Forde Shorts

Got medals – Jim Arnold, co-owner of Triassic Legacy Vineyard, reported that their wine had won four medals in the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle 2017 wine competition – gold for their Big Bang Red blend and silvers for their 2013 Zinfandel, 2015 Voignier and 2015 Voignier Oak. Pioneer wine growers Bob and Patty Souza of Souza Family Vineyard, who have won nine medals in major competitions, did not enter this year's Chronicle event. Their 2011 and 2013 Primitivos were not ready, Patty Souza told Forde Files. "It does take time to get over bottle shock," she said. As the chemistry within the bottle works its magic and vintners wait for that "big, bold flavor" to emerge, "Wine does its own thing," she said. Arnold said local growers are redoubling their efforts to gain the designation "American Viticultural Area" for Tehachapi.

Scam alert – If a person you don't know calls and says, "Can you hear me?" just hang up. Do not say "Yes." The scammers record the "yes" and use it as your approval to ship you merchandise you don't want. Warning is from Ida Perkins, president of the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce.