day” and receive an additional taste of a VIP Reserve wine at any participating Temecula Valley winery!

 

Select wineries are also offering a bottle or case discount on those reserve wines (discounts may vary), so this is the perfect time to sample and stock up on some of Temecula Valley’s top shelf wines.

 

Below is a list of participating wineries offering”Reserve Day” tastings to include a specially bottled reserve wine:                             Keep checking back for added winery updates!

 

The inspiration for a Wine Tourism Day comes from Europe, where the European Day of Wine Tourism has been ongoing since 2009. Attendees of the 2012 Wine Tourism Conference, an annual gathering of the industry’s leaders, discussed bringing the concept to North America.

“There are now over 7500 wineries in 205 American Viticultural Areas, 38 authorized wine appellations in Canada, and another 40 appellations in Mexico”, says Allan Wright, president of Zephyr Adventures, the active wine tour company organizing Wine Tourism Day. “Most of these wine regions and many of these wineries are dependent on visitors who sleep in hotel beds, eat in restaurants, and buy wine from cellar doors. Wine tourism is very important to the success of many local economies and is a subject worth commemorating.”

Wine Tourism Day is supported by a number of industry partners including LocalWineEvents.com, Touring and Tasting Marketing & Media, WineAmerica, the Wine Industry Network, the Wine Tourism Conference, and Zephyr Adventures, in addition to wine and tourism associations in wine regions throughout North America.

For more information and to find a list of events on Wine Tourism Day, please visit www.WineTourismDay.org. Events differ and can range from wine pairing dinners to music events to structured tastings.

Help spread the word about wine tourism by sharing the event through your social media channels!

Twitter: twitter.com/winetourismday | #WineTourismDay

Facebook: facebook.com/WineTourismDay

 
Temecula Valley wine country is an idyllic, easily-accessible, year-round wine destination where visitors can experience premium winemaking in a warm, welcoming atmosphere along with fine dining, stunning scenery and exciting events; only a 60-90 minute drive from all major Southern California cities.

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Five Fun Facts About… Cabernet Franc

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Born in the Loire region of France in the mid-12th century, Cabernet Franc is an essential blending grape, found primarily in Bordeaux-style blends. Often referred to as “Cab Franc,” this herbaceous red grape also helps create Meritage magic together – along with its constant companions, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Cabernet Franc Grapes

Five Fun Facts About Cabernet Franc

Facts courtesy of Snooth, Wikipedia, and Huffington Post
  1. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are actually the “parents” of Cabernet Sauvignon – not vice-versa, as previously believed.
  2. Across the world, Cabernet Franc is one of the twenty most widely planted grape varieties. Important wine regions include California, Bordeaux and Southwest France, Washington, Oregon, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Italy, Hungary, Croatia and Romania.
  3. Even though Cabernet Franc usually joins Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Meritage blends, it can also be bottled as a single varietal. 100% Cabernet Franc wine is most often found in France, but New World regions like California have recently started to make it too.
  4. Wherever Cabernet Franc makes a solo appearance, the grape makes leaner, fresher styles of Cabernet, designed for earlier consumption.
  5. Flavor characteristics of the Cab Franc grape range from sweeter notes like plum, blackberry, violets, raspberry and blueberry to the more savory: sage, bay leaf, rosemary, tobacco, bell pepper and eucalyptus.
  6. Bonus! Alternate names of Cabernet Franc are many! Aceria, Acheria, Arrouya, Bordo, Bouchet, Bouchy (Gascony), Breton, Burdeas Tinto, Cabernet, Cabernet Aunis, Cabernet Franco, Capbreton Rouge, Carmenet (Médoc), Fer Servandou, Gamput, Grosse Vidure, Hartling, Kaberne Fran, Messanges Rouge, Morenoa, Noir Dur, Petit Fer, Petit Viodure, Petite Vidure, Petite Vignedure, Plant Breton, Plant Des Sables, Trouchet Noir, Véron, Véron Bouchy, Véronais,and Cabernet Gris.

