Big Red Fest – Wine Tasting in Temecula doesn’t get much better than this.

I think you can safely say the De Portola Wine Trail’s 1st Big Red Fest wine tour Temecula was a smashing success. All 9 wineries along the trail offered 3 wine tastings (okay, one of them offered just two, but who’s squabbling?) along with a food pairing. Several offered live music. The event was completely sold out (oversold, I’m told) and judging by the smiling faces I saw, a grand time was had by most if not all. It was great to see winery owners and winemakers pressing flesh. Wilmer Yabar, Rick and Jennifer Buffington, Don Frangipani, Mike Rennie, Steve and Valerie Andrews, Kenny and Christina Falik and Robert Renzoni were all on hand to greet their guests. Best food of the day honors has to go to Gershon Bachus for bringing in Adrian from Sorrel who did a Chermoula roasted pork shank over almond cherry cous cous. It was also a treat to see Robert Renzoni singing Neil Young’s “Old Man” with Phil Goddard of Blue Sutra. Enjoy a few photographic memories.

Cheers and job well done (in geographical order) to some of the best Temecula wineries: Masia de Yabar, Cougar Vineyards, Frangipani Winery, Danza del Sol, Leonesse Cellars, Oak Mountain Winery, Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Gershon Bachus Vintners and Keyways Winery.