Tag: wine tasting

Sunset to Starlight: Temecula’s Ultimate Evening Entertainment Guide

You may have heard that wine country shuts down at 5 p.m., but we’re here to bust that myth! From late-night bonfires to food trucks, dancing, and speakeasies, Temecula Valley nightlife is vibrant and thriving. Here’s your complete guide to experiencing Temecula wine country from sunset to starlight.

Escape the Weekday Rush: Mid-Week Evening Magic

The secret to feeling like a Temecula insider? Visit mid-week! Mid-week evenings offer intimate tastings, personalized service, and a more relaxed atmosphere that lets you connect with the wines and the winemakers. Not to mention, SIP Passport holders receive discounts only available Monday through Friday. Here are some of our favorite mid-week, late-night, stops:

Ponte Vineyard Inn

Located at the basement level of the Ponte Vineyard Inn, The Cellar Bar is your sophisticated hideaway seven nights a week. This hidden gem hosts a complete selection of Ponte Wines, a full bar, and gourmet food.

Europa Village

Europa Village feels like a European vacation every day of the week, with select tasting rooms open until 8 p.m. daily. Pro-tip: keep an eye on their events calendar. Europa is known for hosting a range of events, from food festivals and twilight tastings to art exhibitions.

Oak Mountain Winery

Step into a speakeasy-style distillery at Oak Mountain Winery. This prohibition-style bar serves cocktails made with house-distilled spirits that you can actually watch being made!

Jordan Parker Winery

Jordan Parker Winery stays open until 7 p.m. seven days a week, making it perfect for after-work tastings!

Friday Night Adventures: Start Your Weekend Right

Music rings across the vineyards, food trucks are out in force, and great Temecula wine is just a pour away! Friday nights in wine country set the tone for an incredible weekend.

Peltzer Winery

From June through September, Peltzer Winery’s Crush House stays open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Their rotating lineup of food vendors and musicians creates a festival-like atmosphere every weekend.

Miramonte Winery

Miramonte Winery, open until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, is known for stunning vineyard views, southern Rhone grape varieties, and live music. So grab a glass of their award-winning Syrah, and dance the night away!

Mount Palomar Winery

Mount Palomar Winery keeps the pours flowing until 9:30 p.m., making it ideal for those who want to catch the sunset while sampling their renowned Sangiovese and other Mediterranean-style wines.

Saturday Night Spectacular: The Main Event

Saturday nights are when Temecula truly comes alive. Here are some of the not-to-be-missed Saturday experiences.

Longshadow Ranch

Longshadow Ranch hosts a Saturday night bonfire every week, weather permitting! It’s a tradition that’s been drawing crowds for over twenty years. Enjoy live music, BBQ, and exceptional wine around a crackling bonfire. This outdoor gathering captures the essence of Southern California wine country living.

Akash Winery

Akash Winery extends their hours until 8 p.m. on Saturdays, perfect for catching a late night comedy show or live music on the patio. The winery’s elevated location provides panoramic views of the valley that are especially magical during golden hour.

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Test your knowledge at Cougar Vineyard & Winery’s weekly trivia night, or soak in the views as you listen to live music and enjoy Italian-style wines in their rustic tasting room.

Other wineries with extended weekend hours include Bella Vista Winery, Fazeli Cellars, Lorimar Winery, Oak Mountain, Somerset Vineyards, and Vitagliano Vineyards.

Best Practices for Evening Visits

Make reservations: Popular evening events fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Plan transportation: Consider rideshare or designated drivers for late-night tastings. Options for tours and transportation can be found HERE.

Check event calendars: Many wineries host special evening events with ticketed concerts or themed nights.

Check the Weather Forecast: Some venues are entirely outdoors, and the valley cools down after sunset, so bring layers for temperature changes.

For the most up-to-date hours and special events, check our Events Calendar. Evening hours may vary seasonally and are subject to change.

Winery Spotlight: Get to Know… Mount Palomar

The Story

Located at 1400 feet elevation in Temecula Valley wine country, Mount Palomar is a working wine estate with 45 acres of producing vineyards overlooked by the Palomar Mountain range. One of the earlier winery stops along Rancho California Road, the well-known winery was established in 1969 by John Poole. John’s son, Peter, took over operation of the winery in 1985. Peter and winemaker, Etienne Cowper combined creative forces to create top quality, Temecula Valley wines. Peter introduced a number of “firsts” in the Temecula Valley, most significantly beginning the trend to Mediterranean grape varieties, which is so significant today.

