The story of
Two Drunk Owls Winery
A Legacy of Terroir & Craftsmanship
After relocating from Los Angeles in 2015, sommelier and winemaker Peter Mascetta discovered the hidden gem of De Luz, a unique grape-growing region nestled in the mountains west of Temecula. Drawn to its rich terroir, Peter carefully selected an ideal site for planting a trial block of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018. With a focus on regenerative farming, proper variety selection, and quality first planting strategies, Mascetta Vineyards prioritizes grape quality over ease of vineyard management.
Encouraged by the success of his initial one-acre project, Peter expanded the vineyard in 2022, to 12 meticulously cultivated acres contained four different varieties.
A Vineyard Rooted in Nature
Situated on west-facing slopes at 1,700 feet above sea level, Mascetta Vineyards thrives on a diverse geological foundation of volcanic soils, including scoria, pumice, granite, basalt, and gabbro. These rugged cliffside formations offer exceptional drainage, promoting small, intensely flavorful grapes while protecting the vines from extreme weather.
To further enrich the soil, the vineyard employs annual organic inputs and cover crops like clover, vetch, and rye, enhancing biodiversity and water retention. Babydoll sheep and free-range chickens serve as natural caretakers, reducing weeds and pests while eliminating the need for heavy machinery.
At Mascetta Vineyards, every detail is crafted to honor the land, elevate the wine, and produce unforgettable flavors shaped by nature.
- Acreage
- 13.5 acres
- Soil type
- Clay Loam, cobbly, volcanic soils
- Planted
- Cab Sauv, Sangiovese, Syrah, Primitivo
- Notes
- Sustainably Farmed, Certified Organic
Soil Quality
Unlike the sandy soils typical of Temecula Valley, De Luz boasts a diverse geological foundation rich in volcanic soils, including scoria, pumice, granite, basalt, and gabbro. This unique composition enhances drainage, mineral uptake, and vine resilience, leading to concentrated flavors and exceptional grape quality.
Wines
We make mainly 100% Single-varietal, unblended, unfiltered wines with the sole purpose of highlighting the pure expression of each grape varietal and the terroir of the vineyard they are grown in. By allowing the vineyard to speak for itself, we produce wines that are authentic, vibrant, and true to their origins.
Climate
A uniquely dry yet cooler growing region for Southern California, De Luz promotes enhanced ripening while minimizing pest and mildew pressure. Further it’s high elevation and cooler climate provide a longer, steadier growing season, ensuring even ripening and slower maturation of the grapes, allowing their unique flavor profiles to develop fully.
Grape Quality
Through clean farming practices and the unique Mediterranean climate of De Luz, our varieties of Syrah, Primitivo, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon ripen fully over an extended period, preserving their freshness and natural acidity. This careful approach results in wines that are balanced, with depth and vibrant character.
Vineyard
Four west-facing blocks, each planted with different grape varieties, span four distinct soil types to maximize growth and flavor profiles. The vineyard rows are oriented 35 degrees northeast, ensuring even ripening on both sides of the canopies while minimizing head damage and sunburn during extreme heat events.
Wine Making Philosophy
Avoiding the status quo of over ripening fruit, heavy blending, and highly filtering wines, we approach things differently with a minimal intervention approach, believing fruit purity and quality drives flavor profiles and balance, rather than an intervention based approach where blending and additives are used to cover up flaws.
Two Drunk Owls Winery
The Location
Similar to California’s Central Coast, De Luz boasts diverse soils and dramatic diurnal shifts, setting it apart from its neighboring Temecula Valley.
While Temecula often faces intense heat and excessive sunshine, leading to overripe and sunburnt fruit, the hills of De Luz remain cool, with fog and cold air rolling in from the nearby ocean, maintaining temperatures up to 15 degrees cooler than its the valley.
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