Lorenzi Estate Wines
an artisan winery committed to producing the highest quality red wines in southern california
About the winery
In the early 1900s, Italian families Lorenzi and De Ambrogio planted Zinfandel vines in parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This region, now known as the Cucamonga Valley, still produces grapes from these 100-year-old vines. Don Lorenzi remembers the smell of fermenting grapes at his grandparents’ cellar as a young boy. In 2000, Don’s cousin, Steve De Ambrogio, gifted him 20 Zinfandel vines cloned from the original 100-yearold vines. With a little luck, these vines were fruitful and soon, Lorenzi was experimenting with small batches of wine for close family and friends. One barrel led to another and the family’s home garage was enlarged to create a dedicated winemaking area. Lorenzi began crafting small barrels of wine from a variety of grapes including Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah.
Learn more about Lorenzi Estate Wines and their facilities at:
Location
Temecula
History & Geography
In 1968, local winemaking legend Philo Biane planted the first of his 400 acres in Temecula. Because Biane lived next door to Lorenzi’s uncle, Don built a relationship with him over the years. It is no small irony that decades later, Lorenzi Estate Vineyards would be part of the original site Biane planted in the 60s. Biane knew that the vineyards are located 22 miles from the Pacific Ocean and are 1,500 feet abovesea level. Cool, foggy mornings give way to nurturing sunshine that ripen grapes perfectly. Cool breezes from the “Rainbow Gap” bring temperatures back down in the evening. All of the vineyard blocks are farmed with minimum crop loads which guarantee a higher quality grape. The soils are decomposed granite, rich in phosphorus, which drain naturally and provide the vine an optimum terroir. The water management practices incorporate drip irrigation which allows it to deliver the specific amount of water each vine needs.
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