Domaine Artefact

​I started this blog about four years ago with the view that I would only review wineries that I could recommend to my friends.  For most wineries, I have to taste several of their wines to come to a decision whether to do a review or not.  Which means that sometimes you really get caught in a bind.  It really isn’t a good idea to let the people at the winery know that I review wineries if I don’t think well enough of their winery to review it.  On the other hand, without revealing that I am looking to review their winery I might not get to taste the key wines that can make the difference.  Doc Ed and I thought we were in that situation last Saturday.
Doc Ed had visited the winery about six years ago, when it was in its infancy, and was not impressed (to say the least), so we were a bit wary.  The winery was handling the tasting by serving sets of four wines (see picture below) from a set menu.  Well, the wines we really wanted to taste were not on the menu.  Turns out it was much ado about nothing.  We tasted their Viognier (after hearing how it came out a bit on the light side), and we were hooked.  This winery was definitely going to be up for a review.

The winery in question is Domaine Artefact.  Located on Highland Valley Road in Escondido, it is one of the larger wineries in the area, and one of the best in all of Southern California.  Why?  Because, like the last winery we reviewed, Mermaid Valley, they know what they are doing.
To begin with, the grape varieties they grow do well in our environment.  I don’t know if they bought the land knowing that it would be perfect for Rhone Valley grapes or decided after the fact.  It does not matter – it works.  Then, after a few years, they built a great wine tasting facility (see pictures below), with both indoor and outdoor seating with a great view.

​Of course, the proof is in the wine.  Nothing but very good to excellent, enjoyable from the first taste of their Viognier to the last taste of their Petite Sirah.  Seven wines tasted, all among the best of their kind produced in Southern California!  See the list below.  I have featured their Grenache Noir, only because it is one of the few Grenache reds that I have tasted worth buying.  We hit both of their GSM’s and Syrah’s as well.  I should add that they also know how to properly serve their red wines, i.e., at the right temperature.  See their cooler below.

​Right now, the only food available is a charcuterie box (see below), but the kitchen has been built and it is expected that they will open their café in two to three years.  Love goat cheese gouda!  Chef mentioned tri-tip sandwiches.  YUM!

​They do have a wine club with 20% discount on the obligatory twelve bottles per year (in two semi-annual offerings) and 15% on all other wine purchases.  Members can make changes to the two offerings if made in advance of the pick-up date.  Twelve free wine tastings per year are included.