A monthly newsletter from a proactive destination marketing organization. A great resource for travel writers, including press trips.
Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Source - from Bellingham Whatcom County WA Tourism
A monthly newsletter from a proactive destination marketing organization. A great resource for travel writers, including press trips.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring Break in SoCal Wine Country Day Stops 2 -4
Spring break is here and if you miss that feeling of carefree abandon and going on a road trip...then read on my friends for stops 2-4 in Temecula Wine Country in gorgeous Southern Califormia.
In my last post, we arrived in Temecula Wine Country around 10 AM and visited Thornton Winery.
11:30 AM - Briar Rose Winery
Just around the corner, and maybe 8 minutes from Thornton Winery, this upscale boutique, by reservation only winery takes itself seriously... and for good reason. Their amazing wines ranging from $28 –- $1,300 and will knock your socks off. It’s a special experience from start to finish from the Snow White Cottage theme, to the smooth, complex wines. Check out http://www.briarrosewinery.com/ for hours and reservations.
Just around the corner, and maybe 8 minutes from Thornton Winery, this upscale boutique, by reservation only winery takes itself seriously... and for good reason. Their amazing wines ranging from $28 –- $1,300 and will knock your socks off. It’s a special experience from start to finish from the Snow White Cottage theme, to the smooth, complex wines. Check out http://www.briarrosewinery.com/ for hours and reservations.
1 PM - Ponte Winery (See photo above) - Time for lunch. Just about 10 minutes from Briar Rose you simply must stop in at the Smokehouse Restaurant at Ponte Winery where you will sit out among the vineyards. Views, menu, and hospitality are incredible. Great wines for every palate and plate. You’ll want to linger for a while and after lunch enjoy their wonderful gift shop - one of the best in wine country. Reservations a must on the weekends! (http://www.pontewinery.com/)
3:00 PM – Keyways Winery -The only wholly female owned winery in the So Cal area, this winery is on De Portola Wine Trail, about 15 minutes from Ponte. You'll quickly notice the terrain changes from your Rancho California Road to one that focuses on more of an equestrian feel on the DePortola side. Gorgeous, relaxing, unique is what makes the area and this particular winery worth the drive. The wines are fabulous: the décor is thoughtful and engaging. The best bathrooms in wine country - almost art like in concept! This owner knows details. The grounds give off a Zen vibe, and when this winery showcases local musicians indoors or outdoors, guests find themselves caught up in the moment. Truly a memorable experience. (http://www.keywayswinery.com/)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Wine is A Gift
I love "wine" everything. You name it, I love it. I like to write about the wine experience as I see it, from a distinctly sassy & SoCal female point of view. I've been to many wineries; I'm friends with many of the owners, winemakers and chefs. I'll share my favorites with you in coming articles, but today I look beyond the winery-based experience to a favorite indulgence of mine, the wine store. What makes a great wine store? Read on!
Off the beaten path, but not so far from Temecula Valley Wine Country in Southern California, there is a fabulous boutique wine shop in Murrieta, Ca., called Dudley's Wine & Gifts. I like it because it provides a unique, unstuffy, unpretentious experience. It's where you go after the wineries close for a more pampered, focused wine experience. Love, love, love the large selection of hand picked small lot wines, the Friday and Saturday night tastings, and the cool gadgets. But the real fun comes in interacting with the owner Eric Dudley. He lives by a tri-arc of personal codes "Wine is a gift," "To know wine is to know the world," and finally "To know wine is to know history." We swear, pick up any bottle of wine in the store and he knows the story behind the wine. Share a bit about who you are buying wine for and the reason, and he'll literally skip over to just the right wine with just the right story for you to tell as you present the wine. He once shared with us that if he didn’t own his wine store, he would be a history professor. Yup, I get that.
Every Friday and Saturday night around 5 :30 PM, Eric holds a themed wine tasting. It's a focused, well thought out evening of carefully chosen wines, conversation, and nibbles. In keeping with Eric's philosophy of unstuffy wine tasting, there is a small tasting charge of $12-$15 per person and no reservations needed. Just show up and be wowed. I loved the "A Trip Around the World" tasting. Starting with French wines, Eric carefully weaved a story of international tastes including Italy, Chili, Argentina and California. We all gathered around the tasting bar and were engaged and delighted as he not only spoke to us as a group, but also individually, judging our interest and knowledge of wine, conversing on our level. Can't say I've seen anyone do it better. Coming up is the romantic Valentines tasting, complete with chocolate fountain and romantic wines, and the fun and fearless St Patrick's Day tasting featuring all "green wines."
