2009 Harvest Report
Temecula Valley – Buck Mesa area
45% of total tonnage
Acres: 33
Elevation: 1,500’
Soil Type: Sandy Loam
Day/Night Variation: 28 º
Average Temperature in Growing Season: 69º
Cooling ocean breezes keep temperatures moderate in the Temecula Valley, making our region ideal for wine grape growing. Average high temperatures in our area are normally within about one degree of Napa Valley’s northern end. The ’09 Chardonnay yield was roughly half of last year. This was done intentionally with aggressive shoot thinning and lower water use to intensify flavor.
Barbera - 11,290 lbs
Cabernet Franc - 954 lbs
Cabernet Sauvignon - 10,664 lbs
Chardonnay - 22,596 lbs
Grenache - 1,460 lbs
Merlot - 10,338 lbs
Mourvèdre - 4,690 lbs
Muscat - 7,376 lbs
Petit Verdot - 8,864 lbs
Pinot Noir - 8,468 lbs
Sangiovese - 23,144 lbs
Syrah - 4,812 lbs
Tempranillo - 2,938 lbs
Zinfandel - 764 lbs
Temecula Valley - La Cresta area
21% of total tonnage
Acres: 24
Elevation: 2,200’
Soil Type: Rocky Sandy Loam
Day/Night Variation: 22 º
Average Temperature in Growing Season: 65º
Temecula Valley’s westernmost area, La Cresta is roughly 700’ higher in elevation and 10 miles closer to the ocean than the center of wine country. The cooler average temperatures of approximately 4 degrees are great for Pinot Gris & Pinot Noir, though the area is good for all varieties. Later fruit ripening here yields bright, fruit-forward wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon - 21,228 lbs
Dolcetto - 646 lbs
Malbec - 2,058 lbs
Merlot - 1,300 lbs
Petit Verdot - 1,324 lbs
Pinot Gris - 12,218 lbs
Pinot Noir - 13,944 lbs
Tempranillo - 1,182 lbs
Sage Vineyard – Riverside County
13% of total tonnage
Acres: 14
Elevation: 2,500’
Soil Type: Gravelly Sandy Loam
Day/Night Variation: 32 º
Average Temperature in Growing Season: 67º
Higher elevation, greater day/night temperature swings, and higher sunlight levels give more intensely colored & flavored fruit – perfect for Big Reds and high-body/high-flavored whites. Our Petite Sirah and Zinfandel from this vineyard are particularly spicy with black pepper aromas.
Cabernet Franc - 9,806 lbs
Chardonnay - 1,518 lbs
Petite Sirah - 5,752 lbs
Sauvignon Blanc - 1,658 lbs
Viognier - 11,286 lbs
Zinfandel - 2,918 lbs
Outside of Temecula
23% of total tonnage
Five Oaks Vineyard – Paso Robles
Petit Verdot - 3,536 lbs
Roussanne - 2,872 lbs
Bearing wines that are favorites among our list, Five Oaks Vineyard is owned by family, Dave & Sara Israel, who are in-laws of Doug Wiens.
Montfort Vineyard – Borden Ranch, Lodi
Merlot - 7,188 lbs
Primitivo - 3,938 lbs
Zinfandel - 17,082 lbs
Famous for its Primitivo, this is our heritage vineyard at the previous home of Doug Wiens, where Wiens Family Cellars began in 1996 before moving to Temecula in 2005. Fruit from this vineyard has been farmed organically since 2007. Beginning next season, fruit from this vineyard will be certified organic.
Lockeford Vineyards (Lodi Area)
Syrah - 26,860 lbs
Intensely managed for quality, this vineyard is owned by old family friends who planted 10 acres of Syrah at their home after our advice in 1999.
