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.

Mother's Day 2009 in Temecula Valley Wine Country

This weekend make plans for a special Mother's Day in Wine Country. Pick from several venues, each offering a unique package of wine and food.

On the day before Mother’s Day, Callaway Vineyard & Winery will give mom a chance to relax, sip and shop as it hosts A Treat for Mom "Time Out" Tasting. Seatings are at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. and include the first release of the winery’s dry Rosé of Sangiovese, sparkling Bella Rosé and Nebbiolo Bello. It all comes with a chocolate dipped strawberry, a pink rose and a souvenir wine glass.Cost: $20.

Falkner Winery will hold a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Pinnacle restaurant on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All food will be prepared by new Executive Chef Gianni Ciciliot. Live entertainment will be provided. Cost is $54.95 per person; children 6-12 are $24.50; children under 6 free.

Ponte Family Estate Winery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is hosting its 6th annual Mother's Day Brunch, which features breakfast favorites, seafood and desserts and an open bar with Ponte wines, mimosas, bellinis, and the Smokehouse Restaurant's famous sangria. Seatings are on the hour. Cost: $70 per adult; $30.50 for children.

A Mother's Day Luncheon at Wilson Creek includes numerous buffet stations, mimosas, almond champagne and sangria, indoor seating and live entertainment. Cost: $70 per person; children $34.

Mother's Day Brunch at Thornton Winery includes a fabulous three-course menu. Cost: $49.95 for adults; $19.95 children 6 to 12; children under five, free.

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa will host a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Can't Take Mom to Wine Country this Mother's Day? Then Send Wine Country to Mom! (Click One of The Moms)
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Going Grape Temecula Wine Country Tours are Always Events

Going Grape Tour with Ray Falkner of Falkner Winery pouring.

by Frank Mangio

After a number of years in hospitality at Thornton Winery in Temecula, Ginger Giordano saw a space in the personal touring side of the Temecula Wine consumer experience. She knew that most wine lovers who come in to this thriving area, had no idea how to get the most out of this experience. Meantime she developed contacts at the wineries on a first-name basis and conceived a more intimate experience for wine country visitors.

“ I felt it was important to get customers what they wanted…a more personal wine tasting experience in a private or semi-private atmosphere, knowledge of the history and culture of the wines, in a relaxing atmosphere,” she said. “I take care of all the planning and transportation to each wine location. These wines in Temecula are produced on a level with Napa and Sonoma. We can offer you a balloon ride in a ‘fly and taste’ package. I have an association with Vallee d’ Brume for chocolates and desserts; and the Temecula Cheese Company will be happy to provide a platter of their cheeses, fruits and crackers. Our service includes pickup and delivery at your location…we just want the visitors to relax, and leave the driving and all other details to us.” Giordano has other ideas to make that next wine tour unforgettable. Learn more by calling 951-852-1923 or be accessing the web site at: www.goinggrape.com.


Aerate your Wines Without the Wait
It took me awhile to find out the story on the hot new product running around the wine circuit these days. It’s really a simple device that wine is poured through that creates an instant aeration, by drawing in air and velocity. It throws off a fascinating sound, like a waterfall, only it’s a pour of lovely red wine that gets lovelier to drink. It easily fits in the hand, with no power assist needed. It’s called a Vinturi! Made of glass, it eliminates the need to swirl and decant. It’s all done as it pours. The cost includes a stand and travel pouch. Locally, Wine Merchants in Carlsbad carries them for $44.99. There are special discounts for e mail and club members. Call for in questions at 760-804-9994.



Recommended ValueTastes
 Domaine du Caillou Red Rhone from Chateaneuf du Pape, 2005, $35. Beautifully crafted from the best vintage in France in years!
 Red Lava Lake County Syrah Reserve, 2004. $25. Rich tannins and good acidity, jammy blackberry mouth-feel.
 La Cereza Shiraz from Temecula, 2003. $ 18.95. Gold medaled at the Dallas competition. It’s Syrah, with a “down-under” look and feel.
 Peter Lehmann Clancy’s blend from Australia, 2004. $13. 90 point beauty from Wine Spectator. Mix of Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot.
 Catena Malbec from Argentina, 2005. $15. From the fertile Mendoza area. 100 year-old family keeps re-defining Malbec at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

Temecula Valley Wines Win Big in SF Competition

by Don McAuliffe

Wines from the Temecula Valley walked off with 12 medals at the first wine competition of the year. Held during the second week of January at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2008 featured wines from nearly every major wine-producing region in the United States.

