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September Winery Events, Concerts, and the “CRUSH” Wine & Culinary Showcase

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

September brings amazing events to the wineries, including our biggest event of the year – CRUSH!  Celebrate California Wine Month in Temecula Valley and experience Southern California’s wine country at it’s best.

CRUSH: Temecula Valley’s 2nd Annual Wine & Culinary Showcase

Saturday, Sept 10 |  6:30 – 9:30pm  |  Monte de Oro Winery:  All 34 Temecula Valley wineries and more than a dozen wine country restaurants will be pouring at this fabulous once-a-year tasting event.  Click here to buy tickets now!

More September Events:

Van Roekel Vineyards & Winery

Labor Day Weekend Watermelon Feed & Skate Reunion, Saturday, Sept 4 from noon-4pm – call 909-699-6961 for more information

Wiens Family Cellars

Friday Night Wine Lounge, 5:30pm

September 9 – Old School
September 16 -JD Priest

80’s Flashback Festival - Friday, September 23
Doors Open 5:30pm- Concert Begins at 8:00pm   Buy tickets

Wilson Creek Winery

Jeff Golub Concert (Golub is a contemporary jazz guitarist with 6 solo albums and 3 CD’s as the leader of the instrumental band “Avenue Blue”)

September 17- 7:00 pm

$55 General Admission • $49 Wine Club General Admission

$75 Preferred • $68 Wine Club Preferred

$120 Dinner • $108 Wine Club Dinner

Call for Reservations: 951.699.9463

Purchase on-line: www.wilsoncreekwinery.com


Winemakers Dinner

September 22nd at 6:30pm

Join Winemaker Etienne Cowper and Executive Chef Steve Stawinski for an inspired, exquisitely paired 3 course dining experience.

$50.00 per person; $45.00 per person Wine Club

Limited Seating

Call for Reservations: 951.699.9463

Purchase on-line: www.wilsoncreekwinery.com

 

September 25: We are releasing our special 2009 Malbec Reserve (95 cases) and our 2009 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (200 cases).

We’re also happy to announce the ompletion of our new production facility / moto-barrel room. Read more here.

Thornton Winery

Champagne Jazz Concert Series

GEORGE BENSON
with special guest Brian Simpson
Saturday, September 3rd – 7pm
General Admission Ticket $ 95.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 170.00

SUMMER JAM
Featuring Norman Brown & Richard Elliot
Saturday, September 10th – 7pm
General Admission Ticket $ 75.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 150.00

CHRIS BOTTI
Sunday, September 18th – 4pm
General Admission Ticket $ 95.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 160.00

JAZZ ATTACK
Featuring Peter White, Rick Braun & Gerald Albright
Sunday, September 25th – 4pm
General Admission Ticket $ 75.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 140.00

Monte de Oro

Classic Rock n Wine Concert – Friday, September 2
Doors Open 6:00pm, Concert Begins 6:00pm-10:00pm
Complimentary Glass of Wine- Your Choice
$25.00 General/$20.00 Wine Club/ $30.00 at the door
Concession Food will be available
Happy Hour on the Hill
Every Friday in September
4:00p-8:00p

1st Annual MDO Grape Stomp
Sunday, September 18
11:00a-3:00p
$35 Adults; $12.50 Kids. Buy tickets here

Breakfast with the Balloons
Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25
7:00a-9:00a
$29.99 Adults; $12.99 Kids 13 & Under. Buy tickets here

Baily Winery

October 22: 25th Anniversary Party
Dinner and wine included
$100 per person
Call for reservations – (951) 676-9463
Limited seating available- Call Today!
Live music every Saturday and Sunday in September from 2p-5p
Check their website at www.cougarvineyards.com for performers schedules.

