Temecula Winerys Yearly BBQ Event

Today I visited Thornton Winery for their annual BBQ class. While I am well aware of the award winning wines that this fine Temecula winery produces, I had never had the occasion to visit their restaurant or attend one of their cooking classes. I now know what I have been missing.

When we arrived, each of us found on the table a detailed guidebook describing the ingredients and preparation secrets for each of the five foods they would prepare. Even more exciting for many of us were the five wine glasses stacked in front of our table setting. Of course, the ever vigilant staff kept our glasses filled with many of their fine Temecula wines while the entertaining and informative Executive Chef Steve Pickell filled our stomachs.

Chef Pickell taught our two hour class how to prepare five different foods. He started with a very fresh grilled panzanella salad. I doubt that I had ever considered salad as a dish to prepare on the BBQ, yet it was well received and most had seconds. Next came the hearty grilled flatbread with caramelized onions and sausage. Once again, few of us expected a flat bread entrée to come off the BBQ? Our next dish was grilled corn on the cob and braided short rib sliders with BBQ sauce prepared from scratch. Each of us busily wrote notes and took photos so we would not overlook any of the chefs tips. Finally, a dessert that no one could have expect from any gourmet cooking class -- grilled sugar donuts. This dessert was as tasty as all of the other dishes.

Beside me sat a very humorous but slightly pompous chef from a the most prestigious hotel restaurant in Dana Point. He told me that when he heard his parents had signed him up for this BBQ class way out in Temecula for his birthday, he had very low expectations. He said -- I kind of expected that the presenting chef would sound kinda French and tell us that he would teach us his two BBQ secrets. First, how to prepare de hotdog wis vertical stripes and second how to prepare de hotdog wis horizontal stripes. This chef then corrected himself and said - I totally underestimated this winery's cooking talent. I learned that I completely enjoy Thornton wine! I saw 5-star service during what could have been serviced as a very casual affair. I also thank Chef Pickell for his Balsamic Vinegar, Thornton red wine and sugar idea.

Many people underestimate Temecula wineries and their cooking talent. I highly recommend that people take take a trip to Temecula for either a wine tasting party or a special meal at Thornton and the other Temecula wineries. Like this visiting chef, we expect that you will change your feelings about the Temecula wine valley and have a highly rewarding visit. You might start with one of Thornton Wineries upcoming classes with Chef Pickell or the weekly jazz concerts -- in such a small venue under the stars, no one will get a bad seat. You can reach Thornton Winery for restaurant or concert reservations at (951) 699-0099.

David Cragg is the manager of ten Temecula Winery web sites including http://Temecula-wineries.net. David Cragg, covers the exciting Temecula Wineries and their ever popular Temecula wine.