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January Winery Events

Fun wine events!

It’s the start of another new year and if you haven’t visited Temecula Valley Wine Country lately, now’s the time! Check out January’s calendar of events and make plans to visit us soon!

Avensole Winery
Hosted Tour & Wine Tasting Available on Sunday of each the month 2pm-3:30pm / For every adventure, there is discovery, for every unique place, there is a story. Take a guided journey through our lush vineyards and experience our rich heritage and handcrafted Avensole wines / Cost. $35 / Reservations required. Please call 951.252.2003 x312 to reserve.

Gourmet Cheese Artisanal Tour & Wine Tasting / Available on Friday of each month / 12pm / For the ultimate Wine Country experience, delight in an educational tour through our picturesque vineyard vistas and conclude this tour with a culinary treat of artisanal wine pairings featuring 7 Avensole wines / Cost: $75 / Reservations required online at: http://www.avensolewinery.com/res-369934

Baily Winery
Estate Library Tasting / Every Thursday-Sunday / Available 11am-4pm / Enjoy exclusive library tasting of 5 different vintages (varietal will vary monthly). Tasting will take place at Baily Estate Tasting Room located on Pauba Road / Tours are available upon request / For reservations and pricing information please call Lisa at 951-972-9768.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Prix Fixe Friday & Sunday at Meritage / 5pm to 8pm / For $40 guests may enjoy a starter, an entrée and a dessert / Live Music offered on Friday nights Reservation is not necessary. For menu information call 951.587.8889

Brunch Specials every Sunday at Meritage / 11am / Cost is $30 / Includes a mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice, entrée and dessert. All food from Meritage is farm-to-table, either grown on property in restaurant garden or locally outsourced.

Callaway Winery Tours offered daily / 11am and 2pm / Tour only, $10 per person. Tour with tasting, $25 – tour includes 1 tank sample, 1-barrel sample and 4 additional tastes at the Tasting Bar / Reservations not necessary, but for 10 or more highly recommended / For more information call 951.676.4001

Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Wine & Chocolate Pairing / Every Friday of the month / 3:00pm / $45 Per Person ($40 Wine Club) / Your guided pairing experience includes a specially selected flight of five of our Carter Estate wines paired with 5 custom chocolates from local chocolate shoppe, SugarPlum Farm. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how our award-winning wines are made and learn how Carter Estate wines compliment and bring out the unique flavors of chocolate. Our Wine & Chocolate Pairing is approximately 90 minutes & has limited availability to provide a more intimate experience for our guests. Make your reservation today! Must be 21 or older. Reservation Information: Book a pairing on CarterEstateWinery.com

Elegant Food & Wine Pairing / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member / 1pm & 3pm Monday-Sunday / Your guided experience includes a specially selected flight of five of our Carter Estate wines paired with perfectly matched culinary bites from our Chef. Learn about the history of our beautiful Temecula Valley & get a behind-the-scenes look at how our award-winning Sparkling wines are made. Our Wine & Food Pairings are approximately 90 minutes & limited to eight guests.  Make your reservation today!  Must be 21 or older / Reservation Information: Reservations recommended – Book a pairing on CarterEstateWinery.com

Cougar Vineyard & Winery
Cougar Meets Italy – Preview Event / January 15 / 6:00pm-8:00pm / Watch Bottle Shock in our Barrel Room / $ 10 per person includes a glass of wine and all the popcorn you can eat!  / Tickets available through www.cougarvineyards.com

Cougar Meets Italy – Main Event / January 16 / 6:00pm-9:00pm / $70 pp for Wine Club Members, $75 for non-members / Professional “Bottle Shock” wine judging comparing Cougar wines with their Italian counterparts.  Audience wine tasting and judging with the same wines.  Ticket price includes dinner and logo wineglass to commemorate the event plus musical accompaniment / Price increase January 1st.  Ask about special pricing for preview event and main event.   Tickets available through www.cougarvineyards.com  / Limited seating and will sell out!

