Winemaking
The vineyards were planted in 1969, and we began making our own wines in 1975. We were the second winery in the region.
We currently 54 acres of estate vineyards and 17 different wine grape varieties.
Temecula Valley’s soils consist of decomposed granite in origin, which makes it mineral rich and drain well, but nutrient poor. This allows us to stress the vines and have more control over the nutrients they get which in turn, yields more flavorful fruit although in smaller quantities.
Thanks to Temecula Valley’s unique climate, long hot days meet cool night temperatures, we can grow some of the more challenging varietals that have trouble ripening properly in northern climates. The cool evenings help the fruit maintain appropriate acid levels to achieve quality wine. We recently planted a large block of Aglianico and Nero d’Avola, varietals best known to Sicily. To note, our climate is more like North Africa than France.
Often, we get asked the question, “What is your best/favorite wine?” As the winemaker, I approach each wine we produce as it is my favorite as each is unique to itself.
The one honorable mention is our Cream Sherry. Our Cream Sherry is aged in an outdoor, 50-year-old solera. Bottling a 50-year-old bottle of sherry is definitely “a big deal”. This sherry transcends cultures and taste preferences. To those who say, “but I don’t like sherry”, I guess you haven’t tried ours.
Wine Style
NTERESTING GRAPE VARIETIES THAT ARE GROWN AND USED AT MPW
Cortese: We have our own clone of this varietal and use it to make our White Port.
Charbono: Came to California when Savoy was part of the Kingdom of Piedmont, so at once it was Italian, but now it’s French. Charbono is a difficult grape to get ripe. It’s not grown much in Savoy for this reason. It is a difficult grape in both the vineyard and the cellar, but worth it. It’s currently on the bar.
Cinsault: An ancient varietal, it’s believed to have been introduced to Europe by the Phoenicians. It is one of the most drought tolerant grape vines you can plant and is widely grown in North Africa which is like our climate. We make Solstice and a Blanc de Noire out of it.
Petite Verdot: Not grown much in Bordeaux anymore as it is difficult to get ripe. We use it for Cloudbreak.
Carmenere: Rare in California and was thought to have gone extinct but was rediscovered in South America. South American Carmenere is basically jug wine, however it has an exceptional flavor profile when produced here. Our small planting is used in Meritage and sometimes as a stand-alone varietal. This varietal performs very well in Temecula. You will find this grape planted near our ceremony site.
Dolcetto: Little sweet one. It’s not sweet, but the acid drops out early making the grape taste sweeter. It is picked earlier to maintain normal acid level. We do a superior style (heavy), rather than the more common nouveau style mostly done in California. Our Dolcetto is in barrels.
Aglianico: Currently the small amount we have is blended into Travato but is our largest new planting at MPW. An ancient grape of the Romans with chocolate elements. Best known for growing on the volcanic soils on the sides of Mount Etna in Sicily. Very late harvest but grows well here as we can get it ripe.