The Wines

Mount Palomar makes a range of fine wines with special emphasis on classic, Bordeaux-style blends and Italian varieties. The winery also has a thirty year history of producing Port and Solera Cream Sherry. For their wines, they use two main brands: Mount Palomar and Castelletto. The Castelletto name (“little castle” in Italian) is used for the Italian-style wines.

Mount Palomar offers a good-sized range of red wines, white wines, fruity and dessert wines. Several interesting red blends and unique single varietals like Cinsault, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel are on the tasting menu and available for bottle purchase. For all Mount Palomar wines, shop here.

The Tasting Room

Tasting Room Summer Hours & Pricing
Monday-Friday-10:30-6pm; tastings are $12 for a flight of 6 wines + souvenir logo glass
Saturday and Sunday-10:30-7pm; tastings are $15 for a flight of 6 wines + souvenir logo glass

Reservations are requested for groups of 10 or more.
Please call 951-676-5047 x119 to make reservations.

For more tasting room information, click here.

Shorty’s Bistro Restaurant

Shorty’s Bistro features casual Mediterranean-inspired food and both indoor and outdoor seating.

Restaurant hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-6pm; Friday-Sunday, 11am-8pm (dinner reservations recommended)

Click here for Shorty’s lunch menu | dinner menu.

Lunch special: Eat at Shorty’s Bistro Monday-Thursday and you can purchase a bottle of wine for half-price.

Learn more here.

Events

Mount Palomar has a a great line-up of live music events – plus a September grape stomp, Oktoberfest and several wedding/bridal events all year long.  Check out the Mount Palomar event calendar here.

Future Plans

Current development plans include extensive new vineyard plantings; a larger wine production facility; a new guest facility including restaurants and a world-class, wine country resort and spa; and estate homes. Stay tuned with TemeculaWines.org for details!

Temecula Valley Sparkling Wines for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, wine lovers will be searching for wines that complement holiday dinners and can please a wide array of palates. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large soiree, Temecula Valley sparkling wines offer something for every wine personality. Sparkling wines are ideal for special occasions, and as the holidays approach, we’ve asked our winemakers which are their favorites that will work well for holiday entertaining and gift-giving.

Thornton Non-Vintage Brut

A blend of primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which gives the wine an exciting, crisp fruit character while taking on a clean and straight forward yeast flavor from the lengthy tirage time of 28 months using the méthode champenoise process. The addition of a small amount of Pinot Noir helps to round out the wine, giving it complexity and uniting the white varietals. The Thornton NV Brut has a lot of finesse along with apple, pear and tropical aromas, which meld with toasty yeast flavors, while the finish is long and creamy. $33 Bottle

South Coast Winery Sparkling Pinot Grigio

This sparkling Pinot Grigio is worlds apart from what is normally expected with this style of dry white wine. Finished as a “Brut” this is a Pinot Grigio with wonderful nuances of pears and apples, a touch of tropical fruitiness and crisp acidity. “Whenever toasting a special occasion, serve this wonderful sparkler and let the good times roll!” says winemaker Jon McPherson. $24 Bottle

Carter Estate 2014 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling

This product has been painstakingly nurtured to deliver a sparkling wine with the finesse, flavor and aroma of a fine méthode champenoise sparkling wine. The process included barrel fermentation and barrel aging of approximately 8% of the cuvee prior to the secondary fermentation. Once the Blanc de Blanc had been blended and undergone secondary fermentation, it was aged for an additional fifteen months on the yeast lees. This time on the yeast lees helped to develop the yeasty, toasty aromas, a very fine bubble bead, wonderfully full creamy textures and an extraordinary mousse. The bottle is brimming with fresh apple and delicate floral aromas; a hint of oak shows in the background with a nuance of vanilla, toasty cookie and a rich yeasty character. This wine has a very bright acidity and a refreshingly dry finish. “Definitely our finest sparkling release to date,” states winemaker Jon McPherson. $34 Bottle

Cougar Dolce

100% Estate Malvasia Bianca sparkling wine. Sweet, Muscat-like with notes of apricot, peaches and honey, for the taste buds that like more of a dessert flavor.

Oak Mountain Winery Raspberry Sparkling

This refreshing sparkling wine explodes with a slightly sweet raspberry candy touch.  Great for sipping by the pool or celebrating your special occasion.  Winner of a Silver medal – Orange County Fair Wine Competition.  Pairs well with ham, turkey, prime rib or most any main dish.  $25 Bottle

Though Temecula Valley wines can be ordered through the wineries’ online stores and shipped to most states, what better excuse to visit the destination and try the wines onsite. Temecula Valley is conveniently located in the center of Southern California, just an hour drive from San Diego, Palm Springs and Orange County and 90 minutes from Los Angeles. Many winery restaurants offer special holiday dining menus that pair wonderfully with their holiday wines. Resort, hotel, bed and breakfast inns and vacation rentals offer special packages and pricing for Sunday through Thursday stays.

