santa ynez

Iris Rideau is the owner and founder of Rideau Vineyard, an award-winning winery based in the Santa Ynez valley. Iris is the first black woman to own and operate a winery in the United States. She began her journey in New Orleans and eventually made her way to California to start a career in the insurance industry. After a notable career in insurance, finance and politics, Iris decided to venture into winemaking. Fueled by her Creole roots, rock-hard determination and soul, Rideau Vineyards skyrocketed as one of the valley’s most renowned wineries. Listen to Iris talk about her challenging upbringing in the Jim Crow era, career advice that actually works, and her new memoir: “From White to Black: One Life Between Two Worlds.” This episode is one of our best yet. Please enjoy this talk with Iris Rideau. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @chartinghercourse Connect with us at pacbiztimes.com

Wine Tasting in Southern California & Beyond; Your Guide to Celebrating and Exploring So Cal's unique wineries, wine bars, restaurants and more. A one-of-its-kind compilation of Southern California wineries and information for enjoying wine tasting. It’s great for anyone visiting or living in the area. Read the book for full coverage of wineries, wine focused restaurants, wine bars and more in and around San Diego, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Antelope Valley, Oxnard/Ventura, Rancho Cucamonga and Los Angeles. In addition to winery coverage, the book has a resource guide of wine grape varieties, chapters on tasting wine and serving wine, pairing wine with food, starting a wine tasting group and more. "Wine Tasting in San Diego & Beyond (earlier edition) not only covers a wide spectrum of local information, but also gives the reader a helpful wine education. Ms. Roberts has obviously done a lot of research for such a comprehensive book about the San Diego (and beyond) wine scene." Eric V. Orange, EVO, Founder, www.LocalWineEvents.com

Bob Pepi comes from a long line of Californians, like his famous father Robert Pepi, who founded the family’s Napa Valley winery before it was sold to Jess Jackson more than a decade ago. Then there’s the Italian influence of his mother, a gentle octogenarian with striking features and a welcoming demeanor, who comes from Lucca, a small village in Tuscany. These two cultural influences in Pepi’s life, the Californian-Italian ties, have always been a strong part of who he is, and of the wines that he has made. Like a modern-day Midas, over the past few decades, Pepi has had a finger in more successful wine projects than you could imagine in Sonoma, Napa and even Argentina. In fact, his own project is named Eponymous, because he is not legally allowed to label a wine with his family name.

The San Diego W Hotel's sandy beach lounge was where guests, chefs, winemakers, and purveyors of fine spirits gathered for an evening of music, fun, sipping, and food. Taste of Wine's Frank Mangio, and World of Wine Events promoters Michelle Metter and Ken Loyst shmoozed with some of the big names in the fine food and drink industry. The event kicked-off a week-long lineup of wine and food related events held in San Diego. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival (held November 12-16) is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Produced by World of Wine Events, the festival benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship program. Now in its fifth year, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has quickly grown into a world-class wine and culinary extravaganza. The five-day festival features wine tasting seminars, cooking classes by James Beard award-winning chefs, and an elegant Reserve Tasting & Silent Auction. The festival culminates on Saturday, November 15 at the star-studded Grand Event and Fine Wine/Lifestyle Auction. Held on the magnificent San Diego Bay, the festival's Grand Tasting event is flanked by a backdrop of sail boats and sandy shores which perfectly set the event's tone. As of launch time of ths segment, some tickets for Saturday's event were still available. Check your chances for getting in to theis world-known wine and food event by going to http://www.WorldOfWineEvents.com

Frank visited 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Encinitas, and chatted with wine buyer, Mark Plummer. The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro is truly a unique concept whose time has come. Frank came by with his tape recorder to see what the buzz is about.

