Over 30 judges from around the United States evaluated via blind tastings, and scored nearly 2,000 total entries and awarding medals to wines worthy of merit.

This is a rigorous, professionally conducted wine competition where experienced judges award medals to less than one in four wines entered. Congratulations are in order for all winning International and US wineries!

The full listing of the 2010 competition can be seen/searched at this SDIWC link.

Presently 100% of our 2007 & 2008 releases of Estate grown Wines & Ports are Gold, Silver & Bronze medalists, and 88% of our total 2007 & 2008 releases are medalists – in highly credible National, International, and Regional wine competitions since last year.

Eagles Nest Winery, (TWITTER @EaglesNestWine and Facebook click here) a leading Boutique Winery located n the Ramona Valley AVA near San Diego, California was honored as one of only four medal winning San Diego County wineries in this year’s 201o competition including Fallbrook , Orfila,  and Shadow Mountain.

When you consider the large number of multi-million dollar national and international winery operations that participated in this professional competition, this showing reflects very well on Eagles Nest as a small, family owned and operated winery producing quality wines from locally grown wine-grapes.

Eagles Nest Winery’s winning wines were 2008 Estate Picpoul Blanc White-Port Styled Dessert Wine 100% grown and produced on the Estate from a unique Rhone varietal features a delicate tropical fruit nose and smooth character.

Eagles Nest 2007 Private Reserve Merlo t made from 100% Merlot, this is a rich full bodied, deeply colored with dusty tannins produced from high quality San Diego County Merlot grapes.

Both these wines scored Silver medals reflecting “wines that are well made, absent flaws, and expressive, reflecting good viticultural and winemaking standards..”

Michael Franz, Editor of Wine Review Online, returned for his third year as Chief Judge. The SDIWC was held at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego for the seventh consecutive year. The Westgate is a premier hotel property in the heart of San Diego, and provides an elegant and functional backdrop for visiting judges.

The Director is nationally syndicated wine columnist Robert Whitley. Judges for the 2010 San Diego International Wine Competition were hand-picked by Whitley, whose experience at managing wine competitions is second to none.

Robert also serves as Director of the Critics Challenge, the Sommelier Challenge, the Winemaker Challenge and the Monterey Wine Competition, which he co-founded with the Salinas Valley Fair in 1994.

SDIWC judging guidelines were as follows:

1.  The San Diego International Wine Competition is a blind tasting. Wines will be evaluated absent information about producer, vintage or price.

2.  Because wines have been submitted from the world over, judges may ask questions pertaining to origin so that wines can be evaluated in context.

3.  Judges should take into account the fact that winemaking styles vary. A wine that is well made within a legitimate style for the grape and category should be judged accordingly, regardless of any personal preference for an alternative style.

4.  Judges may compare notes with others on the panel, but each vote should be independent and reflect the personal opinion of each judge.

5.  Votes will be taken at the conclusion of each flight and recorded by the table monitor.

Silver Medal

A silver medal should be awarded to wines that are well made, absent flaws, and expressive, reflecting good viticultural and winemaking standards.

Gold Medal

A gold medal should be awarded to wines exhibiting outstanding intensity of flavor and/or complexity. While palate weight can be a positive factor in the evaluation, more delicate wines that possess exceptional nuance should not be overlooked for gold-medal consideration. Mineral-driven and fruit-driven wines should be given equal consideration. A gold-medal wine should leave the judge with an extremely positive overall impression.

Best of Show/Platinum

Any wine the judges believe would be competitive for best in its class should be put forward for the “Sweepstakes” round of judging to determine Best of Show in its category. All wines nominated for Best of Show will automatically be elevated to a Platinum medal.

Thanks go out to the judges and the volunteer staff of this year’s competition – Your hard work made this event a resounding success.

Adam’s Back, Wins SDIWC Best of Show Red
With LaZarre 2007 Central Coast Pinot Noir

By Robert Whitley
Creators Syndicate

There was a time, not that many years ago, when a brash young winemaker at Hahn Estates ruled the wine competition world from Los Angeles to London.

