A book signing by the local authors of “Flavors of the Temecula Valley Wineries,” describing delicious food recipes from all over the world and the history of Temecula’s 40 wineries was held at the Plateau Vineyards in La Cresta, Oct. 2.
Part of the proceeds for the book signing and food tasting lawn party were donated to The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau nonprofit for its many nature preservation youth programs on the plateau and in schools.
The co-authors of “Flavors,” Martha Culbertson and Rebecca Farnbach, were in attendance to sign their colorful and informative book which is a compilation of the history of many wineries in Temecula’s wine country that is fast becoming one of the 10 most favored regions for winemaking and tastings in the world.
Culbertson, from the family of one of the first Temecula wineries at the signing said, “I don’t think anyone has done anything like this book. I’ve lived abroad, studied with great teachers (chefs),” she explained. She said later her husband, John Culbertson, a Navy diver, with whom she traveled with over the world, left the Navy and began his wine business in Temecula. There, she further cultivated her cooking skills. Culbertson Winery was one of the first 10 wineries in Temecula.
Martha continued to make many of her dishes with the international flavor she had learned in the previous world including parts with limited foods. Some of her dishes, served at the tasting and signing party, were made by her own granddaughters, twins Collete and Colleen from Oceanside and the younger Christine who flew in from Texas for the occasion.
Co-author Farnbach, a noted Temecula historian who helped lead the rehabilitation of many of the historic Vail Ranch headquarters properties, said,” I have been to every single winery in writing our book for their history.” She lauded the book publisher Great Oak Press editor Lauren Niezgodzki from Pechanga Resort in California and the books photographer Johnny Valesquez and the culinary assistance of Jean Vesey for putting together the 380 page book.
Both Martha and Rebecca said they were initially introduced by Audrey Cilurzo of the early Cilurzo Winery, one of the first in Temecula. Later meeting at the adobes on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve they cemented their relationship in writing “Flavors of the Temecula Valley Wineries.” Both co-authors have written other books about the Temecula Valley and its growing list of wineries in Wine Country aiding in its growth in American and wine connoisseurs throughout the world.
Another author Rob Crisell who wrote “Temecula Valley Wineries” and also the “Temecula Wino” who wrote about the wineries and their attributes in the Valley News, was on hand to congratulate the co-authors. All the attending authors expressed their appreciation to the Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association for their assistance in their writing efforts.
Assisting with the book signing was George Schaeffer and his family, owners of the Plateau Winery on the Plateau, 20170 Sierra Soto, La Cresta who offered their specialty wines for the guests at the lawn party adjacent to the vineyards.
Some of the food dishes sampled at the “Flavors” book signing were the Buckwheat Blinis with smoked Salmon prepared by Vesey; Chocolate Almond Sorte with Cherry Sauce; French Ginger Cake with Lemon Sauce; Sherry Apple Cake; Spring Pate and Pissadiere (French Pizza) all of which listed in the “Flavors” recipes along with dozens of others.
“Flavors of the Temecula Valley Wineries,” can be purchased for $40 at the Pechanga Great Oak Gift Shop and other gift shops in the Valley.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