Frank Mangio's Top Ten Tastings for 2007 This year has been a huge one for wine sales, an increase in wine events and the many individuals in the industry that I have met who have a passion for wine. As the Italians would say…”finche c’e vini c’e sperenza” (as long as there is wine, there is hope.) I have attended roughly 200 wine events this year, always seeking wines that I can call my own. If your palate is like mine, it is constantly changing. What might have been lovely last year is so last year’s news. This year I found 3 Cabs from Napa to merit my 10….last year there was none. Italy is again represented with 2 entries. Nearby Temecula keeps getting better and this year a cab whose grapes come from above and beyond the appellation scored in the ten. There was a repeat from last year, a delicious old vine Zinfandel from Sonoma. Chile also repeated with a consistently wonderful Syrah. And rounding out the ten, an oh-so-smooth Shiraz from Australia. The wines are listed alphabetically and not by rank. All are excellent for the varietal they represent. Prices listed may vary and are mostly taken from actual purchases or the winery websites. ÿ Antinori Toscana Tignanello, Italy, 2004. $75. The trophy wine of the Piero Antinori family. The ’04 harvest bloomed beautifully all over Italy for this “Super Tuscan,” a blend of Cab, Cab Franc and Sangiovese. Concentrated and velvety, this vintage is close to the heavenly ’97 harvest. www.italianwinemerchant.com. ÿ B Cellars Blend 24, Napa Valley Ca, 2004. $36. 75% Cab, 15% Merlot and 10% Syrah, this ’04 does well to typify the exciting yield of the ’04 Napa harvest. Sweet red fruit fills the palate with fresh raspberry and currants. Fine balance on the finish. www.bcellars.com. ÿ Bogle Reserve Petite Syrah, Clarksburg Ca, 2004. $20. The top “PS” varietal at the big San Diego Wine and Food Festival. Has a heady scent of ripe fruit with spicy oak evidence from14 months in French and 1 year in American Oak. Nice backbone…could age 10 years. www.boglewinery.com. ÿ Chateau St Jean Cabernet, Napa Valley CA, 2004. $19. Highly acclaimed veteran winery that doesn’t disappoint, it’s a lavish wine with smooth tannins and smoky flavor; a pleasing price. www.chateaustjean.com. ÿ Gaja Sperss Nebbiolo, Piedmont Italy, 2001. $50. In keeping with the powerful character of the Nebbiolo brand, this is a wine for the ages, from the legendary hand of Angelo Gaja. ( Accompanying photo shows daughter Gaia with this writer.) 94% Nebbiolo, 6% Barbera; 12 months in small oak, 12 months in large casks. Classic hints of the land: tar, licorice and a touch of truffles. www.terlato.com ÿ Montes Syrah, Chile, 2005. $25. A repeat from last year’s ‘04, this hot appellation should be in anyone’s collection. The ’05 has some Viognier in the mix. From the Colchagua Valley. Sweet texture. www.monteswines.com. ÿ Pedroncelli Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma CA, 2005. $14. This “mother clone” old vine Zin shows style and class with a deep garnet hue. Demands respect as any matriarch would. www.pedroncelli.com. ÿ Robert Mondavi Cabernet, Napa Valley, CA, 2004. $20. The final touch of the Mondavi family before they got bought out. Every bit as great as the “reserve” that cost over 4 times a much as this gem. www.mondaviwines.com. ÿ South Coast Wild Horse Cabernet, Temecula, CA, 2003. $28. Best of class medaled at the CA State Fair, these cab grapes come from high ground Palomar Mt. area. Ripe and big…from the hand of award-winning winemaker John McPherson. www.wineresort.com. ÿ Schild Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2005. $17. 400 acres of estate vineyards, about 1/3 devoted to luscious Shiraz. 25 year old vines. www.schildestate.com. More news at www.TasteOfWineTV.BlogSpot.com

