Robert Renzoni Winery Grows Up

article and photo by Frank Mangio
It was only a little more than a year ago that I set foot on a dusty slope on the De Portola Trail of Temecula Wine Country to greet Robert and his father Fred Renzoni at their new Robert Renzoni Vineyards. At that time, they promised true Italian style wine, unlike any others in Temecula. The promise was kept, and then some.

This 12 acre remarkable estate has been busy making no less than 14 wines plus a startup Marinara Sauce, Olive Oil and Wine Vinegar business. The property is surrounded by soaring mountains with the vineyards tucked into hillside acreage with a creek running through picnic grounds. It could be Tuscany or Piedmont in the mother country of Italy .

Robert is a passionate product of several generations of Renzoni winemakers. “My family started making wine in 1886 on the Adriatic Coast of Italy,” he said. “I followed in 3 generations of footsteps in 1989. My family has more years in the wine business than the entire Valley. 95% of the varietals produced here are Italian.” We both sipped his latest triumph, a savory 2006 blend called Fiori Di Fano. “This is our version of a Super Tuscan,” he asserted. “It’s named after my great grandfather’s hometown of Fano , Italy and Fiore means flower. The blend is 40% Cabernet, 38% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc. It’s our flagship wine, aged 22 months in French Oak.” (Wine club price is $36.)

Robert Renzoni, proprietor of Robert Renzoni Vineyards in Temecula, celebrates his family legacy with each wine he makes.

He went on to say that “we are not feeling the depressed economy. It’s a wonderful experience with the growth of our company. The fruit this year is plentiful and we are even harvesting our first Brunello clone of Sangiovese, we first planted on 2007.” (This grape is considered the highest and best quality in Italy , from Montalcino in Tuscany .)

Another brilliantly produced wine is the 2007 Barbera. This Piedmont style wine is an easy to drink red with a smooth velvet touch to the palate. Robert and his team are producing wines with a lowered alcohol content, in keeping with traditional Italian wines that compliment food, not overpower it.

For summer wine tasting, the new estate Pinot Grigio is best. It has a perfumed fragrance with mild but penetrating floral notes. Wine club price is just $13.50.

The “Vino Famiglia” Wine Club gets the member two special pre-selected Robert Renzoni wines, six times a year, at 25% off the regular winery price. Other nice discounts apply and no membership fee is required. See the winery for full details. Call 951-699-7925 or access the web site at www.robertrenzonivineyards.com.

Summer Wines Are Everywhere In Temecula
This summer, like no other, light and pink summer wines are flourishing as more customers want easy-on-the-palate refreshing varietals. I have noticed two trends this season: white blends, combining several varietals into a winemaker’s proprietary offering; and the increase in rose (ro-zay) varietals, something of a comeback for this formerly overdone process.

In addition to the Robert Renzoni Pinot Grigio, mentioned above. Here are my summer wine recommendations the next time you do a day-trip to Temecula:

Ø Thornton Rose 2007. $22. A blend of 57% Cab Franc and 43% Sangiovese. Fruit forward and lip smacking cranberry, cherry and strawberry. Chill it for best flavor.

Ø Ponte Beverino 2008. $28.95. Beverino means “easy to drink” in Italian. Subtly sweet, try it with a dessert.

Ø La Cereza Viognier 2008. $24.95. We have raved about this Rhone style wine before. Rich, complex and perfumed.

Ø Falkner Riesling 2007. $16.95. Winning recent gold, a delightful pear flavored German style touch of sweet.

Ø Callaway Quartet 2008. $28. Subtle flavors of melon, pear and pineapple from four white grapes.

Self Guided Vineyard Tour in Temecula Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA –Leonesse Cellars has always been able to talk the talk with its lineup of award-winning wines but now it can walk the walk.

Starting in May the winery introduced Vineyard Walk, a self-guided walking tour of a working vineyard complete with informational plaques and tasting stations where you can sample wines that are not available in the tasting room.

The tour is open to anyone who purchases a $12 ticket on the weekend to taste six different wines.

The Vineyard Walk is an opportunity to learn about history of the vineyard, new wines and the grape growing season and the commitment by Leonesse owners Mike Rennie and Gary Winder to viticulture in the Temecula Valley.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the busy tasting room and learn about winemaking and vineyard management from the roots up,” said Rennie, who also co-owns Stage Ranch Farm Management, the region’s leading vineyard management company.