Pan-Seared Steak with Portobello Mushroom Sauce atop Mascarpone Polenta

This classic dish highlights the earthy flavors of Portobello mushrooms, the richness of mascarpone polenta and the elegance of seared, rib eye steak. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Merlot or Syrah.

Ingredients:

3 cups (750ml) water
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
1 cup (160g) course ground polenta
1 teaspoon (5ml) salt
3 tablespoons (45g) mascarpone cheese
2 (8-ounce/225g) boneless rib eye steaks, 1½- inches (3.81cm) thick, removed from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking
4 tablespoons (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided
½ pound (225g) portobello mushrooms, stems removed
2/3 cup (160ml) Temecula Valley Merlot
2/3 cup (160ml) heavy cream
1 tablespoon (15ml) balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon (2.5ml) salt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Pour the water and the chicken stock into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

When the water begins to simmer, whisk in the polenta and the 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt.

Stir for 5 minutes while the polenta is simmering.

Cover the polenta and turn the heat to low.

Cook for 40 minutes total stirring every 10 minutes making sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pan.

Remove from the heat and stir in the mascarpone cheese. Cover and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 450° F (230° C).

Sprinkle both sides of the steaks generously with salt and pepper.

In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) of the olive oil over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Add the steaks and sear for 2 minutes on each side.

Transfer the steaks to a shallow baking pan. (Set the skillet aside for later use.)

Roast the steaks in the oven for 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Remove the steaks from the pan and let the steaks rest while you make the mushroom sauce.

Thinly slice the mushroom caps into half moons then slice again crosswise into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons (30ml) of olive oil in the skillet used for the steaks. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and cook and stir until golden brown. Add the wine and reduce the liquid by half.

Add the cream and balsamic vinegar and the ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and cover.

To serve, spoon desired amount of polenta in the center of each plate. Top polenta with sauce and strips of steak.

Suggested Pairings:

Avensole Winery 2014 Merlot ~ This wine is unique with blackberry and black cherry fruit with subtle hints of black licorice and vanilla, framed by silky tannins and a generous finish.

Carter Estate Winery & Resort 2012 Merlot ~ This Merlot has a very long finish that is silky and firm with a shapely, tart tannic backbone.

Fazeli Cellars 2014 Shiraz ~ Silky black currant and blackberry layered with hints of vanilla, earth and black pepper. Full-bodied with a rich, lingering finish.

Monte De Oro Winery 2014 Syrah ~  Accents of cocoa bean, clove, anise, red and black peppercorns with a long gripping finish.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wine Institute of California

5 Facts About Blended Wine

Blended wines are some of our favorites because they are the most complex and interesting types of wine.  Here are the 5 facts you need to know about blends:

1. Difference between varietals and blends: A standard varietal like Malbec, Chardonnay etc., is made from the same type of grape. Sometimes winemakers will use grapes from different plots of a vineyard or different regions for a varietal, but they are all the same type of grapes. In the U.S. a varietal needs to be 75 percent of one type of grape, while in Europe it’s generally 80 percent and in Argentina it’s 85 percent. It’s possible for wineries to add other grapes to a varietal to enhance the elements and still call it a single varietal wine.

Blends are what their name suggests. They typically consist of at least 40-50 percent of one type of grape and a smaller mix of two or more other grapes.

2. Blending makes wines more complex: Blending is used to maximize the expression of a wine. It can enhance aromas, color, texture, body and finish, making it a more well-rounded and complex wine. If a wine doesn’t have a strong scent, for example, a winemaker can add five percent of a more potent smelling grape and can experiment with different types of varietals coming from other vineyards. They could have been aged in oak barrels, fermented in various kinds of vessels or just harvested in different phases of ripeness.

In Argentina, the heart of most blends is Malbec. Merlot can be used to give the wine a better aroma and make it seem fresher or smoother. Cabernet Franc or Sauvignon are often added for structure or tannin concentration to make a more powerful wine. Creating the perfect blend also depends on the characteristics of the year and the expression of each grape. The possibility for combinations that result in a quality blend are endless.

3. Some single varietals are made for blending: Winemakers will often make a barrel of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or other wines solely for the purpose of blending. As the grapes are being harvested, a winemaker determines what they think will be the best formula for a blend. Make sure to vet all contractors before beginning any serious Service Restoration Minneapolis Minnesota. Including checking online reviews and calling for quotations. Allotting specific barrels for blending allows them to experiment in finding the best types of mixtures. The idea is to highlight each grape’s strength and complement the other grapes being used in the blend.

