Fallbrook Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Fallbrook Winery is one of the largest wineries in southern California. The winery and vineyards are located at a high elevation in Fallbrook. With so many red wines to taste red wine lovers will enjoy tastings at the winery. To visit and tour Fallbrook Winery, wine enthusiasts should make an appointment. A tasting room is located in the barrel aging area.
The Fallbrook Winery property was established in 1981. In 1995, Ira Gourvitz purchased the property and replanted the vineyards. His first crush was in 1998 and he began selling wine in 2000. Ira is the owner and grape grower leaving the winemaking to his winemakers. At the present time, Fallbrook wines are distributed to ten states. Before purchasing this property in Fallbrook, Ira had been a successful vineyard grower in Sonoma, California.
The original owners of the winery property built two cellars for aging wines. These cellars are built into the hillside. These are separated by walls with tall arches between each section. Occasionally a cellar may be used for a special wine dinner. A tasting area is located in the cellaring area. The tasting room is open only by appointment.
Vineyards
Today the 20 acres of estate vineyards include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Sangiovese. The estate vineyards are 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The soil is composed of granite and has the good drainage that grapes thrive on. Another 5 acres of vineyards has Sauvignon Blanc. Prior to harvest, some of the vines were covered in netting to protect the grapes from birds.
Winery
In the winery, two winemakers work together using their special abilities to help create these great wines. One focuses on the analysis of the wines and the other has an excellent palate. The two talented winemakers working together provide delicious food friendly wines. At the time of our visit, Canernet Sauvignon wine streamed from the bladder press. The red wines are aged for 18 to 24 months in oak. Fallbrook wines are sold in 60 percent of the California restaurants.
White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc 2009 was fermented in French oak and 50 percent in stainless steel. The aroma was of tropical fruit while the taste offered grapefruit nuances. The finish was fruity. Chardonnay2009 Sleepy Hollow vineyard was 100% fermented in French oak and aged on the lees for 12 months. There was caramel on the aroma and apple notes with a touch of oak on the taste.
Red Wines
One of the lines of wine is called 33º N. This name for the line was selected because of the winery and vineyards location on the 33rd parallel. They are 100% estate wines. 33° N Rosato was produced using 100 percent Sangiovese. This rosé wine was produced by leaving the juice on the skins for ten hours. The result was a wine with a red to dark pink color. The aroma and taste were of light red berries. The dry finish had nuances of soft tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 offered an aroma of dark fruit. The taste had dark fruit nuances especially blackberry. The finish was fruity with medium tannins. 33º N Merlot Estate 2008 had an aroma and taste of black cherry. There were medium tannins on the fruity finish. 33º N Sangiovese Estate 2008 was a dark purple with a red rim. The aroma and taste had cherry notes while the finish had bold tannins. 33º N Syrah Estate 2008 offered an aroma and taste of dark fruit with medium tannins on the finish. 33º N BDX 2007 was a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec. The color was a dark purple with a purple rim. The wine offered dark fruit notes on the aroma and taste. There were bold tannins on the finish. This is a very good food friendly wine.
Many of the wines produced by Fallbrook Winery have won wine competitions. These wine competitions included San Diego International Wine Competition, Winemakers Challenge International Wine Competition, Sommelier International Wine Challenge, Critic’s Challenge International Wine Competition, Grand Harvest Awards and California State Fair Wine Competition.
To visit Fallbrook Winery in Fallbrook, California wine enthusiasts should make an appointment. Taste the potential that wine growing in San Diego County can offer.
Fallbrook Winery
2554 Via Rancheros
Fallbrook, California 92028
GPS: N 33º 20.596’ W117º 12.241
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