Red Wine

Looking for a great bottle of Cabernet Franc in Temecula Valley?  Check these wines out!

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Winery Spotlight: Get To Know… Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

The Story

Located off the beaten path on Barksdale Circle, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery is committed to producing handcrafted wines from estate-grown grapes that proprietor Nick Palumbo believes are ideally suited to Temecula Valley. The 13-acre family-run winery is often described as “boutique,” but Nick favors the term “artisanal” to describe the involvement and passion that goes into their daily operations, from the vineyards to the tasting room.

 

The Wines

For Nick – a grape grower and winemaker who is both an artist and a cultivator – it’s all about the wine… beginning with the vineyards. The family’s 13 acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese; they recently planted a block of Viognier and Syrah on a neighboring property to expand their wine portfolio.

Specializing in full-bodied reds, Palumbo winery offers both single-varietal bottlings as well as a few special blends, like the popular Meritage, “Tre Fratelli” and the Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, which help round out the wine list and showcase the versatility and depth of quality for which Palumbo wines are known.  “I believe there are only two basic ingredients in making fine wines: the fruit itself and the barrel it’s aged in,” Nick is fond of saying.

Nick and his wife-and-partner-in-crime, Cindy, live on the winery property, which makes their vineyards as much a part of the family as their four children. This intimacy with their vineyards has given the pair a “sixth sense” that enables them to intuit what the vines need, how the fruit is developing, and what will ultimately be required in the cellar to produce stellar wines. The family is also invested in their estate for the long haul, practicing sustainable farming as a member of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, which they believe will protect the viability of their vineyards for generations to come.

Click here for the tasting room wine line-up!

 

The Tasting Room

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 11am – 5pm

Tasting Options: Standard Tasting $10 | Includes 5 wines

Mini-Tour and Tasting $25
Get out of the tasting room and into the cellar to learn what makes Palumbo winery so special. A member of the Palumbo family will guide you through the “Dirt to Bottle” process touching on all aspects of production, from their sustainable farming practices to the art of hands-on winemaking. Standard tasting and logo glass included. Tours available by appointment.

Barrel Tasting, Tour and Lunch with the Winemaker $125
This VIP tasting experience is the ultimate way to discover the stylistic influence of winemaker, Nick Palumbo, as well as the natural influence of Temecula Valley terroir. Guests will be taken on a tour of the estate vineyards followed by a private barrel tasting. To top off the experience, guests will enjoy a special wine pairing and gourmet picnic lunch with Nick on the Palumbo patio overlooking the vineyard. Four-person minimum with 48-hours advance reservation required.

 
Palumbo Family Vineyards address and contact information:
40150 Barksdale Circle Temecula, CA 92591 | 951.676.7900
info@palumbowines.com | wineclub@palumbowines.com

 

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Temecula Winemaker Roundtable: Fun Facts About… Red Wine Blends

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

Red wine blends are increasingly popular in the US, though they’ve long been the standard for regions as famous as Bordeaux, the Southern Rhone and Tuscany. Why? Because winemakers appreciate the flexibility and control blending allows; they are able fine tune the final wine to bring out the best of each variety and use them to balance each other. Like a meal made with one ingredient or a song that features only one instrument, single variety wines are sometimes less interesting and harmonious than blends.

Red wine blends may be labeled a variety of ways. Some popular blends you may see in Temecula include “Meritage” or “Super Tuscan” wines, but wineries frequently give their blends proprietary names, such as Monte de Oro’s Synergy 65, Callaway’s Calliope Red or Wilson Creek’s Double Dog Red.  This is a fun way of making the wine more identifiable, but it also signifies that the winery has truly created a wine that is theirs and theirs alone, since no two blends are exactly alike!

*See below for more Temecula red blends.

 

Here are five fun facts about red wine blends!