Charcuterie Workshop / January 29 / 5:00-7:00pm / $45 wine club $50 non-wine club / Hello Friends! We are inviting you to join us for our charcuterie workshop: an amazing evening of fun, friendship, food, and of course, great wine. Explore your creativity as you prepare your very own personal charcuterie board utilizing the finest cured meats and cheeses enjoying a glass of wine. Continue to impress your guests with your very own board, included with workshop. Our workshop makes for a great gift idea, date night, or opportunity to make new friends! We look forward to seeing you! / To Purchase tickets please visit www.courgarvineyards.com

Europa Village
Lunch & Cooking Demonstration with Celebrity Chef, Sarah Faherty! / January 26 / Starts 12:00pm / Tickets $125/Société $116.10 / Join us for a cooking demonstration by a celebrity chef, Sarah Faherty. Enjoy a 3-course meal and learn how to cook like a pro. Ms. Faherty first developed her love of food and wine pairing when she was traveling during her time abroad working in the Army Intelligence Field. Throughout her travels she had the opportunity to learn about food and wine as it pertains to other cultures. Sarah Faherty was featured as the runner-up on this season of MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich on the FOX network / For reservations please visit www.europavillage.com

Falkner Winery
Wine Appreciation Class / January 18 / 10-12:30pm / $45 pp; $40 Connoisseur, $20 VIP. $80 pp with lunch option / Designated for all levels of wine knowledge / RSVP is required. Please call 951-676-8231 x. 109 or email wineclub@falknerwinery.com 

Lorimar Winery
Laugh your Glass Off / January 16 / Show starts at 7:00 pm / $20/$18 Wine Club Members / Pairings Food Truck opens at 6:00 pm / Join us for a night of wine, comedy and good times! / For Mature Audience Only (21+). For tickets please visit https://shop.lorimarwinery.com

Masia de la Vinya Winery
I Regret Nothing…New Year’s Brunch
/ January 1 / 11:30am – 2:30pm / Catered by Chef Flavor; breakfast Bahn Mi, burritos, grilled vegetable & goat cheese scramble, iron skillet potatoes & fresh fruit / $28 members, $33 guests, $14 children 4yrs-12yrs old. Add bottomless mimosas for $16 / For reservations: click the ticket link on our post to access www.masiadelavinya.com/events or call 951 – 303 -3860 ext.1 / Refundable cancellations will be permitted within 72 hours of event. 

Oak Mountain Winery
Live Concert KG’s featuring Roscoe Vaunt
/ January 10 / 6pm to 9pm / Join us for a concert in our newly renovated Vineyard view pavilion. $10 gets you in the door with Food, wine, beer & brandy cocktails available for purchase!  Tickets required & Space is limited!  Call 951-699-9102 or Get your tickets online at https://shop.oakmountainwinery.com/event-tickets-c11.aspx

Peltzer Family Cellars
Peltzer Ice Rink
/ Open until January 12th / M-F, 3-9pm and Sat-Sun, 1:30-9pm. Sessions every 1.5 hours / Peltzer Ice Rink offers ice skating fun to the Temecula Valley Wine Country! Hot Cocoa, food trucks & and an Ice Rink Bar on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays / Cost and reservation information children 3-11 are $12 while General Admission is $16. You can pre-purchase your session on Peltzerwinery.com to ensure your desired skate time.

Skate with an Ice Princess / January 5 / 3-6pm / Let it go on the ice with your two favorite frosty ladies! The Ice Queen and the Snow Princess are comin’ back to the Peltzer Ice Rink for skating and photo ops. / Cost and reservation information to purchase your skate session with the Ice Queen and Snow Princess, visit peltzerwinery.com, select your correct session type, then choose the January 5th date at either 3:00pm or 4:30pm. Children 3-11 are $12, General Admission is $16.

Supercross Watch Party / January 11 / 5-9pm / Come watch the Supercross LIVE with us on the big screen in the Crush House on January 11th from 5-9pm. We’re teaming up with Road 2 Recovery to raise funds for their amazing organization that aids AMA licensed professional motocross/supercross and action sport athletes with financial assistance while recovery from debilitating injuries. They also provide emotional and motivational support to these athletes and their families. Food Truck Eats by Devilicious Food Truck, Q’s Tacos Food Truck, and The Woodfire Pizza Wagon / Cost is $10 includes raffle ticket to win a signed jersey and full dirt bike kit. Children under 10 are free. We recommend an excellent project of our partners – https://mexicosexpartners.com/ . Always an up-to-date view of events.