Recipes Shrimp Boats - Cut NatureSweet tomatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully slice off a small amount of the rounded bottom of tomatoes to stabilize tomatoes and set upright on a serving platter. Gently scoop seeds and pulp from tomatoes. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper and turn tomatoes upside down on paper towels to drain. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, white wine or white wine vinegar, Dijon, mayonnaise, oregano and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Finely chop shrimp and add to a large bowl. Combine the shrimp, corn, bell pepper, celery, red onion, parsley, chervil and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Pour dressing over shrimp mixture, tossing gently to coat. Taste mixture again and adjust seasoning and dressing if necessary. Spoon the shrimp salad into halved D’Vines tomatoes, set upright on a serving and garnish with fresh parsley and sprigs of fresh chervil. 2 packages NatureSweet D’Vines tomatoes (approximately 12 tomatoes per package) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds medium peeled, deveined and cooked shrimp, chopped 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white wine or white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano 6 tablespoons minced fresh dill ½ cup of thawed frozen corn ½ cup minced red bell pepper ½ cup minced celery ½ cup minced red onion 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley leaves 24 sprigs of fresh chervil & , parsley for garnish Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Yield: 12 servings of 2 appetizers each NatureSweet D’Vines Caprese Stack Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F Lay out the puff pastry on a lightly flour dusted surface. Roll out the pastry to between a 1/8-inch – ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cutter dipped in flour, cut into as many rounds as possible. Brush the pastry with the egg white. Transfer puff pastry rounds to un-greased baking sheets, about ½-inch apart. Bake pastry rounds until pastry puffs for approximately 20 mins.and cool to room temp. Add vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture is thick and syrupy, for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Slice the mozzarella into ¼-inch thick slices. Using a 1 – 1 ½-inch round cutter, cut the mozzarella into as many rounds as possible. Cut the D’Vines tomatoes in half lengthwise. Using a small, very sharp paring knife, cut a very thin small slice off the rounded side just to stabilize the tomato so it will set upright when placed onto the mozzarella and pesto. To assemble, place a piece of mozzarella on the puff pastry round, dab pesto in the center of the mozzarella. Lay the D’Vines tomato on top, with the cut side facing. Drizzle balsamic syrup over the top, then a light drizzle of organic olive oil. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, garnish with a basil leaf and serve. 1 (17 ¼-ounce package) puff pastry – two sheets, thawed Flour, for dusting 1 cup balsamic vinegar, reduced to a thick syrup 2 pounds fresh Burrata mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch thick rounds 1 package NatureSweet D’Vines tomatoes, approximately 16 tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise Basil-arugula pesto, recipe follows Extra virgin olive oil. Fleur de sel & Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Fresh basil, for garnish Basil Arugula Pesto 1 ½ cups baby arugula, stemmed 2 cups basil leaves, washed and dried ½ cup fresh herbs (parsley and mint) 4 cloves garlic, chopped ¼ cup pine nuts lightly toasted ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan ½ cup olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Add all ingredients, except the olive oil to a blender Process until the ingredients form a smooth paste. Add the olive oil in a stream until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yield: 30 servings

Our commitment to 100% satisfaction with both our foods and service is unrivaled. Every party we cater, is the most important party to us. Only friendly, hardworking and efficient staff are permitted to be part of our team. Whatever your occasion, with DINNERS by DAVID Inc., YOU get to enjoy the party too! AND THE GREATEST MASHED POTATOES THIS SIDE OF BOSTON! (4) Course Dinners Sizzling Cocktail Parties Catered Events Rehearsal Dinners Special Occasion Celebrations Theme Parties Romantic Anniversary Dinner for Two Wedding Day Salon Party Munchies Holiday Dinners Sunday Brunches Pool Side BBQ’s Football Fiesta’s Meal Delivery Service Wine Pairing & Appetizer Parties Personal Chef Services Private Cooking Lessons at home with your Friends And much, much more…

Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family's dedication to making fine wines. From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going, to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s,to the second generation joining their father: son John becoming winemaker in 1948 followed by Jim in 1955 as sales director, to 1963 when the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father, to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification, to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to our sales base including national sales and export, the third generation coming on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s to the 21st century where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks...and it is still a family owned business. Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards 1220 Canyon Road Geyserville, CA 95441 (707) 857-3531 (800) 836-3894 Fax: (707) 857-3812 E-Mail General: service@pedroncelli.com Julie Pedroncelli St. John, VP Marketing: julie@pedroncelli.com Richard Morehouse, VP Sales: rpedroncelli@comcast.net Shirley Buchignani, Tasting Room Manager: shirley@pedroncelli.com Ed St. John VP Sales and Marketing: ed@pedroncelli.com

La Cereza (Spanish for cherry) welcomes visitors to its Spanish-style winery where the charming tasting room entrance leads out to lush picnic grounds overlooking beautiful vineyards, and leads into our rich and cultural tasting room. Guests are invited to enjoy gourmet cheeses and a selection of deli items while sampling La Cereza's 22 varietals and blends. Popular wines include a crisp and refreshing Chardonnay, a Zinfandel, a flirty raspberry-flavored champagne, and Girlfriends – the first wine produced in Southern California designed specifically to appeal to female palates. Other distinguished varietals include a Gold- and Silver-Medal-winning Grenache and a multi-Gold Medal -winning Gewürztraminer that earned Best in State and Best White Wine of Competition. La Cereza is also proud to receive Best Viognier in the State of California and Best Red and Best White in the Temecula Valley. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1994 and is operated today by Buddy and Cheri Linn. Winemaker Gus Vizgirda and Assistant Winemaker Jim Swelgin help the Linns produce premium boutique wines in small quantities, where every bottle is an extraordinary creation in itself. The labels are original works of art, the bottles hand-numbered, and stories of adventure and intrigue are displayed on the back label. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery, along with Temecula-based Sunrise Balloons (800-548-9912), recently embarked on a joint marketing effort in which the winery's newly released Peach Girls sparkling wine is prominently displayed on the side of a new hot air balloon. Visit La Cereza Vineyard & Winery for a European retreat in Temecula wine country. While touring the marvelous grounds, don't forget to inquire about the winery's exciting wine club, as well as outstanding facilities for private functions, corporate retreats, and weddings. We are open for tastings everyday from 10 am-5 pm. We are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tastings are $8 for five tastes and a logo glass. We also offer a Passport Ticket at $12 which entitles you to five tastings and a logo glass at La Cereza AND at our sister winery, Maurice Car'rie. The best deal in the Valley!

