Interviews with California's Winemakers, Wine Experts, and Notable Chefs

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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

Don and Rhonda Carano's dream when they first came to Sonoma County was to create a winery estate where they could craft world-class wines of unprecedented quality. Today, Ferrari-Carano's success is based first and foremost on the persistent dedication of the best vineyard and winemaking teams, and their commitment to making the finest wines year after year, without compromise. Characterized by their elegance and finesse, depth of flavors, complexity and richness, Don and Rhonda's vision for Ferrari-Carano's multidimensional wines has been realized, and are among the most enjoyable wines on the market today. For special discounts for this winery, please go to www.TasteOfWineTV.com, or e-mail wineclubber@yahoo.com Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His library of columns can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com, where he is one of the top 5 wine commentators on the web. Reach him at mangiompc@aolcom.

Nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, THORNTON WINERY opened in 1988. The winery combines old world style with new world taste to create award-winning and premium varietal wine. The Méthode Champenoise process is used because it has proven to be the best for producing fine quality Sparkling Wine/Champagne. From the beginning, THORNTON WINERY has utilized skills perfected in blending Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine/Champagne and then applied them to the new premium varietal still wines in 1993. The result: more awards and medals. Over the years, some very unique premium varietal wines have been added to the product line. These varietals emulate classic wine styles of the Mediterranean and Rhône regions. THORNTON WINERY favors producing wine that is exciting for its freshness, bursting with flavor and showcasing the distinct characteristics of the varietals included in the blend using whole cluster pressing, extensive blending, barrel aging, and different vinification techniques.

While vintages of wine may differ due to natural variances in the growing season climate, Falkner wines all display a similar style: full fruit flavors with a soft, clean finish. Like one wine and you will probably like many more. This consistency is achieved through meticulous winemaking by our region renown winemaker - Steve Hagata. Another reason for our great, consistent style is our willingness to continue to age wines until we believe they meet our style and are very “drinkable”. Most of our red wines age at least 3 years before public release. Located in Temecula Wine Country, Falkner also prides itself on producing great blended wines. Wine such as the Falkner Amante™ is an example of a great Super Tuscan Style red wine that blends together the great flavors of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Another Falkner great blend is the Bordeaux Style Meritage which is a robust blend of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. If you enjoy a touch of sweetness in your wine, try our Luscious Lips red wine or our Sweet Loretta or Riesling white wines. Sweet or dry, you will be happy with any of our hand-crafted wines. www.FalknerWinery.com

Welcome to a traditional B & B, the Loma Vista. Where you can sit back and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. It's conveniently located to any spot in Southern California, right in the heart of the Temecula Wine Country. This lovely Mission style home with its beautifully appointed rooms is only five miles east of the I-15 in Temecula. The Loma Vista Bed and Breakfast was established in 1988 and was, and still is, the only true Bed and Breakfast in Temecula. All of our rooms are individually decorated and are all named after favorite wines. The Fume Blanc is a whimsical white wicker room while the Zinfandel is styled more in a Queen Anne look - there's a room with a different feel for each individual, right down to the Cabernet Sauvignon room with large jacuzzi tub for two, fireplace and king size bed.

A regional wine tasting event brought wine makers and wine lovers from California together for a day of fun, talk and tasting. While attending the event, TasteOfWineTV.com host Frank Mangio chatted with Temecula Valley Wine Growers Assn. president Ray Falkner. Take a look at why this is one of the biggest regional wine tasting events each year in southern California. More wine news at www.TasteOfWineTV.com

Legendary rocker Mick Fleetwood explains why the art of making wine (Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar) is a lot like making music (Fleetwood Mac). Mick, and Taste of Wine TV host Frank Mangio chatted during Mick's recent appearance at a San Diego area (Carlsbad) Costco Store. Check out news about Mick Fleetwood at www.MickFleetwood.com

Frank Mangio interviews Mark Abraham of Pedroncelli Wines. Hear about the zinfidel and old vine vintages that Pedroncelli vineyards has become so well known for among wine lovers. This is part of a series of interviews conducted by Sharlyn, and Frank Mangio, hosts of Taste of Wine TV. We'd love to see your wine related video footage for consideration for our 2007 TV and podcast season.