Under the skillful direction of Adam LaZarre, the Monterey County winery scored major trophies at big wine competitions around the globe. And they did it with modestly priced wines, such as a $16 Cabernet Sauvignon, a $14 Merlot and a red Bordeaux-style blend for less than $20.

For a time, it seemed a week couldn’t go by without a LaZarre-inspired wine winning best of show in Los Angeles or San Francisco or London, or some other important wine competition venue. LaZarre is no longer at Hahn, having moved 75 miles down U.S Highway 101 to Paso Robles, where he is running the promising start-up winery Villa San-Juliette. He also makes a number of wines under his own LaZarre label.

He may have moved, but LaZarre hasn’t changed all that much. He’s still brash, still prolific, and Sunday afternoon he returned to the winner’s circle at the 27th annual San Diego International Wine Competition.

“I’m back!” LaZarre exclaimed as it was revealed that his 2007 Central Coast LaZarre Pinot Noir ($35) had been voted Best Red Wine of the show. It was no small feat. Among the contenders for best red honors were the 2006 ZD Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($125), the 2007 Bell Clone 6 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($90) and the 2007 Spoto Napa Valley Syrah ($70), platinum award-winners all.

The venerable SDIWC attracted nearly 2,000 entries, bestowed more than 1,000 medals and crowned five best of show winners, including the LaZarre Pinot. Value-seeking consumers should be encouraged to note the 31 judges — winemakers and wine industry professionals — handed out one of the top awards, best of show sparkling, to the relatively inexpensive Korbel Brut Rose ($11). The sleek 2004 Domaine Carneros Le Reve Blanc de Blancs ($85) was in the running for the top honor, but the judges opted instead for the refreshing, bright berry fruit of the Korbel bubbly.

Other best-of-show winners included the 2008 V. Sattui Early Harvest White Riesling ($18.75) as best white, the 2008 Penman Springs Two Roses Syrah Rose ($15) as best rose, and the 2008 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Finger Lakes Vidal Blanc Ice Wine ($40 per half bottle) as best dessert.

The weekend was not short on stellar performance, and I have duly noted some of the more impressive efforts.

Fallbrook Winery, which produces fewer than 50,000 cases of wine a year in the far northeast corner of San Diego County (that’s in Southern California, merely 500 miles but light years from the epicenter of American wine, the Napa Valley) saw two of its wines advance to the finals. Though neither won the big prize, Fallbrook’s 2007 33 Degrees North BDX, Gracie Hill Vineyard ($30) was awarded the title Best Meritage and its 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve ($14) was named Best Sauvignon Blanc. Quite an accomplishment for a small Southern California winery few had ever heard of.

On the other hand, Frank Family Vineyards, a well-known Napa Valley producer, made a good deal of noise on Sunday afternoon with three wines in the finals — 2008 Carneros Pinot Noir ($35), 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($32.50) and 2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel ($36.75).
To reach the finals, a wine had to be awarded a Platinum medal, which would be the equivalent of a double gold at other competitions.

Bargain hunters might want to take a close look at the Cycles Gladiator wines. These are produced by Hahn in Monterey County and are uniformly priced at $10 a bottle. The 2007 Merlot was voted Best Merlot, and the 2008 Syrah took gold. The Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio all received silver medals.

Cameron Hughes was another big winner from the value category, claiming 11 medals, including a platinum and two golds. Cameron Hughes purchases small lots of leftover wine from prestigious wineries, bottles them under his own name without identifying the winery, and sells them for a fraction of the price they would otherwise fetch.

Cameron Hughes won its Platinum with a 2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, Lot 159 at $15. His golds were for the 2007 Lot 116 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) and the 2007 Lot 164 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($22). These wines can be found at Costo nationwide in states where stores are permitted to sell wine.

Concannon Vineyard of California’s underrated Livermore Valley was equally impressive in the value arena, winning seven medals, the most expensive of which was the gold-medal winning 2008 Limited Release Central Coast Pinot Noir at $16. The 2008 Conservancy Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($14) earned platinum.

