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Temecula Vine 2 Wine
Temecula Vine 2
Wine' 2003
Last Month we spent an educational, informational and entertaining day exploring the wine country of Temecula. We visited this growing region as part of their annual Vine 2
Wine vineyard experience. Developed for the purpose of promoting Temecula as a viable
wine tasting destination, this event concentrates on introducing to the public the regions
philosophies and methods of growing wine grapes.
Wine is made in the vineyards, not in the winery. You cannot make great wine from inferior grapes is the main message we got throughout the day, and from the looks of things the winegrowers of Temecula are taking this to heart.
After the recent Pierces Disease
(Glassy Winged Sharpshooter) outbreak that ruined about 30% of the vineyards in the region, Temecula has rebounded nicely, planting newer and hardier rootstock. They worked together as a region, and turned this blight as
an opportunity to remove varietals that werent suited to the areas terrior, and did research and experimentation to plant varietals that would flourish. While most varietals are grown, the region seems suited to Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Grenache, and other Northern Rhone varietals.
Our day began in the Calle Cabernet Vineyard with Ben Drake of Drake Enterprises, whose company manages vineyards for several area wineries, as well as several hundred
acres of avocados. Ben led us through the entire wine growing process, emphasizing how managing a vineyard is a science, - the science of water control. From the concept of Deficit Irrigation, where water to the vines is limited to force the plant to concentrate on the fruit rather than having the shoots grow longer; to solar powered water monitors inthe soil, that the vineyard manager can read from his office; to choosing the correct trellising system
for the vineyard and the varietal, good winegrape-growing is the science
of water control.
But science does have its limits - Bens crews still pick by hand, they harvest the white wine grapes in the cool evenings, keeping the grapes at an optimum temperature without
the high cost of refrigeration. And they bring in the red varieties during the day to maintain optimum color and flavor.
Ben uses multiple trellising systems, choosing what he feels to be the best one for the each variety. Most of the varieties were trained with a version of the VSP (Vertical Shoot Position). With this system the leaves are tucked up into the wires exposing the grapes to the sun and air, while other varieties (Zinfandel and Roussanne) were on a single stake system - used to grow the cordon (vine) straight up along a stake.
Our second Vine 2 Wine visit was at the newer Stage Ranch Vineyard, with owner Mike
Rennie. Mikes company is also a farm management company who tend vineyards for several growers. Mike and his partners recently planted these vineyards with the plans
of soon opening their own winery (Leonesse Cellars - a winemaking facility with a 2,500 sq. ft. tasting room).
Mike echoed many of Ben Drakes philosophies on creating wine in the vineyard.
Both also offered the opinion that the Pierces Disease outbreak had been good for the region,
helping to give new vitality and better systems for the overall health and expansion of the
region.
The main differences between Mike and Ben wasnt their value of science and water control, but in their methodology, specifically with what each perceived as the best trellising and harvesting system.
Trellising systems are designed for canopy management, a term which refers to how the architecture of the leaf canopy may be manipulated in order to beneficially alter the microclimate around the vine. Mike prefers the VSP using a 6 wire system, for trellising all his vineyards. At Stage Ranch Mike uses newer modern technology for harvesting as well. His crew picks using a mechanical harvester from Down Under, capable of harvesting 10 tons per hour. They were the first in the valley to use the mechanical harvester, but other growers including Callaway are beginning to turn to this method.
Temecula is still a comparatively young wine region and is still struggling to find its identity. After coming through the Pierces Disease, Temecula is investing in its future by uniting, using innovation, ecology planning, and newer and better technology to bring
out the best the region has to offer.
Article Continued -
Temecula
Winery Visits >>
Steve Cukrov - Editor (Aug. 2, 2003)
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