MAY 2009
|
|
Burning Down The House We curled up in front of the TiVo the other night to watch our main man Tony's show. (Not the sorely-missed Tony Soprano, but the equally-loved Chef Tony Bourdain - "No Reservations" - on the Travel Channel. They both kill!). [Editor's note: As with Tony Soprano, Anthony Bourdain clocks in at about PG-30, so you might want to trundle off to bed any youngsters with as-yet undefiled ears]. |
We punched the remote, only to get the dreaded message: "Your Batteries Are Low!" Our batteries are low? Where the devil are we going to get batteries this time of night?! We scrounged through our battery stash, but "one of us" had failed to restock it.
But wait! The remote uses the same batteries as the smoke alarm. Yep, you read that right. We cannibalized the smoke alarm, put our house on fire alert and proceeded to enjoy Chef Tony's show. Are we totally embarrassed? Without a doubt. You wouldn't have done the same thing? Yeah, right. Like we're so out of line!
CAKE. Wine Country Wedding Newsletter. Temecula Valley & Fallbrook, California
|
|
|
people will
stare
[» PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONTH «]
warning: please view responsibly!
this isn't your mother's wedding photograph!
mia dolce photography
mae van vooren
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
[» WINE LABEL OF THE MONTH «]
graciela
ponte winery
As the CAKE staff debates each edition's Wine Label Of The Month, the process is admittedly visual and we're lured-in by the attractiveness of the choices in front of us. So for this month's selection? Nothing new here. With a collection of beautiful, creative labels before us, it could've come down to a coin toss. But one wine - and its label - had a story. And we're pushovers for a story. Read on.
This month's Label Of The Month - Graciela - hales from Ponte Winery. Named for proprietor Claudio Ponte's mother - Graciela Ponte - each bottle displays a label featuring the lovely lady as a lass of 19. The portrait was painted by her brother, artist Julio Castillo, in their homeland of Colombia.
Graciela, and her husband of 50-plus years, Luigi Ponte, currently spend the warm months of each year in a small city outside of Venice, Italy and the winter months in San Diego's Little Italy.
Graciela (the wine) is a dry white wine created by Ponte winemaker - Robert Cartwright. 2,000 bottles of the 2007 vintage are to be released shortly, made up of 66% rousanne grapes, 11% marsanne, 10% chardonnay, 10% viognier, 2% muscat cannelli and 1% pinot grigio.
Although the 2007 Graciela isn't yet available, but Mr. Cartwright tells us barrel samples suggest orange blossoms and honeydew melon on the nose, gracing the palate with a long finish of lychees and more melon. The winemaker suggests pairing the wine with a summer salad or rosemary chicken.
Ponte
Family Estate Winery
35053 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
951 694 9444
www.pontewinery.com
$22 13.3%
[» HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE «]
get your
motor running, head out on the highway!
royal
elegance limousines
Oh, What A Night!
ponte wedding arbor
photo by CAKE
|
|
Take a deep breath! In early April we ventured to Ponte Winery - where the elite meet to greet - with 100 fellow members of the Temecula Valley Wedding Professionals. The evening was one of those visions you simply had to see with your own eyes. Local florists donated their talents to decorate Ponte's Wedding Arbor, Pavilion (the reception tent), Barrel Room and the Winery's new Reserve Room. Contributing florists were Sweet Flowers and Murrieta Flower Girl. |
But before trying to make further sense of the spectacle we saw that evening, we have to give it up for lighting-guy-superb - Stephen Clayton of Soundskilz Entertainment. Before the curtain rose, Steve invested 12 hours (!) hanging the lighting for the event. Although each venue was adorned exquisitely, for the record, the table setting, florals, Wedding cake and lighting in the Barrel Room were in a class of their own! We visited the Barrel Room several times throughout the evening and each time had to wade through platoons of cameras photographing the scene. |
stephen clayton karon cartwright
annette nielsen
photographs by CAKE
The evening was hosted by Karon Cartwright, Ponte's Director of Food & Beverage. (Which includes the Wedding Department). Representing the TVWP were Annette Nielsen, of Keyways Winery, and Charlene Keys, of Premier Bride magazine.
