|
|
HappyValentine'sDay! |
CAKE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
2008 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE YEAR
people will
stare
Knock us over with a feather! CAKE's 1st Annual Photography contest's reached the finish line, the votes have been counted, the hanging chads have been scrutinized and we couldn't have been more surprised by the results! Every one of the contending 2008 Photographs Of The Month was a first among equals, but with the subject of Wedding photography reputedly being front & center, we were bowled over by our readers' favorites: one was an engagement session, one was an anniversary session, one was an inked Groom and - with the inclusion of an Honorable Mention category - there was only one Bride in the lot! Nonetheless, to a shooter, the winners' work was awe-inspiring, they all rock and congratulations are in order!
For your viewing pleasure, we present the winners of CAKE's Photograph Of The Year 2008.
warning: please view
responsibly.
these aren't your mother's photography contest winners!
shadowcatcherimagery
heather for shadowcatcher
imagery
hulse
photography
justin hulse
yankee caulfield photography
jennifer caulfield
The tally of votes for the top four photographs was so close,
we felt we had no choice but to add an HONORABLE MENTION category:
mandala
weddings
braja mandala
Awards for the CAKE Photography Contest 2008
were chosen from CAKE's "Most Expensive Wines In Wine Country"
article.
Based on availability, they are:
1st Place - Briar Rose Winery. 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. ($68).
2nd Place - South Coast Winery. 2005 Wild Horse Peak Syrah. ($44).
3rd Place - Wiens Family Cellars. 2006 Reserve Primitivo. ($39).
Honorable Mention - Wilson Creek Winery. 2005 Estate Zinfandel. ($34).
[Editor's Note: Once the Contest winners were chosen by our readers, we approached the wineries to purchase the prizes, explaining that their wines were being awarded to some of the most notable photographers in the region. We were speechless (CAKE speechless?) when the wineries volunteered to donate their wines! We urge all CAKE readers to visit these wineries and indulge in their delightful creations.]
Contest winners can claim their prize by presenting their business card at:
Old Town Temecula
42072 Fifth Street #103
Temecula, California 92590
951 694 0327
info@marrymelounge.com
Photographers are invited to e-mail
out-of-the-ordinary
Wedding photographs for CAKE's Photograph Of The Month to:
CAKE
"people will stare" photograph courtesy of shadowcatcher imagery
CAKE. Wine Country Wedding Newsletter. Temecula Valley & Fallbrook California
|
|
|
[» WINE LABEL OF THE MONTH «]
big red table
south coast winery
A funny thing happened on the way to the tasting. The power went out! The evening we sat down to taste the monthly wine, our house went dark as night. Literally. South Coast Winery winemakers John McPherson & Javier Flores claim Big Red Table was blended to be big and lush, but blowing the circuits?! We're not complaining, mind you. We paused the tasting, flashlighted our way to one of our out-buildings, retrieved our candle stash and resumed tasting in the golden glow of candlelight, curled up in front of a late-winter fire.
When we first opened the bottle, we didn't detect a lot on the nose, but the initial sip coated our tongues with thick layers of black cherry, bringing a smile to bear. We also relished a hint of almond, along with a whisper of sweet prune. There are enough tannins to make things interesting and although the fruit moves to the forefront, it does so in a sophisticated fashion.
Messieurs McPherson's and Flores' stated M.O. is to "Let the grapes speak. We simply listen and then nurture the process." In the case of the award-winning Big Red Table, the talking's being done by 80% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet.
We enjoyed the wine with bowls of our annual post-Christmas turkey soup - an ideal complement to each other - and when finished, we reread the Winemakers' notes which caused us to chuckle because we'd all come to the same conclusion: Very Drinkable! Its ready now, enjoy it now, and prepare yourself for an additional treat - wait'll you see the cork!
South
Coast Winery
&
Barons
Market
31939 Rancho California
Temecula Valley Wine Country
$14. 13.8%
get
your motor runnin'
head out on the
highway!
royal elegance limousines
[» HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE «]
|
|
BRIDAL FAIRE SEASON Lounging leisurely in the SoCal climate of the Golden State, Temecula Valley Wine Country's Wedding Season stretches out for the better part of the year, with February signaling winter coming to a screeching halt. At which point, like swallows returning to Capistrano, the early-spring Bridal Shows come around again to dot the landscape. |
The Valley has no shortage of skilled Wedding vendors who's stock in trade is putting on a good show. (think: Weddings). Impressively instructive, Bridal Faires feature venues, photographers, videographers, florists, DJs, Officiants and cake designers - to name a few - all shedding light on planning the Special Day.