Cheri Linn's "Girlfriends" (See PodCast Badge Logo ) wine is now available at La Cereza Winery in Temecula Wine Country, or at www.LaCerezaWinery.com At Hemingway's Cigar Bar, guests can enjoy superior quality cigars, fine wines, and spectacular vineyard views. Open Saturday and Sunday 10-6. La Cereza Vineyard & Winery is home to award-winning VR and La Cereza wines...Best Viognier in the State of California, Best Red Garnacha in Temecula Valley. The winery was founded in 1994 and today is owned by Buddy and Cheri Linn, who are giving the winery a new Mediterranean look and setting a new standard in Wine Country. One of the founding vineyards of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, La Cereza Vineyard and Winery is conveniently located midway through the rolling hlls of the beautiful Temecula Valley. La Cereza Winery carries on the tradition of pleasing wine country guests year after year. The Spanish-style tasting room acts as a reception area for private wine tastings and dining. Hemingway’s Cigar Lounge provides an unique and aromatic escape for up to 30 guests. Cigars are hand-rolled by Cuban masters. On Saturday and Sunday in Temecula Valley Wine Country, ladies and gentlemen can be found out on the charming patio, relaxing after a hot air balloon ride, wine tasting tour, shopping adventure to Old Town Temecula, or a special event or wedding. Buddy and Cheri Linn, and their warm friendly staff are always around to answer wine questions, greet guests, and help direct parking for the many limousines that stop at the award winning winery and gift shop before taking wine country package passengers home after a fun day of Temecula Wine Country

Wine Spectator, America's largest-selling wine publication, is read by educated consumers who value fine wines. Articles focus on wine, wineries, wine tastings, travel destinations, dining and other lifestyle-appeal pieces.

Before there were vineyards in every valley north of San Francisco, before Napa and Sonoma were household names, before there was a California wine industry at all, there was Buena Vista. Founded in 1857, Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery, and its history is as colorful as it is proud. Just outside the town of Sonoma, the original winery is now a California Historic Landmark, and home to our Tasting Room & Visitor’s Center. Buena Vista’s founder, Count Agoston Haraszthy, arrived in Sonoma County as a Representative to the State Legislature from San Diego (nearby Vallejo was the capital at that time). Previous to this post, he had been Sheriff of San Diego, founder of a city in Wisconsin, ferryboat owner and member of the Hungarian Royal Guard. But chief among the Count’s many interests was growing grapes. Upon arriving in Sonoma, he planted some of the state’s first European varietals and laid the foundation for Buena Vista’s winery buildings. As California’s wine industry grew, so did the Count's role in its leadership. He brought back thousands of vine cuttings from Europe and published an account of his journey, which helped to bring California’s wine industry into the world spotlight. Unfortunately, he met an untimely demise not long after. While exploring rum interests in Nicaragua, legend has it that Count Haraszthy perished crossing a crocodile–infested river. A dramatic ending for a vibrant and important figure in California wine history. Buena Vista lived on, however, and became a prominent name in California winemaking until the great earthquake of 1906 destroyed its underground cellars. It was not until 1940 that the winery drew new breath under the direction of journalist Frank Bartholomew. With the help of famed winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, Bartholomew restored Buena Vista to its original grandeur. In 1979, the winery began investing in vineyard land from the then up–and–coming Carneros region. Strong confidence and commitment to the quality of the Carneros region paved the way for today's remarkable Buena Vista Carneros wines. Today, the working winery is located in the heart of Carneros, and Buena Vista is the largest landowner in Carneros, investing in new rootstock clones and a new winemaker are helping to ensure Buena Vista’s rich tradition of world–class wines endures another 150 years.

