Orfila Wine

Orfila Vineyards

Located on a picturesque 70-acre estate in the heart of San Pasqual Valley, you’ll find Orfila Vineyards and Winery. Its 2010 estate-grown Sangiovese is layers of deliciousness: plums, sour cherries, sweet spices from the oak, and a long, dry finish. $30. 13455 San Pasqual Road, Escondido

Ramona Valley

Winner of the French vs. Ramona Valley Wine Challenge of 2012, the Milagro Farm Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is a wine to be reckoned with. Refreshing crisp acidity, citrus, apples, and grassy notes dominate, with a kiss of oak on the finish. $23.

18750 Littlepage Road, Ramona

Edwards

A relatively new player in the Julian area, the Edwards family has won numerous awards for its unfiltered estate grown Petite Sirah. If you prefer a wine so dark and purple you can’t see through it, and inky black fruits, then this wine is your hero. $32. 26502 SR 78, Ramona

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Wine

Poolside Sips

As San Diego heats up, choose these refreshing white wines to cool down

white wines

1

A tongue-twister for sure, the Domaine De La Quilla Muscadet Sur Lie De Sèvre & Maine from the Loire River Valley (France’s longest, in fact), 2011, is worth a taste. With its high acidity, light body, and delicate flavors of apples and pears, this dry Melon Blanc white wine is the antidote to a hot afternoon. $11. protocolwinestudio.com

2

Galiciain northwestern Spain is known for its shellfish and white wine. Go for this region’s flagship grape: Albarino. Think Riesling crossed with Sauvignon Blanc: Dry, crisp acidity; flavors of apricots, peaches, and lime zest. Nora Albarino, Rias Baixas 2011 pairs well with ceviche and is a great intro to the region and grape. $15. thewineconnection.com

3

With a rep for being cheap and overly sweet, the image of German Rieslings in the U.S. has suffered over the last  30 years. Shrug ogg your skepticism and taste what makes this grape genius. Try a cvariety from the Rgeungauu region like the Hans Lang Charta Riesling 2010. It is dry, pairs with anything and has layers of complexity. $24. trulyfinewine.com

—Lindsey Pomeroy

Culture Brewing Company

New Brew

Solana Beach Gets Cultured

Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach finally has its own brewery, Culture Brewing Company (111 South Cedros Avenue). Started by a group of local investors who live nearby, it’s now open Wednesday through Sunday with a selection of its mostly darker beers. You can also find them on tap at local bars and restaurants, including Solace and the Moonlight Lounge in Encinitas and South Park Bar & Grille in South Park.

Turns out there isn’t a brewery on every corner in SD… yet. Here are three more hot blocks we think need a local brewing co.:

• Shelter Island Drive, Point Loma
• Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills
• Girard Avenue, La Jolla

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