FEBRUARY 2017
Visiting Our Vineyards
PAGE 13
View of the Lake and Tasting Room
Enter the Tasting Room Through this Beautiful Courtyard.
Vitagliano’s approach is unique in the
wine country since the winery is open to wine club members on select days and for special occasions. While the tasting room does not have regular hours, it will have many wonderful events for members. In order to introduce prospective members to Vitagliano, in January the winery was open to the public every Friday night, and most Saturdays and Sundays, for tastings, live music and food. On Tuesdays, it was open for tastings, featuring a Taco Tuesday menu. A new calendar will be posted on- line each month with a listing of events for members who can also bring guests who may be interested in joining the wine club. Wine shipments or pick-ups are quarterly with three bottles selected by the winemaker. The charming Tuscan-styled tasting room where events are centered is sur-
rounded by comfortable outdoor seating and has a rooftop with breath-taking views of the valley. Anthony Aglio, Frank’s personable son and the property’s manager, says, “We
love how each of our guests enjoy the intimate setting without the disturbance of large tasting groups or the general public. We want to preserve a serene atmosphere in which people can relax, enjoy tastings and learn about our wines.” The wine club is already attracting enthusiastic members as a result of opening
events held in December and January. We were at one of these events and heard many glowing compliments about the wonderful wine, beautiful setting and attentive staff. I can personally attest to the delicious elegance of the wines we tasted. Vitagliano Winery and Lake Oak Meadows are both family ventures with involve-
ment from all five of the owners’ children. In addition to Anthony, Lisa and Frank’s other children have different roles in both the wedding and winery businesses. And they have five grandchildren who may someday step into the businesses too. Frank points out that with their winery the family is carrying on a tradition origi-
nating from their roots in Italy. The winery is named after Frank’s grandfather, Guy Vitagliano, who was passionate about growing grapes in the tiny coastal town of Santa Maria, on the Italian island of Salina near Sicily, and who had a dream of bringing Ital- ian wines to America. He and his family immigrated to America via Ellis Island, first settling on the east coast. Eventually several family members, including Frank’s family, moved to the wine mecca of California. An award-winning Super Tuscan blend, Benedetto, is a favorite Vitagliano wine that honors the family’s winemaking traditions. The winery’s slogan — Vitale Di Vita, meaning “Vital to Life” in Italian, captures
the spirit and passion of this wonderful addition to the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Check the winery’s website for events coming up in February and March, includ-
ing a gala Valentine’s night dinner party. You can learn more about Vitagliano by at- tending one of the tasting room openings coming up soon and listed on the website—
http://www.vitaglianowines.com/. You can join the Wine Club via the winery’s website or by emailing
info@vitaglianwines.com. At some point, this private wine club may reach ca- pacity, but it is now still accepting new members.
Photos with this article taken by Todd Montgomery.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48