As 2016 comes to an end, we thought we would reflect back on the year in wine club events! Our wine club members enjoy an entire year filled with one of a kind, memorable events.
Back to Basics Pick Up Party – February 6
We kicked off our 2016 Wine Club events with our “Back to Basics” themed Pick Up Party. Wine Club members gathered at Doffo Winery to pick up their orders of our 2013 Syrah and 2013 Malbec, and were treated to a low-key throwback event reminiscent of the early days of Doffo Pick Up Parties!
Guests enjoyed Argentine sliders and empanadas and Doffo wine as Carlos Naranjo provided the musical backdrop for the evening.
Winemaker’s Dinner & Zin Vertical – March 19
On March 19th we hosted Austin-based Chef Louie Ortiz for our very special Winemaker’s Dinner & Zinfandel Vertical.
Chef Louie flew out and worked with events coordinator Samantha Doffo to taste various Doffo Zinfandels and develop the evening’s menu.
This intimate event was highlighted by a creative and delicious 5-course meal paired with 4 different vintages of Doffo Zinfandel. We believe that this style of dining really brings people together and is the best way to experience both the wine and the food.
It’s one of our favorite events each year, and we’re already looking at Spring 2017 for the next one!
Viva Argentina! – April 9
It’s no secret that we are proud of our Argentinian heritage! That’s why we organized an event to celebrate our beautifully blended South American/European culture. The Doffo family is of Italian descent, from a region of Argentina that was mostly farmland. This region was known for various types of cattle ranches and the traditional “Gauchos” who looked over the lands. To honor these gauchos of the past, we invited our Wine Club to come out for a festive event filled with delicious empanadas, salads, and a variety of meats slow cooked over a mesquite grill. We even had our own modern day gauchos from Martin Fierro Asados, who served up a traditional “parrillado” style of cooking!
All of this amazing food went perfectly with our Malbec, of course! This was a special event for our wine members, as they also were able to celebrate Brigitte Doffo’s daughter Fiori’s 9th birthday!
We are lucky to have such a special bond with our Wine Club family! We know everyone left with happy hearts and full stomachs!
Summertime Backyard BBQ Pick Up Party – June 4
The theme for our June Pick Up Party was “Summertime Backyard BBQ” and once again members from around Southern California and beyond gathered at the winery for an evening of good food, good people and of course good wine! Attendees were treated to a gourmet burger bar with all the favorite fixings and a hearty slice of apple pie for dessert.
Carlos Naranjo again performed at the event, and members took home their June Wine Club orders of our 2013 Mistura and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon.
A Night in Memphis / Marcelo’s 65th – September 24
Anyone who is lucky enough to know Marcelo Doffo will tell you what a unique and special individual he is. That’s why when it came to celebrating his 65th birthday, we had to go big! We invited our Wine Club members to a special barbecue with entertainment by Southern California’s favorite Elvis tribute act, James “King” Kruk, uh-thank you very much!
With delicious food provided by Lucille’s BBQ and of course plenty of Doffo wine, the party went long into the night.
Surrounded by friends, family and members of our Wine Club, Marcelo truly had a wonderful 65th!
Progressive Pizza Party – October 8
For our Fall Pick Up Party we decided to change things up and throw a good old fashioned pizza party, but with a twist! Red Oven Ritual came out and cooked up a variety of pizzas for members to enjoy throughout the night.
Lucy & La Mer serenaded the folks in our Zinfandel Lounge area which featured a sneak peak tasting of our not-yet-released 2014 Zinfandel.
At the end of the night guests took home their bottles of 2014 Malbec and 2014 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Polenta Party – December 3
As the end of the year approaches, there’s one event that every Wine Club member looks forward to: The Polenta Party/Ugly Sweater Christmas Party! This event began as a Doffo family tradition that is now shared with our Wine Club family. The Polenta Party is also an opportunity to give back to other’s who are less fortunate. Every year, we pick a charity to spotlight, and this year we were honored to include Project T.O.U.C.H.
This local Temecula charity organization works to prevent homelessness by providing aid, shelter and much more to those in need. We asked our Wine Club members to bring essential goods to help Project T.O.U.C.H. and they came through with over $1000 in donations! It was a beautiful afternoon at the winery, with live music in the air as everyone mingled and drank their favorite Doffo wine as the meal was being prepared. Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, the pouring of the polenta! Everyone gathered around to watch as the entire Doffo family help dish out this piping hot meal.
The tradition of eating the polenta is to eat your portion through until you meet your neighbor on the other side. Damian Doffo advised members to start from the outside, and not to cheat by going for the middle first! The polenta didn’t last long and soon the tables were almost clear. Leftovers were skillfully wrapped up as “polenta burritos” to-go. For dessert Marcelo fired up dulce de leche crepes, flambe style!
Finally the evening wrapped up with the ugly Christmas Sweater competition as the crowd voted on their favorites. This year’s winner skillfully turned Damian Doffo’s face into a holiday elf! Another great polenta party in the books and a fantastic way to end the year for our Wine Club!
We want to thank all of our Wine Club members for another amazing year! We look forward to making new memories with all of you in 2017! Ciao!