Among more than 4,200 wines from 1,500 wineries, Stuart Cellars 2006 Syrah ($35) won double gold and best of class in its price category. Falkner Winery’s 2006 Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95) also won a double gold and best of class in its price class.

Ray Falkner of Falkner Winery - Photo Courtesy of Valley Business Journal

Maurice Car’rie’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95) received a gold, a reflection of the region’s emphasis on quality wines. “The Temecula Valley region is proud to have won some of the more prestigious awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition,” said Ray Falkner, winery owner and president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, which represents more than 60 growers and vintners. “To have two of our wines win Best in Class reflects that the quality of wine produced in Temecula is every bit as good as that of any of the wine regions to the North.”

Also receiving medals were Falkner Winery’s 2006 Viognier ($21.95), 2004 Amante ($24.95) 2004 Meritage ($29.95), 2004 Syrah ($24.95) and 2004 Merlot ($21.95); Stuart Cellars 2005 Tatria ($38) and 2005 Long Valley Red Meritage ($65); La Cereza Winery’s 2006 ($24.95) Viognier and Girlfriends ($16.95) white blend; and VR Winery’s 2006 Gewurztraminer ($14.95)

Taste Test Results in for Temecula Wines

by Frank Mangio

Southern California’s wine country is Temecula, with its growing vineyard and winery population, producing more wines in quantities that enable these wineries to emphasize quality.

The challenge for this growing appellation is to be recognized as a premium wine country by the trade and the major media. To this end, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, whose job it is to market the region, enlisted a panel to blind-taste a number of locally produced wines that they considered good enough to be 80 points or higher. This is the 100 point media rating scale for Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator, the largest circulated wine rating publications in the world.

I was asked to independently taste test the finalist wines. From the 15 wines submitted to my office, I have made my recommendations, narrowing them down to seven, without ranking them individually. All the wines can be obtained at their respective wineries.

I favor the Rhone and Tuscan style of grape for Temecula Wine Country. In my judgment, that is where it will capture its greatest success, and this is reflected in my choices. All, I believe, could be 85 or more points in any major publication ranking. They are, by alphabetical order:

·Falkner 2004 Amante Super Tuscan Blend
·Falkner 2006 Viognier
·La Cereza 2006 Viognier
·Palumbo Family 2005 Estate Sangiovese
·South Coast 2005 Wild Horse Peak Sangiovese
·South Coast 2005 Wild Horse Peak Syrah
·Thornton 2005 Syrah

I would venture that in future screenings there will be many more wines that can and should make an 80 plus ranking from Temecula. See for yourself how this region is growing by visiting or accessing their website at www.temeculawines.org.

Days of Wine and Roses - Valentines Day in Temecula

by Frank Mangio

Romance is alive and well in the vineyards of Temecula Wine Country as those wineries with a restaurant component are busy planning an evening to remember, not only on Thursday, February 14th, Valentines Day, but the day after, and on Saturday night the 16th.

South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa: A romantic setting in the Vineyard Rose with spectacular food pairings for their award-winning Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and “Black Jack” Port. The “cupids” on staff will take care of your every need. $98. per person. Call in the RSVP at 951-587-9463.

Thornton Winery: Three locations to choose from with perfectly paired food and wine, with tray passed appetizers and Thornton NV Cuvee Rouge Champagne. View the menu on line at www.thorntonwine.com. $80. per person. RSVP at 951-699-0099.

Falkner Winery: A spectacular 4 course dinner in the Pinnacle Restaurant with Falkner’s best wines. Choice of beef or fish, plus port and champagne.
$95. per person. Reserve at 951-676-8231.

For Additonal Events, please email Frank Mangio