It's wonderful to have found a reliable, reasonably priced winery here in Southern California.
Galleano Winery is a historic landmark in Rancho Cucamonga, and if you're looking for great red wines under $20 that are NOT mass produced, make the trip, taste (you get up to 5 free), and purchase wines to bring home or to give as unique gifts. Galleano's reds are excellent and can only be purchased at the winery.
One thing people do not know is that Cucamonga vinyards sell their grapes to Temecuala wineries. Temecuala's vines are fairly new, so when they feature bottles as "Old Vine" and mark up the price, check the location - it'll probably say "Cucamonga Valley." Why is this significant to know? Because you can get these prestigious "Old Vine" wines directly from Galleano Winery for about half the price!
One that particularly stood out was their Syrah (retail $9.75). Beautiful dark red, rich color. A dusty nose that reminds me of a cellar. Overly ripe red fruit, that some would refer to as "jammy", but I would describe it more as "mature" because the fruit, while present, is not overbearing. Finally, a subtle oaky finish that provides a nice contrast to the fruit.
I couldn't stop pouring myself glass after glass. It just drank so easily and pleased my senses with every sip. My hands did manage to let go of the stem and onto this keyboard so I could blog about it...
4231 Wineville Avenue
Mira Loma, CA 91752-1412
