Steve Thornton, Carmen Micheli, Peter White
Guest Wine Chix Carmen Micheli is a freelance wine, food and music writer living in Temecula Valley Wine Country. An amazing home chef, mother of two and wine aficionado she writes about those in-the-know and on-the-go. With a pulse on the latest in dining, entertainment, events and more, Carmen delivers the latest news and happenings around the city, showcasing the best that Temecula Wine Country and the SoCal area has to offer.
Thornton Winery celebrates
25 years of Food, Wine, and Jazz
Thornton Jazz by Night
For the past 25 years Temecula locals and regular visitors to Temecula Wine Country have anxiously anticipated Thornton Winery’s Champagne Jazz Summer Concert Series with good reason. Not only is Thornton Winery known for its award-winning wines and restaurant, the Café Champagne, it is recognized nationally for having one of the best outdoor venues in Southern California boasting an “intimate and acoustically superb Mediterranean fountain terrace, overlooking the beautiful Temecula Wine Country”. Musicians like Kenny G, David Sanborn, Michael McDonald, Chris Botti, and Brian Culbertson have been regular performers in past years and return to the line-up this year along with several other well-known Jazz artists.
The 2013 Jazz Concert Series kicked off with four-decade acoustic guitarist/contemporary jazz artist Peter White http://www.peterwhite.com/. He was pumped up and ready to rock at the pre-concert media meet and greet in the wine caves with John, Sally and Steve Thornton, Winemaker David Vergari, and Chef Steve Pickell. I was literally star struck to find myself surrounded by so many different forms of celebrity genius and it was an honor to get to know them all over a glass of exceptional Thornton Brut Champagne before the big concert.
Tuscan Artichoke and Arugula Salad and Pinot Grigio
I have adored Peter White since being gifted his Christmas Album “Songs of the Season” in 1997, and when he made his entrance on stage I joined most of the crowd excitedly applauding on my feet to welcome the Jazz star. His performance consisted of an entertaining display of his many musical talents and a great variety of songs spanning his 40+ year career.
The big highlight for me was “Here we go” from his newest album, which was charted Billboards #1 Smooth Jazz song for 2012. He played several parts of the song with his guitar upside-down, behind his head, and backwards while the dance floor filled up with overjoyed guests. His energy, talent, and passion for music made the impact of a live performance truly an experience beyond measure.
Sea Bass Tomato Risotto cake and baby carrots in Tarragon Sauce
While enjoying the music of a legend and a gorgeous vineyard sunset, I dined on a fabulous Gourmet Supper Package by Café Champagne 20+ year Executive Chef Steve Pickell. I always look forward to Chef Pickell’s consistent excellence in delivering perfectly executed food and wine pairing flights. The menu was exquisite, and an indulgent addition to the whole concert experience.
As if Peter White himself weren’t enough, Chef Steve Pickell really jazzed up the atmosphere starting with a Tuscan Artichoke Salad with Wild Arugula and Lemon Pepper Dressing, paired with Thornton 2012 Pinot Grigio. I have to rave what an awesome Temecula Pinot Grigio this is! There are crisp notes of citrus and melon, and a clean, balanced mineral finish that was a refreshing accent to the salad. A very special second course came next and is just one of the many examples of how Thornton delivers the very best to their guests: Oven Roasted Pacific Sea Bass, Roasted Tomato Risotto Cake, and tender Braised Fennel Baby Carrots with Tarragon Sauce paired with the Thornton 2012 Reserve Chardonnay. The attention to detail displayed by Chef Pickell on this dish is awe-inspiring. Each element was equally as delicious when enjoyed alone as when combined with the other aspects of the plate. The Reserve Chardonnay is another Thornton Star and has a smooth, buttery mouth feel and wonderful complexity. Thornton Winemaker David Vergari changed it up a bit with this Chardonnay by departing from the 100% stainless steel method of the past and fermenting some of the juice in brand-new French and Hungarian oak barrels for six months.
Organic Strawberry Caramel Shortcake and Crème Chantilly
An indulgent dessert course came next: Fresh Organic Strawberries, Caramel Shortcake and Crème Chantilly with 2011 Thornton Huis Zinfandel. The sweet, ripe strawberries and toasty Caramel in the Shortcake nicely accent the dark berries and spice on the palate of the Zinfandel. The shortcake was gone long before the Zinfandel which turned out to be a blessing as this is a wonderful sipping wine with no pairing needed to enjoy its intriguing layers of jam, black tea, and pepperwood.
Reserve Chardonnay by Candlelight
My night of stellar food, wine, and Jazz ends with an Iced Coffee and an awesome performance with Peter White running through the crowd and dancing with ecstatic fans on the dance floor. I stop at the CD booth on the way out for a copy of the new CD and begin making plans to visit again for more award-winning wine, cuisine, and Jazz at Thornton Winery.
The 25th Annual Thornton Champagne Jazz Concert Series runs through October 20, 2013 featuring artists like Jesse Cook, Rich Braun, and George Benson to name just a few. For more information on this great Jazz Concert Venue, Thornton’s award-winning wines, or the Café Champagne visit www.thorntonwine.com, or call 951-699-0099.