Ponte's Smokehouse Restaurant served a banquet of over-the-top hors d'oeuvres. In the Italian, hors d'oeuvres translates as hors: "To" d'oeuvres: "Die For!" This was ambitious finger food!
| Justin Hulse, of Hulse Photography, was the evening's designated shooter. We spotted Randy Green & Melissa Jewel, of RK Green Studios and Karolin Di Cristina, of Belle Mariée Bridal Salon. Pala Mesa Resort's entourage was in tow, including Kat Jackson, Kendra Koenig and Kevin Poorbough. We were thrilled to see three of our favorite Wedding people, Falkner Winery's Eva Andrushko and DJ Victor & Deborah Cannon of Can-Do Productions. Mark Jackson, of Sweet Flowers was in the Reserve Room being impish (giving him the benefit of the doubt), which, fortunately, was made up for by his talented wife-the-floral-designer, Janelle. We spent some hang time with Cary Pennington, of Cary Pennington Photography, who shared a disc of photos featured throughout this edition of the newsletter. We enjoyed chatting it up with videographers Ken Bennett, of Video Adventures and John Goolsby, of WeddingVideo.com, and reconnecting with Pala Casino's Lorraine Kellam, who we hadn't seen since our mutual Pala Mesa Resort days. |
|
We also bumped into Carol Carlson, of Fallbrook's Enchanted Forest Weddings, Braja Mandala, of Mandala Weddings (one of CAKE's 2008 Photography Contest winners) and Joni Keller of I Do Makeovers.
ponte winery barrel room
photo by CAKE
[» IN FURTHER WINE COUNTRY NEWS «]
|
|
THORNTON
WINERY'S WINEMAKER Orfila Vineyards & Winery, located in the beautiful countryside of the San Pasqual Valley, approximately halfway between San Diego and the Temecula Valley Wine Country, has added winemaker Don Reha to their team. Mr. Reha succeeds winemaker Leon Santoro, who passed away earlier in the year. |
Mr. Reha intends to continue Santoro's production of Rhône and Italian-style wines. He mentions that although his winemaking style is slightly different, he plans for his way-with-wine to enhance Orifila's existing style.
Linda Kissam, Media Relations Director for Orfila Winery, shares the winery's enthusiasm over having Reha making wine at the Winery. "We look forward to having Don producing premium wines, as he continues to develop and enhance Orfila's offerings."
As reported in the North County Times, Mr. Reha, who has been the winemaker at Thornton Winery for the past six years, will now be overseeing winemaking at both wineries.
Media Director, Kissam, concludes with "we foresee Don having a hand in making stellar wines on this beautiful estate."
ORFILA VINEYARDS
13455 San Pasqual Road
Escondido California 92025
760 738 6500
www.orfila.com
Media Relations
Linda Kissam
lindakissam@aol.com
ROCK CREEK GARDENS
presents
The Grooms Fair
May 31, 2009
Sunday from 10-4
The one, the only, the show for men! This
admission-free Grooms Fair presents the essentials
for gentlemen participating in Weddings: tuxedos, entertainment, limousines, bachelor parties and golf
packages.
Rock Creek Gardens
37000 Buck Road
Temecula, California
951 694 3541
bookings@temecularockcreekgardens.net
www.rockcreekgardens.net
[» AND FINALLY «]
|
We're sad to report one of our dearest friends in the Wine Country wedding world - Suzanne Tyler of Ponte Winery - is ill and currently on medical leave. Suzanne, the consummate Southern Lady, has touched the lives of every Bride, Groom and Wedding vendor associated with Ponte Weddings. With her soft southern drawl and personality to match, Ms. Tyler has been a large reason so many of us look forward to returning again and again to Ponte. |
|
Suzanne's is a fascinating tale, involving being an escapee of Hurricane Katrina. Along with her twin sister, Liz, her brother, Ty, her mother, Ruth, and close friend, Tori Bailey, Suzanne and her family left New Orleans following the 2005 storm and settled in Murrieta. The family (who move together, work together and live together as a package-deal) initially landed at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook, where Suzanne served as the Resort's Wedding Coordinator. 2 years ago, they gravitated with Karon Cartwright to Ponte Winery.
