Pour Temecula: A Local Wine, Beer, and Beverage Podcast

Sparkling wine is on the rise in Temecula Valley! In this episode of Pour Temecula, Shannon, special guest Lacy, and Richard explore the history of sparkling wine, break down the different production methods and styles, and taste four sparkling wines made by Temecula Valley wineries. Whether you're new to bubbly or a longtime sparkling wine fan, discover what makes Temecula's sparkling wines worth...

Rick and Shannon taste Miramonte Winery’s 2021 Mencía, a Spanish red grape known for its bright fruit and earthy complexity. Does this land as a Dump It, Try It, Pour It, or Buy It? In this week’s bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole follow up on their recent Spanish Varietals episode by opening a bottle of Miramonte Winery’s 2021 Mencía. Originally from northwestern...

Rick and Shannon taste Somerset’s 2020 Amphorae Blanca, a Temecula white blend fermented and aged in clay amphorae. Does this land as a Dump It, Try It, Pour It, or Buy It? In this week’s bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole explore Somerset’s 2020 Amphorae Blanca, a white blend crafted in ancient clay amphorae rather than traditional barrels or stainless steel. Ampho...

One year. Countless pours. In this special anniversary episode, we reflect on our favorite shows and standout beverages, thank the incredible guests and listeners who made it all possible, and share what’s ahead for Year Two, from new conversations to deeper dives. Then we put our palates to the test. Rick takes on sweet wines. Shannon tackles red wines in the Pour Temecula Tasting Challenge. Chee...

In this episode of Pour Temecula, we taste through Spanish-inspired wines made locally, featuring Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Albariño, and Verdejo. We also visit Raul Ramirez to sample their lineup and explore the character, structure, and flavor profiles of each varietal. If you’re curious about these classic Spanish varietals and how they’re showing up locally, this episode i...

Fall is in full swing on Pour Temecula, and we’re back with Heather Rankin (HB) for Part 2 of our seasonal series (don’t forget to check out Part 1: Thanksgiving Wines!). In this cozy, autumn-themed episode, we taste our way through four pumpkin and harvest-inspired beers—including Shannon’s first-ever pumpkin beer—and mix up two fall cocktails: one straight from Trader Joe’s and one crafted by Ch...

It’s Thanksgiving on Pour Temecula, and Rick and Shannon are joined by the fabulous Heather Rankin (HB) for a crash course in perfect holiday pours. This Thanksgiving, we’re putting the “pour” in “pour another glass.” In this festive episode of Pour Temecula, Rick and Shannon are joined by the always-wonderful Heather Rankin—aka HB—to tackle one of the season’s biggest questions: What should you d...

Temecula might be known for its vineyards and IPAs, but there’s another kind of fermentation bubbling up downtown. In this episode of Pour Temecula, we sit down with the owners of Kompoocha Brewing, Temecula’s craft kombucha bar that’s redefining what a “local pour” can be. From the art of fermentation to their non-profit donations to No Kill Shelters, we dig into how they blend health, flavor, an...

It’s spooky season in Temecula, and we’re trading wine glasses for EMF detectors! In this episode of Pour Temecula, Rick and Shannon sit down with Aedan and Becca from The Haunt Ghost Tours: Temecula, ghost-hunters who blend local history with paranormal chills. From haunted landmarks and eerie encounters to tarot readings and ghost stories with a wine country twist, this episode is part history l...

Rick and Shannon taste Cougar Vineyard & Winery’s 2021 Ciliegiolo, a rare Italian red grape with deep Tuscan roots. Does this land as a Dump It, Try It, Pour It, or Buy It? In this week’s bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole pour a glass of Ciliegiolo—a cherry-scented red from central Italy that usually hides in blends but shines brightly on its own at Cougar Vine...

Temecula isn’t just Cab and Almond Champagne—discover how Italian reds like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Aglianico are thriving at Bottaia Winery and other local producers. Bold, unexpected, and so pour-worthy! ----------------- Think Temecula is all about Cab and Almond Champagne? Not so fast—Italian reds are staking their claim, and they’re every bit as bold and complex as their Old World coun...

In this episode of The Short Pour, we’re heading to southern France to explore Provence Rosé— the wine that defined what dry, elegant, and effortlessly drinkable pink should be. From its ancient Greek roots to its modern-day dominance, Provence has become the global gold standard for rosé, with over 90% of its production dedicated to this refreshing, food-friendly style. We’ll also be tasting one...

