{"id":279816,"date":"2010-07-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-07-21T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/taste-of-wine-04-25-10\/"},"modified":"2010-07-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2010-07-21T07:00:00","slug":"taste-of-wine-04-25-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/taste-of-wine-04-25-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Taste of Wine 04-25-10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thornton Winery Brings Jazz Greats to Temecula The tradition began back in 1988, when owner John Thornton came up with a then novel idea, offer local music on weekends with his wine and food menu to attract new customers. \u00a0“It started simple 22 years ago. \u00a0We didn\u2019t charge for admission to the concerts. \u00a0We just wanted customers to try our wines,” said John as we drank a glass of his 2006 Nebbiolo wine. \u00a0“Over time, the shows became more organized and took on new life as top Jazz musicians were booked in, the audiences grew and we offered dinner and wine packages in our outdoor fountain terrace setting. \u00a0This year we have 21 performances” \u00a0 This year\u2019s concert lineup is the strongest statement yet of the superb musicians that Thornton Winery attracts. \u00a0Their wine and supper packages provide a total music, food and wine experience with winemaker Don Reha presenting his new releases and \u00a0chef Steve Pickell of the 5 star Caf\u00e9 Champagne \u00a0 Left to right: \u00a0Steve Thornton President, Tonya Wake Events Manager, Frank Mangio Taste of Wine columnist and John Thornton founder of Thornton Winery and the Jazz Series. \u00a0 pairing perfect menu selections. The concert schedule goes from April 25 to October 16. \u00a0I asked Steve Thornton and Events Manager Tonya Wake who the one artist is that has played the most years and is a popular favorite with the 40 members of the concert staff. \u00a0Without hesitation they both agreed it is premier sax man Dave Koz. \u00a0“He has been a major part of our success with his warm, personal approach to performing,” commented Steve. \u00a0“This year he is playing two days in a row, Saturday and Sunday August 28 and 29, with Jonathan Butler.” \u00a0 \u00a0 Tonya, who is like an orchestra leader, conducting each concert to perfection for 16 years as Events Manager, agreed that Dave Koz is the easiest to work with. \u00a0John added “his parents, when they were alive, used to come to the concerts and bring me chocolate chip cookies because they knew how much I liked them.” \u00a0Under Tonya\u2019s guiding hand, all Thornton concerts are a relaxed, intimate affair with a customer and artist-friendly environment. For the full schedule of performers in this 22nd year of the best names in Jazz, go to www.thorntonwine.com . \u00a0Or call 951-699-0099 and talk to Tonya Wake, the “orchestra leader.” \u00a0 Dave Koz leads this year\u2019s 22nd Annual Thornton Concert Series. \u00a0 For Steaks, Seafood and Spirits \u2013 Go West It was a night to remember recently at West Steak, Seafood and Spirits in Carlsbad as the legendary Caymus Vineyards of Napa Valley showcased their premiere wines, paired with a 5 course dinner of unmatched quality by Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago. \u00a0General Manager Tom Bertrand continues to position West as the quintessential restaurant for taste and dining trends. \u00a0 This commitment to excellence has been rewarded by the popular Open Table award to West as the #1 Restaurant in San Diego County for 2009. \u00a0The full house of diners that came to the wine event, led by Caymus Regional Manager Mike Gioia, savored the Caymus 2007 Special Selection Cabernet with Chef Eugenio\u2019s main entr\u00e9e West General Manager Tom Bertrand welcomes guests to the Caymus wine dinner with Mike Gioia of Caymus. \u00a0 of Seared Prime Certified Angus Filet Mignon on a bed of Braised Oxtail and celery root puree. The service sparkled as wine and food entrees were on the table on time and at peak taste. \u00a0 The extensive wine list at West brims with wines of value and premium notoriety. From a delicious, budget style Castello Banfi Centine by the glass to a glorious Joseph Phelps Insignia Meritage, you will find one you will truly love. \u00a0Check Happy Hour Specials for exceptional bargains. \u00a0Call West at 760-930-9100. Wine Bytes \u2022\tBacchus \u00a0Wine Market in the Gaslamp district downtown San \u00a0Diego is presenting wines from \u00a0Northern \u00a0Italy \u00a0Fri. Apr. 30 from 4 to 9pm. \u00a0Taste Barbera, Dolcetto, Valpolicella \u00a0and more. \u00a0Cost is $15. \u00a0Details at \u00a0619-236-0005. \u2022\tLorimar \u00a0Winery in Temecula Wine Country kicks of their event schedule with Kansas City \u00a0BBQ, Wine and Blues in the vineyards, Sat. May 1 from 3-8pm. \u00a0Tickets are $55. pp. \u00a0Kids under 12 get in free. \u00a0Smokin\u2019 good tri-tip, ribs and \u00a0chicken. \u00a0More info at \u00a0951-240-5177. \u2022\tHoliday \u00a0Wine Cellar in Escondido has a Saxon Brown wine tasting \u00a0Thurs. May 6, 5:30-7:30pm. \u00a0This is \u00a0Sonoma style single vineyard wine like \u00a0Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. \u00a0\u00a0$10. advance, $15. at the door. \u00a0\u00a0Learn more at 760-745-1200. \u2022\tMama\u2019s \u00a0Day, the 19th annual benefit for Mama\u2019s Kitchen providing meals for \u00a0the needy, is Fri. May 7 from 5:30 \u2013 \u00a09:30pm at \u00a0the Hyatt Regency in San \u00a0Diego. \u00a0More than 70 of \u00a0San \u00a0Diego\u2019s top restaurant chefs will \u00a0participate, with auctions, music and wine. Pre-sale is $125. pp. \u00a0At the door it\u2019s $150. \u00a0RSVP at \u00a0619-233-6262. \u2022\tRoll Out the Barrel returns again this \u00a0year Sat. May 8 from 5 \u2013 8pm at Humphries by the Bay in the \u00a0Pt. Loma district of San Diego. Encinitas Meritage Wine Market is helping to \u00a0coordinate the Make-A-Wish benefit that has 20 restaurants and 40 wineries \u00a0participating. \u00a0Tickets are $100. \u00a0ea. \u00a0VIP benefits for $175. \u00a0Go to the website at www.makeawishgala.com . Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. \u00a0He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. \u00a0View his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com . \u00a0Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com . VIVI BENE… (Live Well)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thornton Winery Brings Jazz Greats to Temecula The tradition began back in 1988, when owner John Thornton came up with a then novel idea, offer local music on weekends with his wine and food menu to attract new customers. \u00a0“It started simple 22 years ago. \u00a0We didn\u2019t charge for admission to the concerts. \u00a0We just […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":726,"featured_media":279815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"11560","_seopress_titles_title":"Taste of Wine 04-25-10","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11560],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-279816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-la-jolla-village-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/726"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=279816"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279816\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/279815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=279816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=279816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=279816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}