AUGUST 2009
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BRIDES WITH BIG TATS Call them skin deep works of art. Call them cultural statements. Call them fashion accessories. (Your parents may call them "None of the above!," but who listens to them anyway?). Many of today's Brides - and their Bridesmaids - are making their mark to distinguish themselves from others. Some tattoo's are elaborate, while some have only the tiniest amounts of ink. This well-spring of creativity is all about using the body to communicate one's identity for the rest of the world to see.
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In the hard-pill-to-swallow domain, we recently learned of a Bride and her Bridesmaids who were told to cover their tattoos before the Ceremony would begin. These attitudes freak us out. We tend to cock an eyebrow when the finger-waggers display such contrived indignation. Our take on the subject is if its giving The Scolds a wedgie, ink can't be all that bad! |
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Correct us if we're wrong, but this rush to judgment misses the more relevant point that every generation undergoes its own rites of passage. From generation to generation, change is the only constant and in our case - with our bell bottoms and long hair - we were stickin' it to the man! So by being a killjoy trying to spoil the party of today's tattooed youth, older generations dent their own credibility. Fault-finders should get into their heads the Millennial Generation's home page dwells at double-you, double-you, double-you, who-gives-a-damn.com. Jimmy cracked corn and we don't care! |
| History, in all its wisdom, will record that the decision to display ink - or not display ink - on her Wedding day is a judgment best left to the Bride. Her tattoos are just as much a part of her as is her eye color and she has every right to show them as she wishes. Standing out from the crowd has become an art form, bonding like-minded individuals in expressions of solidarity. And if there's one day in which a girl wants to - and should - stand out, it's on her Wedding Day. |
CAKE Says: Its your Wedding Day! (May we underscore YOUR?!). Here's to all of our beautiful Brides and their wonderful works of art!
[EDITOR'S NOTE: with special thanks to Lauren-Michele Seals]
CAKE. Wine Country Wedding Newsletter. Temecula Valley & Fallbrook, California
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ON PHOTOGRAPHY
"The photographer is not simply the person who records the past, but the one who invents it."
Susan Sontag. Essayist. 1933-2004.
people will
stare
[» PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONTH «]
warning: please view responsibly!
this isn't your mother's wedding photograph!
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 «]
big ass chard
We played hooky on a recent Monday afternoon, venturing to Dana Point Harbor to rendezvous with The OC division of the CAKE Clan - Jan & Paul L'Esperance of Laguna Beach. These two have been way-serious wine aficionados for years, with wine country sweeps including sojourns to Temecula Valley, Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and the wine districts of Italy and Germany. We've been wine tasting with them since our youth, when financing a love for the grape involved smoke, mirrors and credit cards. In addition to the camaraderie, they share our eye for art-of-the bottle, copping to selecting wines based on an eye-catching label.
Our lunch that afternoon consisted of oysters, oysters, a few mussels & clams thrown in for good measure, and more oysters. We washed the shell fish down with a hearty chardonnay, although - comically - it wasn't the one we ordered. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and trust your waiter to have a sixth sense about what you should have ordered. In any case, it made for a good giggle.
Our OC compadres brought a novel wine for us to review - Big Ass Chard. We carted it home and, while it was chilling, Bing-ed the vintage on the Internet. To quote Big Ass Winery's website: "It’s okay to call this wine fat! The nose and palate of our Big Ass Chard features toasty oak characters. The wine is rich in flavor, with a slight mineral character. The palate is soft and round with a lingering finish. The wine was partially oak-barrel-fermented for added richness and depth."
The CAKE Take? Let's get this party started! We, admittedly, went out on lamb limb with our pairing. Its August in Wine Country, the temp's closing in on 90° and like it or not, we're BBQ-ing our dinner and chilling our wine. We dropped the lamb chops into a marinade of merlot, Dijon, salt, pepper and garlic. The healthy portion of the meal was sweet summer corn and heirloom tomatoes smothered in home-grown basil and garlic chives. OMG!
With our noses planted firmly in Reidel chardonnay glasses, the wine smelled toasty with a suggestion of butterscotch and oak. Several reflective sips unveiled a series of textures moreso than specific flavors - soft, buttery, full, round. Beyond this, there was a complementary sweetness on the boundaries. As for pairings, an invitation to Gorgonzola cheese or briny oysters came to mind.
On the evidence, we have to give BA their due. This is full-tilt wine. The diet du jour can wait, we want second helpings of Big Ass Chard!
$15 13.5%
BIG ASS
WINERY
Santa Rosa, California
707 569 1493
info@adlerfels.com
www.bigasswinery.com
[» THIS JUST IN «]
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FIRE AT VIP EVENTS We're sad to report that on July 17th a fire destroyed the showroom of VIP Events in Canyon Lake. Owned by John & Wendy Rodriquez, the business was well-known for their generosity in using the shop to promote Wedding vendors of all stripes. |
The Wedding industry in this region is a tightly-knit lot - a family - and having such a distressing event happen to this company of co-workers hits close to home, affecting all of us involved with local Weddings.