Suzanne became Ponte's lead Wedding Coordinator, Liz heads sales for the Winery's Special Events and Ty is the Assistant Manager of Ponte's Tasting Room. With Suzanne currently recuperating at home, Tori is taking on Suzanne's Weddings, assisting Coordinator, Caren Perez, another Pala Mesa alumni.
CAKE wishes our friend a speedy recovery.
VENUES & VENDORS:
If you have Wedding & Wine Country-related
news you'd like to share,
please contact:
CAKE
cary pennington photography
WEDDING
VENUES & VENDORS
Temecula Valley Wine Country
and Fallbrook area
|
|
MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB One of the marvelous virtues of Weddings in Wine Country and its surrounding areas is the scope of the Wedding venues. A perfect case in point is Menifee Lakes Country Club. The venue is about as far out into the Southern California countryside as a Bride could wish - with the attendant sense of privacy - |
|
and yet its a freeway-close, sophisticated resort setting one would expect from a first-class country club. The spectacular beauty of the landscape is bounded by a backdrop of the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains, presenting a tapestry of natural beauty and elegance. Wedding Coordinator Christa Davidson will help you create an all-embracing Special Day, the Wedding you've always dreamed of. |
|
The Country Club specializes in rehearsal dinners for the Wedding party, champagne Bridal Showers for the Bride and her bridesmaids, and golf outings for the Groom and his groomsmen. Menifee Lakes strives their utmost to make your dreams come true, producing an event your guests will never forget. Ever!
MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB
Menifee, California 92584
951 672 4824
cdavidson@menifee-lakes.com
www.menifee-lakes.com
bosom buddies
cary pennington photography
|
|
ONCE UPON A WEDDING Some girls have all the luck! Case in point: Marie Fowler of Once Upon A Wedding. Specifically, the title of her business. There are Wedding vendors in Wine Country who would kill to have landed that handle. As a caterer in the Temecula Valley Wedding scene, Marie Fowler's reputation precedes her . There seems to have never been a time when Marie (& husband, Jim) wasn't here, there seems to be no one in the local Wedding scene Marie doesn't know. |
|
Of Once Upon A Weddings many talents, they're gifted in creating themed Weddings. A Wedding at a Tuscany Winery? A setting in Paris? Whisk you away to the tropics? If you can imagine it, they can create it. There are any number of reasons to choose your caterer. The most obvious is the taste of the food. But also keep in mind how the cuisine is displayed. When it comes to the moment your guests lay eyes on the evening's fare, first impressions are a powerful consideration. |
|
Other criteria to keep in mind are references. When you tell your cake designer, florist or photographer you're considering a certain caterer, do they respond "Alright!?" If so, you've found your (wo)man.
And perhaps most important of all, does the caterer you're considering have extensive experience with Weddings? Weddings and their receptions are quite another matter entirely. Wedding photography, Wedding florals, and especially Wedding catering - all of it - are altogether different. So again, check & double-check the Wedding credentials of the caterer you're considering.
With 25 years catering experience, this Wine Country cuisinière is at your service. Your family, friends & guests will be in your debt as they devour the savory culinary presentations of Once Upon A Wedding.
ONCE UPON A WEDDING
Temecula, California
951 301 0041
info@onceuponawedding.com
www.onceuponawedding.com
[» BLOGOSPHERE «]
CAKE is proud to strafe the blogosphere on the wings of the following blogs:
[» ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES «]
Wedding businesses are encouraged to take advantage of advertising opportunities offered on CAKE Wedding Newsletter and in Neighbors Newspaper. Banner ads are available on CAKE, while display ads and directory listings are offered in the Wine Country Weddings section of Neighbors Newspaper. For further information, please contact:
Neighbors Newspaper
31566 Railroad Canyon Road #2-575
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 7025
info@neighborsnewspaper.com
www.neighborsnewspaper.com
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.cakeweddingnewsletter.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."
© 2007-2009 CAKE
cartwright & cartwright
All rights reserved