The decision to stroll among the vines from the winery’s main tasting room to the Barrel Room was an easy one for Kevin Burns and Renee Greenberg of San Diego.

“Just look at all the people in the tasting room and we are out here,” said Burns as he sipped on a glass of yet unreleased 2008 Late Harvest Muscat Canelli. “What better way to enjoy wine than in the vineyard from where it came.”

At the second tasting station, Vineyard Walkers got a chance to sample an unreleased 2007 Cinsaut.

“It is very unique,” said Karen Wangeline of San Pedro. “I think this is what draws people to Leonesse Cellars.”

If a day in the vineyards works up an appetite, Leonesse now serves Small Bytes, bit-sized gourmet appetizers prepared by Leah DiBernardo, a moving force in the Slow Food movement in Southern California.

Visitors to the winery’s tasting room and barrel room can order seasonally prepared artisan food from a self-service menu with most of the dozen or so items priced less than $20.

Choose from lamb burgers and prawns poached in Chardonnay with an orange infused cocktail sauce or a charcuterie platter and homemade country pate.

Guests can enjoy the food and wine while relaxing on the tasting room patio, in the picnic area with its spectacular vistas of Wine Country and in Leonesse’s barrel room.

Small Bytes will be served Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Leonesse Cellars is an award-winning winery in Temecula’s Wine Country. Its tasting room at 38311 DePortola Road has breath-taking views of the southern part of Temecula’s Wine Country and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. . For more information call ((951) 302-7601 or go to: www.leonessecellars.com

La Habra Couple Wins First DePortola Wine Trail Contest

Chris and Danielle Darie of La Habra have been visiting Temecula's Wine Country for years. But it wasn't until last month that the couple discovered six wineries in the southern part of the wine region that make up the DePortola Wine Trail.

The Darie's discovery also proved to be their good fortune: they are the first winners of the monthly Follow the Trail contest sponsored by the six wineries. After tasting wine at all six wineries during a weekend trip, the pair entered a drawing for a free case of wine. The winning prize was two bottles of wine signed by owners and winemakers from Keyways, Robert Renzoni, Oak Mountain, Filsinger, Frangipani and Cougar wineries.

Chris said the case of wine is a great addition to their growing wine collection but the trip to the DePortola Wine Trail was an eye opener. "This is where we want to retire," he said. "You really feel like you are in the countryside."

Like the Silverado Trail in Northern California, the DePortola Wine Trail in Temecula is a rustic, off-the-beaten-path trip for wine lovers looking for a different Wine Country experience.

The six award-winning wineries are located on a three-mile stretch of a picturesque country road in the southern part of Temecula's Wine Country as it passes through Valle de los Caballos -- the Valley of the Horses. Visit the wineries to sample quality wine, great food and meet the people who make the wine.

From the 15 freeway, head out Highway 79 South/Temecula Parkway toward Indio, turn left on Anza Road and right on DePortola Road. Follow the signs to the wineries.

For more information go to: www.deportolawinetrail.com

In the Beginning: The Robert Renzoni Story

by Frank Mangio

Picture if you would, gentle sloping hills with signature Sangiovese grapes providing a tapestry for a stone villa with a commanding view of the countryside.


In the barrel room, names like Sangiovese, Bellisimo, Moscato and Pinot Grigio tempt the visitor with a handsome parchment-like label with the proprietor’s name: Robert Renzoni. Are we in Tuscany or possibly north of Milan?

In Temecula, Robert Renzoni with his father Fred recently unveiled a Vineyard and Winery that footprints those lovely wineries that dot the Italian landscape. The Renzoni family involvement with wine goes back to 1886. Robert is 4th generation with a keen knowledge of the importance of family and historical tradition. It is this soul of Italian winemaking that supports Robert Renzoni Vineyards and will carry it to stardom in Temecula Wine Country.

Robert is no stranger to wine country. “I was with Leonesse Cellars as their sales manager and saw an opportunity to bring a new kind of winery to Temecula” he said. We are bringing a touch of Italy to Temecula. Our Sangiovese is old world style: a light to medium bodied table wine with plenty of flavor. Our focal point will be a Tuscan style two story villa which should be constructed next year, that will house a landmark 50 foot bell tower with a bell that’s’ been handed down through the family. The second story will be a VIP style tasting room with an outdoor deck for gatherings.”

