38311 De Portola Rd
Temecula, CA 92592
USA
Annual Wine & Vine Symposium
Featuring Los Caballos Vineyard
Sip wine & learn with our expert panel as they take you through a cheese paired tasting of our exceptional Merlots and share insights into the farming and winemaking process. This comprehensive experience gives you a behind the scenes look, with never before heard stories of our winemaking history. Hear from our experts what makes great wine and gain insight into our farming, barrel aging, and winemaking practices!
Pairings
2006 Signautre Selection Merlot – Goat Cheese
2007 Signature Selection Merlot – Coastal Cheddar
2009 Vineyard Selection Merlot – Cambazola
2010 Vineyard Selection Merlot – Aged Gouda
2011 Vineyard Selection Merlot – Vermont Sharp Cheddar
2012 Vineayard Selection Merlot – Chef’s pairing is Gouda, Tim’s pairing is Asiago
2012 Cellar Selection Meritage – Humbolt Fog & Asiago
2012 Signature Selection Merlot – Goat Cheese
Special Guest
Eddie Osterland – America’s First Master Sommiler
In 1973, Eddie Osterland became the first American to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma exam. He is an internationally acclaimed expert in the culinary arena of food and wine.
Our Panel:
Gary Winder – Stage Ranch Founder & Leoness Co-Owner.
Gary Winder’s rich farming history is at the heart of Leoness Cellars. With over 43 years of farming experience in the Temecula Valley, Gary ensures that we farm our vineyards using only high quality sustainable farming practices and that Leoness receives the only the ripest, best fruit from our vineyards.
Mike Rennie – Leoness Co-Owner
As a farmer, first and foremost, Mike Rennie has always concerned himself insuring the highest quality wine grapes and sustainable farming practices. Mike joined Stage Ranch Farm Management in 1990 and created the vineyard division of the company. Leoness Cellars was born out of this and their lifelong quest to create world class wines from the finest vineyards in the Temecula Valley.
Tim Kramer – Winemaker
Tim Kramer started winemaking at the age of 22 and his passion led him to work under some of the best winemakers in Southern California. Tim has been the winemaker for Leoness Cellars from the start and he has left a mark on the Temecula region. Tim has received more than five 90 point scores on wines along with numerous Gold, DBL Gold and Best in Class awards from national and international competitions.
Pete Mousis – Associate Winemaker
Pete is an instrumental part of the Leoness winemaking team and works hands on with the wine every step of the way. Pete Mousis has over 13 years of winemaking experience including winemaking in both Napa and Chile.
Billy Bower – Director of Agriculture
Billy has been with Stage Ranch for over 25 years. His years of experience have provided him with a wealth of knowledge in agriculture practices and agriculture in the Temecula Valley region. He is an asset to our farming operation and ensures that the vineyards of the valley are sustainably farmed and provides winemakers with the best fruit.
Daragh Matheson – Chef & Director of Culinary Operations
Daragh Matheson became the Executive Chef at Leoness Cellars in 2011.During his time at Leoness Chef Matheson has seen the restaurant grow from an initial team of three to its current lineup of ten line cooks. He has over 30 years of intensive from scratch culinary experience.