Zinfandel may be one of the most unusual grapes around---according to all of us who have studied it intensely, farm it carefully and enjoy consuming it (carefully). Zinfandel.org is the official website for Zinfandel Advocates & Producers! Zinfandel Advocates & Producers consists of over 5,000 Advocates across the United States and internationally and over 300 producers of Zinfandel. Click here for a complete listing of all of the producer-members. The organization is headed by an Executive Director, Rebecca Robinson , and a Board of Directors . The Board for 2006/07 consists of President Justin Boeger, Boeger Winery. The Vice President is Bruce Walker, Starry Night Winery. The Treasurer is Bernie Scarinzi, an advocate who has been actively involved with ZAP for a number of years. The ZAP Board Secretary is Duane Dappen, D-Cubed Cellars. Founded in 1991, ZAP is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's wine. ZAP organizes seminars, educational programs, and tastings at wineries and other settings across the United States to explain the uniqueness of the Zinfandel grape. ZAP promotes the continuing research surrounding the origins and history of the Zinfandel grape, including support of the Heritage Vineyard , the development of the Zinfandel Aroma Wheel , and acts as a resource, connecting the Zinfandel community around the world. The organization brings its members together through a busy calendar of events literally across the country, ranging from the Annual Festival in January, to tours of different cities in the U.S. ZAP also organizes Zinfandel Days in each of California's winegrowing regions, where Zinfandel producing wineries in a specific growing region open their doors for specialized tastings and entertainment for members of ZAP on specific weekends.

Wine Street is a North County San Diego full-service wine shop specializing in premium wines from around the world. In 2007, the shop entered its 14th year of serving the North County community. We offer everything from the biggest names in Napa to up-and-coming producers from Spain, Italy and beyond. We feature a Friday Night Tasting every week and offer three popular Wine Clubs. We have an excellent selection of wines, a terrific staff and great service. If we're not your wine shop already, we welcome the chance to serve you. Please check out our site at www.WineStreet.com or give us a call (760-431-8455) if you would like to order, or if we can help you find a specific wine. About Tanya Kinberg: As owner of Wine Street for over seven years, Tanya has overseen the growth of the shop to a 4,000 square foot facility offering wines from around the world. After earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology, she caught the wine bug. With her parents Art and Trece Kinberg, she acquired Wine Street in 1999. These days, when she's not in the shop, she can be found numerous times a year kicking the dirt around Napa and Sonoma, solidifying relationships with up-and-coming producers and arranging first calls on projects from some of the biggest names in California....and the hotshots who will be really big names in the coming years. From San Diego Downtown: Take the 5 Freeway North to the La Costa Exit. Turn Right at La Costa and got the the third light, El Camino Real. Turn Left on El Camino Real and proceed to the fourth light, Dove Street. Turn Right at Dove Street (You'll see a Union Bank building on the corner) Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. From Orange County: Take the 5 Freeway South to the Palomar Airport Road. Take Palomar Airport Road East, away from the beach. Proceed about two miles to El Camino Real. Turn Right on El Camino Real Go to the third light, Dove Street Turn Left at Dove Street Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. From Inland North County: Take the 78 Freeway West to San Marcos Blvd. Turn left at San Marcos Blvd and continue past Santa Fe Road. San Marcos Blvd becomes Palomar Airport Road Continue on Palomar Airport Road to El Camino Real Turn Left at El Camino Real Go to the third light, Dove Street Turn Left at Dove Street Turn immediately right into the shopping center parking lot. Look left, Wine Street is in the Northeast corner of the center. More wine news at www.TasteOfWineTV.com

The Lairds have seen a family dream come to fruition, from vine to tasting room, based primarily on the incredible diversity and quality of their vineyards. The stewardship of these vineyards began nearly twenty-five years ago when many pioneer farmers passed on critical knowledge and techniques to Ken Laird and later to son Justin, all in the spirit of kindness and helping hands. Several of these farmers, like Guillermo “Willie” Medina, were there in the beginning and continue to play core roles within vineyard operations. Today Justin oversees nearly 2000 prime vineyard acres for Bayview Vineyards, the Laird’s vineyard management company. While Bayview Vineyards is small and completely family run, it serves over 35 ultra premium wineries including our own family label. Geographically, these vineyards offer incredible diversity, from the cooling Carneros fog of Suscol Ranch to the rock and cobble soils of Mast Ranch just north of Napa. These variables express themselves through Laird estate wines, most evidently in subtle nose and flavor elements. By capitalizing on and combining these unique characteristics of site, we have created wines of true distinction. More wine news and interviews at www.TasteOfWineTV.com