Temecula Valley Grape Vine

Temecula Valley Grape Vine Newsletter

Volume 3, Number 12 December 15, 2007

Judges Select 18 80-plus Temecula Wines
Many wine lovers in Southern California already know that Temecula is a premiere wine-making region. But last month, nearly two dozen Temecula Valley wineries took steps to ensure that the rest of the world gets the message as well. One out of three Temecula Valley wines that took part in a pioneering blind tasting in November were high enough quality to receive a good rating from the industry's premiere trade publications, according to seven judges made up of winemakers and wine buyers. The panel concluded that 18 of 58 wines submitted for evaluation from 14 Temecula wineries were good enough to represent the region in future and be submitted to Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast for evaluation. Wines were judged in five major categories: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Sangiovese and blends, Syrah and blends, and Cabernet Sauvignon and blends. Judges included winemakers Mike Tingley, Don Reha, Steve Hagata, Doug Wiens, and Jon McPherson and wine buyers Jennifer Lofland from Pechanga Resort & Casino and Jeff Slankard from Barron's. The judges were asked to determine which wines would receive at least an "80" rating from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator. "I greatly appreciate the difficult work put in by these individuals and hope that their efforts will help us better promote the image of quality wines in Temecula Valley as well as provide us great, expert insight into what each of us can change to improve our wines even more," said Ray Falkner, winery co-owner and president of the winegrowers association. No medals were given. Wineries whose wines were not selected will receive wine notes so that they can read what independent wine experts thought about their wine. Wines receiving ratings of 80 or more included: Leonesse 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Maurice Carrie 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, South Coast 2006 Elevation Sauvignon Blanc, South Coast 2006 Musque Clone Sauvignon Blanc, Falkner 2006 Viognier, La Cereza 2006 Viognier, Falkner 2004 Amante Super Tuscan, Hart 2005 Sangiovese, Mount Palomar 2005 Castelletto, Palumbo 2005 Due Figli, South Coast 2005 Wild Horse Thunderbolt, Falkner 2004 Rockcreek Vineyard Syrah, Leonesse 2004 Syrah, South Coast 2005 Rolling Hills Syrah, South Coast 2005 Lone Bolder Ridge Syrah, Thornton 2005 Estate Syrah, Briar Rose 2005 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and South Coast 2004 Wild Horse Peak Block 4 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oak Mountain Joins Winegrowers Association
Oak Mountain Winery has become the newest member of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, which represents more than 60 wineries and growers. The winery and vineyard sit on 10 acres just off De Portola Road in the southern part of Wine Country between Keyways Winery and Leonesse Cellars. Opened two years ago, Oak Mountain annually produces 6,500 cases of two-dozen different wines, according to Valerie Andrews, who owns the winery with winemaker/ husband Steve. The winery consists of a 2,500-square-foot barrel and tasting room and 8 acres of Bordeaux varietals. The Andrews also own a 10-acre vineyard of Rhone varietals near Lake Skinner on the northern edge of Wine Country. Plans also are moving forward on a 3,000-square-foot patio and event facility, which should be completed in early 2008, according to Valerie. Eventually the winery would like to add a commercial kitchen.

Winter Barrel Tasting: A Bit of Wine Country History
The Winter Barrel Tasting on Jan. 26-27 is a great chance to enjoy a little bit of Wine Country history and taste unfinished wines. It's also an opportunity to visit 20 Temecula wineries meet with winemakers and sample great food as well. For event organizer and winemaker Joe Hart, the Winter Barrel Tasting is the grand daddy of all Wine Country events. "This is the premiere event of the year for the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association," he said. "When you look back, this was our first major fundraiser." Hart said the event gives wine lovers a chance to taste wines in process, typically reds from the barrel. "It's a unique opportunity to taste unfinished wines," Hart said. Tickets for the two-day event are $85 and include admission both days and a souvenir wine glass. A limited number of special Sunday-only tickets for Temecula/Murrieta residents are available for $55.

Keyways, South Coast Dream of a Green Christmas
Keyways Vineyard & Winery and South Coast Winery Resort & Spa are helping to brighten up everyone's holiday. In December the wineries are hosting the Temeculights Holiday Festival, a spectacular month-long celebration that includes more than 200,000 LED (light emitting diode) lights powered by solar power that stretch over rooftops and vineyards and provide more than 14 miles of low-wattage visual excitement. The nightly show begins at dusk and lasts until 9 p.m. and includes horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides through the vineyards, mulled wine and cider, Christmas carolers, award winning wines, Christmas cookies and snacks, a gift shop that carries unique holiday gifts, surprise visits from Santa and fun for the entire family. Horse-drawn wagon rides $10 adults; kids $5 (5-13); under 4 years free. "The lights are truly beautiful," said Wendell Locklin, chief executive of Four Seasons Lighting, the Murrieta-based company that provided the lights. LED lights are not only brighter than typical incandescent lighting but they use 90 percent less electricity, according to Locklin. When used in combination with solar arrays, the lighting represents the ultimate in low energy consumption.

