Temecula Winery Wins Big at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Temecula’s own Monte De Oro Winery wets gold at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition last month. Gold medals at the competition were awarded to wines that “possessed an added dimension or profound characteristics that were recognized by two or more of the judges on the three-judge panel.”

Monte De Oro Winery uses a combination of innovation and tradition in an environmentally responsible approach to growing its grapes and making quality wine. The beautiful grounds are home to the only glass floor tasting room, which offers an oasis of wine excellence in an environment that is both sophisticated and inviting. They started the vineyard in 2002, planting their first 18-acre vineyard of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2003 they planted their next 41 acres of vineyards. Ken Zignorski, Managing Member and General Manager of the winery explains, “we were grape growers until 2008 when we decided to break ground to build a winery, which today is Monte De Oro Winery.”

Monte De Oro currently has 72 vineyard acres that produce over 200 tons of grapes a year and a diverse grape and wine portfolio. There are six white grape varietals and twelve red grape varietals which make up eight different white wines, fifteen different red wines and three reserve wines. “One of Monte De Oro’s hallmark wines is the Synergy 65 Owners Blend. This is a blend handcrafted from the first five red grapes we grew: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Zinfandel,” said Zignorski.

“We are very proud of the recent accolade [at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition] as well as the many that came before it.” As of early 2016, the winery has won 90 high-level wine awards (Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, Best of Class, 90+ Wine Scores). At the competition alone, the winery took home four Silver Medals for four other 2012 red wines.

The winery is located at 35820 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591. Standard Tasting includes 6 Tastes. Mon­day to Thursday: $13, Friday to Sun­day & Holidays: $15. The tasting room is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.