Everyone has a favorite, and my favorite winery in Temecula is Doffo Winery.

Yes, there are a few wineries in Temecula that produce excellent wines, but I believe Doffo’s great quality is simply apart from the rest.

I don’t know if they have a secret or not when making wine, but I am convinced their success is mainly due to their traditional way of making wine combined with the love and passion they put into the art of winemaking.

When you visit Doffo Winery don’t expect a souvenir shop, a Spa, or a restaurant attached to their business.

Doffo is all about wine and as a wine lover, that’s all I care. Since it is a small family owned winery, you will be welcomed by family members.

That to me is one of the most valuable aspects at Doffo Winery, the fact that you can actually have a great conversation with the family about their wines. You’ll soon feel like you’re talking to an old friend.

But let’s talk about their wines because this summer they released a few gems worth noting.

Let’s start with the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc.

This is the second year they’ve produce this white and if last year’s vintage was excellent, this year promises to be even better!

The nose is bright and fruity with hints of peaches. However, on the palate it delivers an unexpected but delicious taste of roasted almonds.

It is elegant and very smooth with tones of fresh grapefruit.

Let’s move on to the 2008 Syrah.

Ever since their 2005 Syrah, I have fallen in love with this fine wine from Doffo. Their Syrah was a huge success in 2006 and 2007 because of its superb quality and taste.

The 2008 vintage is no exception. Despite being young (just bottled in June), it is a very developed wine with a respectful character; the sign of a great winemaker. Nonetheless, it will improve considerably if stored for a few years.

This Syrah has vibrant tones of currants and berries. It is not heavy on the tannins, but silky and so smooth to drink, with a nice oaky finish.

Another great wine that is becoming a classic at Doffo is their 2008 Mistura, Portuguese for blend. This wine is 60% Cabernet and 40% Syrah.

The Mistura is a big medium-bodied wine with nice tones of blackberries and delightfully peppery. In a year or two you can better enjoy the wine as it will have developed its character.

The newest wine varietal at Doffo is their 2008 Zinfandel.

I can already foresee this wine becoming one of the stars at Doffo (see photo).

With peppery traits and fruity, this Zinfandel is well balanced. Interestingly, this Zinfandel is a bit sweet but without sacrificing the integrity of its zippy personality.

On the contrary, this quality makes it a bit more flexible allowing you to enjoy it with a meal or on its own.

Among Doffo’s repertoire, don’t miss their Malbec and their Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. And for those who love dessert wines, try their Late-Harvest Syrah and Port.

If you’re visiting Temecula wine country, make sure you stop at Doffo Winery. They are definitely putting Temecula on the world map of wines.

PS: Once there, ask Don Marcelo or Damian to show you their impressive Ducati motorcycle collection. It will blow you away!

Have you been to Temecula? Tell about your experience and favorite winery.

About 2,500 years ago, Greek playwright Euripides said: “Where there is wine there is love.”

How wise! Who can contradict him? Ah, Euripides must have been inspired by wine, just like many other Greek poets and thinkers (and drinkers) thousands of years ago.

In fact, Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world with 6,500 years of experience!

Our featured Greek wine today is a 2007 Robola of Cephalonia from Gentilini Wines.

Robola is an elegant dry white wine from the Cephalonia Island (also spelled Kefalonia), the largest of the Ionian Islands, located in the western part of Greece in the Adriatic Sea.

The native grape Robola grows at high altitudes and on limestone and gravel.

Tasting this Greek wine was a total pleasure. The nose is discrete at first, but soon enough the aromas set off with floral, citrus and distinct mineral notes.

On the palate this 100% Robola is fresh and crisp, revealing the Mediterranean summer flavors of Greece all in one bottle.

Not only did I notice vibrant hints of citrus and herbal wood, but I also tasted olives. Opa! (I know, it gave me goosebumps too.)

I recommend you serve Robola slightly chilled and in a regular white wine glass; it makes for a great summer wine. You can drink it alone or pair it with seafood and your favorite Mediterranean Cuisine.

After tasting Robola, you’ll fall so much in love you’ll want your own Big Fat Greek barrel!

One of the most surprising towns you’ll ever visit in the United States is Solvang, California, especially if you don’t know what to expect.

It almost seems like this beautiful, picturesque town was ripped apart from Denmark by a giant and gently dropped in the middle-of-nowhere California.

It’s like visiting a Danish showcase in EPCOT Center, but this town is real.

Solvang was founded in 1911 by Danish-American educators who traveled west in search of land to build a Danish colony (and also to escape the cold winters in the Midwest).

They bought 9,000 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, just northwest of Santa Barbara, and built the town in traditional Danish style.

Some famous Danish icons you can find in Solvang are a replica of the Rundetårn observatory tower, windmills, and even a reproduction of the “Little Mermaid”, which welcomes visitors at the intersection of Mission Drive and Alisal Road, just across the Hans Christian Andersen Museum.

If you are planning to visit Solvang in 2011, plan ahead because they will be celebrating their Centennial and the year will be filled with events and activities.

Check the Solvang Centennial calendar here.

Since its architecture is so unique and European, Solvang is a great town to walk around.

You’ll find many shops and art galleries, as well as coffee shops, world-class restaurants, and authentic bakeries (yep, they’ve got Danish pastries).

For wine lovers, Solvang is a great destination. Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, there are over 70 wineries and tasting rooms you can visit.

But if you are only in Solvang for a short trip, the town offers over a dozen of wine tasting rooms. There are two we recommend you shouldn’t miss:

Carivintas Winery

Located on First Street across from Solvang Park, they have one white (Sauvignon Blanc) and 4 red wines which are of exceptional quality.

I particularly loved their 2006 Syrah/Tempranillo, their 2006 Malbec, and their 2007 Zinfandel. All with great character and elegant flavor.

What’s also admirable about Carivintas Winery is that they blend wines with philanthropy.

You’ll notice their artistic wine labels include colorful scenes of wildlife and animals. These beautifully designed illustrations represent rescued animals or endangered habitats.

For them, giving something back to the community is important, so they have affiliated with non-profit groups and a portion of their profits are donated to these groups.

Sort This Out Cellars

Right on Copenhagen Drive, Sort This Out Cellars is a boutique winery offering limited production wines inspired by vintage Vegas.

The decoration of the place takes you back in time and the wine labels will definitely catch your eye.

But don’t be fooled by the playful and sexy women on their labels, their wines are truly spectacular.

I loved the wines from their “Black Label” and “Legacy” collections.

The Cardiff Giant (Legacy Collection) is a remarkable Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Oh My Gosh Grenache is silky smooth and fruity with nice notes of strawberry and cherry flavors. The ending is quite unique with hints of cotton candy and caramel.