Fallbrook Winery

We finally decided to hit wineries in the Fallbrook area, so naturally we started with the Fallbrook Winery.  This is sort of “good news/bad news” review.  The “good news” is that the Fallbrook Winery makes some very nice wine and has a very nice facility.  The “bad news” is that it is not easy to get to and can only be visited by making reservations in advance.
The winery is located in a residential area of Fallbrook, up a very winding road.  This is not a boutique winery – in fact, it is a large winery by San Diego County standards.  In other words, they do not depend on direct sales to the public.  That is not to say that they don’t like visitors, just that where they are located is not conducive to a lot of wine tasters coming and going.
As you can see in the following pictures, you can sit inside or outside for your tasting.  When we sat outside they came to us with the wine, a service that I really like.

Wine tasting is Temecula cost level, $20 per person for six tastes.  As shown in the menu below, they offer some whites and a nice selection of red wines.  It is my understanding that they have over twenty acres planted on their own property and control vines planted on another twenty or so, with total sales over 20,000 cases a year.  A quick glance at the wine tasting menu shown below gives you a good idea of what they are about – all of the wines listed as “Estate” are red, and many are Italian varietals.  I particularly liked their Barbera – maybe the best I’ve tasted in Southern California.  Their Bordeaux blend (BDX) is a pretty smooth affair, and I think will be really good after a bit of aging.  I apologize for not getting to the Aglianico – too many wines to choose from.

They have three wine club levels.  The lowest is the Founders Club – three bottles quarterly, one 33֯ N Estate and two Fallbrook Winery.  The next level is the Estate Club – three bottles quarterly, all 33֯ N Estate wines.  You can also opt for a “Keep Me Stocked”, calling for 6 bottles per quarter of the Fallbrook Winery wines.  All wines at a 20% discount with free tasting for two per visit.  They do have some special events at the winery, and wine club members get invitations plus first crack at new releases.  Some wines available to wine club members are not released to the public.