1st Semi-Annual Salsa and Guacamole Competition
Compete for the best in the west.  Spicy, hot, savory, everything tasty judged by professionals.  Feast on carne asada taco buffet, plus your choice of sangria, wine or a Black Market Brewery special select beer.
$30 per person; $25 per person (wine club members). Buy tickets here

The Complete Works of William Shakespere
September 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24
All performances are outside on hilltop lawn area
Doors open at 6:30pm- Performances begin at Sunset
Tickets – $20; $15 for Seniors, Military, Students
Wine Down Fridays
September 9 and 23: 7:00p-9:30p
Includes dinner and a glass of wine and cover charge for live entertainment.
$15 Members; $25 non-Members. Buy tickets here

MoKeyto SaturdaysEnjoy complimentary music as you sip a glass of our Mojito. Mojito available by the glass. Wine available by glass or bottle.

Live entertainment: 1:30p-5:30p
September 3: Naomi Balcombe
September 10:  Jodi Siegel
September 17: Steph Johnson
September 24: Kelly Fitzgerald
Sangria Serenade- Enjoy complimentary music as you sip a glass of Keyways’ Sangria  or your favorite Keyways wine. Sangria available by the glass. Wine available by glass or bottle.
Live entertainment: 1:30p-5:30p
September 4– Tim Cash
September 11- Tony Suraci
September 18- Yvonne Perea
September 25- JD Priest

3rd Sunday Concert Series –Hosted by the Vineyard Troubadour
Sunday, September 18
Live music from 3p-6p, with concert at 5:00p

Longshadow Ranch Winery

Sundresses & Cowboy Boots
Friday, September 16
6:00p – 10p
Live country music, grape stomping, carriage rides and mechanical bull riding.
Visit www.heyday.com for more information

Strangelove- the ultimate Depeche Mode Tribute Band
Friday, September 30
6p-10p
Visit www.heyday.com for more information

Bonfire Saturday Nights
Every Saturday 6p-10p through 10/29
Open to the public, families welcome.  Horse drawn carriage rides, mechanical bull riding, face painting for the kids.  No admission charge.  Call 877-80-RANCH for more information.

Masia de Yabar Winery

First Annual International Tempranillo Day
Thursday, September 1
10a-5p
Taste the 2008 Tempranillo and receive a 10% discount on purchase of a bottle!  This special event is part of a promotion with TAPAS (Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society)
Call (951) 303-3860 for more information

Oak Mountain Winery

BBQ Smoker Cooking Class with Firehouse BBQ
Friday, September 9
6:00p-9:00p
For more info please call 951-699-9102

Live Music every Saturday in the Pavilion
1:00pm – 5:00pm – Ongoing
Jimmy Blaze – Classic Rock

Live Music every Sunday in the Pavilion
1:00pm – 5:00pm – Ongoing Temecula Events
Smooth Sax by Norm

Behind the Scenes Wine Tour
Monday through Friday at 11:00a & 1:00p and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00a, 1:00p & 3:00p
Get up close and personal with the real workings of a winery during a harvest crush with the Behind the Scenes Wine Tour. The tour culminates with a private, plated wine & cheese pairing.
$25 non members; $20 members
Reservations strongly suggested.  Call (951) 587-9463

4th Annual Paradise Goddess Day
Friday, September 9
$150 per person
For more information, please visit www.GrapeSeedSpa.com

Bridal Open House & Mock Wedding Reception
Sunday, September 11
11:00a-4:00p
Free Admission for open house; $25 per person for reception.
Tour the beautiful resort in full wedding décor.  Attend a mock wedding reception at 4:30p
Reservations required: Call (951) 587-9463 ext. 7215 or visit The Bridal Open House

Harvest Celebration: Blessing of the Wines & Grape Stomp
Sunday, September 25
3:00p
$50 Club / $55 Non-Club; $15 Children
Fun-for-the-entire family “blessing” you won’t want to miss, complete with Chef’s fine BBQ, face painting, tractor rides through the vineyards, live musical entertainment and grape stomping contests.
Reservations Required: Call (951) 587-9463 ext. 7210 or visit www.wineresort.com

Summer Sunsets at Callaway
Fridays in September – 6pm-9pm
Wine specials, appetizers and live music.   No reservations necessary.
September 2: Tim Moyer – Jazz
September 9:  Kenny Marquez – Rock
September 16: Timy Moyer – Jazz
September 23: JD Priest & Matt Workman – Country, blues, rock
September 30: Kenny Marquez – Rock
Sunday Sunset Tapas Buffet – Meritage at Callaway
Sundays in September – 5pm-9pm
Live music (beginning at 6pm) and buffet is served until 7:30pm Drink specials; Tapas buffet price is $20 per person.

