Best Rosé Wines In Temecula
The rosé is making a comeback. Pink wines are the perfect complement to an eclectic spring and summer lifestyle. We taste tested some of Temecula Valley's most elegant, and charming "other than white or red" wines. The notes of fruit vary, as well as the hues, to please almost every palate. So pack a picnic basket with a variety of fruits, cheeses and breads and sip away in wine country.
Callaway Vineyards and Winery
32720 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 676-4001
www.callawaywinery.com
The 40-year-old Callaway Vineyards and winery , first established by Ely Reeves and now run by the Lin family, offer two beautiful rosés. The 2010 Bella Rosa Sparkling Wine is a Blanc de Noir that greets you with juicy red cherry aromas. Black raspberry and strawberry notes will dance on your tongue with a finish of red apple. The 2011 Rosé of Sangiovese is a fruit basket in a glass. It has won 10 awards since 2012, including the Double Gold for Tasters Guild Wine Competition. Offering a soft pink hue, it has aromas of strawberry, cherry and rosebud, leading to a rich berry preserve with tones of nectarine, tangerine and citrus zest. Wow, you may have to have more than one glass in case you missed a fruit flavor or two.
Miramonte
33410 Rancho California Rd.
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 506-5500
www.miramontewinery.com
The two pink wines offered at Miramonte use a high-quality grape, rather than the low-quality type that has stigmatized the rosé reputation. The 2010 Grenache Rosé has endless strawberry, raspberry and tropical fruit notes, with sweet citrus and spring flower nuances. The staff at Miramonte said it is popular for the simple reason they take rosé seriously. 2010 Mourvèdre Rosé is a modern, minimalist style of rosé which shows spiced citrus and berry notes, a flinty acidity, and a whimsical restraint. It offers a hint of strawberry and watermelon flavors, very tropical.
South Coast Winery and Resort
34843 Rancho California Rd.
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 587-WINE (9463)
www.wineresort.com
The South Coast Winery offers the most diverse collection of pink wines in Temecula Valley. The 2011 Tempranillo Rose is Jon, the winemaker's, favorite. This Spanish-style rosé has a delicate aroma of strawberries, raspberries, and citrus peel -- a great warm weather sipper. The 2009 South Coast Winery Grenache Rosé has a vibrant color, dynamic fruit aromas, and crisp, uplifting berry flavors that roll over the palate. A little dryer then most Rosé wines, with a touch of Jolly Rancher-like flavor. The 2011 Merlot Rosé deviates from the usual Merlot found in a bottle. Brilliantly ruby-hued, this Rosé is loaded with exotic sweet-tart cranberry, strawberry and blueberry. The Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling has a balanced sweetness coupled with a bright acidity and a classic touch of astringency; just like cranberry and pomegranate. It is the perfect wine for a summer's day.
Ponte
35053 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(877) 314-9463
www.pontewinery.com
The hectic pace of everyday life fades away as you walk the beautiful grounds sipping a light rosé. Juliet 2011 is one of Ponte's three "cousin" wines. The Juliet is a sweet, light, delicate wine that pairs nicely with aged gouda, arugula, date and apple salad or any fresh fruit dessert. Rose Spumante 2011 tastes like a sweet kiss with bright, spritzy flavors. Each sip is bursting with refreshing strawberry and pineapple flavors and a fragrance of crisp green apples. Fiorella 2011 means "little flower" in Italian. The 2011 Fiorella is a deliciously off-dry rosé wine with hints of strawberry and blossoming grapefruits.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards
37350 De Portola Road
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 302-8466
www.robertrenzonivineyards.com
The Robert Renzoni Winery and Vineyards opened its doors in the spring of 2008, but the Renzoni family has been in the wine making business since 1886 starting in Italy before immigrating to the United States. It's 2011 La Rosa (Rosé of Sangiovese) was a gold medal winner at the Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival Wine Competition. La Rosa offers light strawberry citrus flavors layered with hints of cranberry, passion and tropical fruit with a hint of pink grapefruit.
Michelle Mears-Gerst is a writer in southern California who can also be found at @sunnynsocal. She would like to thank the wineries and staff for the educational conversations and tours.