The weekend shows handily beat the alternative of sitting home on the couch watching The Game. (Grooms, you didn't hear this from us!). And so - with or without Mr. Tall, Dark & Handsome in tow - Brides are urged to round up their girls and turn out in force. Immerse all your senses in all-things Weddings: smell the flowers, taste the cake - and wine!- feast your eyes on the photographs & fashion shows and - at all costs - celebrate your right to suffer spring fever!
Current Wine Country Bridal Faires:
SOUTH COAST WINERY
January 18
www.wineresort.com
GRAND TRADITION
January 25
www.grandtradition.com
PONTE WINERY
February 22
www.pontewinery.com
Menifee Lakes Country Club
February 28
www.menifee-lakes.com
Marry Me Lounge
@
Temecula Creek Inn
March 14
www.marrymelounge.com
www.temeculacreekinn.com
Pechanga Resort & Casino
March 15
www.pechanga.com
|
VIP EVENTS In the waning days of 2008, we had the pleasure of venturing to Canyon Lake to attend the Grand Opening of VIP Events. Hosted by John Rodriquez (of Good Time Entertainment), along with wife - Wendy - their shop serves to provide the sine qua non for just about any special event. |
|
Weddings? VIP Events has you covered. Corporate parties? They've got your back. DJ's, Masters of Ceremony, invitations, tuxedos, photography . . . you get the picture.
VIP Events displays - without charge - Wedding vendors' business cards and brochures, the thought being that with all-those-involved referring each others services, all will benefit.
We whiled away the evening rendezvousing with new friends Diane & Gino Simones of Neighbors Newspaper. This creative couple's throwing themselves head first into the Wine Country Wedding scene and we'll all be the better for it. Old friend Randy Green, photographer for RK Green Studios, was the designated shooter that evening. Plus, we hung out with RKG's model-of-choice, Karolin Di Cristina, owner of Belle Mariée Bridal & Tuxedo shop. Su-Lin Sutherland, Wilson Creek Winery's notable Wedding coordinator was there, as was independent coordinator Barb Langdon of Panache Events. Barb had her daughter in tow and informed us the young lady is about to be married in Wine Country.
We also spotted Andrea of Andrea's Wedding Photos (VIP Event's resident photographer), Wedding coordinators Alison deJong & Crystal Marshall of Temecula Creek Inn, and Carol Carlson of De Luz' Enchanted Forest venue.
We urge all Brides to visit VIP Events to learn more about the venues & vendors available in Wine Country.
VIP EVENTS
31580 Railroad Canyon Road
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 8769
john@myvipevent.com
wendy@myvipevent.com
www.myvipenent.com
mae photography
|
|
We were pleased to hear from Riverside's gorgeous Wedding site (among other things) - the Mission Inn - sharing news of the Association of Bridal Consultant's presentation of Wedding Coordinator luminary, Mary Dann. |
| The event is on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, with
the cocktail hour kicking off at 6:00, followed by Ms. Dann's
program at 7:00, with dinner afterward.
R.S.V.P to Denise at denise@soundskilz.com. |
|
BILL WILSON
WILSON CREEK WINERY
ELECTED PRESIDENT
TEMECULA VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
Bill Wilson, one of the family owners of Wilson Creek Vineyard & Winery, was elected President of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association for 2009. Joining Mr. Wilson on the Association's Board of Directors are: Steve Andrews of Oak Mountain Winery, David Bradley of Vindemia Vineyards, Jim Carter of South Coast Winery, Ben Drake of Drake Enterprises, Denis Ferguson of Europe Village, Mike Rennie of Leonesse Cellars, Marshall Stuart of Stuart Cellars, and Jeff Wiens of Wiens Family Cellars. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Associations represents 65 wineries and growers.
[Editor's Note:
The current edition of the TVWA's newsletter - Vine Times -
is chock-full of interesting Wine Country news tidbits.
Visit the TVWA website below for a copy].
|
|
Temecula Valley Winegrowers
Association |
[» IN FURTHER WINE COUNTRY NEWS «]
gentry studio
jann gentry
Lunching Large
Having Our CAKE & Eating It Too
We recently spent a more-than-pleasant afternoon lunching at Ponte Winery's Smokehouse restaurant with Diane & Gino Simones of Neighbors Newspaper. Diane is Neighbors' Publisher, while Gino serves as a Contributing Editor. If you've been within tasting distance of Wine Country, you've had a brush with one of Neighbors' 20,000 monthly copies on display at your favorite wineries.
