Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Monserate Winery holds 'soft' opening

Owners strives to attain 'world class' facility to preserve Gird Valley

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Monserate Winery is open. Long-time Fallbrook residents Jade and Julie Work purchased the former Fallbrook Golf Course in 2016 for $4.1 million with the desire to preserve the beauty and integrity of the land, dotted with 100-year-old oaks, towering sycamore trees, and tranquil lakes.

After 56 years, the public golf course had fallen on hard times and developers were ready to snatch it for homes. "It would be tragic to turn all this into houses or condos," said Jade Work.

He proposed a winery for the property and for the past five years has worked on county and state for permits to create a first-class facility. At last, he's been able to open a temporary facility for up to 250 people including patio seating. The temporary buildings will be torn down when the other projects are completed.

Last Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16, marked the "soft" grand opening, a memorial tribute to the project. It's been a lengthy journey that the Works have stayed true to their vision.

"Our dream is for something special for Fallbrook, something beautiful and that will preserve Gird Valley," he explained. "Our vision is for sustainable conservation with a winery."

About half of Monserate's 116 acres are planted with a variety of grapes. Work said that compares to most of the Temecula wineries having 20-30 acres.

"I'm grateful that so far we have the permit to begin operations," he said.

And while the temporary buildings here are adequate, the plans for the permanent buildings are extensive. Interviewed the day of the soft opening, Work was excited about the future.

"We're sparing no expense with the property, from irrigation, a world-class winemaker, wine tanks from Italy, and the work of architect Richard Krantz, who has designed the property to have the look of a custom Tuscany village."

"If you want to see a world-class winery, this is the opportunity," he added, saying it will be the largest, or one of the largest three, wineries in San Diego County. "Our theme is to try to be excellent in everything we do."

Work noted that studies show people will travel two hours for a quality winery experience, which will bring guests in not only from San Diego, but wine connoisseurs from Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Monserate is seeking permits from the county for 25,000 square feet in buildings, representing the first phase of the permanent buildings. Work said approval should come in 30-50 days, with the grand opening still 1.5 to two years away.

When all permits are granted, the buildings will be 50,000 square feet and designed to resemble the architecture of Tuscany, Italy. It will include three wedding venues. Weddings can be scheduled now in the temporary building.

The Works are very appreciated in southern Fallbrook. Along with replacing what had become brown fairways with attractive vineyards, they have also promised to place a conservation easement on 80 acres of the property outside of the winery, guaranteeing that it will never be developed.

Those who lived around the golf course were panicked that they were about to lose their peaceful views and lifestyle, and possibly see their home values decrease.

The neighbors sent letters of support with the county for approval of the winery. Work said there were 3,800 responses to the county and all but three were positive.

"The county said they'd never seen anything like it," he said. "It's astonishing support and I'm very humbled."

The primary key to success for any winery is obvious: great wine.

"The key to choice wine is great fruit from choice variations." Work said. "The climate of Fallbrook so much resembles Tuscany. The weather in both places is perfect for creating the best grapes for winemaking."

Another key is the winemaker.

Work said Justin Mund is that man.

"He has had a myriad of experience in winemaking and winegrowing from Sonoma County to the Central Coast and for the past 11 years in San Diego County," Work noted. 'Justin has worked with well-known producers ranging from boutique operations to large production, multi-label producers. His 24 years of experience at all levels has played an integral role in establishing his proficiency and philosophy toward winemaking and winegrowing."

The wines at Monserate Winery are estate grown and bottled in Fallbrook. "We take pride in producing quality wines and pay close attention to every detail," Work said.

Sixteen grape varieties are grown at Monserate Winery, featuring many Italian varieties.

Jade and Julie grew up in Fallbrook, grade school through high school. As a teenager, he worked at the golf course and later in life, ironically, he was a professional golfer for a brief period before becoming a golf course developer. Instead of keeping the property a golf course, he knew it would not work and made it a winery.

"My wife and I are low key," he said. "It's not about us."

Monserate has become a family business, with the Work's three sons and daughter-in-law committed to the project.

"I appreciate the support of community and the happy neighbors," Work said. "The best way to support the winery is through joining the Wine Club, detailed on the web page."

The winery is open Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call 760-268-9625 or visit monseratewinery.com.

 

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