A8
MARCH 16, 2012
THE COAST NEWS
Local couple opens winery in Oceanside PET OFTHE WEEK By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — Beach Wine House winery and vineyards sits on a hill that offers panoramic views of the ocean, San Jacinto Mountain and San Luis Rey Valley. Kim and George Murray broke ground on the 4-acre property in 2009. In 2010 they were OK’d by the city to produce wine. George explained that making wine is a planned and careful process. Grapes are crushed, stemmed, punch mixed and fermented before they turn into alcohol and are barreled. Once barreled, the final fermentation process begins and barrels are topped off monthly to close any air space. “We’re not a big corporate winery,” George said. “Friends become part of the process.” Recently they planted 2.5 acres of sanglovese, cabernet franc and malbec vines. The vines will be ready to produce in about four years. “It’s great soil,” George said.“The climate is very much like Portugal or Spain. It’s perfect for growing grapes.” In the meantime they source grapes from Sonoma, Napa, Paso Robles and San Diego. “Grapes are like an apple,” George said.“There are different characteristics, different styles of grapes.” A lot of profiling goes into sourcing grapes, yeast and barrel selection, and testing wine pH and sugar.
This week’s pet is Sausage, a “kind of roundish,” 4-year-old, 11pound, neutered male Chihuahua mix. An RCHS foster care volunteer took him home for a sleep-over and said he was a perfect gentleman. He didn't beg, he napped on the floor next to the couch, and walked well on his leash. The adoption fee For more is $125. For information about other dogs, cats, and rabbits that need families call (760) 753-
George Murray (left) with Kim Murray are owners of the Beach House Winery in Oceanside. Photos by Promise Yee
“You test the natural pH structure to ensure it’s not bitter or so tart you can’t drink it,” George said. “There are checks and balances. There’s a lot of research involved, but it’s all worth it.” The final test to determine if wine is ready to bottle is tasting it. “We like to share the romantic part of wine making with people,” George said. The Murrays will produce a total of 54 barrels of 11 different varietals wines this year. Each barrel yields 300 bottles of wine. “All our wine is barrelaged,” George said. Currently wine tasting is by appointment and guests to the winery bring their own appetizers. Kim and George live on the winery property and still work at their day jobs as a financial analyst and geophysi-
Board votes to move forward with Osuna home sale By Patty McCormac
Recently 2.5 acres of grapes have been planted.
cist, respectively, while they are starting up the winery. They plan to retire within the next couple of years and devote themselves to the winery full time. “We want to stay a small winery and expand to local restaurants and the local community,” George said.“Word-ofmouth has been very good for us.” The Murrays have won
numerous gold and silver medals in amateur wine making contests and will be entering some of their wines in international competitions this year. “The petite sirah people just love,” George said. “The chardonnay sauvignon is very popular. The merlot has gotten big comments on its big, fullbody flavor. The cab franc people love. It’s a hard-to-find crowd-pleaser.”
6413, log on to sdpets.org or visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas. Kennels are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Association voted unanimously to take the next step in selling the single-family home and property that has been split from the Osuna Ranch by sending out requests for proposals to local realtors. “In 2011, the board of directors authorized a lot split on the Osuna Ranch that split off the main house from the horse facility,” said Jim Putnam during a report to the board at its March 1 meeting. “On Feb. 22, 2012, the Finance Committee recommended the board send out an RFP to the local real estate firms and list the Osuna House for sale.” Putnam told the board he had done a little research and learned that three acres of comparable horse property with a home should cost in the neighborhood of $3 million, but said an official appraisal is needed. The Association purchased the 28-acre Osuna Ranch in June 2006 for $12 million with open space funds. The intent is to use it for historical education, as a meeting place for members and as an equestrian center. In May 2010, the Osuna Committee asked for $150,000 for funding for portions of Phase One of the Osuna Master Plan. It was to be used mostly to satisfy the county requirements for a major use permit for the planned lot split. Also the fire department wanted the main driveway to accommodate a fire engine and they also wanted a fire hydrant, an 8inch waterline and a backflow
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prevention device. Nine pepper trees had to be removed from the property so that there could be a clear view on the roadway from the driveway. All those requirements have been met and now the split is complete. It has been hoped by the Osuna Committee that some of the profits from the sale of the home be used to help restore the Osuna Ranch. Association member Sam Rossini said he has heard that $300,000 was needed to finish the restoration and he is concerned. “I urge you not to spend one penny to rejuvenate (the ranch) until the property is sold,” he said. At the Jan. 9 Association meeting, Ron McMahon, president of the Osuna Ranch Steering Committee, reported that no additional work can be done on the restoration project until the board can determine how it can be funded. McMahon said he also hopes that additional funding can also come from open space funds, private grants through the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, community fundraising and historic restoration grants. The next phase includes restoration of the adobe, quarters for an on-site caretaker and bathrooms and a small kitchen for visitors. The cost is estimated at $30,000 to finalize construction documents, $275,00 for the actual construction and $75,000 for landscaping. Built in 1831, the original two-room adobe underwent a restoration and expansion in 1924 by Lilian Rice, Rancho Santa Fe’s original architect. She supervised the construction and new adobe bricks were manufactured to replace missing or damaged wall sections. McMahon said the Osuna Ranch is one of the most significant historic sites in the state of California. “We need to find the most appropriate company to represent us and sell that property,” said Jack Queen, board president.