John is well-known throughout Wine Country as traveling at the level of a highly-professional DJ. As a couple, he & Wendy are the kind of people we all look forward to spending time with at Bridal Shows and other Wedding industry get togethers. Such a gathering took place in December 2008, when we ventured to VIP Events to celebrate the Grand Opening of their new business. Considering how congenial this couple is, as might be expected, there were dozens of Wedding vendors in attendance that evening to join with John & Wendy in celebrating the launch of their new business. [CAKE Archives. VIP Events. February 2009].
As of this writing in mid-July 2009, VIP Events is looking for affordable office furniture to use in opening a new shop in the Canyon Lake Towne Center. If any fellow Wedding vendors can be of help, John & Wendy can be reached through the contact information below. Further information about the fire can be found on the North County Times' website at:
VIP EVENTS
31580 Railroad Canyon Road
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 8769
john@myvipevent.com
wendy@myvipevent.com
www.myvipenent.com
[»
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
«]
get your motor running,
head out
on the highway!
royal
elegance limousines
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PONTE WINERY'S Its with mixed emotions we learned of Ponte Winery's plans to replace their Vineyard Pavilion. (The "Reception Tent" to those of us who've worked there during Weddings). Over the past 6 years, Ponte's iconic reception tent had become a landmark on Rancho California Road. If we were meeting with a Bride & Groom at Ponte, we'd simply say "We'll meet you in front of The Tent." If we wanted to meet a couple at South Coast Winery or Wiens Family Cellars, we'd tell them "We'll meet you at the winery next to Ponte's tent. You can't miss it." Brides have loved the tent, reminiscent of Hollywood movies where Wedding receptions take place in a theatrical white tent on a countryside estate. |
Oh well, all things must pass. Fortunately, as the rendering above reveals, the nouveau arrivé - Vineyard Pavilion: The Sequel - raises the bar for Wine Country Wedding reception venues. Brides, Grooms and Wedding professionals are going to be chomping at the bit to gain entrée into this stunning new reception site.
Ponte Family Estate Winery
35053 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
kcartwright@pontewinery.com
www.pontewinery.com
tattooed wedding rings
shadowcatcherimagery.com
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CALLAWAY WINERY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Callaway Winery is marking a seminal occasion: four decades in Wine Country. In fact, for all practical purposes, Callaway established Temecula Valley Wine Country. As recently reported in the North County Times, Eli Callaway - of Callaway Golf fame - purchased the land and oversaw the initial plantings in 1969. |
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He early-on remarked the enterprise was considered to be a gamble, but was banking on the Winery's proximity to the world's largest wine-drinking market: Southern California.
Wine specialists from UC Davis had earlier determined Temecula Valley boasted a unique weather pattern due to cooling ocean breezes able to make their way inland through the Rainbow Gap. And that this microclimate favored wine grapes.
Fast forward to the present: what was once pasture and farmland, now is home to dozens of wineries playing host to tens of thousands of wine tasting visitors each year. As for Callaway Winery, it was purchased four years ago by the Lin family of Del Mar - businesswoman, Patricia, and her brother, real estate investor, Matthew. Callaway now makes wine from grapes grown at the winery, plus those from an additional vineyard on "The Back Road" - DePortola Road in the Temecula Valley. In an interview with the North County Times, the Lins acknowledged the complexity of running a winery, with its requiring knowledge of agriculture, production and marketing. They also noted they're proud of their wines and are enjoying the wine business.
CALLAWAY WINERY
32720 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92589
951 676 4001
info@callawaywinery.com
www.callawaywinery.com
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ORFILA WINERY Orfila Vineyards & Winery celebrates the annual beginning of harvest with an Old World style Grape Stomp, with resultant appetites whetted by a buffet dinner, |
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of the Winery. All for $85.
Everyone attending is encouraged to participate in the Italian-style grape stomp - complete with a gigantic five-foot barrel - to salute the Harvest, Mother Earth, as well as to tap into one's inner grape. Orfila's hosted The Stomp since 1993, each year being a sell out with 400 guests in attendance. |
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Orfila Media Director, Linda Kissam, describes a common theme in grape stomps in that "Although the event appeals to both men and women, its the women who tend to be more adventurous stomping the grapes." Orfila Winemaker, Don Reha, notes "Orfila's annual Grape Stomp is a part of the Winery's history and I can't wait to enjoy this tradition with our guests this year."
Tickets can be ordered online at orfila.com.
[EDITOR'S
NOTE:
What happens in the vineyards, stays in the vineyards. Observing the Grape Stomp
tradition through green-tinted glasses:
by law, the stomped grapes aren't allowed to be used for human consumption.
