Temecula winery named best in state

For the second year, South Coast Winery has been named the best in the state at the Califgornia State Fair's wine competition in Sacramento. That's rather remarkable considering that it was opened only in2004. More than 600 wineries submitted more than 2,600 wines for the competition. Considering that it was in competition with all those long-established wineries in Norther and Central California, this is quite a tribute.

We watched it being built over the previous year, and one must admit that it is an impressive complex, with a very fine restaurant, villas for overnight stays, and an architecturally interesting walkway along the front. The owners obviously had a lot of capital and did a first-rate job. We have eaten there several times and been impressed each time. When the Temecula Vintage Singers was still in existence and I was singing with them, we sang for some kind of event in the lovely patio area. We didn't visit it last weekend -- went to Ponte Family Vineyards, which is next door and has a slightly more informal atmosphere.

Oh, and the wine is more than a little bit good.

Anniversary in wine country

Yesterday was our 28th wedding anniversary, so Jen and I went and had lunch in the Temecula Wine Country and did a little tasting. For anybody who lives even close to the area who has not visited Temecula wine country, you're missing a treat. The valley just outside town has a good microclimate because there's a gap in the coast range that allows cool evening ocean breezes into the inland. It doesn't match Napa, of course, but there are at least 20 good wineries, one of which specializes in Champagne, all of which produce pretty solid wines. Most have tasting, some host weddings, all have a nice ambience. It was very hot yesterday and the parking lots didn't look as crowded as usual on a Saturday. Maybve it was the heat and maybe it was the recession. Anyway, we had a nice time and are still happy to be married to one another.