Since planting our first vines by hand in 1996, we have continually managed all of our own vineyards. Our goal of producing world-class wines would be lost without the singular idea that great wine begins in the vineyard. Starting with roughly 10 acres of land and expanding to over 150 acres, this growth has motivated us to perfect our craft, driven by our passion. New soil and new growing environments both influence our constant experimentation.
With over 20 years in the Temecula Valley, our relationship with the land has grown into an even deeper respect for the terroir and all that it offers. Our La Cresta vineyards sit perched in higher elevation and benefit from the moist sea air. Cool mornings offer a growing season similar to Mediterranean climates. Our valley floor vineyards experience desert temperatures during the summer and typically produce a bolder grape. This luxury specific to Southern California gives our wines the opportunity to offer you the best of both worlds.
Our Winery Estate vineyard was established in the center of Temecula Valley Wine Country. Located at 1350 feet above sea level this vineyard contains three different grape varietals including Chardonnay, Montepulciano, and Syrah. Managing additional vineyards within a fifteen-mile radius, this property remains at the heart of our operations. The Winery Estate’s close proximity to the ocean results in warm days and cool nights, with evening breezes from the Rainbow Gap. This significant diurnal shift is ideal for grape growing.
Located in the outskirts of the Temecula AVA and perched high above the valley floor hovers our La Cresta Vineyards. Misty mornings quickly dissipate in the late afternoon sunshine to provide an ideal growing environment for our grapes, mimicking a Mediterranean climate. The hills of La Cresta hold the majority of our fruit, growing nearly twenty different grape varietals.
Home to five of our vineyard designates, these vines consistently produce premium fruit and award-winning wines which showcase our careful cultivation of the land.
Located at an elevation approximately 1000 ft higher than our Winery Estate is our illustrious Sage vineyard. Our vines here grow proudly in sandy loam, spanning roughly 15 acres and containing ten different varietals. Having similar daytime temperatures and afternoon breezes as our Valley floor vineyard, this area lacks the moisture from the ocean breeze. In addition, well-drained soil couples with higher elevation and cool nights to produce smaller quantities of intense fruit with concentrated strength and elegance unique to this property.
Nine miles northeast of the Winery Estate sits ten acres containing four Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec and Merlot vines produce big, bold, age-worthy reds. A consistent breeze blows in the cooler months to avoid frost. A desert atmosphere with limited well water available leads to a growing pattern similar to dry farming. As a result, San Ignacio often produces small quantities of pea-sized berries on the vine creating rich, intense wines.
