University Releases Its First Sparkling Wine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2013
Cal Poly Pomona’s latest boutique wine, Horsehill Vineyards Rossana Sparkling Wine, is available while supplies last in the Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch and the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch for $20 a bottle.
Rossana, named in homage to W.K. Kellogg’s stunning foundation Arabian mare, is a classically styled Brut Rosé. Zinfandel from Cal Poly Pomona’s Horsehill Vineyards is lightly pressed to capture a nuance of color, all the while extracting the delicate cherry and strawberry fruit characters. The wine’s bright mauve hue is accentuated with tiny bubbles, a crisp finish, and balanced with just a hint of sweetness.
“This is an excellent sparkling wine for the spring and summer and should be enjoyed very chilled,” said Dr. Margie Ferree Jones, associate professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management. “Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for many occasions and cuisines. It’s a nice beverage for brunch or could be paired with spicy barbeque.”
Rossana, the mare, was one of the first horses Kellogg brought to the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch, which eventually became Cal Poly Pomona. She had a rose grey coat and nearly faultless conformation. Rossana’s beauty and excellent temperament made her popular with celebrity visitors to the Ranch. She was also one of Kellogg’s favorite mounts, known for her steadiness and dependability, and in his later years he rode her exclusively.
The Zinfandel grapes themselves are a living link to the viticultural heritage of the region. The grapes, which grow on campus, have been cultivated from cuttings from the historic De Ambrogio Ranch in Rancho Cucamonga. Before the ranch was razed for development in 2001, third-generation vintner Don Galleano combed the fields and selected 400 grapevine cuttings, some of them nearly 100 years old, and donated them to the university.
Horsehill Vineyards is a partnership project between The Collins College of Hospitality Management, the College of Agriculture and South Coast Winery. These groups each lend different areas of expertise that result in the finished product.
“Partnerships are about sharing resources for the greater good,” Jones said. “Rossana is the essence of collaboration culminated in a bottle, waiting to be popped open for everyone to taste the fruits of our efforts.”
Rossana is available for $20 a bottle at the Farm Store or the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. Enjoy a glass with dinner at the RKR or give a bottle as a lovely Mother’s Day gift.
Visit the Horsehill Vineyards website for more information.