The Wine Chixs – April / May 2011

Milagro Farms Vineyards & Winery

By Linda Kissam and Ginger Giordano

The beautiful Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery grounds. (Linda Kissam)The Wine Chixs love to visit emerging and under reported wine regions. So we were delighted to get an invitation from Jim Hart, Executive Winemaker for Milagro Farms Vineyards & Winery in San Diego County.  Milagro is located approximately 35 miles north-east of San Diego in the Ramona Valley American Viticultural Area. 

As background, the Ramona AVA was approved in January 2006 based on its unique microclimate, terroir, and history for grape production. The 89,000 acre area covers 139 square miles of primarily rural countryside. The area is home to more than 50 commercial vineyards covering more than 60 acres, and 20 bonded wineries.  The Wine Chixs feel this is a place to watch, as new vineyards and wineries are being developed within the Ramona Valley each year. It’s neither the model of Napa, San Luis Obispo, or Temecula.  It’s a special jewel all its own, with a story as unique as the winemakers and growers who hold its burgeoning future in their hands.  As Jim explained to us, “We have a whole new vision of the type of wine that can be crated from here.  We can do and be anything we want. Our slate is clean. We can develop an image that best suits this appellation’s strengths.”

Jim Hart and The Wine Chixs taste upcoming releases in the Milagro Cellars. (Ginger Giordano)Jim is an interesting guy.  This is his third career path. He grew up in the wine business and has been involved with wine making most of his life, but also loves to teach.  He began planting vines as a small boy with his father, the venerable Joe Hart of Hart Winery. In the wine business, he’s been everything from a “cellar rat” to assistant winemaker at the family winery in Temecula.  After a chance encounter with proprietor Kit Sickels in 2006 Jim jumped on board as the Milagro winemaker, but still finds time to spend quality time at Hart Winery in Temecula.  “Everything I know, I credit to my Dad.  Without his firm and directed guidance I wouldn’t be where I am now.” Jim also teaches wine making and grape growing at Mira Costa Community College.  He’s one busy guy.

The Milagro property is 90 acres of pure magic.  The term that comes to our minds is “enchanting.”  Rolling green hills, picturesque lakes, 10,000 grape vines, a bunch of wild energetic turkeys, and an experienced, focused winemaker make this so much more than just a tasting experience.  Planted on the property are varietals like Barbera, Sangiovese, Cab Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cab, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Aleatico.  “We’re still trying to find that perfect match of terroir and grape varietal,” explains Jim.

In the bottle and available for sale are the Milagro Farms 2007 Estate Chardonnay and the 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  Jim likes his wines to speak about the place they came from while being food friendly, balanced, fruit forward. “I let the grapes speak to me…telling me what they want to be in that ultimate journey from grape to glass.”  The Chardonnay presents with tropical fruit and green apple aromas with a bit of subtle oak. We liked the crisp apple, spicy pear and apricot notes balanced by crisp acidity .Jim suggested enjoying it slightly chilled by itself, with a gruyere and mild cheddar, or grilled shrimp.  The Cab was more complex with black fruits mingling nicely with vanilla overtones.  On the palate we got hints of black pepper nicely balanced with oak. We enjoyed this medium bodied Cabernet and its subtle tannins. Jim told us it is excellent with grilled steak, ribs or a juicy burger.  Coming soon are the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2010 Chardonnay (all about $18 a bottle).  We tasted both and can heartily recommend both. 

Jim was kind enough to take us to the barrel room for a luscious tasting of great things to come: An Italian blend of Sangiovese and Barbera, an’ 08 Cab and ’09 Cab and the stunner of the group a 2010 Aleatico.  Can you say rock star in the making? We certainly are adopting that as our mantra for this winery.

Milagro Farms Vineyards and Winery’s tasting is by appointment only at this point.  But soon just a few hundred yards from the property, they are building a 5,000 sq. foot tasting and production facility on Little Page Road.  They expect to be there for the 2011 harvest.  Check out their website for more information at milagrowinery.com.