Cougar Vineyard and Winery, Temecula

Cougar Vineyard and Winery, established in 2004 and opened in Temecula in 2006 by Rick and Jennifer Buffington. They stick to the Italian varietals and produce about 3,000 cases a year.

Cougar Vineyard and Winery is located on the De Portola Wine Trail, which I was not even aware of until today. I have always aimed for the Rancho California exit off the I-15 for wine tasting in Temecula. In order to get to the De Portola Wine Trail you take the Temecula Parkway South exit. It's worth the few extra minutes. The trail is set in a nice rural area of Temecula. It is lined with horse and cattle ranches on either side of a two-lane road. It winds up through some really pretty hills.

As I drove through the entrance to Cougar Vineyard and Winery I was instantly charmed. The winery is located at the top of a hill and as I drove up the drive way I was so tickled by the vines bursting with fruit lined on either side. The view from the top of the hill standing outside of the winery was breathtaking.

As I walked into the winery I was awed by the racks of wine barrels very neatly and nicely placed throughout the facility. I loved the wine tasting bar. It had two very long and wide planks of wood set on top of wine barrels. Very practical yes, but also very inviting. Mike was pouring wine and he suggested I try the following:

2009 Estate Vermentino - 100% Italian varietal Vermentino. Flavors of lemongrass, green apple and lime. Pair with fresh seafood or grilled Mediterranean vegetables.

2009 Monte's Blush - 100% Montepulciano grapes done as a dry rose`. Fresh strawberries with flavors of ripe plums ending in a dry smooth finish. Pair with spicy food.

2009 Petizione Chardonnay - The wine club put together a petition to get this one back on the winery roster if that tells you anything! Slightly sweet and pairs well with salmon.

2009 Pink Cougar - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% residual sugar. Guava and strawberry flavors. 2007 Orange County Fair winner. $1 per bottle is donated to Susan G. Komen for the cure Inland Empire affiliate. A picnic wine for sure, but Mike says it's just fine all by its self.

2008 Estate Sangiovese - very limited production. Pair with red sauced pasta or pizza.

2008 Sangio+ - The 2007 Super Tuscan Sangiovese is blended with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvested from their estate vineyard in Fallbrook (their backyard vineyard) then fermented and barrel-aged blended. Very limited production. Pair with red sauced pasta and pizza.

2007 Meritage - 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. The blend was voted on and picked by the Wine Club Family. Enjoy with gouda, olives and hard salamies.

2009 Malvasia Bianca - 100% Malvasia Bianca. Flavors of granny smith apple and honey. Liquid dessert but at the same time great with a meal. Pair with seafood, antipasto dishes, grilled vegetables.

As we were touring the facility I was so intrigued when we stumbled upon Rick utilizing something like a giant potato masher hand "punching" the pinotage grapes in 3 large plastic tubs. The aroma was delightful.

In chatting with Mike I learned that aside from pouring wine at Cougar Winery he also works at Harrahs Casino and writes a website called www.tasteoftemecula.net which has a wealth of information about things to do, see, and experience in Temecula.

They sell a few Boar's Head products at the winery so I decided to have some salami and cheese with a glass of the 2008 Estate Sangiovese out on one of the picnic tables overlooking the vineyards. It was so serene I almost cried to be given such a special moment. As I was enjoying myself, Mocha the family dog stopped by to say "hi", but let's be honest, she couldn't take her eyes off my salami and cheese.

I feel like I had a mini vacation at Cougar Vineyard and Winery today and I would like to thank Mike for his time and hospitality.