| Meet a Cabernet cowboy named Jack. He rides | | | | Jack believes quality fruit is the secret to |
| the range in Monterrey County, on the | | | | great wines. Our philosophy is to grow the |
| 700-acre Galante family cattle ranch and | | | | finest grapes possible and let them speak for |
| vineyard in Carmel Valley, admiring the rows | | | | themselves through the wine. He points out |
| of vines that produce his estate grown | | | | that the extreme temperatures of the upper |
| Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and | | | | Carmel Valley (Cachagua) result in a long |
| other premium varietals. | | | | growing season with extraordinary hang time, |
| | | | producing cabernet sauvignon grapes that |
| Jack Galante comes from a long line of | | | | ripen slowly for intense, rich wines. |
| historical Carmel residents, including his | | | | |
| great grandfather J. F. Devendorf who founded | | | | Seek out a bottle of the 1998 Galante Red |
| the town of Carmel and later built the | | | | Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is |
| historic Highlands Inn. Since the beginning, | | | | aptly named, rising above a field of crimson |
| when the Galante ranch was planted with | | | | roses, among the thousands of rose bushes |
| grapes in 1983 to the development of the | | | | growing on the ranch today. The wine itself |
| winery in 1994, Galante Vineyards has been | | | | is bold and rich in color, with a burst of |
| rounding-up awards and accolades nationwide | | | | dark berry and cherry fruits and medium |
| for their top-notch reds, to become | | | | tannins for a single-vineyard Cab that drinks |
| recognized as one of the premier cabernet | | | | well now, and should improve with age through |
| producers in Monterey County. | | | | 2008. Or sample the 1999 Rancho Galante, a |
| | | | vineyard blend of nice fruit, soft tannin |
| As a native Texan, I was immediately drawn to | | | | that is easy drinking and pairs well with |
| Jack and his partner Dawn, for their | | | | chicken, pork or beef. |
| down-to-earth, cowboy style all blue jeans, | | | | |
| boots and big smiles. But beyond the Texas | | | | As we head off into the sunset, Jack leaves |
| charm are bold wines that speak for | | | | us with a Galante Vineyards cowboy philosophy |
| themselves, revealing hints of the heat of | | | | to remember, "Never follow good wine with |
| Carmel Valley with layers of fruit and earth. | | | | water...unless you're out of good wine. |
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