Part of the reason for the visit to Italy was Jennifer Buffington’s 50th birthday, said husband Rick. “This library wine was described as still worthy of again, proving that Aglianico can age.” Courtesy photo
Falanghina from Mastroberardino is just one of the varietals that Cougar Vineyard & Winery has growing in its Temecula Wine Country location. Aglianico. Brachetto and Lambrusca di Alessandria are just a few of the Italian varietal grapes grown locally and that have gotten the notice of both southern California wine lovers and Italian wine. Courtesy photo
More Mastroberardino vines in Pompeii ruins. The winery is also behind the Villa dei Misteri project at Pompeii that is recreating the wines of the ancient Roman city by replanting vineyards that were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius using the same ancient grape varietals varieties, viticulture and winemaking techniques of that period, according to an April 2003, article that ran in “The Telegraph.” Courtesy photo
This photo depicts the actual vineyard that Cougar Vineyard & Winery’s Falanghina cuttings are from in Campania, Italy. At this time, Cougar is the only commercial winery in the United States producing Falanghina and Brachetto wine. The popular Temecula winery has been instrumental in drawing notice to the Lambrusca di Alessandria varietal, as well. Courtesy photo
Mastroberardino vineyard is just one winery visited by Jennifer and Rick Buffington, Cougar Vineyards & Winery Courtesy photoowners, during a recent weekslong trip to Italy. The couple’s grape varietals are from this Mastroberardino Vineyard.
Pictured from left are Rick Buffington, Michele Reed, Jennifer Buffington, Daniela Gattavecchi and Bob Reed pose for this photo during a visit to the vineyards of Gattavecchi, outside the town of Montepulciano in Southern Tuscany. Courtesy photo
Jennifer and Rick Buffington, located this ancient wine press in need of some dusting in Montepulciano, Italy. Courtesy photo
The town of Montepulciano, Italy, sits in the background of a picturesque Italian vineyard. Courtesy photo
From left, Michele Reed along with Rick and Jennifer Buffington enjoy some Italian wines during a three week trip to Italy. The Buffingtons, who own Cougar Vineyard &Winery in Temecula’s Wine Country, took the trip to Italy to learn more about Italian Wine making and to visit the wineries where their vines originated. Courtesy photo
Cougar Vineyard &Winery Owner Jennifer Buffington (left) and Michele Reed stop and enjoy a glass of wine during a recent trip to the Italian Countryside. Courtesy photo
Carlos Longoria, the winemaker from Longoria Cellars, discusses his wines with Rick Buffington, owner of Cougar Vineyards & Winery during a recent tour of his wine cellar. Longoria Cellars is located in Piedmont, Italy. Courtesy photo
A typical wine cellar for storing the large wine casks is just one of many sites Cougar Vineyard and Winery Owners Jennifer and Rick Buffington visited during a recent trip to the Italian Countryside. Courtesy photo
Daniela Gattavecchi of Gattavecchi Vineyards in Tuscany, Italy discusses vineyard practices with her vineyard manager. The Vineyard was just one of many visited by Cougar Vineyard & Winery owners Jennifer and Rick Buffington during a three week trip to the Italian Countryside where the couple learned more about Italian winemaking and about the wineries where their grapes originated. Courtesy photo
Cougar Vineyard & Winery owners Jennifer and Rick Buffington captured this shot of Vineyard workers tucking vines at the Gattavecchi vineyards in Tuscany, Italy. The couple recently returned from a three week trip to Italy where they learned more about the wine making process. Courtesy photo
Bob Reed gets a wine sample from Carlos Longoria the winemaker from Longoria Cellars in Piedmont, Italy. Reed accompanied Jennifer and Rick Buffington, owners of Cougar Vineyard & Winery in Temecula’s wine Country where the pair spent three weeks learning about the process of Italian wine making. Courtesy photo
Antonio Dente vineyard manager for Mastroberardino shows Jennifer and Rick Buffington Aglianico vines planted in the ruins of Pompeii. Established in the 1750s by winemaker Pietro di Mastro Berardino, Mastroberardino is Campania’s most renowned winery, according to The Winebow Group. Courtesy photo
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