Frank Mangio
The pursuit of Banfi Wines has been one for perfection
The journey began for Banfi and the Mariani family, Americans John and Harry, some 34 years ago, when they carefully assembled 7,100 acres in Italy in a constellation of single vineyards in the southern Tuscan countryside of Montalcino.
With summer in the air it’s time for the German riesling
I love the festive atmosphere of a German celebration.
‘Big,’ ‘bold,’ only just begin to describe taste of a Lewis wine
Big, bold and concentrated just begin to describe what’s in store when a Lewis Wine meets the palate.
Small plates, big pours and big news at Flemings
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar is an unforgettable night of fun and flavor in a palatial setting where the culinary good life is toasted nightly.
Judging the first-ever San Diego wine competition
When I got the call to be a judge for the first-ever commercial wine competition at the San Diego County Fair, it made me stop and think about just how far the quality of San Diego wines had come that the district could take its place as a formidable wine country.
Wine is right ingredient for successful fundraising
Community organizations large and small can be grateful for the powerful draw that wine can be, to raise funds for their activities to help the needy.
Thornton unveils champagne jazz with an energized Mindi Abair
If I likened the kickoff Mindi Abair concert at the beautiful outdoor Thornton Winery in Temecula to wine, my quote would be: “I came expecting Merlot and got Zinfandel!” Mindi, the ever-seductive charmer with her cooing smooth jazz and tenor sax notes, this time came with two legendary rockers from the 1980s, Jeff Golub who […]
Chicago-style wine & food launches in San Diego
A twin launch recently resonated with San Diego diners when Davanti Enoteca and Mia Francesca opened side by side in an upscale food court in the Del Mar Highlands Center, next to the renovated movie theater.
Temecula Wineries open their hearts to troops
The wineries and the community of Temecula are opening up their hearts and wallets to Marine Corporal Juan Dominguez who chose Temecula to be his home after suffering a triple amputation of both legs and an arm in combat in Afghanistan. The goal is to build a “smart home” with state-of-the-art features to allow him […]
Italian wines have had a checkered life in the U.S.
Italian wines have had a checkered life here in the U.S. For a time, led by Chianti with its Sangiovese, the grape of origin in Tuscany, it seemed it was on every table either California grown and bottled, or brought over by an army of Italian makers, who sensed they could fill the jugs with […]