The East was well represented by Jefferson Vineyards of Virginia. This Charlottesville-area winery grabbed a platinum (2009 Monticello Pinot Gris, $18) and a gold (2007 Monticello Meritage, $30) along with two silvers.

Tiny Opolo Vineyards of Paso Robles earned three medals, but two of those were platinum: 2006 Serenade ($30), a red Bordeaux-style blend, and 2007 Paso Robles Tempranillo ($24).

California’s Amador County, in the Sierra Foothills, got a string showing from Renwood with a platinum, two golds and four silvers. The Platinum was a delicious 2007 Barbera at $23 and the golds were the 2007 Jack Rabbit Flat Zinfandel ($30) and the 2008 Amador Ice Zinfandel at $35 a half bottle.

And the Umpqua Valley of Oregon never had it so good. Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyard rounded up nine medals, including a platinum for its 2009 Gruner Veltliner, Revelation & Rorek Bloc at $24. Reustle Prayer Rock also scored golds with its 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir ($38), its 2008 Reserve Syrah ($38) and its 2008 Reserve Tempranillo ($38).

Of course, the big dog of the competition was V. Sattui of the Napa Valley, as usual. Sattui racked up 19 medals. Among the 19 were the best of show white wine, a platinum award for its 2007 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($40), and golds for four other wines.

Sattui wines can only be purchased at the winery tasting room in St. Helena, Calif., where there are expansive picnic grounds and a well-priced selection of all of its award-winning wines.

Many of the award-winning wines will be available to taste and for purchase at the annual Wine & Roses charity wine tasting, June 13, 2010, at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego, where the competition was held. Tickets to Wine & Roses may be purchased at www.WineAndRoses.net.

2010 SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION JUDGES

CHIEF JUDGE

Michael Franz, Editor, Wine Review Online

JUDGES

Thrace Bromberger, Gustavo-Thrace
Richard Carey, Winemaker, Vitis Research
Jac Cole, Winemaker, Spring Mountain Vineyards
Kimberly Charles, Charles Communications
Etienne Cowper, Winemaker, Wilson Creek Winery
Mark Deegan, Henry Wine Group
Traci Dutton, Sommelier
Gary Eberle, Winemaker, Eberle Winery
Bob Foster, California Grapevine
Patty Held, Winery Consultant
Linda Jones-McKee, Wines & Vines
John Larchet, Winemaker, The Australian Premium Wine Collection
Adam LaZarre, Winemaker, Villa San-Juliette
Tim McDonald, Wine Spoken Here
Kate McHugh, Quintessential Wines
Neil McNally, Rosenthal Estate
Jon McPherson, Winemaker, South Coast Winery
Linda Murphy, Decanter
Rebecca Murphy, Dallas Morning News
Ray Pompilio, Wine Appreciation Guild
Nick Ponomareff, California Grapevine
Ron Rawlinson, WineSmith
Lisa Redwine, Sommelier
George Riffle, Sommelier
Roman Roth, Winemaker, Wolffer Estate
Eric Runyon, Southern Wine & Spirits
Jeff Siegel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jennifer Simonetti MW
Bob Small, Los Angeles International Wine Competition
David Stevens, Winemaker, Davon International
Mark Stuart, TheCorkHead.com
Paul Wagner, Balzac Communications
Kevin Walsh, Henry Wine Group
Duncan Williams, Winemaker, Fallbrook Winery
Wilfred Wong, Beverages & More



Last year’s event was fabulously successful don’t miss this one.

When: Sunday, March 14th

1:00 to 3:00pm, open to trade only
3:00 to 6:00pm, open to the public and the trade

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

How much: Tickets for the public: $45 in advance, $55 at the door

Experience special wines from California’s family-owned and operates wineries. There will be over 200  wines to sample!  Popular and obscure but delightful varietals from wineries from the northern California to southern California.

