Not everyone can join HJC and travel to Europe to catch a MotoGP race like MPN tech editor Brendan Baker just did. However if you are in the heart of the Southern California powersports industry, you can enjoy the next best thing free of charge. The fine folks at Doffo Winery started hosting Moto GP watch parties this season in their newly remodeled barrel room and launched their new MotoDoffo wines.
In addition to having a great collection of vintage motorcycles highlighted by patriarch Marcelo Doffo’s MotoGiro d’Italia race bikes from the 1950s, the venue has played host to a wide variety of industry events, ranging from the Gold Wing press intro and Australian Husqvarna dealers to being the site of the Annual Kurt Caselli Foundation Fundraiser. This makes the barrel room the perfect place to join a bunch of enthusiasts to watch the races, and taking a ride out to Temecula wine country over the Ortega Highway is a plus.
When Doffo first started making wine in his backyard it was just something fun to do with the family that evolved into one of the best wines in Southern California’s Temecula wine country. Same thing with the collection of motorcycles.
“When he ran out of room in the garage they sort of ended up in the wine room,” said his son Damian. In addition to being a second-generation wine maker, Damian is also following in Marcelo’s footsteps as a racer. In fact, he piloted his old CB160 to the 2017 AHRMA 250GP Pacific Crown Championship at Willow Springs.
For years, the MotoDoffo Collection motorcycles inspired winemakers Marcelo and Damian to create a MotoDoffo blend, but as the Doffo family’s motorcycling lifestyle grew in popularity, it became clear that a separate MotoDoffo brand had emerged.
“That MotoDoffo name has been thrown around for 20 years…motorcycles and making wine are both art to the Doffo family and we live by the motto ride, race, restore,” said Damian. In addition to Marcelo and Damian, sisters Samantha and Brigitte also race and work at the winery.
To commemorate the pairing of motorcycle racing and wine making, the very first bottle of MotoDoffo branded wine, a 2015 Super Tinto, was released at the grand re-opening of the barrel room. Each bottle of Super Tinto is adorned with an original piece of artwork created by renowned motorsports artist Robert Carter.
If you can’t see MotoGP in person, join the industry types out at Doffo.
Doffo Winery
36083 Summitville St.
Temecula, CA 92592
Phone: 951.676.6989
