If you have not visited Temecula Valley in Southern California, I highly recommend a trip to this beautiful area. Many of you know Napa as the premier wine region, but Temecula offers numerous wineries and gorgeous vineyards that put this town on the map especially for wine lovers.

Temecula Valley was just a stop on the stagecoach route back in the 1860s. Over one hundred years later it is an established and booming wine region. Temecula Valley has grown immensely, and now you will find over forty wineries.

One of the many wineries to choose from in Temecula Valley is Monte De Oro Winery & Vineyards. The wines are excellent quality, and the wine tasting room and surrounding vineyards offer a beautiful setting to enjoy wine tasting.

The following is my Always5Star tips when visiting Monte De Oro Winery & Vineyards

5StarTips🌟:

🌟 About the Winery:

“The main goal was to make the best wines
we could in the Temecula Valley…
and we are 100% estate-grown”.

The vineyards were planted in 2002, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the Monte De Oro winery opened.

5StarTip🌟: There is a special bottle of red wine called Owner’s Blend Synergy 65. The owners are very proud of this wine which consist of five of the original grapes of the vineyards:

2014 “Owner’s Blend” Synergy 65: 

• Syrah
  
• Cabernet Sauvignon 
  
• Merlot
  
• Zinfandel
  
• Cabernet Franc
  

The General Manager is Ken Zignorski, one of the owners of the winery. I was excited to hear that he was responsible for all the Christmas decorations. They were lovely and created a fantastic festive atmosphere in the gift shop and tasting room.

The Monte De Oro vineyards comprise a total of over 70 acres in Temecula Valley – 11 at the property – 10 behind Callaway Winery (Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) – 20 acres behind Leoness Winery and 30 acres behind Galway Downs.

🌟 Wine Tasting:

Their red wines are barrel-aged longer than other wineries. Did you know that the longer the wine is aged in the barrel, the greater the depth of flavor? Most wineries age their wines 18 months in the barrel. However, Monte De Oro ages their wines approximately 25 – 30 months. The special reserve wines are anywhere from 42 to 44 months. Monte de Oro currently offers 14 reds, 4 whites, and 2 rosés.

The pride and joy of Monte De Oro Winery is their award-winning: 2014 Simplexity

Rated 99 Points 
Double Gold Medal/Best of Region – Red Wine 2018 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition Best of Class Varietal

Tasting Notes: This dry, medium+ bodied wine has ripe and jammy cherries, currants, plums, and pomegranates, all of which are complemented with vanilla, cocoa, black licorice, allspice, cinnamon, and minerality.*

Hours of Tasting Room:
10 AM – 5 PM

There are three tastings to choose from. It is important to make arrangements ahead of time if a VIP private tasting is desired. 

Traditional Tasting

The tasting includes 6 samples (1-ounce pour) of the current wine menu. Price: $18.00

Premium Tasting

Traditional tasting and 3 additional samples. Includes the Reserve and Dessert Wines. Price: $23.00

VIP Tasting – Private Upscale Tasting

Private tasting is arranged through contacting the winery and is priced depending on how you would like to customize the tasting. Email: groups@montedeoro.com.

Options: They also offer history and educational experience, private tasting in the barrel cellar, tasting with pairings provided by the Bistro.

🌟 Five Premium “Always5Star” Recommends for Tasting:

There are so many remarkable wines from which to choose. I am sure you will come away with a few favorites.

Here are my top five to try first. Note: This would be considered a “premium tasting.”

🌟 2017 White Wine – Nostimo – New York World Wine Competition 2017 | Silver Medal

Tasting Notes: “Delicious” and slightly sweet with tastes of peaches, pineapple, and lemon accented by honeysuckle, grapefruit blossoms.*

Recommended Pairing | Guacamole & Chips |Chicken | Fish |Spicy foods because of the sweetness, it will blend well with the flavors | Mexican Food -Spicy | Shrimp Taco

Bistro Pairing Suggestions: | Chipotle Beef & Cilantro Empanadas | Homemade Guacamole, Gourmet Salsa & Chips | Baked Brie | Fish & Chips | Shrimp & Lobster Tacos | Cedar Plank Salmon

Serve chilled, and though you can enjoy it any time of year, it is ideal for hot summer days.

