San Diego Wine Country Festival I

Taste buds all ready!

Yeay! San Diego Wine Country Festival is finally here! Held at Bernardo Winery just South of Escondido, tickets were $25 per person for a festival wine glass, 10 tasters, baguette, free flow extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not too shabby! 

Flyer

Bernardo winery was hidden in a suburbia area, where street parking was plentiful. It was a small winery/vineyard with a pretty cottage complex completed with a gift shop, restaurant and sweet shop. Already bustling when we got to the entrance of the courtyard, we signed in and got our wine glass, little baguette and tasting card. The courtyard welcomed us with elegantly set up tables on the grass and perfect weather! It is going to be hot!

Perfect weather

All of us ran for the first chilled white to cool ourselves down from the ride. Surprisingly there was not many whites being offered. 

Belle Marie Gerwurztraminer 2011 $20

This was typical lychee smelling (Good sign!).  Decent although it was a little on the sweet side for a Gerwürzt with slightly too much residual sugar and there was not much fruit. Otherwise nice refreshing start. OOo

Belle Marie Winery, along with Chateau Dragoo is a big operation on the Escondido Wine and Culinary Campus North of Escondido, that is having its grand opening (free wine!) in September! Too bad I will be away! :(

Happy Taste Buds

Shadow Mountain Viognier

Shadow mountain Viognier 2011 $18 

There was not much bouquet in the nose like Viogniers usually have so that was  disappointing. There was a bitter note with little fruit. It was drinkable though especially with the hot weather so not too bad. Oo

Shadow Mountain Vineyards is a 3rd generation family estate founded in 1944, situated North east of San Diego on Sunshine Summit. 

Ms M at Old Coach Vineyard

Old Coach Showdown Reserve 2009 $25

Made from 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier, this was drinkable with good spices and a woody oaky note.  OOo

Old Coach Vineyards

Old Coach Vineyards is a relatively new family own estate in Poway that uses sustainable vineyard methods!

Happy Vintner

Old Coach Firestorm Reserve 2009 $22

Made from 65% Mouvedere, 30% Syrah and 5% Viognier. I gave it a wiggly smiley face because it smells and taste funny although it was still drinkable and not repulsive. There was a woody off note. OO

Woots!

Dube Meritage 2009 $14

Good price but sad face. O

Dube Vineyards is located in Jamul in Deerhorn Valley, CA, east of San Diego. 

Sunshine Cuvee I

Sunshine Mountain Sunshine Cuvee I 2010 $32

I would not pay that much for this one. It was hot with plenty of alcohol to boost. Made of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, there was a bitter note that was not enjoyable, probably from the tannins. O

Sunshine Mountain Booth

Sunshine Mountain Vineyard is owned by a couple with a passion, located in San Marcos, CA. 

Lenora Cab

Lenora Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $24

This was sweet with plenty of residual sugar for a Cabernet Sauvignon! There were tannins present which is good. Overall, a simple cab with no layering and sweetness that probably should not be there. Oo

Lenora is a small winery that is part of the Ramona Vineyard Association (RVA).  

Nom Nom Nom

Cabernet Franc

Woof n Rose Cabernet Franc 2009 $24

Yay! Smiley face! This was a nice well balanced Cab Franc with notes of spice, fruits like plums. Good tannins too! No wonder this is their flagship! OOOo

Woof n Rose is a small family operated winery in Ramona, CA, also part of the RVA. 

Nom Nom

More to Come! Not bad so far! Hopefully more of these Wineries will join Snooth and such to make their name more known! Yeay San Diego wines!