There will be a huge number of wineries present so plan your visit carefully you can’t try them all and remain standing – even if you spit!  Here’s a list of participating wineries and FCW Varietal Map to plan with.

Call 866-465-3995 for more information or click HERE for print at home tickets.

Sharing below San Diego Union Tribune article on one of the more significant local Wine and Food events of the year.  It’s not geared to boutique wineries so Eagles Nest Winery will not be participating but it’s an enjoyable if not overwhelming multi-day event.

Tickets: $45 to $175

Phone: (619) 342-7337

Online: worldofwineevents.com Enjoy!

S.D. Bay Wine & Food Festival is a huge undertaking

By Caroline Dipping link to original article

Thursday, November 12, 2009 at midnight

With a little introspection and some strategizing worthy of Patton, foodies and oenophiles will be able to plow through at least some of the sixth annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

Beginning Wednesday and running through Nov. 22, downtown and the waterfront will be awash with cooking classes, wine tastings, celebrity chefs, nearly 1,000 wines from 170 wineries and bites from 70 fine dining restaurants.

“There is too much. That is the good and the bad of it,” said event coordinator Michelle Metter. “The good aspect is that whether you are a wine enthusiast or a food enthusiast, there is so much offered you are sure to find something of interest. The bad part is that you have to choose. There is no way you can do it all.”

To tackle this largesse, we’ve winnowed the festival to its essentials. Whether its schmoozing with culinary luminaries, learning techniques from the masters or indulging your inner oenophile, you’re covered.

Hobnobbing 
with celeb chefs

• Start straight off next Thursday by “Savoring Perfection” with celebrated executive chef Daniel Joly of Mirabelle Restaurant at Beaver Creek. In this class at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 Harbor Drive), Joly shows how to pair appetizers, main courses and desserts with Belgian beers.

• Friday, Nov. 20, is jampacked with possibilities for celebrity chef sightings. Bravo TV “Top Chef” fans can get an eyeful of Season 3 cheftestants Brian Malarkey and Chris Jacobsen and the current season’s Eli Kirshtein during a morning class at Macy’s School of Cooking (in Macy’s Mission Valley Homestore).

• Serious foodies will want to carve out time to catch the “Making Fresh Pasta” class at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center with Alex Stratta, chef-owner of ALEX at the Wynn Las Vegas, and “Seafood, Vegetables and Olive Oil” at Macy’s School of Cooking with James Beard award-winning chef Paul Bartolotta of Bartolotta at the Wynn.

For unabashed elbow-rubbing with a whole nest of local and guest chefs, attend the Grand Event Nov. 21 on the Embarcadero Park North (behind Seaport Village, 111 W. Harbor Drive). For ogling your famed prey up close, attend the Celebrity Luncheon on Nov. 22 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina (333 W. Harbor Drive). Chefs Bernard Guillas of The Marine Room, Kenny Gilbert of Capella Telluride, Thierry Rautureau of Rover’s Restaurant in Seattle and Suzette Gresham of Acquerello in San Francisco will preside. A live Big Bottle wine auction will be held in conjunction to benefit the American Institute of Wine & Food’s culinary and oenology scholarship program.

Wine lovers, unite

• Oenophiles can start sipping next Thursday with a Robert Mondavi Private Selection class led by executive chef Paul Squicciarini at Macy’s School of Cooking. Pairing big red wines and Brandt Beef is the subject of a tasting class Nov. 19 at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center.

• On Nov. 20 — the “must not miss” day for wine lovers — the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center hosts a noon Charles Krug Vertical Tasting led by Peter Mondavi, Jr., with cabernet vintages from 1980, 1983, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2006. Immediately following is a Paso Robles panel discussion on Rhône varietals, and later in the afternoon, master sommelier Joseph Spellman leads a “Master Sommelier Blind Tasting” for those who want to test their vino acumen.

• Capping the day is the “Master Sommelier Reserve Tasting” featuring the AIWF silent auction and wines from 160 wineries that will not be poured at any other festival event, 6:30 p.m. at the Wonderhaus Building.

