Bella Vista, Where Wine Quality Matters

            How can the newest winery in the Temecula Valley also be the oldest?

            Good question.

            In fact, the first vineyard in Temecula was planted in 1968 by the Cilurzo’s. The winery was built back in 1978. Just about two years ago it was bought by Imre Cziraki who sees the facility as his way of retiring.

            He changed the name to Bella Vista, but he has kept the Cilurzo name attached, at least for now. One of the next releases may not have the Cilurzo name.

            Much of what you will now find at Bella Vista is the result of Cziraki’s Hungarian roots. He is adding certain Hungarian wines and occasionally offers special Hungarian treats for the people who come by for wine tastings. When special events occur, like the Super Bowl or the World Series, he wants things to be special. That’s why he has added the new 120 ft. projection TV and built a brand new 45-ft. long tasting bar, open on both sides.

            Crowds are coming out for such events and even gathering on non-holiday weekends to try out the vintages. As a way of cleansing the palate, Cziraki has imported Hungarian sausage from Chicago.

            One of the first things he did when he took over was to re-grade the parking lot. It sloped so tight that limos and tour busses could not get in, so they didn’t come. Today, it is not uncommon on any given weekend to see several such vehicles parked outside. And the tasting room is full.

            He is happy to see that. He knows the drivers and tour directors by name. They come in to taste samples and leave with cases of his product. Cziraki describes such afternoons as a celebration as much as it is a tasting.

            Among the wines he is most proud of is the ’02 Sonata. It is a blend of some six different wines, aged on oak, including Hungarian oak, for some 24 months. It is a hearty red, but it does not have the edge that so many darker reds seem to have.

            The ’03 Viognier has so much taste of grapefruit to it that you can tell as soon as the bottle is opened. Don’t worry. This is no soda pop. It’s a sophisticated wine with a refreshing and clean finish.

            The late harvest petite sirah is not as syrupy as so many of the late harvests are known to be. This is a nice sweet fruity drink that, Bella Vista says, you can pour over cheesecake or ice cream.

            Then, just to impress visitors, Cziraki mixes two parts champagne one part late harvest petite sirah toake a truly remarkable drink.

            Much of the product available here is still Cilurzo Estate, but as the Bella Vista vintages come out, their reputation is growing. Ironically, the most expensive bottle in the bunch is the Sonata at only $39.95.

            Cziraki has some big plans for his new retirement project. He has been selling juice for wine for years so producing the end product is simply the next logical step. Wine quality is important, but in the Temecula Valley, being a part of the tourist trade is also significant.

            As he has owned nurseries, grafting and propagating new grapes from new vines is something he has always been doing. Similarly, he owns machine shops, which are able to fabricate poles and framework for his vines.

            And it doesn’t stop there.

            Having made room for all of the tourists in the tasting room, he is busy adding attractions for them to enjoy. You must understand, Bella Vista is not exactly on the main drag. All of the wineries are about five miles east of the interstate on Rancho California Road. Bella Vista is further down and is over a hill on the Calle Contento intersection.

            You could miss it.

            So he is planning a major new landscaping project out front, just to let you know he is there. Weddings and receptions and bachelor parties and other celebrations are already clambering to book time, so new accommodations are coming on line.

            As the tasting room has improved, so now does everything else. New landscaping is planned all the way up the hill that Bella Vista sits on. At the top is a pond with a few ducks. When that pond is dredged out, it will be a small lake with a floating gazebo for weddings and wedding portraits. Most of the walkways will be bricked over in a pattern that Imre himself has designed.

            Next to the new lake is a grass covered party area that will be expanded and lit with party lights. A bandstand is under construction there as well. At that point is the cliff that looks out over the eastern part of the wine country. Plans are to build an amphitheater there for concerts.

            And the plans do not end there.

            Toward the north on the hill is the old villa from the Cilurzo days. Now abandoned (Cziraki has homes in Fallbrook and Huntington Beach), he plans to remodel the building as a gourmet restaurant. The pool out back will be converted into a waterfall.

            Other plans are pending for the acres of land that run off from the house.

It quickly becomes clear that producing wine in Temecula is just a part of the job. Sunday brunches, jazz festivals, holiday events and more are also part of the attraction. Much may be written about Napa Valley and even Santa Barbara, but as places like Bella Vista continues to grow and develop, both in wine and get-away reputations, the jewel of the Inland Empire continues to be just above the San Diego North County line.

            Bella Vista is opened for tasting daily and can be found at cilurzo.com. Yes, it is a drive from Riverside, San Bernardino or Ontario proper, but the run down the 15 is worth it. Not to mention that it is a lot more convenient that driving north of San Francisco.

            As Bella Vista continues to develop, we will no doubt find it necessary to go back and update you on things. It is the kind of sacrifice we are willing to make for our readers.

Bella Vista is at 41220 Calle Contento Road, some five miles from Interstate 15. You can call them at 800-783-5250. Ask for Imre.