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Community Corner

Great Escape: Wine and BBQ Weekend at Big Dog Vineyards

The rain is gone and spring fever is spreading! It's time to get out of the house and escape to the foothills for some wine tasting and food.

Big Dog Vineyards hosts a few complimentary tastings each year, so if you have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to visit, this is the weekend! The stormy weather of the last few weeks has finally passed,  just in time for the first tasting of the spring season.

“We always hope for this kind of weather so everyone can take full advantage of the great views from our patio,” said owner Mark Capalongan. The vineyard is known for its panoramic views and gorgeous poppies, in full bloom.

Preparations are in high gear to accommodate a large crowd this weekend. The vineyard will pour wines from noon to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

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As a special treat, MoGo BBQ, a gourmet food truck, will serve its Korean-style BBQ from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. The extensive menu includes several items featuring chicken, pork, spare ribs and tofu. Hawaiian-inspired short rib sliders and bacon-wrapped "Dirty Dogs" are just a few reasons for MoGo's cult following.

Mark recommends the spicy pork BBQ burrito, which pairs perfectly with Big Dog's Gold Medal 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. So perfect, in fact, that the winery will give away a free bottle with the purchase of three or more bottles of wine this weekend.

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Owned and operated by  since 2001, specializes in quality over quantity. Producing only 500 cases a year, its wine is only available for purchase at its tasting room and online. The Spring Valley location provides the perfect soil for the award-winning cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon grapes that are grown on site.

Free wine, amazing food, beautiful weather and amazing views? Sounds like a Great Escape to us!

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