Rancho La Gloria Margarita is a large cattle ranch and vineyard located in Temecula Valley, California. Spread over 2500 acres of land, the ranch has been producing wine grapes and raising cattle for over 30 years. It is one of the oldest and largest working ranches in Southern California.
On a sunny afternoon, Joey and his friend Marcus decided to go for a bike ride around Temecula Valley. As they were cycling down the winding road surrounded by lush green vineyards, they noticed a large rustic sign that said “Rancho La Gloria Margarita”. Intrigued, the boys decided to pedal in and explore this interesting place.
Rancho La Gloria Margarita has a rich history and host beautiful natural scenery. In this piece, we will take a closer look at the ranch’s past and current activities like cattle, grape growing and other farming. We will also find the land and visitation spots to share an understanding of this special place.
History Of The Land
Rancho La Gloria Margarita has a long history as part of Temecula Valley. The earliest record dates to 1843 when Juan Moreno received the land as a Spanish land grant. For decades, it operated as a traditional cattle ranch under private ownership.
In the 1960s, the ranch was purchased by the Smith family who transformed the use of the land. Seeing opportunities in the growing wine industry, they started planting grape varieties suited for the Mediterranean climate like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. This marked a significant change from cattle ranching to include viticulture.
The Smith family established Gloria Ferrer Winery on the property in the 1970s. Their sparkling wines gained accolades that put Temecula Valley on the map as a premium wine growing region. Since then, the winery and vineyard acreage has expanded dramatically. Today, it remains under third generation family ownership and management.
Cattle Ranching Heritage
While the ranch diversified economically, cattle remain an important part of its heritage and operations. A herd of 400 Santa Gertrudis cattle freely graze on the native grasses throughout the 2500-acre spread.
All cattle activities are low-impact and prioritize animal welfare. Calves are born in the springtime and steers are processed at approximately 18 months of age for the Southern California beef market. The cattle play an ecological role by maintaining open space through natural grazing patterns.
Viticulture: Grapes And Winemaking
Grape growing has become a major economic driver for Rancho La Gloria Margarita. Over 800 acres of vineyards contain 50 different varieties suited to the sunny, Mediterranean climate.
Common varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. During harvest season from late August to October, crews carefully hand-pick ripe grape clusters. Top quality fruit is sent to the onsite wine production facility.
Gloria Ferrer makes sparkling and regular wines using the same methods they have for a long time. The winerybuilding got fixed up not long ago so they can make more wine each year. They only use grapes grown carefully for the earth. Each year they make over 200,000 cases of wine to sell in many states.
Orchards And Specialty Crops
In addition to grapes and cattle, the ranch cultivates over 100 acres of citrus orchards including oranges, lemons, and limes. Seasonal workers assist with pruning, fertilizing, irrigation and harvesting crops.
The ranch grows some other special plants as well. There are 40 acres of avocado trees and also olive trees, berries and veggies. All these different plants can thrive in the area’s weather and dirt. Having many types of crops shows how Temecula Valley’s land and conditions lets you grow food all through the seasons.
Recreational Activities
For visitors interested in history, agricultural tours are given daily except major holidays. The 90-minute tram excursions spotlight vineyard cultivation methods, cattle operations, and the landscape’s past.
Outside the tram path, 4 miles of hiking and biking trails allow exploring the countryside up-close. Birdwatchers appreciate over 200 species inhabiting the ranch and valley. Educational classes introduce gardening and sustainability practices too.
Wine tasting occurs daily in the ranch house constructed in 1872. Guests sample award-winning Gloria Ferrer wines alongside local charcuterie and snacks. The attached store sells bottles along with specialty goods like olive oil, honey and preserves made from the ranch’s harvests.
Summers feature live music concerts under the stars. Farmers markets on select Saturdays provide a venue for artisans and local producers. Special events give families and outdoors enthusiasts memorable ways to connect with the land and history of the Temecula Valley.
What Is The Best Flavor Of Gloria Margarita?
The original Rancho La Gloria margarita really lets you taste the drink at its best. Though it uses natural flavors too, you can truly sense the blue agave’s mellow character – like a friendlier, brighter version of tequila. And the lime juice provides only the right balance, kicking in that thirst-quenching zing that makes your mouth start to water. It gives the true experience of what this drink is about.
How Many Calories Are In A Rancho La Gloria Margarita?
| Popularity | Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margarita | 200 cal |
| 2 | Ready to Drink Margarita | 270 cal |
| 3 | Classic Lime Skinny Margarita | 90 cal |
| 4 | Strawberry Skinny Margarita | 90 cal |
| 5 | Watermelon Ranch Water Blue Agave Hard Seltzer | 100 cal |
| 6 | Margarita | 270 cal |
| 7 | Lime Margarita Frozen Cocktail | 100 cal |
Is Margarita A Womans Drink?
Whether a margarita is seen as a drink for men or women really depends on the person. Lots of guys enjoy them too because they can be very tasty when done right. Like many mixed drinks, margaritas vary in quality – some places use artificial mixes and cheap booze to make them.
But a fresh one with real lime juice, quality tequila and a light touch of mixers is super refreshing for anyone. In the end, you should drink what you personally find yummy instead of worrying what others might say. As long as you like the flavor, enjoy your margarita no matter your gender.
FAQ’s
What kind of alcohol is in Rancho La Gloria Margarita?
This wine is made with only organic blue agave from Weber farms. Real lime juice and natural flavors are added too. It’s a tasty drink mixed from quality, natural ingredients.
Is Rancho La Gloria Margarita good?
This drink has citrusy scents of sweet limes, yams and apples. It’s medium-bodied with a smooth, fun texture. Tangy orange and pineapple flavors finish it off in a refreshing way. An enjoyable margarita cocktail presenting the fruity side of blue agave nicely. Goes down easily for a tasty treat.
Is Rancho La Gloria tequila?
The tequila we use is truly top-notch. It’s made solely from blue agave plants, boiled and distilled twice, without any extras added in. Straight from our partner distillery in Santa Lucia, Mexico, you taste the agave in its purest, freshest state. A clean and authentic tequila experience straight from the source.
How unhealthy is a margarita?
Margaritas vary a lot in their sugar content based on how they’re crafted. Store-bought mixes or restaurant styles tend to pack more sugar than ones mixed fresh. Getting over-served sugary drinks isn’t great long-term as excess sugar can potentially lead to weight gain, diabetes, and heart risks over time according to studies. Moderation is smart.
Are margaritas bad for your liver?
Drinking alcohol in any amount can potentially hurt your liver over time. Consuming more than two drinks daily long-term increases your chances of developing liver disease, though the risks differ between people. No level of alcohol intake is guaranteed safe when it comes to taking care of your liver health.
Final Thoughts
Rancho La Gloria Margarita: For a long time, Rancho La Gloria Margarita has found the right mix between farming, wine tours, and being nice to visitors. People see how this land and area changed from when the Spanish owned it to today’s family businesses. The ranch takes good care of the earth while showing the region’s past and traditions.
Guests get to spend time in nature, learning, and having fun. They understand better where the foods and drinks they eat come from in this special part of California. The ranch works hard and protects the land while also welcoming people to enjoy the beautiful place.