• At the Grand Tasting on Nov. 21, a plan of attack is definitely in order to target the wines you want to try from the 800 being poured. Do your research in advance, suggests Metter. There will be many phenomenal family-run and boutique wineries waiting to be discovered, she said.

Food for thought

• As celebrity-seekers were advised above, food enthusiasts would also do well to get tickets posthaste to the cooking classes led by chefs Bartolotta, Stratta and Joly. Local chefs will also be strutting their stuff, including Viejas chef Gary Thompson with his homage next Thursday to all things truffle (oil, salt, the tasty thing itself) at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center.

Budget-conscious 
fell swoop

• While many cooking classes and wine tastings hover on or around $50, those watching their wallets can get a well-rounded taste of the festival by attending WineRave 2009 on Wednesday at the W Hotel (421 W. B St.). For the price of a $45 advance ticket ($60 at the door), you can sip 25 of the edgiest wines and spirits on the market today and nosh on drool-worthy bites, all to the back beat of a DJ.

With a little introspection and some strategizing worthy of Patton, foodies and oenophiles will be able to plow through at least some of the sixth annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

_____________________

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Eagles Nest Winery (Twitter: @eaglesnestwine, FaceBook http://facebook.com/eaglesnestwine) wins two Gold medals in Temecula Wine Society Competition at July 29^th 2009 Awards Dinner benefiting their Oenology Scholarship program. The dinner was hosted at Wiens Family Cellers event center. Other San Diego County award winners are posted at end of this posting, below.

Wiens Family Cellars Event Pavillion

Eagles Nest Winery won Gold Medals for its 2007 Estate Syrah and 2007 Reserve Syrah. The classic wines featured the deep color and flavor extraction so characteristic of hand-made boutique wines.

Food Pairing: Syrah can handle robust, hearty foods, including grilled or braised meats. Lamb is a classic pairing. Full-flavored dishes, thick stews and herby grilled vegetables are other ideal matches.

Pictured below is a portion of our estate Syrah vineyards that produced the award winning wine.

Listed further below are the San Diego County wineries medalists in the Temecula competition.

View of Eagles Nest Syrah Vineyards

Congratulations to the following San Diego County wineries:

(Listed alphabetically by Winery, Vintage, Varietal, AVA)

Gold Medals

• Eagles Nest Winery – 2007 Syrah Estate Ramona Valley
• Eagles Nest Winery – 2007 Syrah South Coast
• Ramona Winery – Schwaesdall — Non Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon South Coast

Silver Medals

• Cactus Star Vineyard – Scaredy Cat Ranch Tempranillo Ramona Valley
• Hawk Watch — 2006 Synthesis South Coast
• Orrin Vineyards – 2006 Zinfandel South Coast
• Ramona Winery – Schwaesdall – Non Vintage  Merlot South Coast

Bronze Medals

• Hawk Watch — 2005 Meritage South Coast
• Hawk Watch — 2006 Syrah South Coast
• La Serenissima 2006 Cabernet Franc South Coast
• Mahogany Mountain – 2007 Zinfandel Ramona Valley
• Orfila Vineyards & Winery 2006 Merlot South Coast
• Orfila Vineyards & Winery 2006 Sangiovese South Coast
• Orfila Vineyards & Winery 2005 Syrah South Coast
• Orfila Vineyards & Winery Non Vintage Viognier South Coast
• Pamo Valley Winery – 2006 Syrah Ramona Valley
• Shadow Mountain Vineyards 2008 Muscat South Coast
• Shadow Mountain Vineyards 2007 Casignone South Coast
• Shadow Mountain Vineyards 2005 Variation-3 South Coast
• Woof’ n Rose Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc Ramona Valley
• Woof’ n Rose Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc Ramona Valley
• Woof’ n Rose Winery 2007 Merlot Ramona Valley

Link to Temecula Wine Society’s award page here

Wiens Family Cellars, Temecula CA

The annual Annual Guateque del Vino Artesanal wine event is held each year in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico – Located south of San Diego and Tijuana, and north of Ensenada (Map and directions at end of this post).

