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Visiting Our Vineyards
MARCH 2019
BOTTAIA WINERY: An Oasis of Serenity & #$& $ %! What are you looking for in a wine tasting experience? If you are seeking exceptional wine in a relaxing setting, look no further than BOTTAIA Winery, which opened last August in the Temecula Valley Wine Country. At BOTTAIA there will not be crowds four deep at the tasting bar. There will not be inebriated partygoers who arrive en masse in busses. You will not be rushed through tastings while others wait in line. Instead, you will have a personalized wine tasting experience in a serene, beautiful setting surrounded by acres of vineyards. We recently met with BOTTAIA’s visionary founder, Claudio Ponte, who cre #"#& "$%! & $ %! & # " & $ % ated BOTTAIA for the sophisticated wine drinker who appreciates a tranquil experience where high-quality wine can be savored in a peaceful setting. Ponte, who also founded the highly successful Ponte Winery in 2003, is excited to see his vision evolving at BOTTAIA. By the way, BOTTAIA means “cask aging room� in Italian. Aging takes place right on the winery’s property in large-capacity concrete and oak vats for at least two years. Reserve wines are aged longer. All the wines offered at BOTTAIA are made from Italian varietals grown right on the property. Ponte and his winemakers have tested these wines through several vintages until they are convinced the wines reflect their exceptionally high standards. They have chosen grapes that thrive in this region of California. Ponte says, “We want to make sure our product and our wine tasting experiences reflect outstanding quality.� BOTTAIA achieves its goal of a serene wine tasting experience in great part by limiting the number of guests the winery allows at one time. Most guests make reservations in advance, although walk-ins are allowed if there is availability. Ponte points out that many Napa and Sonoma wineries now encourage reservations for tastings since so many visitors prefer a personalized experience rather than battling the crowds. BOTTAIA is reflecting this trend among high-end wineries. The architecture of the winery buildings adds to the upscale ambiance of the wine tasting experience. Ponte describes BOTTAIA’s buildings as “modern barn with classic gables.� The lines are clean, modern, and very different from most other winery architecture in Temecula. The layout of the buildings is inspired by Italian Palladian villas where a central building is flanked by other buildings for production and storage. The winery’s interior is spacious, open, and stylish with inviting furnishings and towering windows allowing spectacular views of the surrounding vineyards.
All guests can enjoy a tour of the property, including the aromatic and impressive barrel room where all the wine is aged. Then there are several options for wine experiences. Wine tasting can take place in the barrel tasting room where guests can taste six wines plus savor a special tasting straight from the barrel. Or guests can make a reservation for an elegant seated tasting that includes a guided tasting of five estate wines paired with a delicious charcuterie platter.
% & #$& # %&!% %! # " $ & !&#& $" %& %$ "$ &% %!"%$ % Also, guests can make reservations for a unique wine blending experience in BOTTAIA’s wine blending lab where participants can create their own bottles of wine by experimenting with a mixture of four of BOTTAIA’s premier wines. Participants bottle and cork their own creations to take home the same day. Ponte emphasizes that this is a unique experience for wine aficionados. They are able to learn firsthand how blends are created and see how blends are sometimes more appealing than one-varietal wines for many palates. On the day we visited, we were fortunate to enjoy a seated tasting with lovely charcuterie platters. Our knowledgeable, friendly server, Mike Russell, brought us each an enticing charcuterie platter with a variety of cheeses, meats, olives, mustards, and pickled vegetables. There are three choices of charcuterie platters: an Antipasto Platter, a traditional Charcuterie Board, and a Mediterranean Board with figs, dates and vegetables. Mike then described each wine as he poured it and suggested which of the charcuterie items might pair best with the wine being tasted. We found the wines we tasted to be exceptional. They were all so delicious that it’s hard to say which we liked best.
#"#& "$%! & %!$& #!$& % " $ && %!$& #!$& " & # " & # %
MARCH 2019
Visiting Our Vineyards
We first tasted a dry, smooth 2016 Arneis that went well with the white cheeses and vegetables. Next, we enjoyed the 2017 Pinot Grigio, which was tart, well-balanced, and fruity. It paired nicely with the olives and cheese dipped in truffle honey. We especially loved the 2015 Cartuccia, a distinctive blend of Primitivo and Sangiovese with cherry and raspberry tastes. The 2014 Nero D’Avola was bold and rich with beautiful floral aromas and went so well with all the food, especially the meats. And finally, the 2013 Montepulciano Reserve was nicely intense and complex with lovely fruit overtones. And these are only a few of the wonderful wines offered at BOTTAIA Winery. A unique facet of the BOTTAIA experience is that the winery includes a beautiful, large swimming pool. While children under 21 are not allowed in the wine tasting rooms (adding to the wine tasters’ serene experience), families are encouraged to bring their children to the pool. Cabines, Italian-style private changing rooms, can be reserved and a cocktail bar and upscale cafÊ are also available. (How about a margarita or mojito after your wine tasting experience?) The pool will open for the season Easter weekend, Saturday, April 20th. BOTTAIA did not publicize its winery opening when it first opened since they wanted to fine tune their offerings—and they have certainly done that. However, even without much publicity, word-of-mouth has led many enchanted guests to BOTTAIA and they are loving the experience. Right now, about half the visitors come from surrounding counties (Orange, Riverside, LA and San Diego) and the rest from the Temecula/Murrieta area. Claudio Ponte emphasizes that our local wine tasters are
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becoming much more discriminating and appreciate a high-end, personalized experience as much as the LA crowd. The BOTTAIA Wine Club is popular and growing. Wine club members receive four shipments of four bottles each annually and 20 percent off all wines and tasting experiences. They also have access to the soon-to-be exclusive Wine Club Lounge and Terrace — and I have heard via the grapevine (so to speak) that the wine club parties are spectacular. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online or by calling 951-365-3388. BOTTAIA Winery is located at 35601 Rancho California Rd. in Temecula and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.bottaiawinery.com. This is an experience you will not want to miss! Photos by Todd Montgomery.