Somerset Vineyard & Winery
Somm Wine Tasting Experience / January 19 / 10:30am-2:30am / Tickets range from $55 – $120 / An entertaining learning experience with a knowledgeable & experienced educator instruction and tasting with a certified sommelier & wine educator George “Frankie” Franceschi. This class will enhance your wine tasting experiences wherever you go and help you appreciate the fine art of wine making. After, Kurt Tiedt, owner & tour guide extraordinaire, will take you on a tour of the barrel room where you will also enjoy tasting wine from the barrel / Limited seating. To reserve please visit https://shop.somersetvineyard.com/res-425670/Tasting-Class-With-Certified-Somm.html

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Behind the Scenes Wine Tour / Available daily / 11 AM, 1 PM and 3PM, Monday through Sunday / $45pp; $40pp Wine Club Member or Military / Learn more about our spectacular Southern California Temecula winery with a behind-the-scenes wine tour, from vineyards to crush pad. Each tour concludes with 5 wines paired with an individual plate of specially prepared lite-bite foods, designed to enhance your wine knowledge and experience / Reservation Information: Call 866-994-6379 Ext. 7217 to reserve your spot today / Due to the limited sizes of each tour, reservations are required with prepayment, and are non-refundable. Guests must be over 21 years of age to attend.

Wilson Creek Winery
Bubble Brunch Buffet / Every Sunday 10am-3pm / $51.95, Buffet only: $41.95, Children: $16.95 / Enjoy all your breakfast favorites, omelet stations, waffle stations, seafood stations, carving stations and dessert stations with beautiful vineyard views / Buffet (+ unlimited sparkling). Now serving Bloody Mary’s! / Reservations can be made at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951.699.9463 for additional information.

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VALLEY GIRLS: THE WOMEN OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY

Since our last winemaker Q&A was so popular, we thought it might be time to do another one. For this issue, we caught up with a dynamic group of Temecula Valley rockstars – the women of wine country – to ask them about their inspirations, their aspirations, how they feel about being a woman in a male-dominated industry, and what their day-to-day looks like working in one of the most idyllic places on earth – Southern California.

They are at once businesswomen, multi-taskers, leaders, mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, creatives, winemakers, farmers, and everything in between, and it’s clear they are ambitious as hell, and very passionate about Temecula Valley.

Here’s what they had to say.

Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA): What or who inspires you on a day to day basis in your job?

Cindy Palumbo, Palumbo Vineyards & Winery

Cindy Palumbo, Owner, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery: I am inspired daily by my husband [Winemaker, Nick Palumbo]. I rely on his focus to produce the top quality wine that we have. He makes me think about small details, and it has definitely helped our business.

Patricia O’Brien, VP of Sales & Operations, Danza del Sol Winery and Masia de la Vinya Winery: My staff inspires me on a daily basis. Being surrounded by creative people who share your goals and passion for wine is amazing.

Olivia Bue, Winemaker,Robert Renzoni Vineyards: The energy from other Temecula Valley winemakers gives me inspiration and motivation to keep making the best wine possible. We all have a synergy that allows us to be supporters of each others’ successes rather than competitors.

Krista Chaich, Executive Director, TVWA: Since the day I arrived in Temecula Valley Wine Country almost 15 years ago, I’ve been inspired by the people whose passion led to where our wine country is today. But these days, I’m inspired by a wine country pioneer, Phil Baily who continues to produce beautifully crafted wines (with a bit of help from his winery cats); Joe Hart, whose passion for winemaking has extended to his sons, Jim and Mike; and a multitude of “newcomers” who’ve been drawn to our region because of the foundation that has been laid by the generations before them.

Cori DeHore, TVWA

Cori DeHore, Operations Manager, TVWA: Our guests and their enthusiasm in planning their visit with us for the first time.


TVWA: Have you had any mentors in your career?

Cindy: I always looked up to Joe Hart when I was at Hart Winery. I admired his style of winemaking and he made me feel like part of the family. When I was at Callaway I looked up to John Moramarco. He was so patient with me and taught me a lot about farming and the vineyards. John and Joe played an instrumental role in helping to preserve the region’s agricultural roots. They helped me realize that we really want to help maintain integrity in the Valley by farming and producing high quality wines.

