by Eve Sieminski

Hart Family Winery

I’ve been visiting the Temecula Valley for wine tastings over the years–usually as a substitute for the richer (and more distant) wine experiences to be found along California’s Central Coast and the Napa/Sonoma wine countries.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a visitor from Europe who wanted a California wine experience. Not having the time for a long drive North, we headed out to Temecula, just northeast of San Diego County. Once there, we visited a half dozen and were generally unimpressed–except for one:

HART WINERY

Not only was the Hart experience the least expensive in our outing ($5 for six tastings–or $10 to include the Reserves, all poured freehand), it was also the hands-down best find of they day. All of their wines were luscious, but the Hart 2004 Zinfandel Huis snatched my heart. It also has a whopping alcohol content of 16.6 percent!

What can I say–it was so rich and lush, I had to buy a bottle ($24).

But for me to really appreciate a wine, I need to sit down with a proper glass and a lovely meal. Good friends who also love good wine also help. So, a call was made to friends (Mike and Roberta Murphy) to enjoy this great new find with me.

As I sipped this Hart Zinfandel, the true complexities came through. This wine was so thick and wonderful I felt like I could almost chew it! Peppery and smoky, I have been longing for another bottle ever since.

Making fine wines since 1980, this boutique winery only produces around 5000 cases annually.

Take my advice and place Hart Winery as a must stop next time you are wine tasting in the Temecula Valley. It’s conveniently open 7 days a week from 9 to 4:30. If you are not that close, join their wine club or just order a bottle or two….you will not be disappointed.

Na Zdrowia!

Wine Tip: What is tannin?

Tannin is a tart chemical substance found in red wine that serves as a natural preservative. Tannins originate from the skin, seeds and the stems of grapes–and are dissolved into the wine as it is made. Tannins can even be found in wine barrels (that is, if the barrels have been used before). Tannins add that “mouth drying” finish to red wine which lends a distinct character to the wine. Tannins from a bad vintage or unripe grape can seem bitter on your tongue and roof of your mouth. Over time, though, tannins act as a preservative and mellow within the wine, helping it to grow into its complexity and become truly exceptional.

by Eve Sieminski

When not engaged in San Diego real estate, cooking, travel and other ventures, you just might find me twittering on Twitter. In fact, by keeping my Mac PowerBook close at hand, I just might be reporting on and following thoughts, ideas and friends via Twitter, that ubiquitous social networking site (just follow me @EveSieminski).

Six months ago, I would never have dreamed of discovering a favorite wine through a site like Twitter. But that’s just what happened when Jeff Stai (aka El Jefe) and other wine buddies started twittering and raving about Twisted Oak wine. I loved the twisted name, trusted the reviews–and winemaker Jeff suggested I try their 2007 Calaveras County Viognier and the 2005 Murgatroyd.

Murgatroyd?

Had to give it a try, and when it arrived in the mail, decided to wait and share it with Roberta and Mike Murphy over some wonderful Italian cuisine.

It was a memorable evening and wine tasting. We all drink lots of wine, and none of us had ever heard of anything close to a Murgatroyd blend. Try 24% Cabernet Sauvignon from Vallecito Vineyards, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Tanner Vineyards, 23% Petit Verdot from the Tanner Vineyards, 12% Tempranillo from Silvaspoons Vineyard, 10% Tempranillo from Rolleri Vineyard and 9% Grenache from the Boeger Vineyard. This exotic blend was then aged for 23 months in American, French and Hungarian oak barrels before bottling. Talk about twisted….

We let the wines breathe for an hour prior to the arrival of our guests–but immediately poured glasses of the Murgatroyd when they walked into the kitchen.

WOW! This was unlike any wine any of us had ever experienced. You really had to get your nose into it and let it float over your tongue a few times to appreciate all the complexities and flavors.

As most of you know, I generally review good wines under $20–and this Murgatroyd just makes it at $19.20 per bottle– because of the Twisted Few Wine Club. Outside the club, the price is still a very reasonable $24.

We also tasted the 2007 Calaveras County Viognier from Twisted Oak, and found it to be a light, refreshing a citrusy white–and one that is not too sweet. The taste of other fine fruits come through cleanly, without it being a fruit bomb. Not too dry, not too sweet–but just a perfect wine to begin your evening and enjoy into dinner. It’s another twisted winner with a club price of $17.60–and an outsider’s tag of $22.00.