4. The timeline for mixing wines varies: Winemakers mix blends in a steel tank. Lower cost blends are rarely aged in oak and higher cost blends are generally aged in oak. Some winemakers put blended wines into an oak barrel half way through the aging process, while others put the wines together one to two weeks before bottling. Some try letting the wines ferment together from start to finish. Again, the goal is to develop the best of everything in the wines and each winery determines what approach works best for them.

5. Some grapes aren’t used for blending: White wines tend to be pure varietals. However, there are some exceptions, particularly in certain regions in Europe where two or more white grapes are used. Pinot Noir is a type of grape that is rarely blended. That is why when you are having a Burgundy it will likely be a 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Here are some great Temecula Valley blends you won’t want to miss!

Callaway Winery ~ Calliope Red – Blend of Mourvedre, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah

Lorenzi Estate Wines ~ 2013 Rated R Red Blend – Blend of Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Syrah

Lorimar Winery ~ 2016 Vineyard Blend –  Blend of Grenache, Viognier and Roussanne

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa ~ 2015 Cabernet Rosé – Blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon

Vindemia Winery ~ 2015 Commonwealth – Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petite Syrah

Copy source: Ross Szabo; The Huffington Post

Wine Country Recipe ~ Homemade Pizza with Figs, Prosciutto, Arugula, and Fresh Mozzarella

Caramelized figs, oozing cheese, salty prosciutto, and fresh arugula are a delightful combination of flavors and textures in this pizza. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Riesling or Rosé.

Makes two 10-inch pizzas

Ingredients:

Pizzas:
1 (1-pound) store-bought or homemade pizza dough
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves,
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
8 slices prosciutto, about 4 ounces, torn in half lengthwise
6 medium fresh California figs, quartered
2 ounces fresh arugula
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Make the pizzas:
Place a pizza stone on the lowest rack in the oven, and heat the oven to 475°F.

Divide the dough into 2 equal balls. Roll each ball out on a lightly floured work surface and transfer to a lightly floured pizza peel (or roll out on a piece of parchment paper). Lightly brush the dough with olive oil. Sprinkle the rosemary over each crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the rims. Arrange half of the mozzarella over each crust, sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan over each pizza, and arrange the figs on top.

Slide the pizzas onto the baking stone (if using parchment, slide the parchment onto the baking stone). Bake the pizzas until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Remove the pizzas from the oven. Drape half of the prosciutto slices over each pizza and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan over each pizza. Return to the pizzas to the oven, and cook until the prosciutto is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the pizzas from the oven and scatter half of the arugula over each pizza. Brush the crusts with olive oil, sprinkle a few drops of olive oil over the arugula, and garnish with black pepper. Cut the pizzas into wedges and serve immediately.

Suggested Pairings: 

Baily Winery ~ 2016 Riesling –  Enjoy this delicate, dry and fruity white with a slightly spicy meal, or poolside on a hot & sunny day!

Hart Winery ~ 2016 Rosé of Sangiovese – Lightly pink, near-dry, delicately scented and flavored Rose′ wine, very much in the dryer, food-friendly European style. Excellent with a wide range of foods, and a great summer sipper.

Mount Palomar Winery ~ 2015 Sangiovese Rosé – very fragrant with scents of strawberry, honeydew melon, white nectarine, and kiwi fruit. The taste is bright with strawberry, tangelo, watermelon, and hints of rosewater

Maurice Carr’ie Winery ~ 2016 Riesling – This semi-sweet Riesling is full of apple and apricot aromas. The palate is nicely balanced between crisp, fruity, acidity, and modest sweetness. Flavors of apricot, pear, peach, and pineapple develop in this rich wine.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Wine Institute of California

Fun Facts About Late Harvest Wine

Remember those small, lovely bottles you’ve seen in the dessert wine section of your favorite tasting room or wine store?

Many wine-lovers have yet to discover how delicious a late harvest wine can taste – especially when paired with cheese and honey, chocolate or a fruit-based dessert.

The perfect sweet dessert wine for Valentine’s Day, late harvest wine is simple to understand and easy to find here in Temecula Valley!

