Gray skies, temperatures on the chilly side and a few drops of rain couldn’t deter hundreds of wine lovers from enjoying the World of Wine barrel tasting event presented this past weekend by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. 27 wineries offered tastes of their wines, though not all offered barrel samples. If you check out my ticket on the right side of the page, you’ll note I paid a visit to every single participating winery. Ah, the sacrifices I make in being a wine writer.

I tip my cap to the Temecula Valley Wine Society who did a stellar job checking people in, pouring wine, serving food and so much more. It was great to see Marshall Stuart, Jim & Christine Hart, Dorian & Les Linkogle, Ray Falkner, Nick Palumbo, Marcelo & Damian Doffo, Robert Renzoni, Bob Olson (owner of Danza del Sol, formerly Filsinger), Jennifer & Rick Buffington, Phil Baily, Steve & Valerie Andrews and to meet South Coast’s head Chef Dean Thomas, Van Roekel winemaker Gus Vizgirda and Dave & Gail Bradley, owners of the new Vindemia Winery.

Food ranged from cheese and cold cuts to Beef Bourguignon and Coq Au Vin. The best quote I heard all weekend came from Marcelo Doffo. When I told him how much I enjoyed the barrel sample of his first Zinfandel he replied “We’re going to kick some butt with this wine, eh?” Celebrity spottings – Angela Bassett was at Robert Renzoni Vineyards for more than an hour Saturday and baseball legend Jay Johnstone was sipping Briar Rose Cabernet on Sunday.

Baily Winery

Les Linkogle - Briar Rose Winery

Callaway Winery

Churon

Food at Danza del Sol

Bob Olson - Danza del Sol

Doffo Food

Damian & Marcelo Doffo

Falkner Winery & Pinnacle Restaurant

Foot Path (formerly Foote Print)

Cookin' Up A Storm at Hart

Nancy, Jim & Christine Hart

Keyways

Keyways Crew

Leonesse

Leonesse Cellars

Maurice Car'rie

Maurice Car'rie Winery

Oak Mountain

Steve Andrews

Oak Mountain

Miramonte

Sign At Mt. Palomar

Cool Cave

Nick Palumbo

Palumbo Family

Tent At Ponte

Chef Francesco At Robert Renzoni

Robert Renzoni

Stuart Cellars

South Coast Winery

Chef Dean Thomas - South Coast Winery

Thornton Winery

Villa di Calabro

Mindy & Mike Calabro

Vindemia

Gus Vizgirda - Van Roekel

Van Roekel

Wiens' Domestique

Wilson Creek Winery

Ducks In Wilson Creek

Wiens' Beef Bourbuignon

Artichoke Tartlettes & Leek and Potato Vichysoisse at Wilson Creek