I recommend a visit to their web-page www.TwistedOak.com as it is fun and the way they ferment wines is unique. Tell Jeff I sent you!

Wine Tasting Tip:
Always begin with a clean clear glass and pour less than an inch into your glass. Always begin with the lightest wines first (white, sparkling, rose’ etc) and then work your way up to the heavy ones (Zins, Cabs, etc). The reason for this is that it helps keep taste buds sensitive so you can enjoy and appreciate each wine you taste. Nibble on a cracker, snack on some cheese–or simply have a sip of water between tastes in order to help preserve your palate.
Na zdrowia!

by Roberta Murphy

Eve Sieminski (aka the Polish Contessa) is our guiding light for fine wine–especially for those premium wines that fit within most budgets.

And that may be one of the finest luxuries of all.

Eve’s latest oenophilic enthusiasm comes unedited (and I am headed to Costco tomorrow!):

Hi Roberta!

The nose is really nice. Swirl, swirl, swirl…. Sip, WOW!

The matter of wine glasses is important but way overstated at the present moment. A glass designed for a certain red can make those aromas more obvious, and prettier. But the same glass won’t ruin another wine.

In fact, just about any glass that has a tapered bowl can express the aromas in a wine. And while the high-end glasses can enhance an aroma, once you pour the wine in your mouth, one glass is pretty much the same as another.But most of the enjoyment of a wine comes from the aroma, so choose a glass that enhances the aroma.

Finally, make sure the wine glasses you use are clean. Glasses stored in cardboard probably smell like a cardboard. Glasses need to be rinsed and dried with a clean, cotton cloth.

Pour and enjoy!

by Roberta Murphy

Every library should try to be complete on something, if it were only the history of pinheads.
–Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894)

The ultimate luxury home library

A home library, more than any room in a home, has the potential to reflect the essence of its owner. Here is a place to organize and keep those books that are both acquaintances and lifelong friends. The home library is also often where collections are kept, if only because they make such good companions for books.

Both collections and books record the passing and lasting interests and passions of its owner–and deserve a room of their own.

And though a home library would likely complement and merge with the design of the home, the quintessential home library would likely offer features such as:

• Rich wood shelving that may even reach ceiling height. A rolling ladder works well here.

• Wood or stone flooring covered with collectible area rug(s).

• At least two very comfortable reading chairs with lamp(s).

• A writing table or desk. The home library should be a perfect room for thinking and writing.

• A library fireplace would be favored by many–and provides a warm ambiance.

The home library is a logical place to store and display personal collections and passions–especially if there is abundant shelving and/or cabinets. A family friend in Houston had a library full of rich wood shelving that housed not only a massive collection of leather bound books, but also an impressive array of Native American wood carvings. The library also served as his home office–and was undoubtedly his favorite room in the home.

The ultimate home library (pictured), though, may belong to internet entrepeneur Jay Walker, who also founded Priceline.com.  In a recent Wired interview, Walker gave writer Steven Levy a tour of his 3600 square foot library that is primarily devoted to those things that change the way we think.  His New England home library houses not only a Russian sputnik, but jewel-encrusted books, a raptor skeleton, Civil War surgical tools and thousands of other books and collectibles.

Will Verizon Thunder on i-Phone’s Parade?

by Roberta Murphy

Last month, I attended Inman Connect in San Francisco, where one of the speakers onstage at the Palace Hotel tried to pull something up on his new 3G Apple i-Phone, but had no service.

Frustrated, he lamented AT&T’s poor coverage and compared the i-Phone to a Lambborghini running on a VW engine–and I joined the audience applause.

Why Apple tied its flagship phone to a carrier with such spotty coverage
(unless you are traveling abroad) escapes me. I can’t even reach a close friend just 3 miles away in Carlsbad, CA on her AT&T cell because it is outside its coverage area.

I love Apple and its products. This article is being written on an i-Mac and I lust after the 3G i-Phone, but stick with Verizon for cell service because of its unbeatable coverage. Being out of range for calls just doesn’t work well for a San Diego Realtor.

