It’stime for the grape crush!
The 2016 harvest season kicked off on Aug. 8 at the Historic Lopez Ranch Vineyard for Cucamonga Valley growers and winemakers Don Galleano and son Domenic of Galleano Winery.
The old vine of the Lopez Ranch is located in the foothills of Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, along Interstate 15 and the 210.
“Lopez Ranch produces exceptional Zinfandel offering unique jammy quality unlike any in the valley,” said 4th generation winemaker Domenic.
“The fruit is noticeably superior compared to last year. Quality is wonderful considering the early heat this growing season. We expect to be harvesting another three weeks in this vineyard.”
Yield is anticipated to be approximately 100 tons.
The “old-vine” vineyard is best defined as extremely low yields, pygmy vines struggling to stay alive, concentrated and focused and intensely spicy fruit.
They are non-irrigated and deep rooted. There is no irrigation at Lopez Ranch – the only water is from the rain which can be as low as 6 or 8 inches annually.
Prominent Sonoma County producer Carol Shelton favors Lopez Ranch Zinfandel because the flavor profile is so unique.
“Maybe I am biased by the proximity to the Mohave Desert, but I get a whiff of desert sagebrush, lots of exotic Asian/ Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, saffron, star anise,” she has said. Shelton will again be purchasing several tons.
Shelton’s “Monga Zin” is highly rated and earned the first score over 90 points (91) from Wine Spectator for any wine from Cucamonga.
Cucamonga Valley’s viticulture history is as complex as the old head-trained Mission, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Zinfandel grapevines that dominated the landscape for more than 150 years.
The Galleano family has grown Zinfandel in the historic Cucamonga Valley for over 80 years. Cucamonga Valley is home to some of California’s oldest vines and remains an important region to California viticulture heritage.
Galleano Winery and Tasting Room in Mira Loma is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. www. galleanowinery.com.
Gino L. Filippi is wine writer for Foothills Reader. He can be reached at ginoffvine@aol.com.