Of course this comes with the usual full State Department Safety Disclaimer/Caveat. In layman’s terms – remember   Mexico continues to experience crime and security problems relating to the drug trade – so balance your risks and make your personal and family choices. Also remember US citizens check their Bill of Rights at the border.  Sad that legitimate cross-border wine tourism has safety concerns…

On a happier note – for luxury wine-themed view lodging on the U.S. side of the border – Please visit us at Eagles Nest Winery’s Vacation Villa

Food and Wine Fiesta Season Underway in Baja California

‘Vino-Tourism’ by Steve Dryden Monday, June 29, 2009

The annual Guateque del Vino Artesanal wine event is probably the most enthusiastic and “down to earth” wine country event held each year in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico. The focus is on emerging winemakers, beginners, artisans, home-brewers, small operations and intermediate-level producers.

This year’s event was enhanced with the use of the new multi-use activity center generously provided by Viña de Liceaga, in San Antonio de las Minas. The overall event planning was brilliantly orchestrated by Leonardo Lizárraga and friends. It is remarkable to note that these events continue to advance and improve vastly with each season. The food venues, ticket sales, parking, sanitation, stage, live music, dancing area, gazebos, security, and table settings made for a fun, family-oriented event. One obvious element was that you could really feel the “enthusiasm and spirit” as you approached the grounds, filled with a diverse mix of people, micro-brewed beers, regional culinary delights and newly produced wines.

Two interesting features this year were a nice presentation of regional micro-brewed beers (cervezas), and an abundance of Zinfandel wine. Labricha Cerveza Artesanal had an excellent table presentation with a fine selection of handcrafted beer, staffed with knowledgeable personnel. Their Monasterio Stout is smooth, full-bodied, with hints of coffee and smoke flavors that would pair-up nicely with oven-baked lamb and many mole dishes. In addition, they make palate-pleasing light honey ale, bright golden in color, clean, refreshing, with floral aromas, ending with a smooth finish with a hint of ginger. I’d love to match this brew with carne asada, or shrimp in coconut milk sauce. Alvaro Alvarez and Hortensia Riesgo, brew-master and winemaker, have been focused on creating premium-handcrafted beer in Ensenada since 1992.

Zinfandel seems to be a “rising star” among the artisan winemaking movement. One reason for the presence of Zinfandel, is that there was a small surplus left over last season that made its way to the artisans and smaller producers who purchase grapes from growers.

Pau Pijoan, of Viñas Pijoan, empowered one of his beautiful daughters and her friends to pour his Mare, a 100% Zinfandel that was a “stand-out” (the wine) at this event.

Another notable Zinfandel poured is being produced by Agosto. This 2008 Zinfandel is a team effort by Laura Chanes, Monica Chanes, Gloria Guisa and Juan Antonio Fernandez. Laura Chanes was a fellow graduate of mine at the “world renowned” La Escuelita, the artisan winemaking school in El Porvenir, Valle de Guadalupe. She is one of many women in Mexico who are taking part in our emerging wine industry with great results and progress.  A 2007 Zinfandel from Serena is another prime example of the potential of Zinfandel in the region.

Word-of-mouth evaluation from guests seemed to favor a dynamic wine from Encino, a 2007 Tempranillo, aged 12 months in new oak, made from 30 year-old vines from San Vicente.  Several emails received after the event indicated that many folks loved the wines of Alximia, created by Alvaro Alvarez Parrilla. Others mentioned the wine of Albert Cruz, of El Parral Hotel and Viñdeo, and several commented on all the wines from the Tres Mujeres Winery. Many wine lovers were also impressed with the wines from Jay Dworsky and his business partner Charles.

