Palumbo Winery - In The News
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Frank Mangio, TASTE OF WINE - The week of March 11, 2012 | www.tasteofwine.com
The intimate world of cultivating fine wine and fine resort living recently crossed paths for me in the rich, country life of Temecula. It’s a great life when you can experience a memorable occasion on a given day, but when two such experiences present themselves, the stars are in true alignment.
In a personal “hands-on” experience into the world of winemaking, owner and winemaker Nick Palumbo of the Palumbo Family Vineyard and Winery, collaborated with the nearby Temecula Creek Inn, the pristine golf course inspired 350 acre resort, with upscale dining and woven into the wine country of Temecula. Similar in philosophy, Palumbo is all about quality, handcrafted production that goes into his offerings. Temecula, with its rolling hills and awakening Winter/Spring vines are an especially awe-inspiring sight as winemakers like Palumbo carefully craft the pruning process, setting the table for the fruit of the later months. The management at Temecula Creek Inn, recently provided this guest experience in an Inn sponsored “Grape to Glass” first-of-a-series wine tour, complete with a lesson on effective pruning from Nick Palumbo.
Under a brilliant morning sun, Palumbo told us of his simple philosophy for rich, complex wines. “I produce only what I grow myself,” he asserted. “I keep my yields low and I enjoy sharing what we do here. Less is more when it comes to quality. We have 13 acres under vine and sell 2,500 cases of artisinal wine, farmed without compromise.” He and his wife Cindy and family live on the property and I was fascinated by his disclosure of how each of the several hills and gullies have their own varietals, microclimates and timetable for pruning during the dormant winter season. “The low spots are the last to get pruned, to guard against frost,” he said. “When budding begins, we will see it first in the Cab Franc and Merlot, then the Sangiovese grapes really pop fast. They love the terrior here.”
Palumbo bought an existing 7 acre vineyard and home in 1998. He applied his Sicilian ancestry and a 24/7 mentality to learning as much as he could about winemaking, bought more land next door and in 2002 opened the winery.
Here are two Palumbo wines that capture the essence and style of this lovely winery:
- The 2009 Sangiovese ($34.) that Palumbo describes as “summertime in a bottle.” Taste light cherry flavors, along with roasted tomato and earthy spices.
The 2008 Tre Fratelli, 3 brothers in Italian ($42.) A traditional blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Taste the class and elegance of toasted vanilla and caramel with black cherry and plum palate-taste.
Temecula Creek Inn and Nick Palumbo are planning the 2nd part of “Wine to Glass” Friday September 28 on Harvesting, and the 3rd part November 9 on Blending. Call Temecula Creek Inn for details at 877-517-1823
or click here
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Christine Thompson, Contributing Writer Western Farm Press - Sep. 27, 2011
Temecula Valley, Calif., wine grape growers joined their counterparts to the north this season, successfully harvesting a crop of promising wine quality amid prospects of improved grape prices.
A decade ago, many growers in the southern Riverside County wine grape enclave were not sure they’d be around in 2011 when the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) vectored deadly Pierce’s disease throughout the 1,300 acres of wine grapes, killing many of the vines.
However, Temecula growers have rebounded from the devastation of Pierce’s disease in the late 1990s, and vineyards throughout the valley are thriving. New plantings are evident across the region. Wineries are expanding their guest facilities and plans are underway for more growth.
Grower and winemaker Nick Palumbo, who owns Palumbo Family Winery with his wife, Cindy, thinks the Temecula Valley wine grape growing region is poised “for getting the attention and respect that is due” all the hard work that goes into growing superior wine grapes. He’s among a new generation of grower/vintners learning and implementing new growing and management techniques — eager to try new clones and varietals.
“In a way, Pierce’s disease was the best thing that ever happened to us because a lot of vines got kicked out and everybody had to rethink what they were doing,” he said. READ MORE
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Nicholas Palumbo, owner/winemaker, Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery along with the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association joins Tom Lykis for a radio interview on Setpember 3, 2011.
Click Here To Listen:
http://newnormalnetwork.com/sites/default/files/TastingRoom09-03-11.mp3
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