Valerie Andrews, Owner & Vice President, Oak Mountain Winery: My Dad was my mentor in the wine business. Growing up he was so enthusiastic about fine wines and always talked about them at the dinner table. During one visit to our house (which is now the Temecula Hills Winery and production facility), he jokingly said, “You have 10 acres. Why don’t you terrace the hills and plant grapes?” Well that year we did. Once the grapes grew, we had wine barrels everywhere – even our bathroom – and decided to start our wine career. We opened Temecula Hills Winery in 2001. I am very proud we were able to make a great Syrah blend which we named after dad – “Ed’s Red” – which got a silver medal. The best part was that dad was still alive to enjoy the notoriety and did a bottle signing for our customers. Of course I still have mine.

Cori: During my teens, my mentor was my high school Home Economics teacher. I was her teacher’s aide and it was the first time I felt someone genuinely have confidence in me. She made me feel like I could do anything for a career.

Oliva Bue, Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery

Olivia: I have worked alongside some incredible winemakers in different regions throughout my young career, but my first mentor in Temecula, Gus Vizgirda, stands out as my foremost influencer.


TVWA: What is the hardest part of your job?

Cindy: The hardest part has been trying to raise our 4 children while building a business. In the early years, the kids were small and didn’t understand that we had to work every weekend. I also had our 4th child after the winery opened. He spent his first few years in a playpen behind the bar.

Patricia O’Brien, Danza del Sol Winery & Masia de la Vinya Winery


Patricia: I’m not going to lie! The hardest part of my job is learning how to take criticism and learn from it. Getting it right is important when you are the one in charge, but listening and learning from your mistakes is just as important.

Krista: My job is to promote the whole region as opposed to wineries individually. It isn’t lost on me that many of them have put everything that they have into their businesses. But representing so many people, with differing business models….that’s pretty tough.

Olivia: The hardest part of being a winemaker is continuing to improve each wine, vintage after vintage. After releasing a wine that our wine club members and customers love, it’s my priority to make that next vintage even better. This can sometimes be challenging when weather causes stress on the vines and fruit quality is impacted, but the challenge of constantly improving is what makes this industry most gratifying.


TVWA: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Cindy: Tasting the final product, and when I hear people in the tasting room enjoying the wines. I also find great satisfaction in raising our own food. Being a totally sustainable vineyard, winery and household, gives me great pride. I love providing food for my family.

Jana Prais, Sales Director, Maurice Car’rie Winery: The satisfaction of introducing Temecula wine to people who had never heard of it, and having them learn that it’s an exceptional product. Most people are unaware of the high quality wines coming out of this part of California. It feels good to witness their surprise.

Krista: Can I say the wine?! I mean, it’s not only the wine, but it’s also that I’ve met so many wonderful people in this business over the years. The wine business is big, yet so small at the same time.

Valerie: The best part of the job is the great people I meet on a daily basis. When customers enjoy the hard work Steve has put into making the wine, the training I have put into our staff and the dream of building the first and only mined wine cave in Southern California, it puts a smile on my face. I see people walking on the grounds, hand in hand for their vacation… They chose to come to us.

Carrie Peltzer, Peltzer Family Cellars

Carrie Peltzer, Owner, Peltzer Family Cellars: I love watching people’s faces when they visit us. Their faces tell the story of how much they love the space and enjoy the wine!

Olivia: By far the most rewarding part of my job is the journey from vine to bottle to table. To be able to capture years of hard work in one single bottle is undeniably the most fulfilling part of my job.


TVWA: Do you feel being a woman has made it harder to be successful in any way? Has it made it easier in any way?

Cindy: It has not made it easier. I wear many hats, being a woman. I am required to run a business, run a household, raise children, raise animals, volunteer in my community, volunteer at the school. I am a chauffeur, a personal shopper and confidant, a tutor and a wife.

Patricia: To be honest, I feel that being a woman in a management position at a winery has made it easier because I’m able to tap into my natural abilities as a mother of three busy children (between the ages of 23 and 7), so I know how to multi-task, while meeting deadlines, collaborate and have fun doing it.

Jana Prais, Maurice Carr’ie Winery

Jana: I’ve observed that women are often great at multi-tasking and can be adaptable to different personalities and situations. I feel these qualities in myself have enabled me to be successful in the job.