🌟 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold Medal – 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Tasting Notes: A ripe and jammy fruit taste complemented with vanilla and cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, anise, black peppercorns, and toasty oak. Higher acidic wine and fruit-forward, finishing smooth on the tongue.*

Recommended Pairing | Steak |pork chop | lamb chop | chili churro sauce | Carne Asada

Bistro Pairing Recommendations: | Monte’s Meatballs | The Monte Special | Cedar Plank Salmon | Plain Burger

🌟 2014 Zinfandel – Double Gold Medal and Best in Class Varietal 2018 California Commercial Wine Competition

Tasting Notes: Tastes of ripe and jammy red cherries, raspberries, strawberries, dried cranberries, and pomegranates all of which are complemented with vanilla bean, graham cracker, toasted hazelnuts, candied ginger, and toasted oak and cedar.*

Recommended Pairing | Pork Tenderloin | BBQ Foods | Lamb Chops | Spicy Thai Food

Bistro Pairing Recommendations: | BBQ Bacon Burger | Parmesan Truffle Fries | The Greek Flatbread | Mediterranean Salad

🌟 2014 Synergy 65 Owners Red Blend Gold Medal – 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Tasting Notes: This wine is nicely balanced with tastes of dense, ripe and jammy blackberries, bramble, bing cherries, currants, blueberries, dry blue plums, strawberries, and red plums.*

Recommended Pairing | Cheese and Charcuterie Plates | Soft Cheeses and Strong Flavors | Olives | Baked Brie

Bistro Pairings: | Spanakopita | Artisan Cheese & Fruit Plate | Charcuterie Plate | The Mediterranean Plate | Goat & Fig Burger | Steak Melt Sandwich

🌟 2014 Vigna Vicini – Silver Medal – 2018 OC Wine Society Competition

Tasting Notes: (Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah blend) Tastes of cherries, plums, vanilla, currants, and blackberries complemented with subtle spice.

Recommended Pairing Steak | Grilled Meats | Charred Vegetables | Wild Game | Beef Stew | Grilled or Blackened Seafood

Bistro pairings: | De Portola Grilled Cheese | Rancho Cali Panini | Steak & Frites | Shrimp & Lobster Tacos | 

The Always5Star Recommend: 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon 🍷 Cheers!

“We strive for a personal touch – 
that people enjoy coming again and again.
Not only because we offer a great wine – 
but you feel welcomed as soon as you walk through the door.”

🌟 Bistro for Dining:

Enjoy tasting wines, then pick your favorites. When you buy a bottle or a glass of wine, it will be served at your table.

Though there are tables in the wine tasting room, it is best to enjoy the more comfortable outdoor tables and the gorgeous views of the vineyards.

The Bistro is open from 11:00 am – 4:30 p.m. – Thursday – Sunday

Menu options include a variety of appetizers, flatbreads & boules, burgers, panini’s, sandwiches, entrees, and salads. Some of their signature dishes include:

• Artisan Cheese & Fruit Plate – Chef selection of fine domestic and imported cheese, fresh fruit, crackers, honeycomb
  
• Charcuterie Plate – Chef selection of fine domestic and imported meats and sausage with mustard baked brie in sourdough, fresh fruit, vegetables 
  
• Parmesan Truffle Fries – Crisp fries tossed with garlic butter, truffle oil, truffle salt, and shaved asiago, served with garlic aioli
  
• Goat & Fig Burger – Grass-fed Angus all-beef patty, goat cheese, garlic aioli, arugula, onion, and fig jam, brioche bun
  
• The Monte Special – Cab Patty, provolone cheese, garlic aioli, organic lettuce, Kumamoto tomato, sautéed mushroom, and caramelized mushroom and onion brioche bun
  
• Steak & Frites – Grilled NY striploin steak and chimichurri sauce, served with your choice of fries

5StarTip🌟: There are Gluten Free and Vegetarian options which are clearly marked on the menu. They also offer recommended pairings of wine on the menu.