Crush Party

It’s time to celebrate harvest and the end of summer at Callaway.  Get a taste of what actually goes into getting the grape from the vineyard to the table and reap the rewards of all of our hard work!
September 24 – 5:00p-9:00p
$90 per person (inclusive) $81 per person (inclusive), Legacy Club Members. Buy tickets here  
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Winery Spotlight: Get to Know… Europa Village

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Europa Village is one of Temecula Valley’s newest wineries, having had their grand opening just this past April.  If you’re planning a trip to Temecula Valley, make sure to add Europa Village onto your wine country itinerary!

The Story

The story of Europa Village is a simple one of two passionate entrepreneurs and a guild of friends coming together with the vision of creating a one-of-a-kind comprehensive Wine Country endeavor that redefines the experience of visiting and living in the thriving Temecula Valley, Southern California’s Wine Country.

Europa Village guests are transported back into history, where service was gracious and unlimited. Picture yourself slowly unwinding at Europa Village, as the melodic music of life fills the air while you sip on handcrafted wines. Like a garden of Eden, choose your pleasure, whether it be soaking in the ambiance of C’est La Vie Wine Chateau, enjoying the Spanish zest for life with a Tempranillo from Bolero Cellars, or feeling the romance of a fine Italian wine from Vienza.

The Wine

Europa Village prides itself on having a French, a Spanish, and an Italian line of wines.  C’est la Vie, Bolero, and Vienza have uniquely different styles and offer an array of varietals.  Favorites include C’est la Vie’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Bolero’s Tempernillo, and Vienza’s Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio.  Click on the above link to learn more!

Tastings

Europa Village is open daily from 10am to 5pm; tasting fee is $15 per person.

33475 La Serena Way, Temecula, CA 92591; (888) 383-8767; europavillage.com

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Winemaker’s Roundtable: Five Facts About… Sauvignon Blanc!

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

For this month’s roundtable, Temecula Valley is talking about Sauvignon Blanc.  We all know how popular this crisp white wine is, but here are five interesting anecdotes about this universal grape that you may not know  – toss ‘em around at your next wine party!

  1. Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape gets its name from the French word sauvage (“wild”) and blanc (“white”) due to its possible early origins as an indigenous grape growing all over southwestern France.
  2. Sauvignon Blanc is widely cultivated in France, Chile, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, and California.  The first cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc were brought to California in the 1880s by Charles Wetmore, founder of Cresta Blanca Winery and were brought into mainstream popularity by Robert Mondavi in 1968.
  3. California Sauvignon Blancs tend to fall into two styles: The New Zealand influenced-Sauv Blanc have more tropical fruit undertones with citrus and passion fruit notes while the Mondavi-influenced Fumé Blanc are more round with melon notes.
  4. Along with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc was one of the first fine wines to be bottled with a screwcap in commercial quantities and is usually consumed young.
  5. Sav Blanc always pairs well with cheese, chicken, and is one of the few wines that is a great match for sushi.

Pick up a great bottle of Temecula Valley Sauvignon Blanc from the following wineries:

 

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Watch our “CRUSH” teaser video now!

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Have you bought your tickets yet for our once-a-year CRUSH grand tasting event?  It’s only a month away and tickets are going fast!

