Foote Print Winery

There really aren’t that many wineries in the Temecula Valley (though the number is growing) so it’s always a treat for me to visit a winery here I haven’t been to before. I called Deane Foote a few days ago and he invited me to come visit his small winery. When I arrived, he and his son-in-law were working, building a new horse barn. We sat down to visit and he told me about how Foote Print got started and where they’re headed.

Deane Foote

Deane began making wine for his family and friends and then he says it “kind of exploded”. He got his winery license in 2005 and now makes about 800 cases of wine a year. About 30% of the grapes in his wines are from his vineyards and he purchases the rest. As the vineyards mature, he plans to add more of his grapes. His farm is certified organic and he sells citrus in the tasting room. It’s literally a mom and pop outfit. He and his wife Christine do everything, from picking the grapes to bottling the wine.

Organic Fruit

Deane has a blend called Footeage (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), another called Krazy Foote (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Malbec) as well as Red Foote (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon). In 2010 he will release his Left Foote, which is literally a blend of all the juice that’s left over. His belief is that “throwing things together” adds complexity. His wines spend a minimum of two years in the barrel before he bottles them. As a small winery, he says he can spend more time with his wine than the “big guys”.

I tasted three of his wines and he makes a quality product. His Petit Verdot has a deep violet color, a beautiful nose and a smooth finish. It’s unusual to see Petit Verdot on its own. If you get the opportunity, I recommend you try some. I also enjoyed his Krazy Foote blend and the 2007 Zinfandel was a Zin lover’s dream. Classic Zin nose and chewy fruit.

When all the permits are approved, the winery will be renamed Foot Path. Whatever you call it, when you want to go off the beaten path, Foote Print is well worth a visit.

Barrels At Entrance

Open For Tasting

Tasting Room

Vineyard

Mailbox

Alessio

Laura and I fell in love with Francesca’s the first time we went there. Francesca and Alessio DiSabatini are charming and fun and their food is out of this world. They’re also passionate about wine, and there’s always a bottle on the table. Their wine list is excellent.

Each month, Alessio hosts a cooking class. We’ve only missed a few. Not only do you learn how to cook delicious Italian food, you get to eat it and the wine is always “on Alessio”. Last night we started with a Caesar Salad, followed by Cappelini with Meatballs for the entree and Cannoncini (canon balls) for dessert. He served Robert Renzoni’s 2006 Sangiovese made with Paso Robles grapes. The wine is simple and smooth, light in color with big strawberry notes and a clean finish.

Caesar Salad is not Italian. It originated in Tijuana, Mexico. Alessio told us you probably won’t find it in any restaurant in Italy. His dressing is quite different, made without eggs and with red wine, tabasco and caper juice. Topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese, it was delicious.

Next up, he made the Cappelini with Meatballs and recruited Richie Wallstreet as his sous chef. His meatball recipe incorporates ground beef, garlic, Parmesan, eggs, basil and a few other goodies. His marinara sauce is exquisite. Look at the color.

Cappelini

Richie's Creation

On to dessert. The Cannoncini are quite similar to Cannoli, but they’re made with strips of puff pastry wrapped in a spiral around a tube. The shells are baked, then filled with Chantilly Cream. Served with sprinkled powdered sugar and sliced fresh strawberries, they were divine.

Alessio’s birthday is this Thursday, the 14th. I wish him a very happy one. We’ll be back next week for a special wine dinner featuring the wines of Tasca D’Almerita with special guest Lilly LoCascio from the winery. We’ll report back on that event. Ciao!

Cannoncini

Francesca

No promises, but I hope to add some video a bit later.

Maurice Car'rie Winery

Our friends Roger and Kathy asked us to join them for Music In The Vineyard, starting with wine tasting at Maurice Car’rie Winery and ending up at La Cereza Winery and Gallery. We tasted at Maurice Car’rie, enjoying the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese best. Laura really loved the pineapple champagne.

Tasting Room

From there we headed up the road to the sister winery, La Cereza. Both wineries are now owned by Buddy and Cheri Linn. We started in the members tasting room. The award winning Viognier really impressed me. Big apricot, honeysuckle and peach on the nose and crisp and refreshing to drink. I also enjoyed their Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We finished our tasting and went down the driveway to Hemingway’s Wine and Cigar Bar. Temperatures were in the 80s, there was great music from The Routine, and we grabbed a bottle of Pinot Grigio and sat down to enjoy the afternoon.

Roger and Kathy brought their son Joe along, and he asked me to go into the vineyards with him to take some pictures. He shows an early passion for photography and an excellent eye. It’s so exciting to see young people get enthused.

I had a chance to visit with Buddy and look forward to returning for a visit with him and a more in depth look at both wineries. The Cuban influence at Hemingway’s is unmistakable and with the smell of cigar smoke in  the air you almost feel like you’re in Havana. If you’re in the Temecula Valley, I highly recommend a visit to the two wineries. They’re doing a great job.

La Cereza

Hemingways

Viognier

Barrel Flowers

The Routine

Tendrils

Aspiring Photographer Joe