It’s a painful choice: Go with Apple and suffer AT&T’s spotty coverage areas, or stick with Verizon and my trusted Blackberry and not have to worry about lack of service?

For professional reasons, there is no alternative but to stay with Verizon–but there may be hope on the horizon–or at least by the third quarter of this year. Research in Motion (RIMM) is coming out with the new Thunder Blackberry that will be carried exclusively by Verizon and Vodaphone.

With just four clicking keys, this black beauty will run on 3G EV-DO Rev. C as well as GSM HSPA for international use. This will apparently allow the Blackberry Thunder to operate in any country with 3G or better internet access. There are rumors that the Thunder may even be faster than the i-Phone for downloads.

Where there’s thunder, there’s lightning–and there may be some fireworks in the telecom biz to watch at year’s end. If Research in Motion’s Blackberry Thunder is as slick as I think it is, we’ll probably contract with Verizon for another two years.

This article also appeared on another blog for which I write: Technology Undressed.

by Eve Sieminski

I am convinced California wines are a no-brainer.

Recently, another wine blogger recommended we try a fantastic $8 French wine. This was in response to an earlier article where I recommended TBD Zinfandel, available at Trader Joe’s.

My thoughts about this recommended French red?
Pee pee water! I wouldn’t cook with it, let alone serve it to guests. In fact, the experience only reaffirms my belief in California wines.

A recent discovery of mine is Gnarly Head Zinfandel. This is an old-vine California Zinfandel lives up to the dark and lush description on the bottle–is absolutely fantastic! It delivers all the punch
you want from a Zinfandel, without the punch of a price over $20.

This luscious Zin can be found for as little as $7.99. After giving it a try, I rushed back to Major Market and bought several more bottles for our wine cellar. Gnarly Head Zinfandel is also available at other market for around $10 to $12 per bottle–and is well worth the price.

Truthfully, I was a little put off when I first saw the name. Gnarly doesn’t exactly describe my favorite wines,
but this old vine Zin has become one of my hands down and glass-up favorites–at least for the price.

Remember, my search focuses on outstanding wines under $20 per bottle–and Gnarly Head comes in well under that mark.

An important note about Zinfandels: Make sure your Zin is an Old Vine–and remember that any Zin under 14%
alcohol is not worth the price. Most outstanding Zins start at 14% and go up from there.

You may also wish to read:

Luxury on a Gold Plated Shoestring

by Roberta Murphy

Luxury real estate gossip the last few months has fluttered around topics like the sale of Donald Trump’s Palm Beach mansion at $100 million (when it had been listed for $125 million), the pending foreclosure of Ed McMahon’s Beverly Hills home, and the F-word in luxury real estate (foreclosures).

These days, recession is the hot topic as brokerage accounts have been bloodied, home equities have declined, and credit cards are filling up with gasoline charges. It’s no wonder that it’s now fashionable to talk about frugality. And these discussions are leading to real changes in lifestyle.

Some very random observations and sensible advice:

1. Hybrids are the cool cars. Gasoline guzzling Beamers and Mercedes are being traded in for fuel-sipping and leather-seated hybrids. In some areas, there are wait lists of months for the Toyota Prius.

2. Have adjustable rate mortgages on your home or other properties? You may want to consider financing that will carry you through the financial storms ahead. Values are slipping in many luxury real estate markets–and appraisals may become problematic in the year ahead. Just my opinion, of course.

3. Are fewer Americans traveling to Europe? We’ve known several who have canceled European holidays and are traveling locally–or to Asia instead. Nobody wants to spend decimated dollars in a in a Euro-pumped economy. US dollar exchange rates against the Chinese Yuan are far more attractive.

4. A bright note in the economy are the number of Europeans, Canadians and others who are coming to the United States to shop not only Neiman Marcus and Chanel, but to spend those Euros and Loonies on prime US real estate. Homes in San DIego, Palm Beach, Scottsdale and Las Vegas are phenomenal bargains when purchased with these foreign currencies.

5. A number of affluent baby boomers are scaling back. They are aiming to trade their large suburban homes for something smaller, something single level, and something that is in walking distance to beaches, golf, restaurants, and mass transit. Trains, in particular, have captured the fancy of many,

6. This is only buzz, but I am hearing that many are dropping and/or selling country club memberships–and that there are reportedly thousands for sale in golf heavens like the Palm Springs area. Any other information out there?