Celebrate California Wine Month this September with the annual Temecula Valley Wine & Culinary Showcase on Saturday, September 10 from 6:30-9:30pm.  For only $65, guests will enjoy tastings from all 34 member wineries and more than a dozen wine country restaurants.  Taking place on the beautiful Monte de Oro winery patio overlooking the entire valley, this exciting evening will also include a sparkling wine reception, live entertainment, and personal mingling with your favorite Temecula Valley winery owners, winemakers, and chefs. 

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

 


 

 

 

 

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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

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
  • 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

 

 

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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:

  1. The four main grapes in Rhone whites are Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Top four regions for growing Rhone whites are California, Australia, South Africa, and Rhone (of course.)
  5. Common descriptors include honeysuckle, green apple, peach, nut, and spice

For examples of Temecula Valley Rhone whites, try:

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July Winery Events & Concerts

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

JULY EVENTS

Callaway Vineyard & Winery

Taste of Summer Winemaking Seminar- Saturday, July 23
10am-12:30pm
$88.50 Per Seminar
Legacy Club Member Price – $79.65 Per Seminar
Prices are per person, plus tax

Falkner Winery

11th Anniversary Weekend- July 2-July 4
Join owners Ray & Loretta Falkner for a fun-filled weekend full of live jazz music, raffles, huge wine sales and lunch specials in their restaurant!

Frangipani Estate Winery

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
Performances July 22, 23, 29, 30 & August 5, 6
7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm)
Reservations Required

Keyways Winery

Wine Down Fridays, every 2nd & 4th Friday
Live Music, Dinner and Wine
Reservations Required

Robert Renzoni Vineyards
Grand Opening of their Picnic Grounds- Saturday, July 2
Featuring Kenny Marquez live from 2pm – 5pm
Picnic grounds to be open from 12 pm – 6pm!!

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Wild Women of Wine Country Burger & Winery Pairing Bun-Anza Cooking Class- Saturday, July 16
11:00am
After the huge success of January’s Wild Women of Wine Country Cooking Class, the talented chefs of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa are rested up and ready to go again for the season’s wildest cooking show yet.  Explore unique approaches to the season’s favorite gastronomic classic – the burger — using a little BBQ Sizzle, while our wine experts add the Drizzle — all guaranteed to delight, educate and entertain.  Learn hot little tips, tricks and specialty culinary secrets.  Best of all proceeds go out to the community’s non-profit organizations.

Stuart Cellars Winery

Shakespeare in the Vines- July 8 through July 22
6:00pm
Admission is free. Optional Dinner Package ~ $20 includes dinner courtesy of Gourmet Italia and two glasses of wine.
Futures Barrel Tasting- Saturday, July 30
6:30pm – 10pm
Wine Club Members $60, Non-Members $70
Reservations are required, please call (951) 676-6414 or see a Stuart Cellars Representative.

Wiens Family Cellars

Blending Seminar- Sunday, July 24
6:30pm
After a short seminar from the winemaker on blending principles, teams of four people at a table will experiment mixing different varieties to create their own ideal blend.

 

JULY CONCERTS

Monte de Oro Winery

4th of July Coastal Communities Concert Band- Monte De Oro Pops- Saturday, July 2
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m. Concert: 7:00 p.m.
VIP Seats-$80.00 /$75.00 Wine Club
Preferred Parking, Reserved Table Seating, Plated 3 Course Meal,
Souvenir Glass, (2) Complimentary glasses of Wine- Your Choice
Meet n Greet with Orchestra and Choir
General Admission-$40.00/ $35.00 Wine Club
Souvenir Glass, Complimentary Glass of Wine- Your Choice

CG Ryche Concert- Saturday, July 30
Doors Open 5:30 p.m., Concert Begins 8:00 p.m.
VIP Seats-$80.00/ $75.00 Wine Club
Preferred Parking, Reserved Table Seating, Plated 3 Course Meal
Souvenir Glass, Complimentary Glass of Wine- Your Choice
Special Meet n Greet / Admission to Drum Circle
General Admission-$40.00/ $35.00 Wine Club
Souvenir Glass, Complimentary Glass of Wine- Your Choice/ Admission to Drum Circle

Robert Renzoni Vineyards

Live music July 2, 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
2:00pm-5:00pm

Stuart Cellars Winery

“Sip into Sunset” Entertainment Series- Friday’s throughout the summer
6:00 p.m.
Admission is free. Optional Dinner Package ~ $20 includes dinner courtesy of Gourmet Italia and two glasses of wine.

