Travels With Robin: November 2012

Harvest Celebration

Bel Vino Winery Clam Bake

Charlie Pearson

As fall sets in and the harvest is winding down, the celebrations wind up. Everyone loves to celebrate a successful harvest and Bel Vino Winery in Temecula, California celebrated their fantastic harvest with a clam bake. Celebrating harvest is an ancient tradition and no one likes a harvest celebration more than wine aficionados.

2012 is proving to be an abundant year for California wineries and that is making everyone in the wine industry happy, from winemakers to Bel Vinos wine lovers. Celebrations started on a warm October evening and the revelers were treated to a unique Cajun-style clam bake, including lobster, mussels, clams, clam chowder and chicken. Chef Richard Bustos, Bel Vino’s new Chef, with the aid of Sous Chef Clinton Pearson and Pearson’s Seafood did a spectacular job on this ambitious undertaking of cooking for around 100 people in an outdoor kitchen setting.

Guests dined under the twinkling lights

Sitting under the stars with nostalgic red checkered table cloths created a homey atmosphere. Guests enjoyed a sampling of Bel Vino wines. Dessert offered a special treat of port wine with a variety of cupcakes.

“Shoot 4 Tuezday”, entertained the crowd with rock and roll melodies into the late hours. It was wonderful to watch the smiles on people’s faces, especially owner Mike Janko’s. With the stress of harvest over it’s so nice to take time out to enjoy oneself, and he did.

Mike has a lot to be excited about. He has hired award winning winemaker, George Bursick, from Sonoma. Bursick has been making delicious wines as head winemaker for some of California’s biggest wineries and recently won the “Pinot Noir of the Year” award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 2013 will be the first year that Bel Vino wines will be their own. George has big shoes to fill, but everyone is confident that with his 30 years experience he will make delectable wines from the Temecula Valley vineyards.

Speaking of the future, if you’re planning a wine country wedding, you must check out Bel Vino’s house that is for rent for your wedding event. The entire house can host your full wedding festivities from rehearsal dinner, separate bride and groom’s quarters, a lovely courtyard for your ceremony and the garden area for your wedding reception.

Bel Vino Winery staff are energized about a bountiful harvest and the bright promise of a strong future full of fine wines and good times. The excitement of Bel Vino Winery is tangible, the wines are great, the views spectacular. Look out Temecula!