7. More people appear to be dining at home. In the La Costa area where we live, both Tommy V’s and Sushi on the Rock have shuttered their doors. These were bustling restaurants just a year ago. It is likely a scenario that repeats itself throughout the country. And is it just my imagination, or do the local farmer’s markets seem to be busier this year? Perhaps people are rediscovering the utility of their own lovely kitchens.

Somehow, I think there will be future articles and lots of discussion on frugality in our lifestyles.

After all, consider the real estate and stock market bargains that might be bought with the money saved….

by Roberta Murphy

I call Eve Sieminski the Polish Contessa. She loves fine jewelry, expensive hairstylists and fine wine. I don’t know where Eve shops for jewelry or what deal (if any) she strikes with her hairstylist, but we follow her wine recommendations religiously.

You see, the Polish Contessa, has no problem pouring a classless wine down the drain, nor does she hesitate to share her latest finds. One recent jewel was the TBD Zinfandel that is available at Trader Joe’s for (shhhh!) $4.99 a bottle. We tried one bottle and immediately bought a case. It really is that good. But the recommendation comes from Eve, who says:

“This tastes like a $30 bottle of fine Zinfandel that I wouldn’t hesitate to serve at a State Dinner–or to my snootiest clients. It might be good, however, to decant the wine first. The TBD label and name just don’t do justice to what is inside the bottle.”

If you are looking for commentary about hints of raspberry, chocolate finishes or oakey notes, Eve suggests you visit a symphony or read reviews for $80 bottles of wine in Wine Spectator or the like. And while Eve can afford Opus One or perhaps a Chateau Clement Pichon, she takes great pleasure in finding great wines at fabulous prices–and enjoys sharing her conquests.

If you want reviews and inside bargain scoops on fine wines from a true wine lover (instead of a critic), I advise you to stay tuned. Eve has promised to gift our luxey readers with more of her outstanding finds in wine and food. And if you, dear reader, have a recommendation for great wines under $20, Eve promises she (and we?) will try them out and share the results.

Eve’s Bonus Wine Tip: If you don’t have time to property chill your red wine to European room temperature (yes, red wine blossoms with slight chilling), put it in your freezer for 15 minutes (set timer), remove and enjoy.

This will be an irregular column, but we promise to share great wine finds, food discoveries and bonus wine and food tips with our luxury readers as soon as they become available.

What better way to truly enjoy your luxury home with appreciative friends and other oenophiles.

In the meantime, please feel free to share your own!

You may also wish to read:

The Luxury of Gnarly Head Zinfandel

Wine Storage for Oenophiles

Roberta Murphy

Investors are moving back into the San Diego real estate market with impatient wallets. And luxury real estate investors are no exception.

They are seeking well-priced foreclosures, pre-negotiated short sales and most favored of all: Real estate investments with income streams.

So-called bargains in sub-marginal areas may not be the wisest real estate investment move anywhere. Perceived bargains in outlying markets may be nothing of the sort, and we persistently advise our clients to stay with blue chip real estate investments especially in volatile economic times.

We just received a whisper from La Costa Resort and Spa in balmy Carlsbad, California that buyers of their Villas will receive up to $125,000 at closing for leasing their properties back to them for two years. And of course, there is always the option of using their condos too.

This is a very limited offer, as only 10 La Costa Resort Villas whole-ownership, luxury condominiums remain. Each is fully furnished (just pack a toothbrush) with designer decor and high-end amenities throughout, and is located on the grounds of the world-class La Costa Resort and Spa.

Low out-of-pocket expenses enable resort ownership for minimal cost.

One-bedroom luxury condos start at $594,825, while two-bedroom units list for up to $1,033,000. With 75% financing, buyers can claim ownership with considerably low out-of-pocket expenses of up to $125,000. Plus, La Costa management will also waive monthly fees for two years to save La Costa Villa buyers even more.

A bonus of complimentary Villas Signature La Costa Sports Membership, valued at $16,500, is also included.

If you are interested in this exceptional value, please call Mike or Roberta Murphy for additional information at 760-402-9101 or 760-402-9102. We are including some luxury spa treatments for our buyers as well.