Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery

​First, let me apologize to you and to the folks at Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery for not stopping in to visit their winery sooner.  It has been on my list of wineries to visit, but for some reason never got around to it.  Had a friend who had a round tuit on his desk.  I guess I should have had one as well.
Hungry Hawk is located north of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  If on your way to the park from Escondido past Orfila you turn left on the road that leads to the park instead of right, then take a left at the next light, you will find yourself on a winding road that leads back toward the park.  A few miles along the way you will come to Hungry Hawk.  It is well worth the trip.  Wonderful facility, very friendly staff, and decent wine as well – with one great surprise….

​It is so nice to visit a winery where everything is done properly.  None of the bar nonsense – wines are brought to the table, and in a set so you can do some parallel tasting.  The wines are served at the right temperature, water is provided, and food and snacks are available.  We sat outside in great comfort, with a very nice view.

​As for the surprise, well, you see, they have a Tempranillo that both my wife and I liked!!!  Now, not being fans of Tempranillo, we wondered what Tempranillo lovers would think of the wine.  As it turns out, we have two in the family – my son and his wife, who is also Doc Ed’s daughter – that’s right, Doc Ed and I are The In-Laws!  We bought a bottle and brought it to my son’s house on Fathers’ Day.  Sure enough, he thought it was not all that great, lacking the tastes of eye of newt, dirt, drain grease et al. that give Tempranillo it’s horrible after taste….

​Of the other wines we tasted, the Carmenere was the most interesting.  Carmenere was at one time thought to have been completely wiped out by the phylloxera root louse.  It was rediscovered in Chile, where something like 70% of their Merlot was found to be Carmenere.  Their version is a bit rough, but I think with a bit of aging will prove to be quite nice.  It should be noted that they source these grapes locally from amateur growers, unlike most of their other wines which are made from their own grapes or grapes grown by professionals.

​They have a wine club with all the good features.  Members get a 20% discount on four wines every four months (12 per year), with the added feature that they can select the wines.  Includes pick-up parties with food, two free tastings every visit, 15% discount on other wine purchases (going up to 20% if members purchase wine during the pick-up parties).