Krista: I’ve never measured my successes or failures by my gender. Even though I work in a male dominated field, I’ve never felt challenged by that.

Valerie: When I was 36, after a 19-year marriage my husband died unexpectedly in his sleep. I was left with 2 teenagers, a mortgage, and no real job. I had helped my husband in his painting and home repair business, so I decided to go for a paint contractor’s license and got started on my own business within 6 months. Back then, there were no woman painting contractors. I got involved in a National Women in Construction group, who helped me whenever I got in over my head. For 20 years, I painted schools, restaurants, homes and even a prison. I occasionally butted heads with the good old boys, and had my share of tears on my drive home, but it made me the confident woman I am today.


TVWA: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What about Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country?

Cindy: I see myself continuing my work for the State of California Agricultural Association. I would like to finish my children’s book series. I would like to continue to teach our children how farm and run a profitable winery.

Patricia: I see myself running a third winery in Temecula Valley, while working to open my own winery consulting firm. In five years, Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country will be the “it” wine region to travel to.

Krista Chaich, TVWA

Krista: The future is so bright for Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. I’ve seen it change so much in 15 years. We’ve come from a small, gem of a wine region, to a burgeoning wine destination in a short amount of time. We’ve dealt with many challenges, but I believe that if we are all unified in our vision of becoming a well-known and widely respected wine region, that’s exactly what will happen. And where do I see myself in five years?? Hopefully, leading the charge.

Carrie: In 5 years I hope to be knee deep in our next phase of Peltzer, continuing to tell our story. I have been filing away in my mind all the things that I want to design and share with our Peltzer family customer base. My role at Peltzer will be to communicate the importance of a well-thought-out space, where our customers can come to experience wine country to its fullest, while enjoying the story, the space, the wine, meeting new friends and relaxing with old ones.


TVWA: Tell us one small anecdote that has had an impact on your career – whether important, meaningful, challenging, funny, memorable… something that stands out:

Cindy: The most challenging thing I did in my career was probably while raising 3 small children. I worked the tasting room all day, and then we had a winemaker dinner that night that I was the server for…while 9 months pregnant. Raising children while running a business has always been challenging, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Running a business with my husband out of our home has had challenges. Our kids have learned that the combination of hard work and respect for each other pays off and is the greatest reward.

Krista: I could probably write a book about my experiences in wine country (although I’d have to change some names to protect the “innocent!”), but one experience stands out. I was attending my first Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento, CA, and we were pouring wine at the regional tasting. I felt so proud and excited to be there, and the next thing I knew, Jerry Lohr, (the J. Lohr) came up to me and said, “Hmmm, Temecula Valley, huh?” I poured him a taste of wine, he sipped it, asked for another pour, and then got a huge smile on his face. He said, “You know…. that’s really good. That’s when I knew that I was part of something very special. It was only my second week on the job at the Association.

Valerie Andrews, Oak Mountain Winery

Valerie: In the early years, we bought a giant fermenting bag for our Merlot grapes. You pump your must into the bag and, as it ferments and heats, up you run cold water in the outer shell of the bag to keep it from getting too hot. Well, the cold water wasn’t working, so the must keep exploding out of the vent pipe so we added 15 more feet to the pipe. When it was finally ready to pump the wine out of the bag, it wouldn’t come out as it was supposed to. So, Steve cut the top of the bag, and in I went up to my waist in must, and handed him bucket after bucket until it was empty. That wine got a gold medal.

Special thanks to these dynamic women who shared their personal insights with us for this article. Next time you feel you can’t do it all, we hope their stories inspire you.

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Big Dreamers: Mike Rennie & Gary Winder, Leoness Cellars

In the third installment of our new blog series “Big Dreamers,” we interview veteran wine experts and longtime partners Mike Rennie and Gary Winder, owners of Leoness Cellars on De Portola Road in Temecula Valley. When Mike and Gary founded their winery in 2003, they chose the name Leoness Cellars, which means “village of dreams” in Gaelic.

Farming citrus and avocados in the region as far back as the 1970’s, Gary teamed with up with fellow farmer and friend Mike to begin their viticulture journey in 1990.  They opened the first version of the tasting room in 2003 and the upgraded edition in 2006.  Now one of the most beloved and picturesque wineries in Temecula Valley, Leoness focuses on top quality wines, sustainable practices in the vineyards and first-class service in their tasting room and restaurant.

