Frangipani Winery

100 California Wineries

The quiet rural setting of Frangipani Winery in the Temecula Valley of Southern California, is a wonderful place to wile away an afternoon.  My travel buddy and I sampled six of their wines:  three whites and three reds.  The  Viognier, the Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc were all light and crisp.  Each had just a hint of fruit, which makes these white wines so perfect for those fast-approaching warm, sunny days.

Don Frangipani, owner and winemaker, is best known for his aromatic reds.  We tried the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Syrah.  The Merlot was, by far, our favorite.  This wine is aged for 24 months in French and American oak barrels. The rich, fragrant blackberries, currants and licorice flavors are quite intoxicating.  We swirled and swirled, delighting in the aroma, before we even took a taste.  We bought a bottle on the spot.

We also bought the Viognier, hoping to keep it  for a special occasion.  Our anniversary in June perhaps?    However, we failed to inform our son of this.  Wine has a way of disappearing very quickly in our house.  Anyway, a few days later,  he popped the cork and poured a glass.

"Man . . . this is really good," he said.  "Where did you get it?"

My travel buddy and I looked at each other.  Uh-oh.

My son felt horrible when we told him, but we just laughed.  "Better get two more glasses," I said.  "Today just became a special occasion."