Like, revolting!
Orfila recycles the smashed-to-smithereens grapes back into the vineyards as
fertilizer. Very cool ].
Orfila Vineyards & Winery
13455 San Pasqual Road
Escondido, California 92025
760 738 6500
lindakissam@aol.com
www.orfila.com
HOW GREEN IS OUR VALLEY
"What
goes around, goes around, goes around,
Comes all the way back around."
Justin Timberlake
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KEYWAYS VINEYARD & WINERY We were delighted to hear Keyways Winery weigh-in with their green contributions to Temecula Valley. They begin with all organic material left over from the wine making process being recycled back into the vineyard. |
After the grapes are gathered in the autumn, the initial step in winemaking is to crush the entire harvest - fruit, skins, stems and seeds - resulting in what winemakers call must. The juice (soon to become wine) is then drained, leaving behind the solid portion of the must, called pomace.
Keyways composts the pomace, allowing the grape skins, stems and seeds to breakdown naturally into a nutrient-rich organic material they spread in their vineyard to fertilizer the vines' future growth.
The Winery additionally recycles all used cardboard boxes, paper and magazines in their "white recycle bin." As a further contribution to the community, Keyways donates cans and plastic bottles to a local winery owner's son to help him raise funds for his school. Nice! The Winery also encourages their Wine Club members to return wine boxes to be used again.
KEYWAYS WINERY
37338 De Portola Road
Temecula, California 92592
1 877 KEYWAYS
info@keyways.com
www.keyways.com
[EDITOR'S NOTE: with special thanks to Linda Kissam]
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Hey, Good Lookin', We were pleased to hear from Mindy Smith, Director of Food & Beverage at Wilson Creek Winery and Chef Clay Blake, Executive Chef of WCW's Creekside Grill, with a dispatch leading us to realize green is in the eye of the beholder. |
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Case in point: Chef Clay strives to further the green concept of sustainable living with the ingredients he chooses for his restaurant's dishes. He explains, "we strive to use local products grown in our own backyard, as opposed to less expensive / less fresh / travel- fatigued items shipped in from other countries." WCW's cheeses are from Winchester Cheese Company, to which every local food wonk should make a pilgrimage to witness the aging process of actual wheels of cheese. Fascinating stuff! Although working with wheels of hard cheeses takes a bit more time and effort, Chef Clay prefers to do so, grating them on the premises. The resulting savory flavors of the cheeses is a case of the end justifying the means.
For their poultry dishes, Creekside purchases their birds from a small operation in Pomona - Shelton Farms - who feed their free-range chickens (grazing in the 'hood, rather than in the henhouse) with organic, sustainable feed. Beyond this, Wilson Creek's restaurant serves only line-caught seafood. As with their approach to cheeses, the restaurant cuts and portions their fish in the kitchen, as opposed to purchasing pre-packaged portions.
Furthering the local organic theme, Chef Clay patronizes Temecula Olive Oil and Pasta At Large. Again, foodies should check out these purveyors of Really Good Stuff!
CREEKSIDE GRILL
Wilson Creek Winery
35960 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
951 699 9463
eventinfo@wilsoncreekwinery.com
www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
[» IN FURTHER WINE COUNTRY NEWS «]
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VIGNETTE Sometimes we have to chuckle at the whimsy of serendipity. One thing leads to another. CAKE recently had the pleasure of hearing from Bread & Butter Public Relations - Los Angeles and Austin (don't-mess-with), Texas - introducing us to Vignette Wine Country Soda of Berkley. One member of our staff spouted the (as to be expected) literal-minded reaction, "Wine Country soda? WTH?" The other (more imaginative) member of the staff noted: "Vignette? Its the Juice! Ponte Winery serves it in the Smokehouse Restaurant and sells it in their tasting room." The following evening, drawing on a trusted resource (we know a guy), Vignette samples arrived at the CAKE studio and - if first impressions are lasting impressions - we have to admit to never ceasing to be amazed by how creative humankind can be. Case in point, the folks at Vignette have magically spun wine into soda. |
We've a penchant for the new and unusual, placing Vignette squarely in our cross hairs. Its so in-the-American-grain, taking something praiseworthy - wine - and giving it a unique interpretation. Available in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rosé, this all natural nectar is sweetened only with the juice of California wine grapes. We're talking serious A-Ox! Some believe antioxidants lower the risk of disease, while hindering the effects of aging. Make ours a double!
On the tongue, Vignette is nothing if not exhilarating, balancing flavor of the varietal with just the right level of fizz, all the while enhanced by the refreshing chill of the ice box. This is wicked-good soda pop!
Beyond that, the folks at Wine Country Soda brought design sensibilities into play, with the shape of the bottle being trés sensuous, reminiscent of the long-neck beer bottles of our salad days. (What are we saying? These are our salad days!).
