Claudio’s Column Here We Grow Again Those of you who’ve visited the winery in the last 30 days may have noticed that we’ve cleared the vineyard next to the winery (between us and Wiens Winery). Someone asked me: “Is it going to be a parking lot?” Surprised, I answered: “Well, no, it’s our newest vineyard! It’s time to continue the agricultural renovations we started 5 years ago.” This 6.8 acre parcel produced Chardonnay for almost 30 years, and had reached the end of its economic life. While quality was still acceptable the yields had fallen below the cost of production. Normally, when an old vineyard is replaced, the vines are removed, and the stakes and irrigation are taken out. Next the land is tilled and planted with some annual crop, or left fallow for a year (with weeds) to give it some rest. In our case, given the visual importance of this vineyard, we elected to plant it in 2012. The variety will be Sangiovese grafted into disease-resistant rootstock. As you may know, the wine variety (which grows on the trunk and arms of the vine) can be different than the root of the vine. So the root can provide disease protection and sturdy support, while the arms carry fruit of the particular type we want to make great wine, see? Sangiovese, the noble variety of central Italy, is the source of all great Tuscan wines. The clone chosen comes from the village of Montalcino and is called “Brunello”. The Brunello clone has very important characteristics that are better than other Sangioveses for the making of our Super T and Sangiovese. Its color, aroma, and flavor profile are just what we want for our wine. The trellis system (i.e. the stakes, wire and irrigation) will be installed this spring and the vines will be planted sometime in late summer. Next spring the vines will sprout with huge energy out of the pink tubes that protect them against nibbling by rodents and rabbits. In the winter of 2014 they will be pruned back into the cordon (2 arm) system you see all around the winery. No fruit will be harvested until fall 2014, and by 2015 we will have a commercial harvest. Patience is required… But you don’t need to wait — try our 2009 Super T, or look for our new release of Sangiovese, coming this summer. Thanks for your support and happy Valentine’s day.
February 2012 | 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 | (951) 694-8855 | www.pontewinery.com
In This Shipment Love is in the air! Forget the fact that it’s c-c-cold outside and bask in the knowledge that one more winter holiday is soon to be celebrated: Valentine’s Day. Red and pink are everywhere, including your February Wine Club shipment. This month we are featuring 2009 Doppietta and 2010 Rose Spumante, two wines to make you and your sweetheart blush with excitement.
The Red
The White
2009 Doppietta
2010 Rose Spumante Spumante is Italian sparkling wine. Rose Spumante is Italian sparkling rose wine. And the 2010 Ponte Rose Spumante is a sparkling rose wine bursting with everything that February should include:
Sometimes two is better than one. That is usually the case on Valentine’s Day and it is most certainly the case with our brand new red wine, Doppietta. Italian for “double-barrel” or getting two birds in one shot, Doppietta is a masterful blend of two lovely red varietals: Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is a smooth wine combining classic Syrah characteristics like ripe plum and black pepper flavors with a touch of mint from Cabernet. Our advice? Share this wine with someone you love. Like the name, it tastes better in twos.
Something delicious: flavors of apple and strawberry Something sweet: a kiss of sweetness Something sparkling: tiny bubbles that dance with flavor All you need to add is lemon pie!
Ponte Wine Club Selections Winemaker’s Choice: 1 Doppietta, 1 Rose Spumante | Red Wines Only: 2 Doppietta White Wines Only: 2 Rose Spumante | Cousins’ Club: 1 Juliet, 1 Isabel Save 30% on the 2009 Doppietta and 2010 Rose Spumante when you reorder at www.pontewinery.com or in the Tasting Room through Feburary 29th.
Wood-Fired Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza Paired with our 2009 Doppietta
Mason Jar Lemon Pie Paired with our 2010 Rose Spumante
No Reservations Required Psst…Wine Club Members, did you know you have a space at the winery that is exclusively yours? A place where you can enjoy great views, seating and a relaxed atmosphere? A room that is now serving food!? That’s right, our Reserve Room is just one of the fabulous benefits you enjoy on your visits to Ponte. Our Reserve Room includes your very own wine counter and server, a spacious outdoor patio, member-only restrooms and an indoor fireplace. Did we mention the food? We are so excited to now offer you delicious bites from our Executive Chef, Vincent Logan at exclusive Wine Club Member prices. Here is a peek at our current menu:
Reserve Room Menus A Trio of Cheeses with dried fruit Butchers platter: Prosciutto, Capicola, Salami, Caper Berries, Cornichons, Bread Sticks and grainy Mustard Three Bites’: Dark Chocolate Truffles, Mini Lemon Curd Tarts, Mixed Berries Empanadas in Puffed Pastry
The Reserve Room is open to Ponte Wine Club Members on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. It is also available to book for private parties and events. Give us a call or stop by our Special Events department the next time you visit us.
Mason Jar Lemon Pie
Wood-Fired Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
Makes 4 Pies Paired with our 2010 Rose Spumante
Serves 8 Paired with our 2009 Doppietta Pre-prepared pizza dough 2 Tablespoons Marinara Sauce 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese grated Sliced pepperoni 1 package of breakfast sausage 1 medium red onion
Lemon Filling 4 egg yolks 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest 1 ~ 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk ½ cup fresh lemon juice a pinch of salt Two standard uncooked pie crusts Roll out home made or store-bought pie crust on a wellfloured board, making sure it doesn’t stick. Place a mason jar upside down on the dough and run a knife around a ½” larger than the jar. Put the small, round, uncooked pie crusts aside as you create the lemon filling. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Pour lemon mixture into mason jars, filled just below the lower rim. Top with the pie crusts. Cut 1” slits into crust and bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
Red bell pepper Lump or briquette charcoal 2-3 bricks 1 small wood chunk such as oak, hickory or pecan Pizza stone
Brown sausage in a pan. If you don’t have a pizza oven, use a charcoal grill. Light coals. Create a chimney of charcoal and leave a few pieces unlit on the grill. Once the pieces on the grill are burning, spread them to the edge, creating a “bowl” of heat with no charcoal in the middle. As the coals start burning down, place a small chunk of wood on the fire. Place 2-3 bricks on the grate, and the pizza stone on the bricks with an oven thermometer on the stone. Cover the grill. Remove sausage from heat. Slice the red pepper and onion into slivers. Roll out the dough to desired thickness. Spread marinara sauce on top. Add mozzarella, followed by the sausage, pepperoni, peppers and onions. Once the stone reaches 500 degrees, carefully slide the pizza onto the stone. Close the lid, cook 7-8 minutes. Rotate it 180 degrees. Close lid and cook another 7-8 minutes, or until crust has puffed up and started to brown around the edges, and cheese has melted. Carefully slide the pizza off the stone, let cool, slice and enjoy with Doppietta!
Meringue 4 cups sugar 9 egg whites at room temperature Place the egg whites and sugar in a mixing bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon the meringue on top of the baked pies and torch until browned.
Wine Club Calendar February: 3rd: February Shipment Pick-up Party 14th: Valentine’s Day, Romantic Dinner in the Pavillion 19th: Restaurant and Tasting Room open late for special holiday hours
March: 11th: Daylight Savings Time Begins 15th: Tuscan Cooking Class 5:30 pm 16th: Spring Restaurant hours resume (open for dinner Friday nights) 17th: 30% off cases – today only! (Tasting Room and Online Store) 20th: First Day of Spring! 24th: Members Appreciation Night, Sneak Peek at the Ponte Vineyard Inn Please visit www.pontewinery.com for more information on these exciting events.