May 22, 2012

Tastes, Tapas and a Whole Lot of Fun – By Johanna Lack

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I haven’t been on Facebook for a while, but there are always some pages that need to be checked out to make sure I didn’t miss anything.  Middle Ridge Winery is one of these must-read pages because owners Chris and Melody Johnston always have something fun going on.  So when they posted their Tapas With Chris & Wine Club Release Party, this … [Read more...]

Middle Ridge, Black Market Host Beer vs. Wine Throwdown

Winemaker Chris Johnston (left) and brewmaster Andrew Marshall. (courtesy photo)

Call it a taste off, smack down, or plain old fashioned throwdown. Whatever the description, Chris Johnston and Andrew Marshall will host a Beer vs. Wine Challenge at the Taste of Temecula Valley event in front of the Civic Center in Old Town Temecula on April 30th from 4 to 10 p.m. Johnston (winemaker for Middle Ridge Winery) and Marshall (owner … [Read more...]

Woodworth Vineyards’ Pinot Noir Among World’s Best

Woodworth Vineyard's 2008 Pinot Noir. (Photo courtesy of Woodowrth Vineyards)

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPQX9nVZYfI When you think of wine regions producing great Pinot Noir, the Sonoma coast, Russian River, Santa Barbara, and the Willamette Valley typically come to mind. You now can add the Temecula Valley to that list. One of the biggest surprises of the 9th annual Pinot Noir Shootout is Woodworth Vineyards, a … [Read more...]

Wine Pick of the Week – Middle Ridge Winery 2008 Cinsault

Middle Ridge 2008 Cinsault - Photo by Trasier Schuyler

I got a call from Trasier the other day and he asked me if I had time to meet him in Old Town Temecula at The Collective. He told me that Chris and Melody Johnston of Middle Ridge Winery were going to show off their new release - a 2008 Cinsault. Before getting to the Cinsault, we tasted several other wines from Middle Ridge: a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon … [Read more...]

Middle Ridge Winery 2006 Meritage

Middle Ridge Winery 2006 Meritage

Before you open a bottle of Middle Ridge wine, read the back label. There is always an interesting story in the from of a conversation to introduce you to the wine that  you are about to enjoy. This weeks pick is the 2006 Middle Ridge  Meritage a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is mostly Merlot which accounts for the mellowness … [Read more...]

Temecula Wine Lovers Meet Up at The Collective

Temecula Wine Lovers Meet Up at The Collective

Last Friday approximately 30 members of the Meetup.com group Temecula Wine Lovers got together at The Collective in Old Town Temecula. The soggy weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of this group, and everyone appeared to have a great time. Quite a few members hit the Old Town wine scene after the event with a few edging over to the Wine Company … [Read more...]

The Collective

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Friday night, after a long week, Steve, my husband, and I went out to eat. Dinner was delicious, the wine was good, but the night wasn’t long enough. I’d heard of a new place in Old Town Temecula called The Collective. Other than the name I knew nothing about it. I always want to try new places, so off we went. The Collective is a wine lounge for … [Read more...]