Photo Credit: Touring & Tasting

Check in every month where we feature a new interview with our Temecula Valley winemakers and winery owners. You’ll learn where they’ve come from before settling in Temecula, CA – and what keeps them passionate about the sometimes not-so-glamorous art (and science) of making good wine in California.

Interview with Winery Owner and Winemaker Mike Rennie, Leoness Cellars

1.  What were you doing before owning and operating your winery?

Gary Winder and I have been farming in Temecula for many years. We farm not only wine grapes but citrus and avocados. This harvest will be Gary’s 64th.

2.  What inspired you to want to buy a winery and what were the circumstances around choosing Temecula Valley, CA?

Most wineries come from farming families. We truly wanted to taste the fruits of our labors so Leoness came about. And we wanted the world to know that Temecula Valley and the South Coastal region are as good as anywhere in the world to farm premium wine grapes.

 

3.  What were your expectations of the winemaker lifestyle at the beginning?

We didn’t have too many allusions of grandeur. As hard working farmers and having been around the industry for decades we knew the back side, so to speak. It all adds up to hard work, quality control and a lot of sweat.

 

4.  People might think winemaking is glamorous.  Would you like to set them straight?

There is a glamour side to wine. There is the romance that goes along with fine wine, great food and times with those you love. We love sharing these things with friends and wine club members. It still comes down to working in the dirt and hot sun, and attention to detail to grow the finest premium wine grapes. Great wine starts in the vineyard.

 

5.  What is your least favorite thing about running a winery?  What is your most favorite – the reason you get up in the morning?

My least favorite thing is when things don’t go right in our customer service area. We know there is no perfection, but that is what we attain to. When for some reason we miss the mark, it’s disappointing. What makes us the happiest is when we can share the perfect wine experience with our guests.

 

To learn more about California’s Big Dreamers, click here!

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http://visitcalifornia.com/dream365

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Big Dreamers: Les & Dorian Linkogle, Briar Rose Winery

In the second installment of our new blog series “Big Dreamers,” we interview longtime Temecula residents and Briar Rose Winery owners, Les & Dorian Linkogle. Les & Dorian bought their Temecula land in the 1990’s and officially opened Briar Rose Winery in 2007.

Check in every month where we feature a new interview with our Temecula Valley winemakers and winery owners. You’ll learn where they’ve come from before settling in Temecula, CA – and what keeps them passionate about the sometimes not-so-glamorous art (and science) of making good wine in California.

Les & Dorian Linkogle, Briar Rose Winery

 

Interview with Winery Owner and Winemaker Les Linkogle 

1.  What were you doing before owning and operating your winery?

I was retired from my career in investment banking and Dorian retired from a career in the insurance industry.

2.  What inspired you to want to buy a winery and what were the circumstances around choosing Temecula Valley, CA?

Over twenty years ago, Dorian and I first moved to Temecula to be able to provide open space for our son Larry “Link” Linkogle to ride his motorcycle. Wineries and motorcycles don’t usually have much in common, unless your son is Larry Linkogle. Larry is known as the most influential name in the extreme motocross industry. We planted grapes to off-set the high cost of water never knowing how ideal the growing conditions were in the Temecula Valley for growing grapes.

We began selling some of our grapes to local wineries – and when their wines started winning awards then our family considered opening a winery of our own. My uncle owned a winery in Napa and I spent many summers and holidays working at that winery where I developed a love for the art and science of wine making.

I made my first wine in 1997. From 2002 until 2007, we worked towards making our dream a reality. In 2007 we opened the Briar Rose Winery, Temecula’s first boutique reservation-only winery.

3.  What were your expectations of the winemaker lifestyle at the beginning?

My expectations were right on. Wine making is my passion. From the first bud break on the vines in spring until the harvest in the fall, I look forward with anticipation to what each vintage year will produce. I knew it would be very hard work. But, when you put your name on that bottle, it’s worth every moment of it. I will say the aspect I did not expect was meeting some of the most wonderful people in the world; and for that I am so thankful.

