Wine Country Safari

Realizing that I had lived in Temecula's wine country for five years I decided to rally the old sitcom troupe together (ask Beth) and see about doing a little wine tasting day. Those available arrived around 1:30 on Sunday afternoon and we headed out. It started as a rather somber outing; I think the ride from LA had burnt out Murph and Rose, but we soldiered on. Murph in his current reality of non-drinker got to be DD for the trip so we piled into the van and off we went.

We visited 4 of the 31 wineries in the area in this order: Wilson Creek, Baily, Thornton and South Coast. They each had their charms. Wine country is really very pretty. There are mountain views and of course vineyard views and the whole thing feels very back country.


Wilson Creek

Favorite wines: Duet (fruity red) and their specialty, Almond Champagne. I am tired of dry reds and have been looking for a full bodied fruity red

We were absolute rubes about the way this was done. All of us being frugal we decided to split the tastings. At most places, including Wilson Creek you get 5 wines for a set price. Rose had a cold and is very picky (discerning) about what she likes so she was back and forth between the tasting and the gift shop. Murph just stood to the side and wondered what the hell he was doing here.

Outside Wilson Creek. They have a nice little area where you could bring a picnic and buy a bottle of wine there and enjoy.

A winter vineyard

Baily

Favorite wines: 2008 Sangiovese, 2009 Reisling and the 2006 Vintage Port

Loved these people. A smaller, less crowded winery with a wonderful guide for our tastings. By now Rose was ready to eat and we ventured into the restaurant a 2:54 when they close at three. We left and someone ran after us and offered to serve us anyway. We opted not to, but service is their byword. Baily was one of the first 6 wineries in this region.

The glow of a few sips of good wine

Above is our host, Ricardo, who is 80 years old and a testament to the preservation properties of alcohol, in his own words. He was a fount of great information and knew his wines. We again bought a single 5 wine tasting and left there having tasted about 12 wines and we learned more than we could possibly remember. Even Murph enjoyed the show. The highlight was the port and the recipe for scallops with white wine sauce.

Even Murph started to have fun here.

Thorntons

Favorite wines: 2008 Chardonnay "Sans Oak" - the smoothest, fruitiest one I have ever had and the 2007 Estate Petite Sirah and I am not a Sirah fan

View from the Thornton Courtyard
Thornton may be the biggest winery out here but their true distinction is that they have the best food. There isn't anything I would not recommend. They bring a gourmet twist to such mundane items as a hamburger or pizza. I once ate here with Pat and he claimed it was the best sandwich he had ever had in his life. So when you come to wine country plan to make this your lunch or dinner stop.

South Coast

Favorite wines: Collaboration: described as blend of 56% Bordeaux and 44% of Temecula Valley varietals (Can Sav, Merlot and Petiti Verdot) and the 2003 Carter Estate Private Reserve Cab Sauvignon

I have yet to try the spa part but they have cabanas to stay in and it is on my list of things to do

South Coast tasting room

From 80 year old Ricardo we went to the other end of the spectrum in 23 year old Matt (on the right). We did not expect much but Matt turned out to be a gem. He had been on a busman's holiday to France and Italy going from winery to winery thanks to the input from a French vintner's daughter who is a consultant with South Coast. And he learned a lot which he was happy to share with us. He started us out by saying "guess what this is" and pouring us all our own glass -notwithstanding that we were still sharing. It only got better from there.

We forgot how early it gets dark now in these days just prior to winter solstice

On the way home Murph drove of course and only told us when we got back that he had forgotten his glasses so it was the blind leading the drunk but we made it!

A Quiet Ceremony

We also had a quiet, but important, ceremony passing on the shared golf trophy from Paul to Murph.

Everyone left with the traditional door prize of carrots and sweet potatoes