Here are some fun facts about late harvest wine:

1. “Late harvest” refers to wines made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual and picked later than normal. Late harvest grapes are often more similar to raisins, but have been naturally dehydrated while still on the vine.
2. Late harvest wines are made around the world with almost every grape imaginable. Grapes like zinfandel and riesling are ideally suited to produce late harvest wine and are among the most popular.
3. Grapes used for late harvest wines go through their full growth cycle and then some – becoming super sweet and losing acidity as they ripen.
4. “Noble rot” is the term for the edible mold that causes grapes to lose nearly all of their water content. Kuala Lumpur This natural process begins to take place in late September and can last until late October.
5. Late harvest grapes are often hand-picked. Sometimes, the usable grapes from one vine may only produce enough juice for a single glass.

Suggested Late Harvest Wines:

Big Dreamers: David Bradley, Vindemia Winery

In the fourth installment of our continuing blog series “Big Dreamers,” we sat down with Temecula Valley veteran David Bradley who knows the vineyard landscape better than anyone else – from the air.  Long-time hot air balloon pilot and talented winemaker, David landed in Temecula Valley in 1985 and operates two successful enterprises on the same property. Learn about his story as a boutique California winemaker and balloon enthusiast below.

Check in every month where we feature a new interview with our Temecula Valley winemakers and winery owners. You’ll learn where they’ve come from before settling in Temecula, CA – and what keeps them passionate about the sometimes not-so-glamorous art (and science) of making good wine in California.

Interview with Winery Owner and Winemaker David Bradley, Vindemia Winery

1.    What were you doing before owning and operating your winery?

I was introduced to the world of hot air balloons in 1977. In 1985, my wife Gail & I moved to California and started California Dreamin’ Balloon Adventures in the world’s most perfect weather. The next year we began flying in Temecula, CA, over wine country. There were eight wineries and one was for sale. I just didn’t have the money.

The winery started out just as a vineyard. If we owned a vineyard in a great location we could launch the balloons from the site and bring our guests back to the vineyard for breakfast. One day, I landed at this super-cool Provence-styled villa in the valley and was greeted by the owner. She was very nice and I asked if I could land here and visit again. The second time, I asked if she would ever sell her home. Four years later, I got a call asking if I would be interested in purchasing the house and winery site. That’s how Vindemia started.

Winemaking is a contagious chess game pitting hopeful players against Mother Nature.  The truth to the myth is, 50 days each fall season with no sleep, 2:00am start times and mumbling pH, TA figures while recounting Brix over and over. You begin to feel like a pawn.

Winemaking is like all the arts – the project is never perfect. Sometimes it’s what’s not done that best finishes the structure; and the results haunt you, both good and bad.

Least favorite is guests mistaking us as glamorous and missing the invitation to land on the farm and share in the pleasure of the fruit. And, the reason to get up… to see if Mother Nature moved her knight!

To learn more about California’s Big Dreamers, click here!

#dreambig
http://visitcalifornia.com/dream365

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LAWineFest + Temecula Wines

The 9th Annual LAWineFest is this weekend!

Happening May 31 and June 1 at Hollywood’s Raleigh Studios. With hundreds of wines, craft brews and spirits on offer, the weekend-long festival is a relaxed, welcoming setting for people to explore the world of wine and more, alongside cool L.A. food trucks, live bands and handcrafted goods. LAWineFest proudly supports local organizations while serving as the Southland’s signature celebration of wine, beer, spirits and food.

Temecula Valley wines will be featured in their very own booth!  The region is proudly pouring:

REDS
Callaway Vineyard & Winery: Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Miramonte Winery: Tempranillo
Lorimar Winery: Trio – Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Mourvedre
Hart Winery: Syrah

WHITES
Falkner Winery: Sauvignon Blanc
Cougar Vineyard & Winery: Vermentino
Vindemia Vineyard & Estate Winery: Regatta de Blanc

SPARKLING
Wiens Family Cellars: Sparkling Amour De L’Orange
South Coast Winery: Sparkling Pinot Grigio

Be sure to stop by the Temecula Wines booth to sample all your favorites and try something new!

Summer Concerts in Temecula Wine Country

Lorimar Winery, Temecula, CA

June 1, 2014

The Mercedes Moore Band is about to bring their sizzling, foot tapping, dance floor moving sound to Southern California. Led by the powerful, sultry and affecting voice of Mercedes Moore, this band will take any local venue by storm.

 

Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA

June 8, 2014 

Relax and enjoy live entertainment every weekend in Temecula Valley Wine Country. On June 8, listen to the beautiful sounds of Buzz Campbell at the popular Wilson Creek Winery venue.

 

Falkner Winery, Temecula, CA
July 20, 2014
Join Falkner Winery for their free Spring/Summer Music and BBQ Series. Guests can purchase BBQ paired with the famous Luscious Lips Sangria. A veteran of the Southern California music scene, Jason Weber has been playing the saxophone for over 30 years. Don’t miss it!