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Doffo Winery Reopens

I got a tip that Doffo Winery reopened recently after being closed 28 months. They had to address issues related to county ordinances including parking. I had read good things about the wines on the Web and was excited to taste them.

Owner, grape grower, and winemaker Marcelo Doffo was back serving wine, sharing stories, and conducting ad hoc tours this weekend. The standard tasting is $10 and the VIP tasting is $20. Buying one of each ensures tasting most of the wines. These are the wines we tasted:

2005 Sauvignon Blanc, $14
2005 Viognier, $22
2006 Viogner, $16
2003 Syrah, $48
2004 Syrah, $65
2005 Syrah, $30
2005 Mistura (Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend), $32
2005 Malbec, $48
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, $59
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, $49
Doffo Port (Zinfandel), $35 (500 ml)
Los Nietos (Port style late harvest Syrah), $65 (500 ml)

My favorites were the 2005 Viognier, 2005 Syrah, 2005 Malbec, and 2005 Cabernet Private Reserve. In all, this was a fabulous visit to Temecula’s First Petite Winery. Marcelo is striving to make the best wine possible and is shooting for an Opus One proprietary Bordeaux style blend.

Marcelo Doffo Sharing His Passion for Grape Growing

Doffo is the polar opposite to South Coast or Wilson Creek. He doesn’t do weddings, concerts, or limos. It’s all about producing the best fruit possible and being gentle with the grapes when making wine. The winery is by appointment only Friday through Sunday. Map

Doffo Wines
36083 Summitville St
Temecula, CA
1-866-4-MYVINO

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The Tesoro Winery Tasting Room in Old Town Temecula opened March 29th of this year. Map They offer 5 tastings for $10 which includes a larger than average souvenir glass. With the Grape Escapes 2 guide book, you receive 2 for 1 tastings but you don’t get the souvenir glass. In addition, the guide book provides 10% discount on wines and tasting room merchandise. Their current wines are as follows.

Dolce Innocenza (Non-varietal), $23
2007 Riesling, $18
2005 Sangiovese, $28
2005 Merlot, $26
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $34
2005 Trinita, $37 (60% Sangio, 25% Cab, 15% Merlot)

The whites were on the sweet side that can be enjoyed by non-serious wine fans. The reds were quality wines with firm tannins that will improve with age. The Merlot and Trinita (Trinity) were my favorites.

P.S. Tesoro expects to open their Tuscan style Winery early in 2009.

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While driving down De Portolo Road on Saturday, I noticed a sign that Masia de Yabar was open. It was after 6:00 p.m. so we didn’t stop. According to The Grape Escapes 2 guide book, they’ll have the following wines: Viognier, Muscat Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo.

Masia de Yabar is located between Frangipani and Cougar on the North side of De Portolo Road. Map

39788 Camino Arroyo Seco
Temecula, CA

(951) 316-4714

Video Overview of the Property: August 2007

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s tasted their wine.

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I found two magnums of Santa Margarita 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $59 each at the Temecula House of Wine. The owner Carlos Palma reports that it’s his last two bottles. By the way, the Grape Escapes 2 guide book provides a 10% discount at the Temecula House of Wine.

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Wilson Creek had five award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate
Temecula Valley, $37
Gold

(Non-varietal) Almond Champagne, French Columbard/Chardonnay
California, $17
Silver

2005 Chardonnay, Estate
Temecula Valley
Bronze

2005 Mourvèdre
Temecula Valley, $35
Bronze

2005 Syrah, Estate
Temecula Valley
Bronze

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Wiens had two award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru.

2006 Tempranillo/Petite Sirah
California, $34
Silver

2007 Sangiovese
California
Bronze

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Thornton had four award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru.

2005 Nebbiolo, Estate
Temecula, $32
Gold

2005, Thorny’s Côte Red, (Rhône Blend)
Temecula, $18
Bronze

2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Temecula, $26
Bronze

2005 Zinfandel, Old Vine Old Clone
Amador County, $44
Bronze

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South Coast had 14 award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru including a Sweepstakes Winner.

2007 Rosé of Grenache
California, $14
Gold, Chairman’s Best of Class, Sweepstakes Winner

2007 Gewürztraminer, Carter Estate Vineyard
Temecula Valley, $14
Gold, Chairman’s Best of Class

2007 Semillon
Temecula Valley, $14
Gold, Chairman’s Best of Class

2007 GVR (Grenache Blanc/Vioginer/Roussanne)
Temecula Valley, $20
Gold

2006 Grenache, Carter Estate Vineyard
Temecula Valley, $18
Silver

2007 Muscat Canelli
Temecula Valley, $14
Silver

2006 Riesling
Temecula Valley, $14
Silver

(Non-varietal) Big Red Table
South Coast, $14
Silver

2006 Viognier
Temecula Valley
Silver

(Non-varietal) Brut
Temecula Valley, $18
Bronze

(Non-varietal) Romanza (Red Blend)
Temecula Valley, $18
Bronze

2005 Sangiovese, Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard
South Coast, $34
Bronze

2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Temecula Valley
Bronze

2006 Zinfandel
Cucamonga Valley, $24
Bronze

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Orfila had four award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru.

2006 Gewürztraminer, The G Wine
Monterey, $15
Gold

2006 Riesling
Monterey, $15
Gold

2006 Chardonnay, Ambassador’s Reserve
Edna Valley, $24
Silver

2005 Sangiovese, Estate, Di Collina
San Pasqual Valley, $22
Silver

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Mount Palomar had five award winning wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru.

2004 Meritage, Cloudbreak
Temecula Valley, $50
Silver

2005 Merlot
Temecula Valley, $22
Silver

2005 Sangiovese, Castelletto
Temecula Valley, $24
Silver

(Non-varietal) Solera Cream Sherry
California, $29 (500 ml)
Silver

(Non-varietal) Shorty’s Bistro Red
Temecula Valley
Bronze

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