Picks
Eric "An Italian favorite of mine, Moscato Rose. It's a gorgeous sparkling wine, soft pink, beautiful, with just a hint of sweetness. For under $20, enjoy with elegant chocolate and French pastries."
Linda, "The luscious Barbera d" Alba by Filippo Gallino. Love this fruit forward mid-bodied wine for under $30. It's full enough to go with a meaty Lasagna, yet elegant enough to pair nicely with an Alfredo dish."
Shopping Must: The new Wisp Wine Aerator System is THE gadget to purchase. About $38 it is simply the best drip less hand held wine aerator system on the market. It instantly softens tannins and lets the fruit come forward, but it’s not for meant for every wine. How will you know the tips and tricks? Call Eric.
Off the beaten path, but not so far from Temecula Valley Wine Country in Southern California, there is a fabulous boutique wine shop in Murrieta, Ca., called Dudley's Wine & Gifts. I like it because it provides a unique, unstuffy, unpretentious experience. It's where you go after the wineries close for a more pampered, focused wine experience. Love, love, love the large selection of hand picked small lot wines, the Friday and Saturday night tastings, and the cool gadgets. But the real fun comes in interacting with the owner Eric Dudley. He lives by a tri-arc of personal codes "Wine is a gift," "To know wine is to know the world," and finally "To know wine is to know history." We swear, pick up any bottle of wine in the store and he knows the story behind the wine. Share a bit about who you are buying wine for and the reason, and he'll literally skip over to just the right wine with just the right story for you to tell as you present the wine. He once shared with us that if he didn’t own his wine store, he would be a history professor. Yup, I get that.
Every Friday and Saturday night around 5 :30 PM, Eric holds a themed wine tasting. It's a focused, well thought out evening of carefully chosen wines, conversation, and nibbles. In keeping with Eric's philosophy of unstuffy wine tasting, there is a small tasting charge of $12-$15 per person and no reservations needed. Just show up and be wowed. I loved the "A Trip Around the World" tasting. Starting with French wines, Eric carefully weaved a story of international tastes including Italy, Chili, Argentina and California. We all gathered around the tasting bar and were engaged and delighted as he not only spoke to us as a group, but also individually, judging our interest and knowledge of wine, conversing on our level. Can't say I've seen anyone do it better. Coming up is the romantic Valentines tasting, complete with chocolate fountain and romantic wines, and the fun and fearless St Patrick's Day tasting featuring all "green wines."
Picks
Eric "An Italian favorite of mine, Moscato Rose. It's a gorgeous sparkling wine, soft pink, beautiful, with just a hint of sweetness. For under $20, enjoy with elegant chocolate and French pastries."
Linda, "The luscious Barbera d" Alba by Filippo Gallino. Love this fruit forward mid-bodied wine for under $30. It's full enough to go with a meaty Lasagna, yet elegant enough to pair nicely with an Alfredo dish."
Shopping Must: The new Wisp Wine Aerator System is THE gadget to purchase. About $38 it is simply the best drip less hand held wine aerator system on the market. It instantly softens tannins and lets the fruit come forward, but it’s not for meant for every wine. How will you know the tips and tricks? Call Eric.
Must Do: Go to an upcoming tasting. Sign up for Eric's weekly newsletter.
Dudley's Wine and Gifts
40674 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, CA
951-461-2225 / http://www.dudleyswineandgifts.com/
Taste Toast & Shop!
Linda Kissam
Dudley's Wine and Gifts
40674 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, CA
951-461-2225 / http://www.dudleyswineandgifts.com/
Taste Toast & Shop!
Linda Kissam
http://www.The WineBuzzzz.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Perk--Thornton Winery's Personal Invitation to Media
How lucky are we to be advised that we can take advantage of attending one of these at no charge as long as we are media.
Good afternoon media partners:
Thornton Winery is pleased to announce the lineup for its 2009 Champagne Jazz Series.
The 21st Annual Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series kicks off in smooth style with Mindi Abair and David Benoit, Sunday, April 26, 2009, at 4 PM.. Tickets are $55.00 general admission, Gourmet Supper package at $ 130.00.
Additional information and a 2009 schedule is posted and a personal invitation to attend one of the of the 2009 concerts is available from Linda Kissam, Thornton Winery Media Director, lindakissam@aol.com.
Celebrating 21 years of excellence from 1988 - 2009! Thornton Winery is the premiere food, wine, and music experience in the Temecula Valley Wine Country.
http://thorntonwine.com
Please be sure to contact Linda if you would like to attend a jazz concert as media. They run from April through October.
Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Perks Blog
Good afternoon media partners:
Thornton Winery is pleased to announce the lineup for its 2009 Champagne Jazz Series.
The 21st Annual Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series kicks off in smooth style with Mindi Abair and David Benoit, Sunday, April 26, 2009, at 4 PM.. Tickets are $55.00 general admission, Gourmet Supper package at $ 130.00.
Additional information and a 2009 schedule is posted and a personal invitation to attend one of the of the 2009 concerts is available from Linda Kissam, Thornton Winery Media Director, lindakissam@aol.com.
Celebrating 21 years of excellence from 1988 - 2009! Thornton Winery is the premiere food, wine, and music experience in the Temecula Valley Wine Country.
http://thorntonwine.com
Please be sure to contact Linda if you would like to attend a jazz concert as media. They run from April through October.
Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Perks Blog
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Perks of Keyways
We had so many wonderful perks on with our Conference at Sea, I need to share a little more about the Keyways Vineyard Winery in Temecula Valley Wine Country.
One night when we came back to our room, Keyways was gracious enough to provide each attendee a bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc. It was packaged in a sheer rust colored material that had an inviting sheen.
I'm one of those people who gravitate toward red varietals. However, the next evening, the Keyways Sauvigon Blanc was calling me. This wine is similar to the well-known and appreciated Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre, France. On the Keyways website, it says "it is very food friendly with aromas of flint and fruit." What it doesn't say is that its extremely light fruity aromas draw you in completely. It was a true compliment to my scallops.
Since both Norm and I enjoyed this so well, I checked out the website once we were home. I expected it to retail around $24 to $29 and it is only $18 a bottle and $15.30 per bottle if you order a case - a tremendous value for a lovely light varietal.
While visiting their website, I discovered Keyways has the unique distinction of being the first woman owned and managed winery in Temecula Valley. Since 2004 when Terri Peblley purchased the winery, it has undergone an extensive make-over including the tasting room and landscaped grounds.
The original vineyards have been replaced with Viognier, Roussane, Tempranillo and Grenache which appeals to the palates of current wine enthusiasts. They also feature many special events.
If you are in the Temecula, CA area, you may want to visit Keyways and definitely their tasting room.
Keyways Vineyard Winery
37338 De Portola Road
Temecula, CA 92592
http://www.keywayswine.com/
951-302-7888
IFWTWA has Linda Kissam, lindakissam@aol.com, to thank for introducing us to Keyways. Linda represents many of the wineries of Temecula and the surround area. She also puts wine trips together. Linda is a great resource for all of you who write about and enjoy wine.
Maralyn D. Hill
President
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Perks? The Wine!
The Perks? The Wine!
I was so excited about this wine, I just had to share it with you.
My husband Kurt Winner, a fellow IFWTWA member won a bottle of Briar Rose Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve in our IFWTWA drawing.
What a bottle!
We opened it the grand Vista Dining Room aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam and enjoyed it with dinner. Sitting with us was a chef graduate of the renown CIA Ms. Diana Israel and notable wine expert and author Mr. Cork Millner. The rest of the complement tasting and commenting on the wine were notable writers,editors and foodies like us, delighting the moment!
The wine was pronounced "elegant, full-bodied, hints of berries, cinnamon and very, very smooth!" What a delightful way to enjoy a superb bottle of wine among companions who really appreciate the care it takes to produce.
I am a travel and food writer based in Oregon. With so many wineries to explore here I have not made the trek to the Temecula area of California. I say It's time for a pilgrimage. www.briarrosewinery.com
Michelle Winner
I was so excited about this wine, I just had to share it with you.
My husband Kurt Winner, a fellow IFWTWA member won a bottle of Briar Rose Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve in our IFWTWA drawing.
What a bottle!
We opened it the grand Vista Dining Room aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam and enjoyed it with dinner. Sitting with us was a chef graduate of the renown CIA Ms. Diana Israel and notable wine expert and author Mr. Cork Millner. The rest of the complement tasting and commenting on the wine were notable writers,editors and foodies like us, delighting the moment!
The wine was pronounced "elegant, full-bodied, hints of berries, cinnamon and very, very smooth!" What a delightful way to enjoy a superb bottle of wine among companions who really appreciate the care it takes to produce.
I am a travel and food writer based in Oregon. With so many wineries to explore here I have not made the trek to the Temecula area of California. I say It's time for a pilgrimage. www.briarrosewinery.com
Michelle Winner
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