June 17 – The Storytellers

June 24 – Norm Douglas

July 1 – Mike McGuill

July 29 – Rhandi & Associates

Thornton Winery

Champagne Jazz Concert Series- through October

DAVE KOZ – HELLO TOMORROW TOUR
Saturday, July 9th – 7pm
General Admission Ticket $ 85.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 160.00

DAVE KOZ – HELLO TOMORROW TOUR
Sunday, July 10th – 5pm
General Admission Ticket $ 75.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 140.00

JEFFREY OSBORNE
with Special Guest
Sunday, July 17th – 5pm
General Admission Ticket $ 65.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 130.00

LEE RITENOUR & JESSY J.
Sunday, July 24th – 5pm
General Admission Ticket $ 55.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 120.00

HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL
with special guest David Benoit
Saturday, July 30th – 7pm
General Admission Tickets $ 75.00
Gourmet Supper Package $ 150.00

Wiens Family Cellars

Friday Night Wine Lounge
5:30pm
July 8- Stone Senses
July 22- JD Priest

Wilson Creek Winery
Sunset Jazz in the Vines Concert Series- Warren Hill- Saturday, July 23
Doors Open 6:00pm Concert Begins 7:30pm

Live Jazz on the Weekends!
June 11- Jason Weber
June 26- JD Priest
July 2- Jason Weber
July 3- JD Priest
July 9-Jason Weber
July 23- Jason Weber
July 24-JD Priest
July 30-Jason Weber
July 31-JD Priest

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Save the Date: CRUSH, September 10

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Join winery owners, winemakers and growers of the Temecula Valley as we celebrate “California Wine Month,” Temecula Style, at CRUSH – Our 2nd Annual Wine & Culinary Showcase, taking place on Saturday, September 10.

Now in it’s second successful year, CRUSH will feature all of Southern California’s wine country and culinary stylings in one stellar location. In addition to sampling an array of local wines and restaurant dishes on a large scale, guests will also have an opportunity to learn about winegrape growing in Southern California. Educational displays will feature vine cuttings from grapes featured in Temecula Valley’s best wines, descriptions of each grape variety, and even newly-harvested grapes that allow guests to taste the fruit before it is turned into wine.

Winemakers and chefs will mingle amongst the guests, giving attendees a chance to meet their favorite local wine and culinary stars. The David Maldonado Band will provide live entertainment for the evening as guests sip and savor a taste of Temecula Valley on the expansive Monte de Oro patio, while taking in breathtaking views of wine country under the summer stars.

WhatCRUSH – Our 2nd Annual Temecula Valley Wine & Culinary Showcase

When:  Saturday, September 10 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Where:  Monte de Oro Winery, 35820 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591

Cost:  $65

Tickets: Call (800) 801-9463 for tickets by phone; or purchase online at TemeculaWines.org.

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Winemaker’s Roundtable: 5 Facts About… Sangiovese!

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

This month, Temecula Valley is focusing on the popular Sangiovese grape.  Here’s five fun facts you can toss around at your next wine party!
1.    Sangiovese is an Italian winegrape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, meaning “the blood of Jove”
2.    This grape is grown mostly in central Italy and is the most widely planted grape in the country.
3.    It is a main component of Chianti and “Super-Tuscan” – a red blend which usually includes Cabernet Savignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, and – yours truly – Sangiovese.
4.    This grape is highly adaptable to many different soils, but likes a warm climate – making it a perfect fit for Temecula Valley.
5.    Sangio’s high acidity, light body, and moderate alcohol level makes it a food-friendly wine.

Try Sangiovese at your local Temecula Valley wineries –

 

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