Sip and Shop Through Wine Country
Several Temecula wineries are making it easy to find a special gift for that hard-to-shop-for person and at the same time put you in the holiday mood. Maurice Car'rie and La Cereza wineries are discounting items in their gift shops by as much as 50 percent. Throughout December, Keyways Vineyard & Winery will host Sip and Shop. Get all your Christmas shopping done while enjoying a glass of wine and tasting hors d'oeuvres by a toasty fire. Bring family and friends for an evening of great fun, fabulous food, wine tasting and live music. The winery also invites shoppers to take part in Keyways' month-long Red & White Christmas wine sale. Select red and white wines will be specially priced during the month, with some varietal cases marked down by as much as 50 percent.

Kick Off the Holidays with Wine Country Cuisine
This year try bringing in the holidays with some Wine Country hospitality and cheer. Callaway Vineyard and Winery will kick off the season on Dec. 15 a Holiday Candlelight Dinner in the Barrel Room starting at 6 pm. Sit back and enjoy carolers, chef's cuisine and beautifully paired wines. $100. per person. Executive Chef Alessandro Serni at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa will serve up special fare on Dec. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. For as little as $26 per person enjoy a multi-course holiday meal topped off with a Yule Log Creme Anglais. Café Champagne at Thornton Winery will serve a special Christmas dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Choose from salmon, prime rib, lamb loin or traditional roast turkey. Price: $49.95 per person.

Bring in the New Year in Style in Wine Country
Wine Country is making it easy to celebrate the start of the New Year in grand fashion. No fewer than six wineries will be hosting festive New Years Eve parties, many with special themes. Thornton Winery for example, invites its guests to stroll down the red carpet for an evening with the stars during its Hollywood Nights gala. For $175 per person enjoy the sounds of King Biscuit Review, a gourmet meal prepared by Chef Liam Griffin and a balloon drop and champagne toast. At Wiens Family Cellars, New Year's Eve is all about a Flashback to the '80s. The evening features prime rib, king crab legs, and chocolate velvet butter cake with whipped Grand Marnier mascarpone mousse. Music of the 1980s will keep everyone hopping all night long. Tickets: $160 per person. Keyways will host the Black and White (and Silver) New Year's Bash to bring in the New Year in a special and intimate way. The evening, which starts at 6 p.m., includes a four-course wine paired gourmet meal prepared by Wine Country Chef Steve Hamlin highlighted by filet mignon and prawns, live music and dancing and a commemorative champagne glass. Cost is $135 per person. Not to be outdone, Wilson Creek promises a White Hot New Years. The evening will begin with a festive glass of the award winning Almond Champagne then an array of gourmet white cheeses, a fresh fruit display with warm white chocolate dip. Sit down to a five-course dinner and dance the night away to the music of The Tony Suraci Band. Cost: $175 per person. Celebrate an elegant New Year's Eve at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa for $120 per person. Ponte Family Estate Winery promises the best party of the year for those attending its New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Enjoy wine, exciting live music and entertainment, festive noise makers, and a champagne toast as the clock strikes 12. Price: $175 per person.

Make Your Own Wine With Don Reha
Become a winemaker for a day at Thornton Winery's Winemaker's Blending Party on January 19 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Join winemaker Don Reha as he guides participants through a tasting and blending exercise in the Champagne Caves. "Our guests will have the opportunity to put their creative talents to work in a small group setting," said Reha. "I am looking forward to sharing the secrets, passion, and expertise that goes into making a premium blend." The class begins with tasting barrel samples, breaking down the components of each sample and discussing what makes the fruit forward wines of the Temecula Wine region so unique. Reha will offer tips on how to become more adventurous with wine tasting, while coaching guests how to blend their own personal mixture based on personal likes and dislikes. Cost is $65 per person and includes a winemaker signed bottle of your personal blend.

South Coast Cab Makes Top 10 List
Frank Mangio, a wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, included a Temecula wine among his top 10 tastings of 2007. Making the list was South Coast Wild Horse Cabernet ($28), which was best of class at the California State Fair. South Coast joined three Cabs from Napa that were to Mangio's liking. "Temecula keeps getting better and this year a cab whose grapes come from above and beyond the appellation scored in the ten," Mangio explained. Also making the list was an old vine Zinfandel from Sonoma, a Syrah from Chile, a couple of wines from Italy and a Shiraz from Australia.

Odds and ends...
Callaway Vineyard & Winery has released a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Nouveau ($18), just in time for the holiday season. A nouveau wine is fermented for just a few weeks and is very drinkable with very little tannin.... Mount Palomar Winery is reaching out to the less fortunate during the holidays. Take an angel from a Christmas Tree at the winery and bring a gift to help out kids at Rancho Damacitas and Oak Grove, local treatment and residential centers for abused children. Donors will receive complimentary wine tasting... Thornton Winery is making it easy for early diners to enjoy Café Champagne on the weekdays. The Sunset Special is a three-course meal served Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for $28.95 a person... The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery is open New Year's Eve and Day with two lunch specials: baked stuffed shrimp and honey baked ham with salad, vegetables and dessert.

The Grape Vine is published by the
Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association
PO Box 1601
Temecula, CA 92593

The Grape Vine is generously sponsored by the

Riverside County, CA. Economic Development Agency

For more information, visit our Web site: www.temeculawines.org
or call us at: Phone: (800) 801-9463