But enough of this press stuff, let's talk food of the gods - lunch courtesy of Chef Steve Stawinski! Served by our amicable server, just-graduated-from-college-the-day-before, Derek Van Gompel, the creature comforts consisted of delightful platters of grilled oysters on the half shell, a locally grown baby spinach salad, and a scrumptious bowl of winter chili. (Here we go again with the OMG!)
We were introduced to Diane & Gino by networker of note - photographer Jake Ashcraft of Ashcraft Photography - with the thought that partnering between Neighbors Newspaper and CAKE might prove beneficial to promoting Wine Country, in general, and Wine Country Weddings, specifically. Do yourself a favor by picking up a copy of Neighbors Newspaper and bone up on their columns such as Wine Country, Health & Wellness, and the all-new Wine Country Weddings.
Neighbors Newspaper
31566 Railroad Canyon Road #575
Canyon Lake California 92587
951 244 7025
info@neighborsnewspaper.com
www.neighborsnewspaper.com
You Say Its Your Birthday, Its Our
Birthday Too, Yeah!
(Not really, but Allie's
is celebrating turning 1-year-old)
ALLIE'S TAPAS AU VÍN
Our paths have been crossing & re-crossing with Chef Steve Hamlin, his lovely wife, Allie, and Allie's sister - equally lovely - Rachel Mason, since back when the world was young and Chef Steve served as the Executive Chef for Pala Mesa Resort. Put it on your to-do list to make a pilgrimage to Steve, Allie & Rachel's latest endeavor - birthday baby, Allie's Tapas au Vín. The ambience is European cozy, the wine list is the wine list you've always dreamed of, and the tapas - OMG! - these are tapas with a capital "T!"
ALLIE'S TAPAS AU VÍN
41653 Margarita Road
Temecula, California 92591
951 695 8620
steve@alliestapas.com
www.alliestapas.com
Something Blue Magazine
Guided by Wedding world veteran, Laura Mitchell, Something Blue magazine is entering its 5th year of publication. Promoting Inland Empire nuptials, Something Blue's mantra for the area is "Its Affordable!" In addition, this part of California is unique with a countryside that's beautiful, an accommodating climate, let alone that the region's populated by some of the top Wedding professionals in Southern California. To the point, the Inland Empire's a testimonial to itself.
Something Blue Magazine
Laura Mitchell Media
P.O. Box 2234
Fallbrook, California 92088
760 945 8786
info@somethingbluemag.net
www.somethingblue.net
ashcraft photography
leonesse cellars
[» AND FINALLY «]
As of late, there's been a spate of networking among Wedding professionals in Wine Country. It began in November with the Grand Opening of the Marry Me Lounge, followed by the Grand Opening of VIP Events. Next up was Sweet Flowers' annual Christmas party, and then the opening of Once Upon A Wedding's new Temecula facility.
We had a chance to catch our collective breath through January, with only a jaunt to Mary Dann's presentation for the Inland Empire ABC at the Mission Inn, but are right back into it on February 2nd for Wolf Creek Bakery's Grand Opening, followed by the launch of the Temecula Valley Wedding Association at Keyways Winery on February 3rd.
The beauty of these events is the hosts pointedly wine & dine us! Oh yeah, and all that Wedding stuff. Seriously, read on:
[Editor's note: Wolf Creek's Grand Opening took place the night before the February edition of CAKE went online. It was definitely a "Be-There-Or-Be-Square" event, with 125 representatives present from wineries, Wedding vendors, the Visitors Bureau, the Winegrowers Association and Old Town. Publications present included Neighbors Newspaper (organizer of the gathering), Premier Bride and Something Blue. And CAKE. It was an evening to see & be seen! In the March edition, look for who we saw].
At 6:00 on the evening of Monday, February 2, 2009, Wedding Professionals from near & far are invited to descend on Temecula's newly-opened Wolf Creek Gourmet Bakery & Grille to meet cake-bake extraordinaire: Marty Colleary. Newly arrived from The OC, Mr. Colleary is now working his pastry magic for Wine Country Brides and invites all to drop by to wine, wolf, and work your way through examples of his divine creations.
Regardless of the address below on Temecula Parkway (formerly Highway 79 South), locals will know the location as being in the "Staples center," near Starbucks. You can't miss Wolf Creek's giant black & white Grand Opening sign. See you there!
Wolf Creek Bakery & Grille
32240 Temecula Parkway
Temecula, California 92592
951 491 0600
6:00 seems to be the Children's Hour for Wine Country wedding wonks, so plan on traveling at the appointed hour - on Tuesday, February 3rd - to Keyways Winery on De Portola Road for the introductory meeting of the Temecula Valley Wedding Professionals.
