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Friends, from left, Michelle Parrett, Nicole Batchelder, Krista Munro, Jen Fitzgerald and Karlie Crutcher, enjoy San Simeon 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2023 Grenache Rose at the California Wine Festival in late June in Carlsbad. Photo by Rico Cassoni
Friends, from left, Michelle Parrett, Nicole Batchelder, Krista Munro, Jen Fitzgerald and Karlie Crutcher, enjoy San Simeon 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2023 Grenache Rose at the California Wine Festival in late June in Carlsbad. Photo by Rico Cassoni
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California Wine Festival returns to Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Aviara

The California Wine Festival returned to Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Aviara Resort for two days of alfresco tasting events, offering guests the opportunity to sample wines from esteemed winemaking regions across California, paired with gourmet appetizers from many of North County’s top restaurants.

Day 1 kicked off with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, a special experience for wine enthusiasts featuring a sparkling wine reception followed by the sampling of hard-to-find reserve wines. On Day 2, the wine tasting continued at the resort’s Heron Lawn.

Attendees expanded their wine education and exploration through intimate conversations and tastings with representatives from California’s world-famous wineries and culinary talent from the region’s most acclaimed restaurants.

“We founded this event in hopes that wine enthusiasts can engage with representatives from wineries that they already know and love while also discovering new wines that they’ve never heard of,” said Emily Kaufmann, executive director of the California Wine Festival.

Last year, we discovered Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken and made it our first stop at this year’s festival. Gus’s serves the best chicken I have ever had. The large pieces, with a thin, hot, and spicy batter fried in peanut oil, are mouthwateringly delicious. I dream of a Gus’s opening in the San Diego area.

Mynor Espinoza, Gus’s director of marketing and public relations, was not hopeful for a San Diego opening in the near future but mentioned they have discussed the possibility. The nearest Gus’s location is in Santa Ana.

Luke Morganstern, executive chef at Orfila Vineyards and Winery, poured Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese Rosé, and Sangiovese varietals at this summer’s California Wine Festival.

On our way to Gus’s, we encountered Orfila Vineyard and Winery executive chef Luke Morganstern, who shared updates about Orfila. The winery closed its Oceanside Tasting Room to join forces with Brickman’s Restaurant & Bar at Lake San Marcos. Additionally, Orfila is adding a full kitchen at its main Escondido location.

Amalfi Cucina, which has opened several North County sites, purchased Orfila’s Oceanside location. We learned about the Orfila updates while enjoying their 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, ’23 Sangiovese Rosé, and ’20 Sangiovese.

It was a pleasure reconnecting with Hall Napa Valley’s director of public relations, Lisa Covey, especially after my visit to the winery earlier this summer. Covey presented a standout lineup: ’23 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, ’18 Terra Secca Red Blend, and the star of the lineup, ’19 Eighteen Seventy-Three. Named after the historic Bergfeld Vineyard in St. Helena, this wine dazzled with a floral nose, blueberry hints, and a palate of ripe dark fruit and smooth tannins — a true testament to Hall’s winemaking prowess.

Next, we visited the Booker Wines booth, where brand ambassador Carson O’Connor poured some Paso Robles winners. The Harvey & Harriet wines, dedicated to owner Eric Jensen’s parents, are accessible, quality wines that won’t break the bank. The ’21 Chardonnay and ’20 Red Blend exemplified this philosophy, offering excellent value.

For those seeking a more indulgent experience, the’19 Fracture Syrah, aged 18 months in new French oak, impressed with its dark, opaque color and complex palate of black cherry, blackberry, clove, and coffee—perfect for pairing with hearty beef or pork dishes.

The journey continued at Hope Family Wines, where brand ambassador CJ Gormley and wine educator Maddi Teague showcased a crisp ’22 Chardonnay, ’23 Cellar Select Rosé, and a ’22 Malbec with a hint of black tea. Hope’s flagship ’21 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon did not disappoint, rounding out a strong showing from this Paso Robles favorite.

In between tastings, a visit to Scott Condon’s IInferno Wood-Fired Pizza was a must. Its light, airy crust — thanks to a 48-hour fermentation — was the perfect base for Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes and locally sourced ingredients. If you need catering for a special event, Inferno delivers with style.

At the Adobe Road booth, regional sales director Callum Clarke impressed with a robust lineup that included a chardonnay and pinot noir sourced from Petaluma Gap, specifically from Sangiacomo Vineyard’s Roberts Road Vineyard.

However, the highlight was the ’18 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley’s Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard. With a nose of plum and cigar notes and a palate bursting with dark fruit, spice, and firm tannins, this wine earned 94-point ratings from both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker. It was my top pick of the event.

Finally, we visited Lloyd Cellars, where husband-and-wife team Rob and Bonnie Lloyd offered a taste of their expertise. Rob’s experience as Rombauer’s assistant winemaker, associate winemaker, and winemaker from 2001 to 2008 was evident in the value-priced Prescription Chardonnays, which were predictably good.

The ’22 Lloyd Pinot Noir delivered classic cherry and cola flavors with a lingering finish, while the ’21 Prescription Cabernet Sauvignon, with its blackberry notes and soft tannins, proved to be a well-priced, solid everyday wine, reminiscent of the Harvey & Harriet brand.

For more information on upcoming events, visit californiawinefestival.com.

— Story by Rico Cassoni

Wine Bytes

San Diego’s next major wine event is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. Native San Diegan Troy Johnson, food writer and TV personality, is at it again. Last year’s inaugural event was a runaway success. Partners Alex Morgan, Drew Brees, and Rob Machado will join Johnson again this year. The six-day event, Oct. 2-7, culminates with the Grand Tasting on Oct. 5-6 at the Del Mar Surf Sports Park. For events and tickets, visit delmar.wine/tickets.

Rico Cassoni is executive producer for Taste of Wine and Food. He and founder/advisor Frank Mangio, a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, are two of the leading reviewers on the web. Reach them at [email protected].

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