Pour Temecula: A Local Wine, Beer, and Beverage Podcast is your go-to source for all things craft and culture in Temecula’s thriving beverage scene. Hosted by Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole, the podcast takes listeners on a journey through the region’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries, featuring in-depth conversations with passionate winemakers, brewers, sommeliers, and industry insiders. Whether exploring the stories behind local vineyards, uncovering the artistry of craft beer, or diving into the nuances of hospitality, Pour Temecula brings engaging storytelling and expert insights to every episode. More than just a podcast, Pour Temecula is an interactive space where listeners can be part of the conversation. Through interviews, blind tastings, and audience-driven topics, Rick and Shannon invite wine and beer lovers to share their perspectives, ask questions, and deepen their appreciation for Temecula’s evolving beverage landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply love discovering new flavors, Pour Temecula offers an authentic and entertaining look into the region’s best pours.
Episodes
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
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.
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Italy may have hundreds of native white grapes, but did you know many of them are thriving right here in Temecula Valley? In this episode of Pour Temecula, Rick DeLucio and Shannon Cole head to Cougar Vineyard & Winery, pioneers in introducing rare Italian varietals to the U.S., to explore how grapes like Falanghina, Vermentino, and Arneis are making their mark locally. From award-winning Pinot Grigio to exciting pours of Pecorino, these wines prove Temecula’s climate is more than a match for Italy’s classics.
Along the way, we’ll break down what makes each grape unique, share tasting impressions from Cougar’s lineup, and give a few shoutouts to other local producers working with Italian whites. Expect some candid takes (yes, we’re side-eyeing $40 Pinot Grigio), plenty of stories, and a few detours into legacy vineyards, volcanic rosés, and what Temecula can learn from Italy’s wine culture.
If you’ve ever wondered what Temecula should be known for beyond Cabernet and sparkling Almond Champagne, this deep dive into Italian white grapes might just change your perspective.
What we tasted in this episode:
- 2023 Cougar Vineyards & Winery Vermentino (https://cougarwinery.orderport.net/product-details/0534/2023-Estate-Vermentino)
- 2022 Cougar Vineyards & Winery Falanghina (https://cougarwinery.orderport.net/product-details/0533/2022-Estate-Falanghina)
- 2024 Cougar Vineyards & Winery Malvasia Bianca (https://cougarwinery.orderport.net/product-details/0579/2024-Estate-Malvasia-Bianca)
Have a favorite Italian white wine from Temecula? Leave us a voice message on Speakpipe, and you might hear yourself on a future episode! Contact us on Instagram (@pourtemecula) or message us (info@pourtemecula.com)—we're always excited to connect with fellow wine, beer, and beverage lovers!
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