What's Happening
Valentine’s Wine Dinners & Lunch Special
On February 12th and 14th The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery will host romantic evenings with Valentine’s Wine Dinners in their award winning restaurant in Temecula. The dinners will be wonderful four course meals with individual wine pairings of the Falkner’s best wines in this panoramic, hill-top location. Both dinners will offer the same great food, wonderful wines, entertainment, and first class service. All food will be prepared under the direction of Executive Chef Gianni Ciciliot who was recently voted “Best Chef” by readers of Inland Empire magazine for the second year in a row. Seating for these wonderful and memorable events will be at 7pm on each evening.
The meal will begin with a glass of Champagne and a Pre-Appetizer Amuse Bouche. This will be followed by an appetizer of Lump Crab Bisque Soup containing house-made croutons and a glass of the new release Falkner 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. The Salad course will be Grilled Petite Romaine Hearts with Gorgonzola Riesling dressing, red grapes, Parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes served with a glass of your choice between our 2009 Viognier and our 2010 Rosato-Rosé style wine; the entrée will be Surf and Turf consisting of Grilled Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail complete with Duchess Potatoes, Haricot Verts with Pine Nut Butter, Béarnaise Sauce and Drawn Butter. Diners may choose either our 2008 Chardonnay or our 2006 Meritage to accompany their entrée. Finally, there will be a beautiful Chocolate Flourless Cake with Raspberry Coulis, White Chocolate Crème Anglais, and fresh Whipped Cream served with our new release 2006 Port. The price is $79 per person plus tax and gratuity. Special pricing for wine club members will be $69 per person plus tax and gratuity for members, spouse, and their guests. Seating will be limited on each evening so call for reservations soon.
Additionally, from February 11th through February 14th there will also be a Valentine’s Lunch Special in the Pinnacle Restaurant. For $55 plus tax and gratuity for two people, diners will be able to have either one shared appetizer or salad for two; a choice of individual entrees such as Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna served over soy glazed vegetables with Jicama, or Grilled Center Cut Sirloin served with Asparagus, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and a mushroom trio balsamic demi-glace; and a shared dessert of either New York Style Cheesecake or Molten Chocolate Cake. Also included will be a non-alcoholic beverage per person. Selected wines will be offered as an option with the Special at $5/glass. This special will be available in addition to the normal menu so make reservations soon. Diners will enjoy the wonderful and romantic Valentine hilltop ambiance of the Pinnacle. Call the winery at 951-676-8231 ext 1 for reservations or make your reservation online.
Falkner Winery Scores Big Win in Winemaker Challenge Wine Competition
Falkner Winery was recently awarded a “Best of Show-Red Wine” at the 2012 Winemaker Challenge International Competition conducted in San Diego. This top award was for the Falkner 2008 Syrah-Rock Creek Vineyard wine that retails for $34.95. This is a luscious red wine with wonderful plum, coco, and ripe fruit flavors with a deep, rich finish. The wine competition drew 816 entries from over 12 countries. According to winery co-owner Ray Falkner “We are excited to receive such a prestigious award because it highlights the great wines we have been producing over the last several years”. Falkner Winery proudly boasts that over 80% of their currently available wines have received Gold or Silver medals in recent wine competitions.
Additionally, Falkner Winery was awarded a Gold Medal on their 2010 Rosato- Rosé style wine (retail $14.95). This delicious pink wine made from Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon has distinct strawberry flavors with a slight bit of sweetness. Not to be forgotten, their 2008 Amante-Super Tuscan Style Red wine (retail $39.95) achieved a Silver medal. This Italian style wine is a delicious blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The Falkner’s 2008 Meritage-Bordeaux Blend (retail $39.95) also achieved a Silver Medal. The 2008 Syrah also was awarded a “Best Syrah” award to go along with the Best of Show award.
All of these wonderful wines are made by winemaker Steve Hagata with a style that complements food extremely well. All wines are available in the winery tasting room, via the internet at www.falknerwinery.com, or in various retailers and restaurants in California and Arizona. More information on purchasing these wines is also available by calling the winery at 951-676-8231.
Pinnacle Voted #1 by Open Table
The Pinnacle Restaurant located at Falkner Winery was recently voted “#1 Top Lunch Restaurant” in the greater San Diego area by diners of Open Table. Says co-owner Ray Falkner “Given the great restaurants in the San Diego area, we are proud and pleased that diners appreciate the great food, service, and spectacular Wine Country views from our lunch-only establishment. This is truly an honor to the hard work and dedication of our great staff.”
The Pinnacle Restaurant is not new to dining awards: the restaurant has been voted “Best Restaurant” four years in a row by the readers of Inland Empire Magazine and their chef, Gianni Ciciliot, has been voted “Best Chef” two years in a row. This beautiful, hill-top restaurant located in the heart of Temecula Wine Country specializes in Mediterranean/American cuisine and provides numerous dishes consistent with a Mediterranean diet. Twice last year Chef Gianni’s “Lobster Mac & Cheese” was recommended by Sunset Magazine.
The philosophy of the restaurant is to provide guests a great dining experience that includes outstanding views of Wine Country, unique food offerings, wonderful wines, and meticulous service. The restaurant is open daily only from 11:30am to 3:30pm for lunches leaving the evenings available for special events such as weddings and banquets. Make a reservation.
Falkner Wines Poured Backstage at the Grammy's
Falkner Winery was recently honored by being the only winery with wines poured backstage in the green rooms at the 2011 Grammy Awards held February 13th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. These wonderful, award winning, local Temecula Valley wines were made available to all nominees and presenters at the nationally televised award show.
The show honors top musical talent throughout the year including artists such as Lady Gaga and Mick Jagger. The wines selected included the recent “Best of Class” award winning (2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition) Falkner 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and the Falkner 2007 Luscious Lips™ red wine. The Luscious Lips™ wine was chosen because of its bright red lips on the label that complemented Valentine’s Day. The Luscious Lips™ is commonly served during cooler weather including Valentine’s Day and served warmed with the addition of mulling spices and termed “Hot Lips”. Pictures at the Grammy’s will be placed on the winery website once they are available.
Falkner Winery is a premier winery in the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Since opening in July 2000, the winery has gained distinction for its high quality, award winning wines, wine tasting classes, private venues such as parties and weddings, and on their 4 year running “Best Restaurant” award winning Pinnacle Restaurant. The tasting room is open daily from 10am to 5pm with tours available on weekends and by appointment. The Pinnacle offers lunches daily from 11:30am to 3:30pm. They are located 5 miles east of I-15 off the Rancho California Road exit then left onto Calle Contento. Visit their web site for more information at www.falknerwinery.com.
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Falkner Winery will use it to keep our followers up to date on upcoming events, winery and restaurant specials and our latest wine releases. Follow Falkner Winery on Twitter.
