The wineries and the community of Temecula are opening up their hearts and wallets to Marine Corporal Juan Dominguez who chose Temecula to be his home after suffering a triple amputation of both legs and an arm in combat in Afghanistan.
The goal is to build a “smart home” with state-of-the-art features to allow him to live independently.
The current event drive for funds is a Salute To Corporal Dominguez at Monte De Oro Winery on Friday, May 25 from 6 to 9pm with Temecula wineries, restaurants, silent and live auctions and four bands for entertainment. Tickets are $65. each, $120. for couples. Purchase tickets at www.deportolawinetrail.com. All proceeds will benefit Corporal Dominguez.
In March, noted actor and musician Gary Sinise organized, with the city of Temecula, the “Lt. Dan Benefit Concert”at the new outdoor city hall center. Some 2,200 packed the area, paying up to $150. each to aid Temecula’s new citizen. The Lt. Dan name came from the famous role played by Senise in the “Forrest Gump” movie, that of a disabled Vietnam veteran. Anyone wishing to find out more about helping the building of the Dominguez home, should call Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 718-987-1931.
Les Linkogle of Briar Rose Winery has made a premium wine called “We Remember” to directly aid medical research for veterans.
Also in Temecula, Briar Rose, the limited production premium estate winery, announced its “We Remember” wine project as a tribute to America’s veterans. Owner Les Linkogle, himself a Vietnam veteran, is working with the Veterans Research Foundation to directly help veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with this non-vintage, proprietary red with a distinctive “American Medal Of Hope” label.
A percentage of the proceeds will fund world class medical research for veterans of all generations, vital in addressing the wounds of war, seen and unseen. Linkogle praised the wine as having “a Bordeaux-like structure with fruits of blackberry, raspberry and mocha/vanilla notes.” ($24.)
Les’s American Medal Of Hope consists of a Coat Of Arms, American Eagle and American Flag and took over 7 months for government approval. He has also written a song called “We Remember” that has gained a lot of interest by major recording stars. The “We Remember” proprietary red wine is available at Briar Rose Winery. Call 951-308-1098 and pick up a few cases. The label alone is a keep-sake. Find out more at www.briarrosewinery. com.
Wine bytes
•Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a “Cab” Ride Around the World Fri. Apr 27 from 6 to 8pm. Cabernets are in the spotlight. $20. p.p. Call 760-479-2500 for details.
•The Temecula Wine & Music Festival is at Vail Lake Resort on Highway 79 Sat. Apr. 28 from 11 to 6:30pm. An all star jazz cast headed by Deniece Williams performs. Purchase tickets at www.tix.com. or call 951-696-0184.
•Fleming’s La Jolla presents First Fridays Wine Tastings, this time on Fri. May 4 from 5:30 to 7:30PM. You will get an extensive selection of wines produced in Napa Valley. $25. per guest. Make an RSVP at 858-535-0078.
•Cinco De Mayo comes to the Temecula Wine Country at Oak Mountain, Sat. May 5 from 6 to 9pm. Enjoy a street vendor taco bar, rice and beans chips and salsa plus 2 glasses of wine or their famous wine margaritas. Live music from Buzz Campbell of Stray Cats. Cost is $40. or $35. for members. Details at 951-699-9102.
•3rd Corner in Ocean Beach is having a Laird Family wine dinner on Monday May 7 starting at 6pm. This is one of Napa Valley’s finest. 4 course pairing menu. Cost is $65. RSVP at 619-223-2700.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View and link up with his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
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