One winery I discovered, while enjoying their wine and enthusiasm, was Utopia, operated by Dr. Joel Velasco and his business partner. Their wine is actually made in the basement of a hospital in Ensenada, so it’s sure to be created in the most sanitary environment and with surgical precision. Their wines are very good. These two winemakers are very typical of the Mexican and American winemakers in this region that have recently embraced the world of making wine. They are mellow in nature, but intensely focused on creating premium wine in Mexico, using handcrafted, limited production styles. You can feel this excitement and pride in the air as you speak with them and taste their wine. For them, it’s almost like introducing the world to your first newborn child, when you showcase your newest wines to the public. 2007 Utopia is a magical blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Their current production is limited to three American oak barrels of wine, using grapes from Valle de Guadalupe.

Two American winemakers, new to the Mexican wine culture, Jay Dworsky and Charles, introduced their first vintage of Petit Verdot and a superb blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, both aged in new Minnesota Nadalie oak barrels. According to Jay, “It has been a labor of love and the experience has been very fulfilling for both Charles and me.”

Another winemaking couple based in San Diego was invited because their winery shares the same name of the event, Guateque. They create one barrel of handcrafted wine each year, and they poured generous samples of a delightful 2007 Syrah and 2005 Pinot Noir. Currently there are ten US citizens making wine in Mexico.

When you put this wine event into proper perspective, acknowledging that these dedicated, artisan and smaller producers, with limited resources and training, are making a diverse mixture of drinkable wines, it’s very impressive. Indeed, some of the winemakers from this event and local winemaking schools have moved up the chain and are now known nationally for their artisan and boutique wines.

In reality, Mexico’s wine industry is still emerging in quality and production, but it is an exciting time as the industry evolves. Due to the low production of wine, and with a growing national market for regional wine, many artisan winemakers are having success in selling their products. Handcrafted wines have the advantage of bringing the consumer the “bottled spirit and passion” of the individual winemakers, and their intimate relationship to the vines and land. As we grow and gain experience with our craft, we offer great value for the quality, and a personal expression in the art of making small quantities of wine.

Several regional food venues were also present with an abundance of gourmet delights for this event, including Capricho’s and Casa Plasencia.  There was Tres Misiones Cheese and Olive Oil, and Cafe Tomas, Bodegas del Arte and Hogaza pastries.

Overall, the event organizers artfully blended a combination of wine, cerveza, food, music, dancing and good times into a successful day in Mexico’s premium wine country.

Thankfully, Viña de Liceaga came through again as a gracious host for this event. Serious wine and food lovers, please note that as of July 1st Saverios Restaurant (one of the best in the region) will be setting up their summer tent galley as Asador Campestre, at Liceaga Winery in San Antonio de las Minas. They’ll be open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon until 10 p.m.

For those winemakers and wineries I didn’t mention in this article, don’t worry, I’ll be featuring several artisan operations in upcoming articles.  Please contact me if you want further coverage of your wines and your passion for the art.

Also see Fiestas de la Vendimia 2009 Schedule – Mexico’s Annual Wine Festival, by Steve Dryden

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Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in northwestern Baja California, in the heart of Mexico’s premier wine country, where he also guides individual and small group wine tours and books lodging.

Location and Driving Directions: Valle de Guadalupe is home to over twenty wineries, several restaurants and affordable lodging.  The Mexican wine country is located about seventy miles south of the border or about a two hour drive from San Diego.  From Casa Alexssa (Bajamar) take the toll road south to Ensenada and before reaching Ensenada you’ll come to the third toll station at Playa San Miguel. As you pay your toll and continue south for about 1.5 miles, look for a sign reading Tecate Highway 3 or  “Ruta del Vino”(Wine Route).   Exit to the right onto Highway 3 and drive up and over the foothills for seven miles until you drop down into the wine country at San Antonio de las Minas.

Date: Sunday June 14^th, 2009

Time 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Location: Lotsa Pasta, 1762 Garnet Avenue

1.5 blocks east of Ingrahm on Garnet Avenue

Silent Auction and Raffle!

Heavy Hors d’oeuvres and Gourmet Desserts

Tickets: Purchase at Pacific Beach Town Council Office for $30

1706 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, CA 92109

Phone (858) 483-6666