Valentines Day rocks in Temecula Wine Country
Americans are joiners. We love that sense of belonging, sharing and picking up benefits from the multitude of clubs that cover every interest you can imagine.
The world of wine is no different. Wine clubs are growing everywhere you turn.
Whether it’s wineries, wine shops, the media, resort hotels, even grocery stores offer an opportunity to get more involved with wines and the wine lovers that have joined to get more out of the wine experience.The simplest way to go is to sign up with a winery and receive a set shipment of their latest releases for a discounted price. This saves time and trips to your favorite vineyard and guarantees you get in on the limited number of cases it will produce in a given vintage.
I would judge that to be a smart idea in exchange for your brand loyalty. It helps the winery with that all important cash-flow issue and tides them over until the next releases are bottled and branded. Most wineries like Orfila in Escondido get creative with their benefits by adding free wine tours and tastings, discounts in the gift shop, priority allocations, and discounts to all events. Wines are a minimum 20% off the retail price at the winery. For details call 760/738-6500.
A different approach is offered by The Four Seasons Wine Club at the Aviara. It extends luxury, access and dining benefits to its membership. Monthly private wine dinners are a feature as members rub elbows with the world’s top winemakers. Their benefit list includes the monthly specially priced dinners, one complimentary dinner for two at the Vivace signature restaurant, discounts at many of the resort’s amenities and drink tickets to their summer jazz concerts. Membership starts at $180 per person.
Two events you won’t want to miss are the Opus One Napa event March 15th and a rare U.S. appearance by the owner of Gaja, the legendary Piedmont, Italy, winery, on June 12th. Contact the Wine Club office for the full schedule and other information at 760/603-3790.
Valentine’s Day Sip
Valentines Day wine dinners are filling the “where to go and what to do” pages of the newspapers for that romantic interlude on February 14th, so this column should be no exception. I need look no further than the wineries of Temecula Wine Country for many winery restaurants that will host venues where wine is the top draw.* * *
South Coast Winery Resort and Spa has already sold out their “Villa Getaway” package but the romantic Vineyard Rose Restaurant has a spectacular pairing of fine South Coast wines with gourmet cuisine and some romantic surprises. Cost is $95 per person. Secure reservations by calling 951/587-9463.
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Falkner Winery has both a Valentines lunch and dinner special menu available. Lunch is priced at $50 for two, with choice of entrée and glass of wine included. Dinner is a four course gourmet wine pairing feast that includes champagne and port, as well as their finest wines. A single seating will be at 6:30pm for $95 per person. Call for reservations for this hilltop “Pinnacle” at 951/676-8231.
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Ponte Family Estate Winery turns their Barrel Room into a romantic enclave with candlelit tables, violin music and a chef’s cuisine four-course dinner. Seating is at 7pm. Cost is $95 each with reservations at 951/694-8855.
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Keyways Vineyard and Winery with well-known chef Steve Hamlin at the romantic controls, has added fragrance to this gourmet wine and dine experience. The fragrances, in take-home vials, will be paired with the first course and the dessert, which will include Keyways just-released Krystal Ice Wine. Start time for this Valentines extravaganza will be 6:30pm, priced at $110 per person. Call 951/302-7888 for a reservation.
The Local Sip
Carlsbad Wine Merchants has a limited number of cases of the latest Silver Oak 2002 Napa Valley release. This “cult” wine is always in great demand, after some 20 months of bottle aging. It’s a blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon, with the balance merlot, cabernet franc and petite verdot. This is a classic and will go fast. A coupon is offered for a discount, by accessing their website at www.carlsbadwinemerchants.com.
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San Diego Wine and Culinary Center, across from the Convention Center, has a champagne and sparking wine event, Friday February 9th at 7:30pm. Brugundy, Oregon and California will be represented with a minimum 30 wines offered. It’s under the stars.
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Chalk Hill Estates brings their Sonoma wines to Azul Restaurant in La Jolla Tuesday, February 6th with paired menu items. Call 858/454-9616.
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410