Showing posts with label winemakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winemakers. Show all posts

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Briar Rose Winery Gets Celebrated Visit From Southern California Wine Country

As Michael and Karon Cartwright, MUST's editors, entered the enchanting grounds of Briar Rose Winery, their first vision was that of the replica of Snow White's cottage built by Beldon Fields. Mr. Fields was one of the gifted artisans that originally built Disneyland's famed Fantasyland. This replica of Snow White's Cottage is now home to Briar Rose's wine tasting room, where each wine tasting is hosted and seated.

The Cartwrights were then graciously greeted by owner and Winemaker Les Linkogle. They all took contented seats under the glorious olive tree that adorns the property where Les explained the rich and captivating history behind Temecula's premier boutique reservation only winery. Mr. Linkogle explained how Beldon Fields, the Disney Imagineer literally built the house with his own hands, and his finger prints can still be seen in the plaster he molded to become this magical cottage, as well as many other hidden secrets of this gem of a winery.

Les then escorted Michael and Karon to the unseen VIP tasting room, which has been host to countless celebrities and worldwide dignitaries. As they walked by the magnificent outdoor tasting area, Dorian Linkogle, Les's wife and owner was giving a private wine tasting to six adoring guests.

As the Cartwright's entered this extraordinary room, nostalgia was everywhere. From the classic Disney memorabilia in the vintage showcases to the original piece of Disney artwork hanging above the impressive stone fireplace. Then, at that very moment coming through the concealed speakers was the "Anthem" that Les wrote called "We Remember" that pays tribute to the men and woman who defend our country and the sacrifices they make every day. This extremely touching and moving song is eloquently sung by Temecula's legendary Sherry Williams.

As for the Cartwright's experiencing Briar Rose's award winning wines... Michael stated, "I don't know that we've ever tasted that many exceptional wines in one sitting."


Monday, January 30, 2012

Briar Rose Winery Proudly All American Grown and Made

Wine has been made in America with American grown grapes for over 300 years. Les Linkogle, owner and winemaker of Briar Rose Winery prides himself on upholding that tradition. All of Briar Rose wines use 100% American grown grapes.Even some of the great winemakers of France, have been, and are coming over to America to make their wines here with American grown grapes.

When John Hawkins arrived in America in 1565, just a year after the settlers, he found them in need of food, yet they were successfully cultivating wine from abundant wild grapes. The early pioneers touted the lavish vine growth as “a symbol of the promise of America as a sort of Eden.” This phrase was interpreted by the settlers as, “wine would be one of the products to bring prosperity to those who settled here.”

Les proudly states that, “All my wines will only be made from American grown grapes.” Briar Rose Winery meticulously strives to produce handcrafted, small lot, premium artisan wines made from the most intensely flavored grapes from their opulent vineyards.

Even outside of America, from Russia to Hong Kong, there are waiting lists of people insisting for wine made from American grown grapes. In fact, stories of America's early accidental hybrid varietals and the success of native grapes built the foundation of modern American winemaking.

In addition to their wines only being made from American grown grapes, Briar Rose Winery’s roots are as American as one can get. This winery was originally built by one of the creative artisans of Disneyland’s Fantasyland, as a tribute to his wife. To further enhance the American feeling of the winery, sprinkled around the property are whimsical tributes to Disney, including original artwork memorabilia, fairytale statues and secret hidden messages on the walls of the cottage (tasting room) only visible at sunset.