Winery Spotlight: Get To Know… Monte de Oro
The Story
“Vines, Wine, People” – that was the principle when a group of wine-loving investors from across America, South Africa and the United Kingdom got together to found Monte De Oro Winery in 2002. This beautiful Rancho California winery and vineyard uses a combination of 21st centutry innovation and centuries-old tradition in an environmentally-responsible approach to growing its grapes and making quality Temecula wine.
The Wines
Monte de Oro produces wines true to the varietal and regional characteristics of Temecula Valley. The winery grows more than a dozen different grape varietals, including Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viognier, Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat Canelli; along with Tempranillo, Petite Verdot, Malbec, Petite Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Cinsault.
Monte de Oro owns and operates four Temecula vineyards: Vista del Monte, DePortola, Galway and a newer forth vineyard. In all, Monte De Oro Winery has a total of 72 acres of vineyards and are proud to harvest estate-grown grapes for wine production.
Sixty-six percent of Monte De Oro’s grapes are red and thirty-four percent white. This provides a broad array of quality wines for Monte De Oro Winery while also reflecting the founding group’s personal wine preference.
To learn more about Monte de Oro wines, visit the online wine store here.
Sustainable Grape-Growing
Monte De Oro is committed to sustainable grape-growing and wine-making, from the vineyards to the winery facility. Instead of relying on the high energy consumption required for an above-ground wine barrel facility, Monte De Oro excavated a 9,000 sq. ft. basement below ground, to utilize the natural environment and aesthetics of the building structure in order to maintain a proper, consistent temperature and constant humidity. This dramatically reduces the need for electricity needed in an above-ground facility.
To capitalize on the sunny locale, Monte De Oro has also made plans to incorporate into its site design (parking lot and eventual crush pad) installation of solar panels to allow for solar-generated electricity in the near future.
The Tasting Room
The tasting room at Monte de Oro has a sophisticated and elegant ambiance. Visitors can enjoy the view of the barrel cellar from above through the glass-floored tasting room; and the 180 degree panoramic view of Temecula Wine Country from the outside patio.
Standard Tasting — 6 Tastes
Monday through Friday $12
Saturday and Sunday $14
Black Label Tasting — 6 Standard Tastes plus 3 Black Label Tastes
Monday through Friday $18
Saturday and Sunday $20
The tasting room is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm. For more information on tastings and tours, click here.
Events
Monte de Oro Winery always offers unique and exciting winery events! Click here for their full events calendar.