In the meantime, a comfortable tasting room has been put together in the barrel room that is open daily 11am to 6pm at the vineyard which is on De Portola Rd. between Keyways and Leonesse Wineries. There, visitors can taste and purchase 6 wines: a 2007 Pinot Grigio, a 2007 La Rosa with a lovely strawberry summer taste, a 2007 Bellisimo, a 2007 Moscato, a 2006 Sangiovese, aged 17 months in American Oak and a 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel with brilliant aromas of ripe blueberry and blackberry. Robert pointed out that “we will have a Cabernet and a Chardonnay soon, and we have just planted Brunello Sangiovese clones on the property. Our wine club is up and running and is offering 25% off on all wines.”

I fell in love with the ’07 Bellissimo, a refreshing white that reminded me of a smooth Sauvignon Blanc, and the ’06 Sangiovese with grapes sourced from Paso Robles. In my enthusiasm for this infant Vineyard and winery, I tripped and addressed Robert as Mondavi. Correcting myself, it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, Robert Renzoni may one day be the Robert Mondavi of Temecula Wine Country. The wine is that good! Call 951-302-VINO or access information at www.robertrenzonivineyards.com.


More From Temecula
Cougar Vineyard and Winery is another of Temecula’s newest wineries with the first husband and wife winemaking team: Rick and Jennifer Buffington. They own about 10 acres and also believe the Italian style wines are what is best grown in this area. They are also on DePortola Rd where last year they were medaled with their Chardonnay, estate Sangiovese, Muscat Canelli and Riesling. Cougar is also planting Montepulciano, Aglianico, Vermentino and Primitivo grapes. Look them up at www.cougarvineyards.com.

Temecula Wine Country Has Busy Season Ahead

Photo: Guitarist Craig Chaquico

Up and down Rancho California Road, and recently DePortola Road, the wineries of Temecula are busy creating lovely new wines and new and bigger facilities. The visitor count rises as nicer weather takes on a more consistent pattern.

It is an exciting time to be part of the wine scene is this growing area. Just a few days ago, a new winery opened its doors on DePortola: Robert Renzoni Vineyards, capturing the essence of Italian style winemaking. More about this in a future column.

At the New World International Wine Competition in Ontario recently, Temecula Valley wines captured 52 medals, after scoring 12 medals earlier at the San Francisco Chronicle showing. It was spread out among a number of wineries that are pulling some strong ratings from Sauvignon Blanc to Zinfandel.

Wilson Creek is meriting a lot of attention with its major upgrade, to include Wine Country’s newest restaurant as well as more banquet space. The Creekside Grill will feature “Mediterranean home-style,” elegantly presented cuisine. It should be ready to go in June. A ballroom above the restaurant will hold parties of 350 people. A barrel room will hold 75 guests. New Food and Beverage Director is Mindy Smith and will be handling the bookings of the new operation.

The biggest boost to Wilson Creek is the appointment of Etienne Cowper as winemaker. He has been in the Valley for 17 years and before coming down to Temecula he was at Kendall Jackson in Sonoma. At a recent party to introduce a new Zinfandel 2005 release, Etienne told me that “the fruit and its fullest expression is the most important part of the wine process. You have to know the grape and what it can do.” He went to say that “I believe in blending…some grapes like Sangioves tend to be thin in the middle and blending will enliven it and build up the body.” I asked him about how he knows when to harvest the grapes. “I sample (grapes) myself, walking, looking, feeling, and examining the seeds and skins.”

Concert season is just about ready to kick off and Wilson Creek has its Sunset jazz lineup in place, with headliners like the Sax Pack June 28, Eric Darius and guitarist Craig Chaquico (shown in above photo) July 19, among others. Tickets and information at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951-699-9463.

Thornton Winery, which invented “Champagne Jazz” concerts some 20 years ago, has its most ambitious venue ever with some 21 dates. Names like Richard Elliot, Jeffery Osborne and Mindi Abair are set to entertain in the next few months. Check out the lineup at www.thorntonwine.com or 951-699-3021.

If your entertainment likes are more intimate, try Keyways Vineyard and Winery Piano Bar on Friday nights 6:30 to 9:30pm, and Sunday “Music in the Vines” from 2pm to 6pm. More information at 951-302-7888.

by Frank Mangio