What happens when you put four Temecula wine lovers in a room, hand them a glass, and ask them to draft their dream winery itinerary? In this episode of Pour Temecula, Rick and Shannon team up with Sarah from Two Days in Temecula and Karagan from Temecula Passport to construct the ultimate four-stop wine-country adventure. Recorded live at Humble Somm over a few pours, this friendly competition bl...

Rick and Shannon taste Bottaia’s 2024 Verdicchio, the classic white grape of Italy’s Marche region. Does this land as a Dump It, Try It, Pour It, or Buy It? In this week’s bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole explore Verdicchio—a crisp, citrusy, almond-tinged white wine beloved in central Italy—now being grown right here in Southern California. Their pick is Bottaia’s...

Think you know Temecula wine? Beyond Cab and Almond Champagne, Italian whites like Falanghina and Pecorino are quietly thriving—and in this episode of Pour Temecula, we’re at Cougar Vineyard & Winery to uncover the crisp, surprising wines you’ll want to pour this weekend. -------------- Italy may have hundreds of native white grapes, but did you know many of them are thriving right here in Tem...

Rick and Shannon taste Lost Ranch Winery’s 2023 Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s “Black Grape,” now thriving in Temecula. Does this bold, volcanic-soil red land as a Dump It, Try It, Pour It, or Buy It? In this week’s bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole pour a glass of Sicily’s signature red grape—Nero d’Avola—grown right here in Southern California. Their bottle of choice is...

In this episode of Pour Temecula, we sit down with Ryan and Katie Shumacher, the passionate husband-and-wife duo behind Shumacher Wines, a boutique wine business focused on quality grapes and winemaking. They share how their love of wine grew into a bold decision to launch a label without first establishing an estate vineyard, instead sourcing fruit from premier regions across California. We dive...

What happens when a rare French grape shows up in Ramona? Rick tastes Old Julian’s 2024 Picpoul Blanc and finds out. In this bonus mini-episode of Pour Temecula, Rick explores one of the rarest wines you’ll find in Southern California: the 2024 Picpoul Blanc from Old Julian Vineyards in the Ramona Valley wine region. Best known in France’s Languedoc as the crisp, citrus-driven white of Picpoul de...

Temecula meets Ramona! In this episode, I return to Ramona’s charming, rustic, hilly, and twisting roads to talk to Kim Whalin, Chairwoman of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association’s Wine Competition. We’re diving into everything about Ramona Valley: what makes this AVA unique, the wines and grapes that thrive here, how the region has evolved since its establishment in 2006, tourism, where the AVA...

In this episode of The Short Pour, we delve into the fascinating world of hybrid grapes—unique and resilient varieties that are making a significant impact in North American wine. We’ll discuss why grapes like Vidal Blanc, Marquette, and Chambourcin are becoming popular from Vermont to Southern California, especially as winemakers face challenges like plant diseases and climate change. These wines...

After a month-long summer break, we’re pouring something a little different. We’re stepping outside Southern California wine country and heading north. Way north. Yep, this episode is all about Danish wine. That’s right—Denmark makes wine. And we’re diving into it thanks to a special delivery from Shannon’s in-laws, Christian and Sarah, who brought us a lineup straight from the vineyards of Denmar...

Think You Know Rosé? Shannon and Kylie are popping pink corks and busting myths in this fun, fact-packed episode devoted to all things rosé. They answer listener questions about production methods (direct press, saignée, and more), explore rosé food pairings, and then participate in a blind tasting of four Temecula rosés, attempting to guess how each one was made. From crisp and pale to bold and b...

The Short Pour is your quick, approachable take on the wide world of wine and beverages—served in 15 minutes or less. Each episode explores a focused topic, from regional deep dives and grape spotlights to beverage trends, tasting tips, and food pairings. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned sipper, The Short Pour delivers smart, engaging insights without the snobbery. It's your perfect...

In this episode of Pour Temecula, we’re tackling a deceptively simple question: What should Temecula wine be known for? From bold reds and Italian varietals to sun-drenched tasting patios and almond fizz, everyone seems to have a different take. To find some answers, we spoke with key voices from the local wine scene—Vito LaFata, Walter Carter, Dirk Uys, and Devin Parr—about whether Temecula has t...

Rob Crissell is back on Pour Temecula—and this time, he’s setting the record straight. In this episode, we explore some of the biggest myths and misconceptions surrounding Temecula Valley wine. Is it too hot for quality white wine? Are the wines overpriced? Do winery owners care more about profits than passion? Rob tackles these questions and more, drawing from his recent talk to area servers and...