4.  People might think winemaking is glamorous.  Would you like to set them straight?

In my opinion, in spite of the incredibly hard, back-breaking work in all conditions of the year – I do find winemaking glamorous. I look at each year as a fresh canvas and the wine I make is my art. Wine also has a certain prestige, sort of like royalty. It is precious fruit of the earth; and taking that fruit and turning it into world-class wine is about as glamorous as it gets. Briar Rose wines have taken me into the presence of two Presidents of the United States, an invitation to the home of the Vice President, numerous senators and politicians, movie stars and even the Playboy Mansion.

5.  What is your least favorite thing about running a winery?  What is your most favorite – the reason you get up in the morning?

I enjoy almost every aspect of running the winery… except cleaning the equipment and dealing with all the regulatory paperwork. Winemaking is my passion so that’s absolutely what I enjoy the most; it’s what gets me up in the morning.

Les, can you tell us about your position as Wine Institute Representative for Temecula Valley, CA?

It is an honor to have been elected to District Director of the Wine Institute. The Wine Institute is the voice for California wine representing more than 1,000 wineries from the beautiful and diverse wine regions throughout the state. As the largest advocacy and public policy association for California wine, and the only group representing the industry at the state, federal and international levels, the Wine Institute’s Officers, Board of Directors and staff work to create an environment where the wine community can flourish and contribute in a positive fashion to our nation, state and local communities. They are the behind the scenes “unsung heros” of our industry – and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

 

To learn more about California’s Big Dreamers, click here!

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http://visitcalifornia.com/dream365

Subscribe to VisitCA channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/VisitCA

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Big Dreamers: Nick & Cindy Palumbo, Palumbo Family Vineyard & Winery

Welcome to our new blog series: “Big Dreamers.”

Here you’ll read about the inspiring true stories of our Temecula Valley winemakers and winery owners. You’ll learn where they’ve come from before settling in Temecula, CA – and what keeps them passionate about the sometimes not-so-glamorous art (and science) of making good wine.

Nick & Cindy Palumbo have owned and operated Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery since 1998.

1.  What were you doing before owning and operating your winery?

NICK:  I have done A LOT! I was an ocean lifeguard, a rock star in NYC, a chef and now – winemaker.

CINDY:  I was an insurance agent for 15 years prior to the winery.

2.  What inspired you to want to buy a winery and what were the circumstances around choosing Temecula Valley, CA?

NICK: I was just coming back to SoCal after time in NY and lucked into this emerging Valley.  I saw potential for better wine and vineyard quality than what was here before, so I took charge.

CINDY:  I was already living in Temecula Valley and met Nick after he purchased the vineyards. A few years later I encouraged him to turn the garage into a winery, to quit selling his fruit to other winemakers and to open up his own shop.

3.  What were your expectations of the winemaker lifestyle at the beginning?  Were they way off or right on?

NICK:  I only expected to have to work really hard.  I wanted to prove it could be done through hard work and sacrifice. I certainly didn’t expect to make any money at it. I was right! I knew what I wanted – and the rewards for making quality wine would come if I just kept my head down and proved it though doing it.

CINDY:  I had zero expectations of the lifestyle – and that’s probably a good thing. It’s not nearly as glamorous as most people think – but I wouldn’t change it!

4.  People might think winemaking is glamorous.  Would you like to set them straight?

NICK:  If you’re an authentic winemaker, the glamorous parts come when no one is looking. It’s a lifestyle that you can’t pretend to live. Working hard, raising children and farming for quality is the reward… not what people see in the magazines.

CINDY:  There are definitely some glamorous sides to the wine industry. Nick is so down-to-earth and he takes winemaking so seriously that we don’t really experience that side of it in our lives. A true winemaker is focused on just that – making good wine.

5.  What is your least favorite thing about running a winery?  What is your most favorite – the reason you get up in the morning?

NICK: There really is no part of what I do that is worse or better. If you love what you do for a living, then it’s all good!

CINDY:   Least favorite thing about owning a winery is probably the fact that we can never get away from it. We live there, we sleep there, we work there, we are raising our family there; it’s always our focus. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just be able to work 9 to 5 and leave the office at the office. My favorite part about it is the lifestyle. We live in the middle of a vineyard, we raise our own animals, our (four) kids get to grow up see what we make with our hands. Winemaking in Temecula is truly a labor of love that we are allowed to include our whole family in.

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