🌟 Location, Map and Extra’s

Monte De Oro Winery & Vineyard
OPEN DAILY 10:00-5:00
951-491-6551
35820 Rancho California Road Temecula, CA 92591

Map:

• Dog-friendly (leashes required) and kid-friendly
• Music venues are offered every Sunday during the summer
• Wheelchair accessibility – from the parking lot 

🌟 Music Venues

If you love music, be sure to sign up for their newsletter so you can stay up to date on events. The winery has hosted such big names as The 5th Dimension and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. There are VIP packages that include a three-course dinner with special seating. These sell out quickly! Tickets are purchased directly through the winery.

Final Thoughts:

I visited Monte De Oro Winery for a wine tasting with my friend Jimmy Fu (the talented photographer who took these fabulous pictures). We were impressed not only by the outstanding wine but the fact everyone is treated like family when they visit.

I approached several different people while I was there to ask their thoughts and opinions. I was amazed at the compliments and praise directed toward the winery!

Two of the women I spoke with, Cecilie Nelson and Dr. Alisia Moutry, are owners and also wine club members. Their vibrant personalities and lovely smiles lit up the entire room. They clearly delighted in the surroundings and savored their experience at the winery.

I met guests who come to the winery every year when visiting Temecula Valley. All of the customers I spoke with were wine club members.

People love how they feel when visiting the winery. The staff creates a warm and inviting environment to taste and appreciate the wines.

Cheers to Monte De Oro for focusing on the beautiful wine and the people who enjoy it! Always5Star! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5StarTip🌟: Wine Club Synergy 65 Membership Benefits:

“Whether you’re a local who can enjoy Monte De Oro’s wines in our spectacular Tasting Room or Wine Club Barrel Lounge in Temecula, or an out-of-towner who wants to maintain a “long-distance love affair” with our wines — becoming a member of Monte De Oro’s Synergy 65 Wine Club means you’ll always have a bottle of the best on hand for any occasion. In addition to our unique vintages, there are many benefits to joining the Monte De Oro Family.” – Monte De Oro

Member benefits:
– 25% discount off full cases
– 20% discount off bottles
– 20% discount off bistro items
– 15% discount off gift shop
– 20% discount off guest tasting fees – up to 6 
– Complimentary wine tasting – 2 per visit, 6 oz.
– 25% discount off Monte De Oro logo glasses
– Up to 15% discount off private events access to the member’s only Barrel Lounge & Patio
– Access to exclusive events including educational classes
– Special wine sales and quarterly wine pick-up parties

** Special Note: Several pictures within this post were taken by:

Jimmy Fu-tography 

Please visit his website for more information and to view his amazing portfolio of professional pictures.

* Tasting notes were provided by Monte De Oro Winery.

For more information about Monte De Oro Winery & Vineyard, Temecula Valley Wines and other activities that are happening in Temecula Valley: 

Monte De Oro Winery & Vineyards

Visit Temecula Valley Information

For more information about Always5Star Guides to Temecula Valley Wines: 

Always5Star Guide To Doffo Winery in Temecula

Always5Star Guide to Robert Renzoni Vіnеуаrdѕ & Wіnеrу in Temecula California

Always5Star Guide to Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery in Temecula

Always5Star Guide to Baily Vineyard & Winery in Temecula

Peltzer Family Cellar in Temecula, California – Creating An Always5Star Jr. Family Afternoon

Akash Winery – Five Reasons To Visit The Akash Winery in Temecula, California

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🌟 Please note: This was an opportunity to taste their wines complimentary. Opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated for writing this article or for endorsing the wines.

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