Facts courtesy of The Daily News, Wikipedia, Wine.LoveToKnow
  1. Bordeaux blends: Red Bordeaux blends are generally made from a combination primarily dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot.  They also often include Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère.
  2. A red Meritage is a Bordeaux-style wine made in California that is a combination of at least two of six varietals:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carmenère.
  3. A Super Tuscan originally served as reference to an Italian viticulture region. While some Super Tuscans are single varietal, most are blends primarily containing Sangiovese or Merlot, some are blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and some even more unusual blends which might include Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
  4. GSM is a classic combination of three grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre) from the southern Rhone Valley.  It is also referred to as a Southern Rhone blend.
  5. Rhone blends from France’s Rhone Valley can contain up to 22 varieties.  As the US has only 12 of those varietals planted, New World wines are most often a combination Syrah and Viognier blended with Mourvèdre, Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne, and perhaps Counoise, Cinsaut, Grenache Blanc and Petite Sirah.


 

Looking for a great Temecula Valley red wine blend?  Check these wines out!

 

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Temecula Valley Winery Events for March

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

World of Wine Passport Event is Saturday and Sunday March 2 & 3.  Buy your tickets now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exciting Temecula Valley winery events for March include Easter brunch, women & wine craft night, 15K race, food truck Friday, live music and entertainment, happy hours, cooking class, spa and overnight packages! Scroll down for all the details.


Bel Vino Winery

Wedding Expo

Saturday, March 9; 12:00p-4:00p; $5 – Includes personalized wine tastings, displayed and tray passes hors d’oeuvres.

 

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Callaway Budbreak Celebration at Vu
Saturday, March 16 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm; $95 per person plus tax and gratuity; $85.50 plus tax and gratuity, wine club members
Join us for our first chef & winemaker dinner of the year. Our Winemaker, Craig Larson, and Meritage at Callaway’s Executive Chef, Michael Henry are collaborating to bring you a truly exquisite and unique wine & culinary feast. Tickets include a sparkling wine reception with Winemaker Craig Larson, a five-course meal paired with Callaway wine, and a special gift to commemorate the dinner.

This dinner has very limited seating; reservations are required. Call to RSVP: 951-676-4001

Women & #WineWednesdays

Wednesday, March 27th: That’s My Glass

6:00pm to 8:00pm; $27 per person plus tax; $25 per person/wine club plus tax
At this month’s “Women & Wine” event visit with friends, decorate your own wine glass with special paints, bling and feathers.

Need some wine time with your girlfriends? Join us the last Wednesday of every month in our Reserve Room for “Women & Wine Wednesday” Visit with old friends, mingle with new ones, sample some of your favorite Callaway wines and enjoy light appetizers. Each gathering will have a unique theme or craft to make & take home!

Reservations and pre-payment are required for these events. Call to RSVP: 951-676-4001

Easter Brunch At Meritage at Callaway
Sunday, March 31, 2013

Seatings from 11:00am to 2:00pm. $42.95 per adult, $18.95 for children 5-11; children under 4 are free. RSVP today at 951-587-8889.

You’re invited to experience a festive Springtime brunch at Meritage at Callaway. Enjoy a special brunch menu filled with a delectable assortment of unique culinary dishes and a few traditional selections.

 

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

St. Patrick’s Day 15k Race

Sunday, March 17 – 9:00a

Race through country roads and vineyards as you wind your way to the finish line and a glass of green champagne in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! 21+ race entry includes a champagne tasting and a signature glass to keep. Then, spend the afternoon celebrating the Irish way at Cougar Vineyard and Winery with all day specials for race participants.

Limited to 200 people, so register today! For more information and to order tickets, click here.

