Neighbors newspaper October 2009

38

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P
AGE
Stompin’ in Wine Country
2009
Mount Palomar Style
OBER
By Bethany Rogers
applied purple paint to the bottoms
Everyone who heard I was go-
of our feet and had us stamp the foot-
OCT
ing to the Mount Palomar Grape
prints on to the backs of our T-shirts.
Stomp had the same exact reac-
While they were drying, we took ad-
tion. “Like ‘I love Lucy?’” Yes, like “I
vantage of the deli inside the winery.
love Lucy” only instead of Lucy and
Steve and I split a Greek style pizza
Ethel, it was Lucy and Ricky. My
with salami, feta cheese, artichoke
very dignifi ed husband, Steve, was
and red pepper. I had a truly delicious
to be mucker to my stomper. Mount
Cabernet and Steve drank a nicely fl o-
Palomar holds competitions for their
ral Viognier.
annual Grape Stomp, including Best
Properly nourished, we went to scope
Team Name and Best Costume, as
out the competition. The costumes were
well as a contest for the Stomp Off. I
sensational. The couple who had the
knew we wouldn’t win Team Name
winning costume, Nolan and Cassie
for our choice of “Two Stompin’
Campbell, wore boots fi lled with
Winos” and we couldn’t win for
grapes tied to their shoulders and hats
costume. I once convinced Steve
and carried a sign that read “If Grapes
to dress up as a pirate for a cos-
Could Stomp”, which was also their
tume party we threw. At that time,
team name. A couple of young girls
I didn’t realize that he would never
were dressed as super-heroes, com-
again dress up in costume again as
plete with capes. Their team name was
long as he lived. If I had known I
“Kiss my Grapes.” The winning name
R may have picked a better costume.
E
went to a team dressed as surgeons in
P
Anyway, I knew we had to win, and
burgundy colored scrubs that went by
A
P
our only chance of winning was the
“The Wincologists.” I appreciated how
S
Stomp Off.
creative some of the other teams were,
W
Representing Neighbors Newspaper in the Media Stomp were Bethany and Steve
Steve and I arrived early on
E
but would they be any competition in
Rogers l-r at the ﬁrst barrel and RaeAnn Kaliher and Patrica Moinet-third barrel. It was
N
that beautiful Sunday morning. We
the barrels, where it counted?
so much fun they are already planning their strategies and costumes for next year!
signed in and received our T-shirts.
The fi rst heat was Steve and me and
rs
We were then directed to a gazebo
nine other couples. The goal was to be throwing grapes from the large bin into
win the grand prize of a $100 gift
where a winery employee, attrac-
bo
the fi rst team to fi ll a one-gallon jug. our barrel. I hopped up and started
certifi cate, nor did we win second
tively dressed as a pirate’s wench,
At the sound of the whistle, we started smashing. I had a strategy to keep the
h
prize, a $50 gift certifi cate. Steve
hole at the bottom of the barrel clear
and I came in third. There was no
ig
so the fruit pulp and stems wouldn’t
prize for third. I am still sad about
keep the juice from running out. As I
this. If you are reading this in 2017,
Ne
was using my foot to clear the hole, the
I will still be sad. We lost to a young
winemaker, who was also the judge,
couple of Olympic gymnasts with
commented “Looks like Team One is
thighs the size of tree trunks. Ok, not
running out of steam.”
really, but they were young, and ob-
“Like heck! We’re made of steam!” I
viously had not been taking advan-
shot back. We proved it by winning
tage of the delightful wines Mount
fi rst place in the fi rst heat. In addition
Palomar was serving. I would like to
to bragging rights, we won two bottles
say I have my dignity, but that would
of wine.
not be true. What I have is a plan to
The Stomp-Off took place 3 hours and
win next year.
many glasses of wine later. We did not
Events in Wine Country
Sunset Dinners Offered at
Callaway Winery’s Meritage Restaurant
ARDS
Celebrate the change of the season at Meritage at Callaway with a $40
dinner designed for two. Enjoy Meritage Restaurant’s seasonal ingredient-
driven cuisine, complete with Callaway’s award-winning wine. Temecula’s
summer sunsets and warm fall afternoons make Meritage the perfect vineyard
venue. It is a well-known secret that the spectacular panoramic vineyard view
at Meritage creates a wonderful setting for romance and the gathering of
friends.
Take advantage of our economically priced Three Course Sunset Dinner
for Two for only $40, available now through Oct. 3, 2009. Our extended
summer hours and $40 dinner promotion are offered Tue. – Fri., from 3 p.m.
until sunset. Dinner will be offered Fri. and Sat. evenings only, starting Oct.
9, 2009.
For more information about weekly menu selections, reservations, and
general inquiries, please call 951.587.8889 or please visit www.callaway-
winery.com.
VISITING OUR VINEY
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