Peaceful boozy feeling

The man who wrote “Peaceful Easy Feeling” for the Eagles hopes people who love the song also love wine.

Encinitas-based songwriter Jack Tempchin has introduced a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” cabernet sauvignon made by the Temecula-based South Coast Winery.

“I’ve had offers to use the song for commercials in the past,” Tempchin says. “Callaway Golf company wanted to use it, but I’ve turned them down in the past.”

He briefly considered a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” bulletproof vest before deciding to go with wine instead.

Bottles sell for around $20 at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Costcos in Southern California. A chardonnay will be released later this year.

“Peaceful Easy Feeling,” the song, hit number 22 on the Billboard charts in 1973, and is featured on the Eagles compilation Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), which has sold in excess of 42 million copies since its release in 1976.

Tempchin wrote part of the soft-rock staple in 1971 at the Der Wienerschnitzel on Washington Street in Hillcrest while eating chili dogs. One of the tables has commemorated the song’s creation since December 2012.

The wine is described as having a “rich, concentrated character and jammy black cherry and cassis aromas” as well as “forest floor and leafy herbal notes.”

Before releasing the wine, Tempchin sent bottles to his friends in the Eagles, at least the ones who are still drinking booze.

“Glenn Frey said it was good,” he says.

On April 5, Tempchin is promoting the “Peaceful Easy Feeling” wine with a bottle-signing/concert at the Whole Foods (687 South Coast Highway 101) in Encinitas.

“I’ll go to the store and play a couple of songs in front of the bananas,” he says.