 

Danza Del Sol Winery

Live Music – 1:00p-5:00p

Saturday, March 2 Michael LeClerc | Sunday, March 3 JD Priest | Saturday, March 9 Jeff Johnson | Saturday, March 16 Two Fish | Saturday, March 23 Steroflux | Saturday, March 30 Nathan Rivera

Food Truck Friday

Friday, March 29th at the Club House – Slow Cal BBQ, Serving 4:30 – 9:30 pm

Missy Andersen Performing 7 – 9:45 pm

Pre-Sale Tickets $8 per Wine Club Member and guests* | $12 General Public. Day of Event Tickets $10 per Wine Club Member and guest*

Call 951-302-6363 for tickets and more information. Limited seating available. This is a ticketed event. Wine sales as per regular business pricing. No outside food or alcohol permitted. Only bottles purchased during event are permitted *Pricing includes first glass of wine, not to be used towards food purchases. ** no refunds for this event

 

Europa Village

Friday Night Entertainment

5:30p-8:30p; Free admission

March 1 – Cougrzz Acoustic | March 8 – Nathan Rivera | March 15 – Waylon Hicks | March 22 – Alaina Blair | March 29 – Fandango

Sunday Entertainment

1:00p-4:00p; Free Admission

March 3 – Guilty Conscience Acoustic | March 10 – Matthew Fagan | March 17 – Jimmy Patton | March 24 – Geoff Ryle

Art Class in the Vineyards

Wednesday, March 13; 11:00a-2:00p; Monti Lad. Call 760-967-7658 for more information

St. Patrick’s Day Event

Sunday, March 17; 10:00a-4:00p; Dress like a Leprechaun and receive 10% off all purchases.  Best dressed will win a prize. Enjoy green Sangria and Fighting Irish Paninis

Musical Wine Dinner – France- “Moulin Rouge”

Thursday, March 23; 6:30p-9:00p; $79 per person, plus service charge and sales tax. Call 951-506-1818 for more information

“At the Cross” Ballet Performance

Sunday, March 24; 3:00p and 4:00p. Free Admission

Easter Picnic & Egg Hunt

Sunday, March 31; 11:00a-2:00p; $25 per person, adults | $15 per person, kids

Includes lunch, entertainment, Easter egg hunt, visit by Easter Bunny and jumpy for kids. For reservations please call 951-506-1818

 

Falkner Winery

Easter Brunch at Pinnacle Restaurant

Sunday, March 31. Seatings from 10:00a-3:30p; $49.95 per person, plus tax; $44.95 per person, plus tax, wine club members. Children 3-10 are $19 plus tax, wine club members, $15, plus tax. Children under 3, free. Special Easter gifts will be given to all children upon arrival.

The brunch will consist of multiple food stations and be available for reservations from 10am to 3:30pm.  All food will be prepared by their award winning “Best Chef”, Executive Chef Gianni Ciciliot and his excellent staff.  As the name implies, Champagne will be part of the meal along with other beverage options including discounted wine by the glass. Live entertainment will also be provided.

Reservations should be made by calling 951-676-8232 ext. 1 or online here

 

Frangipani Estate Winery

Happy Hour

Saturday, March 9; 5:00p-8:00p. Appetizers, wine specials and wine cocktail drink specials

 

Leoness Cellars

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd- “World of Wine”

Friday 8th – 1:00-4:00 PM – “Wine 101″

Our host Tony will take you through a comprehensive tour and tasting explaining in detail our Grape Growing, Harvest, and Wine Making processes .

Wine Club Members: $55 per person (for two people) | Public: $95 per person. RSVP at hosts@leonesscellars.com or 951.302.7601 ext. 125

Wednesday 20th – 10:00AM-12:00 PM – “Body & Vines”

Journey within the life of the vine, through vibrant movement of the body.  Then wind down with an alfresco pairing of our refreshing wines, seasonal fruits and artisan cheeses.

Wine Club Members: $30 per person (for two  people) | Public $35 per person. RSVP at hosts@leonesscellars.com or 951.302.7601 ext. 125

 


Monte de Oro

Monte De Oro’s Black Label Winemakers Dinner

Saturday March 23, 2013. Reception 6:30 PM | Dinner 7:00 PM.

Wine Club Members $125 per person; Non- Members  $140 per person. Price per person includes one bottle of reserve wine!

You are cordially invited to join us for a very special, intimate evening with Monte De Oro’s Winemaker and Managing Member. While indulging in several sensational black label reserve wines and tempting barrel samples, delight your senses with an amazing five-course wine and food experience designed to surprise and captivate your epicurean senses!

For more information, please call 951-491-6551 or email info@montedeoro.com.


 

Mount Palomar Winery

Wine & Unwind Friday Nights

Friday, March 15; 6pm-10pm. Dinner reservations at Shorty’s Bistro with live music by Finite Wisdom (Dance and Classic Rock) RSVP: 951-676-5047 x112 or by visiting the website here

Friday, March 22; 6pm-10pm. Dinner reservations at Shorty’s Bistro with live music by Lifetime Rocker (Classic Rock) RSVP: 951-676-5047 x112 or by visiting the website here

Friday, March 29; 6pm-10pm. Dinner reservations at Shorty’s Bistro with live music. RSVP: 951-676-5047 x112 or by visiting the website here

 

Oak Mountain Winery

Cooking Class

Friday, March 29; 6:00p-9:00p; $65.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations by e-mail at vandrews@oakmountainwinery.com

Come to Oak Mountain Winery for a night of wine, food and fun while Temecula Catering’s Chef Michael Cragg teaches you how to make a gourmet meal.  You will learn to make (hands on!) and then eat a four course meal paired with Oak Mountain wine.

 

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Divas in D’vines
Happy Hour 12-4/Dinner 5:30-9 – Call 951-587-9463 or click here today.

Vintage Vantage Menu
Mondays-Thursdays 11:30-3pm. Specially priced lunches at a low $9.99 for those aged 55 and over. Call 951-587-9463 or visit here

Happy Hour
Mondays-Fridays – 4-5:30pm – ½ price wines, draft beer and a wide array of appetizers. Call 951-587-9463 or click here

Prime Rib Dinner Special starting at just $30
Fridays-Sundays Call 951-587-9463 or visit http://www.wineresort.com today.

Champagne Easter Celebration @ South Coast Winery Resort & Spa — Sunday, March 31st. Gather up your family and join us at South Coast Winery’s Vineyard Rose Restaurant on Easter Sunday for a magically delicious Champagne Brunch. They will be pulling out all the stops to serve up a brunch designed to dazzle all ages. Easter egg hunts for children will be held every hour beginning at 11 AM. Prices vary based on selection. Reserve today and mark this day extra special! Call (951) 587-9463 ext. 7237

Lemongrass Ritual at South Coast Winery’s GrapeSeed Spa Weekdays in March.

Encounter the healing qualities of the ancient art of warm stones and chakra centers. This 50 minute spa ritual commences with a soothing massage with richly infused butters and oils of Thai Lemongrass and ginger. Relax as the back is massaged with warm stones. Continue this healing ritual with the warm stones placed on the chakras of the heart and body to rebalance, unwind and soothe mind, body and spirit. Leave with a keepsake of the soothing oil. No black out or weekend dates. Good through March 1st– March 31st 2013.
Special price $105—(regularly $146) a $41 savings per person. Call 951-587-9463 or click here. Mention booking code: Lemongrass

Romantic Runaway Wedding Package
March on in to South Coast Winery Resort & Spa this month and let our expert wedding and event planners turn your wedding into an unforgettable wedding fantasy.

Just add in up to 40 of your closest friends and family and $2,100 (INCLUSIVE) and your dream wedding becomes a reality! Call 951-587-9463 for details or click here for more details.

March Girlfriends’ Retreat Package

  • One night stay in a Deluxe Queen Villa for 4
  • Boxed Lunch to be delivered to your room for 4
  • Five Wine Tasting tickets for 4
  • Vino Vinyasa class for 4
  • Complimentary Demi Cabana for 4 – Demi cabana available 8am-1pm or 1pm-6pm. Vino Vinyasa class to be taken during time frame of cabana rental only.
  • Pre-Selected Bottle of Wine
  • MENTION CODE: GIRL-GE

Package Price: Sun – Thurs $ 479/night – That’s just $119.75 pp with 4. Fri – Sat $ 50/night additional. Call 951-587-9463 for details or click here for more details.

 


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