Joining the Association on the evening in question drops the dues toll by 50% - from $200 to $100. A dollar well-spent!
[This brings back aloha memories of a time when CAKE served at the pleasure of the Maui Wedding Association. We members pooled our dues and took out a small ad in a brand new magazine - Martha Stewart Weddings - the result being, Maui ended up totally creaming Oahu - long Hawaii's category-killer in Weddings. Sounds like a plan for Wine Country!].
RSVP:
Annette Nielsen
annette@eventsbyannette.com
951 506 1135
Keyways Winery
37338 De Portola Road
Temecula, California
WEDDING
VENUES & VENDORS
Temecula Valley Wine Country
and Fallbrook area
|
|
CAKE's been involved with Weddings for a number of years and quizzing Brides about planning for their Special Day never fails to raise a smile. When asked if they're deciding on their venue first, so as to have a place to be married? "Eventually." Choosing a photographer before the better ones are booked? "Ultimately." What about the Wedding dress? "No doubt! I ordered it the day my fiancé proposed!" |
All wineries and vendors have high hopes their businesses come to mind first for Brides, but - au contraire - give it up for the Bridal Gown!
Murrieta's Bridal salon - Belle Mariée ("Beautiful Bride") - deals with this realization on a daily basis, priding themselves not only on their single-mindedness in making certain your needs are met in the unhurried surroundings of their shop, but in their genuine care about your Special Day. The boutique offers an enjoyable, relaxed environment for you to view designer gowns. In addition, they present Bridal shoes, bridesmaids' dresses and tuxedos for the gentlemen. And invitations. And more.
Owners Karolin DiCristina & Michelle Brewer's objective is to have you walk out of Belle Mariée with the radiant look on the outside that you feel on the inside. Isn't this every Bride's dream?
|
A hallmark in the Temecula Valley Wine Country - in both substance and style - Villa de Amore counts as one of Southern California's premier Wedding venues. Villa de Amore's lady of the manor - Eileen Rivard - spent years researching Wedding venues, exploring her personal vision of elegance. Drawing on these studies, she proceeded to design an elegant, romantic Mediterranean estate complete with fountains, vineyards, Spanish tiles and formal rose gardens where guests can stroll, mingle and relax. |
|
Fixated on providing a special day for special Brides, Villa de Amore furnishes a private Bridal Suite, a Groom's Room, refreshments for the Wedding party and a Wedding Coordinator for the Ceremony and rehearsal.
We wax philosophical about such a place because this attention to detail is more valued today than ever. When the Bride, Groom, Wedding party and family arrive at the appointed hour for the Ceremony, they need to be able to think no further such thoughts as, "I need to . . ." This is the point a professional Wedding staff takes over. When all is said and done, this is the point you've driven through the gates at Villa de Amore.
info@villadeamore.com
www.villadeamore.com
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising opportunities are available on CAKE and in the Wine Country Weddings section of Neighbors Newspaper.
Wine Country Weddings features Wedding articles & photographs slanted toward Brides, guiding them through the maze of planning their Special Day, all the while touting the benefits of being wed in Wine Country!
Wine Country Weddings offers display ads and Directory listings. NeighborsNewspaper.com mirrors the Directory listings, while CAKE features banner ads. Online placements on CAKE and NeighborsNewspaper.com include a link to advertisers' websites.
Display ads and Directory listings in Wine Country Weddings will be read by Neighbors Newspaper's 240,000 annual readers. Banner ads on CAKE will be seen by subscribers throughout Southern California.
For further information, please contact:
Neighbors Newspaper
31566 Railroad Canyon Road #575
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 7025
info@neighborsnewspaper.com
www.neighborsnewspaper.com
VENUES & VENDORS:
CAKE publishes the first of each
month.
Depending on space, we will gladly publish noteworthy news
if the details are
received by the 25th of the month preceding your event.
Please e-mail your PR to:
CAKE
CAKE is the Wedding newsletter
of the
Temecula Valley wine country /
Fallbrook area
2 Inform. 2 Entertain.
|[caution: please read responsibly. CAKE is not your mother's wedding newsletter!]|
If
you experience a problem seeing CAKE text or photographs,
please visit the site directly by clicking:
www.cakenewsletter.com
If CAKE has been forwarded
to you, please click "contact" to request your own copy.
And tell a
friend!
To cancel your subscription to CAKE, click "contact" and enter "unsubscribe."
© 2007-2010 CAKE
cartwright
& cartwright
All rights reserved