So where does Vignette come into play in Wine Country? For one, there's the concept all of us must contend with these days: The DD. Ignore this at your own peril! Upon sober reflection, as friends taste the heart out of the afternoon, one designated driver needs to be safely guiding the group from winery to winery. DD's should look at the task this way: every cloud has a silver lining. The DD reaps the cold comfort of indulging in Vignette to his or her heart's content!
In Temecula Valley, Vignette is available at Ponte Winery on Rancho California Road and BevMo! on Winchester Road. It can also be ordered online at www.shop.winecountrysoda.com
Vignette Wine Country Soda
2625 Alcatraz Avenue #274
Berkeley, California 94705
510 486 9400
info@winecountrysoda.com
www.winecountrysoda.com
[EDITOR'S
NOTE: with thanks to Stefani
Roberts of Bread & Butter Public Relations. Los Angeles. Austin].
www.breadandbutterpr.com
[» AND FINALLY «]
ON THE PASSION OF LOVE
George Santayana. Spanish Philosopher. 1863-1952.
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SOUTH COAST WINERY GOES TWO FOR TWO! For the second year running, Temecula Valley's South Coast Winery dusted the competition and brought home the California State Fair wine competition's coveted "Golden State Winery Of The Year" award. |
| The
California State Fair was established in 1855. Committed to promoting California wines,
it boasts the oldest and most prestigious Wine Competition in North
America.
South Coast Winery has - once again - made all of us in Temecula Valley proud. Now you're going to have to excuse us while we take a brief interlude out to the Winery and taste some award winners. Back soon! |
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SOUTH COAST WINERY
34843 Rancho California Road
Temecula, California 92591
951 587 9463
wineclub@wineresort.com
www.wineresort.com
VENUES & VENDORS:
If you have Wedding & Wine Country-related
news you'd like to share,
please contact:
CAKE
WEDDING
VENUES & VENDORS
Temecula Valley Wine Country
and Fallbrook area
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VIVID MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY CAKE couldn't be more pleased to feature Theresa Cox - of Vivid Memories Photography. As mentioned on her website, Theresa's husband (and webmaster) is a career Marine, which syncs well with us, in that one of CAKE's staff is a former Marine. |
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Originally from Georgia, Theresa brought along her Southern accent and sense of hospitality when she moved to Murrieta. Accompanying her husband on his military assignments, She found herself photographing both nationally, as well as internationally. Turning her passion for photography into her profession, Theresa states, "I put my heart and soul into capturing each unique Wedding as if it were my own."
Believing in capturing the personalities of her subjects in their portraits, the photographer enjoys photographing Brides & Grooms in settings that capture their individual stories. Further, as a unique service, she offers a free engagement session with each of her photography packages. Beyond the obvious cost advantage, this shoot allows couples to become comfortable posing for portraits while not wearing a Bridal gown and tuxedo.
Theresa considers her personal editing work to be her signature service for her Brides & Grooms, with every photograph hand-touched to perfection. Behind the scenes, for every hour spent photographing a wedding, another three are spent working on editing, album design, and proofing.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: an inside joke in the Wedding world is that clients occasionally confront vendors with, "Your fee seems high considering you're only at the Wedding a few hours"].
VIVID MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY
Murrieta, California
951 445 9264
theresa@vividmemories.biz
www.vividmemories.biz
BABYDOLLZ LINGERIE
Established in 2004 by mother & daughter team - Kathryn & Heather - Temecula's Babydollz Lingerie has created a unique lingerie brand of their own. Catering to fun, feminine, flirtatious patrons, they've brought back the kitschy lingerie boutique of the past, conveying an atmosphere that's relaxed, comfortable and decidedly girlish. Appealing to all women looking for that "little something special," the shop features vintage and pin-up lines.
Babydollz originated in Fallbrook, under the guise of Ooh La La!, where the distaff persuasion of CAKE indulged in unmentionables worthy of mention! For Brides planning a boudoir shoot as a special gift for their beau, Babydollz should be your first stop!
41377 Margarita Road
Suite 105
Temecula, California 92591
951 719 3655
service@babydollzlingerie.com
www.babydollzlingerie.com
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Through CAKE's media partner - Neighbors Newspaper - banner ads are offered on CAKE, while display ads and directory listings are available in the Wine Country Weddings section of Neighbors Newspaper. Neighbors Newspaper has an annual circulation of 250,000, while CAKE is read by Brides, venues and vendors throughout Southern California.
Neighbors Newspaper
31566 Railroad Canyon Road #2-575
Canyon Lake, California 92587
951 244 7025
info@neighborsnewspaper.com
www.neighborsnewspaper.com
CAKE is proud to strafe the blogosphere on the wings of the following blogs:
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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!]|
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cartwright & cartwright
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