Where the Sun Shines Through the Mist
San Diego is lucky to have a premier winegrowing region right in its backyard. Mention Temecula to someone and memories of warm afternoons spent sipping a chilled Chardonnay or a decadent Dolcetto come to mind, but few people likely know the history of the region and the special attributes that make it such a unique place to grow grapes. In fact, the Luiseno Indians had a word for what makes this place special: Temecula -- "Where the Sun Shines Through the Mist."
The mist is the primary reason that grapes do so well in this region. What does mist have to do with ripening grapes? Well, ideally grapes do best when the days are very warm and the nights are cool -- and that's exactly what conditions prevail in this southern corner of Riverside County. Temecula sits on a 1,400 foot plateau with direct sun & very warm days. Fortunately, cool & moist ocean air drifts in through the Rainbow and Deluz Gaps of the Coastal Range in the afternoon, cooling the grapes. You see, warm or hot days alone are not going to necessarily make the best grapes. Otherwise, Phoenix would have a burgeoning wine industry. You need some cool temperatures at night to slow down the ripening of the grapes and lock in some of that mouthwatering acidity.
It was precisely these conditions that brought Mission Padres east from Capistrano to plant the original vineyards in 1820. It would be another 150 years until vines for commercial wines were first planted. Vincenzo Cilurzo, an ABC-TV Emmy Award winning Lighting Director, and his wife Audrey purchased a 100 acre parcel with thoughts of retiring and making some wine. A weather study he saw indicated the region had the same climate as the mid-Napa area. So, in 1968 the Cilurzos planted the first commercial vineyard in Temecula: 40 acres of premium Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc. Ely Callaway of Callaway Golf fame came in a year later and began his eponymous winery.
It wasn't until 1984 that the area was officially recognized as its own American Viticultural Area -- something very special and important to consumers, as grapes from specific areas tend to have their own unique charms. Prior to this designation, wines from the region were classified as more generic South Coast wines. Officially, the region encompasses 33,000 acres, but only 1,300 are currently planted to vines.
Recent history in Temecula shows that the region has been facing some enemies -- shrinking the acres planted by as much as 45% over the last ten years. The first enemy was Pierce’s Disease. Leaves on vines with Pierce's disease will turn yellow/brown and eventually drop off the vine. Shoots will also die. Then, after 1 to 5 years, the vine itself will die. This vine killer is carried by the glassy-winged sharpshooter which has migrated from the South Eastern U.S. Tragically, the bug helped destroy over 1,000 of the 2,300 acres of vineyards in the late 1990s. Fortunately, steps have been taken to isolate and combat this devastating pest.
The other enemy has been urban sprawl. The Inland Empire region is one of the fastest growing housing regions in the country. Thankfully, the Temecula Agricultural Conservancy, a non profit public benefit corporation, was formed with the primary mission of preserving vineyards and open space suitable for vineyards. The agency works with the County Supervisors as they implement new zoning ordinances by holding open space, vineyards and/or conservation easements, ensuring that the land remains in vineyards in perpetuity.
The good news is that new rootstock has been planted and is better matched to the strengths of the land. There is too much opportunity cost now to growing the wrong grapes, so the twenty-plus wineries that call Temecula home have started to focus on the grapes that flourish in Mediterranean climates similar to Temecula: Syrah, Barbera, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Viognier, and many more. Moreover, several of the wineries are purchasing grapes from other areas in California to vinify in Temecula. Callaway, for example, is buying some fruit from Napa and Santa Barbara to bolster its portfolio.
Of course, the best thing about Temecula is that it's so convenient to visit and sample the wonderful wines. We are very lucky to have such a beautiful and diverse collection of vineyards so close to San Diego. The best way to learn about Temecula wines is to try them all! Look through the mist to find some new favorites!
The mist is the primary reason that grapes do so well in this region. What does mist have to do with ripening grapes? Well, ideally grapes do best when the days are very warm and the nights are cool -- and that's exactly what conditions prevail in this southern corner of Riverside County. Temecula sits on a 1,400 foot plateau with direct sun & very warm days. Fortunately, cool & moist ocean air drifts in through the Rainbow and Deluz Gaps of the Coastal Range in the afternoon, cooling the grapes. You see, warm or hot days alone are not going to necessarily make the best grapes. Otherwise, Phoenix would have a burgeoning wine industry. You need some cool temperatures at night to slow down the ripening of the grapes and lock in some of that mouthwatering acidity.
It was precisely these conditions that brought Mission Padres east from Capistrano to plant the original vineyards in 1820. It would be another 150 years until vines for commercial wines were first planted. Vincenzo Cilurzo, an ABC-TV Emmy Award winning Lighting Director, and his wife Audrey purchased a 100 acre parcel with thoughts of retiring and making some wine. A weather study he saw indicated the region had the same climate as the mid-Napa area. So, in 1968 the Cilurzos planted the first commercial vineyard in Temecula: 40 acres of premium Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc. Ely Callaway of Callaway Golf fame came in a year later and began his eponymous winery.
It wasn't until 1984 that the area was officially recognized as its own American Viticultural Area -- something very special and important to consumers, as grapes from specific areas tend to have their own unique charms. Prior to this designation, wines from the region were classified as more generic South Coast wines. Officially, the region encompasses 33,000 acres, but only 1,300 are currently planted to vines.
Recent history in Temecula shows that the region has been facing some enemies -- shrinking the acres planted by as much as 45% over the last ten years. The first enemy was Pierce’s Disease. Leaves on vines with Pierce's disease will turn yellow/brown and eventually drop off the vine. Shoots will also die. Then, after 1 to 5 years, the vine itself will die. This vine killer is carried by the glassy-winged sharpshooter which has migrated from the South Eastern U.S. Tragically, the bug helped destroy over 1,000 of the 2,300 acres of vineyards in the late 1990s. Fortunately, steps have been taken to isolate and combat this devastating pest.
The other enemy has been urban sprawl. The Inland Empire region is one of the fastest growing housing regions in the country. Thankfully, the Temecula Agricultural Conservancy, a non profit public benefit corporation, was formed with the primary mission of preserving vineyards and open space suitable for vineyards. The agency works with the County Supervisors as they implement new zoning ordinances by holding open space, vineyards and/or conservation easements, ensuring that the land remains in vineyards in perpetuity.
The good news is that new rootstock has been planted and is better matched to the strengths of the land. There is too much opportunity cost now to growing the wrong grapes, so the twenty-plus wineries that call Temecula home have started to focus on the grapes that flourish in Mediterranean climates similar to Temecula: Syrah, Barbera, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Viognier, and many more. Moreover, several of the wineries are purchasing grapes from other areas in California to vinify in Temecula. Callaway, for example, is buying some fruit from Napa and Santa Barbara to bolster its portfolio.
Of course, the best thing about Temecula is that it's so convenient to visit and sample the wonderful wines. We are very lucky to have such a beautiful and diverse collection of vineyards so close to San Diego. The best way to learn about Temecula wines is to try them all! Look through the mist to find some new favorites!
posted by The Cask Room, Mike Kallay at
11:18 AM
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