Our Italian Wines
Italian Grapes, Grown in Temecula
🍇Explore Our Italian Varietals
Browse our white, sparkling, and red varietals, then explore the rare Italian grapes that make Cougar distinctive. From familiar favorites to rare varietals, each one is cultivated on our Temecula estate and made into wine right here on the property.
Explore their Italian origins, distinctive flavors, and the vineyard details—including clones and rootstocks—that shape every bottle.
WHITES & SPARKLING
VERMENTINO
Sardinia
ver-mehn-tee-noh
Crisp citrus, green apple and refreshing minerality.
Pairs with seafood, salads and soft cheeses.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Vermentino
Cougar’s Vermentino is clone TCVS A on 1103P rootstock. This clone is from the island of Sardinia.
FALANGHINA ~ Rare Italian Varietal
Campania
fah-lawn-GHEE-nah
Pear, white flowers, lime, and acidity.
Pairs with shellfish.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Falanghina
Cougar’s Falanghina is clone UC Davis FPS Falanghina 01 and rootstock Biotype is Beneventana from the Sannio area.  Cougar is one of the few commercial wine growers of this grape in the United States.  Cougar got this grape recognized by the TTB in the United States.
ARNEIS
Piedmont
ahr-NAYS
Delicate pear and apple, floral notes.
Pairs with antipasti.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Arneis, Cougar Bubbly
Cougar’s Arneis is clone FPS02 aka VCR02 on rootstock 110R.
PINOT GRIGIO
Widely grown throughout Italy
PEE-KNOW-GREE-GEE-OH
Light, very crisp, dry white.
Pairs with seafood and cheeses.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Pinot Grigio, Circolo di Amici
Cougar’s Pinot Grigio is clone VCR05 on rootstock 3309C.
MALVASIA BIANCA
Marches
MAL-VA-ZEE-AH BEE-AHN-KAH
Sweet, fruit-forward, Granny Smith apples and honey.
Pairs with spicy food.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Malvasia Bianca, Dolce Bubbly, Peach Sangria, Peach Port, O.P.M.
Cougar’s Malvasia Bianca is clone FPS03 on rootstock 110R.
REDS
CILIEGIOLO ~ Rare Italian Varietal
Tuscany
chee-lee’eh-JOH-loh
Bright cherry, red fruit and lively freshness.
Pairs with charcuterie, pizza and grilled vegetables.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Ciliegiolo
Cougar’s Ciliegiolo is an unknown clone and rootstock 3309P. We hope to find this information out shortly. Cilie, the winery dog, is named after this grape. Cougar got this grape recognized by the TTB in the United States.
SANGIOVESE
Tuscany
SANH-JO-VEY-ZAY
Light-bodied, well-balanced, easy-drinking.
Pairs with your favorite pizza.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Cask Sangiovese, Rosé, Miscuglio di Circolo, Bella Rosso
Cougar’s Sangiovese is of two clones. VCR23 aka FPS10 on rootstock 3309 and also the Brunello VCR06 aka FPS07 on rootstock 3309.
AGLIANICO ~ Rare Italian Varietal
Campania
AH-LYAH-NEE-KOE
Dark cherry and deep tannins.
Pairs with lamb and red meats.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Aglianico, Bella Rosso
Cougar’s Aglianico is clone VCR02 aka FPS03 on rootstock 3309 originating in the Campania region of Italy.
MONTEPULCIANO
Abruzzo
MAWN-TEH-POOL-CHAH-NAW
Medium bodied, earthy flavor notes, smooth finish.
Pairs with red meats or chocolate covered strawberries.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Cask Montepulciano, The Full Monte™, Miscuglio di Circolo, Bella Rosso
Cougar’s Montepulciano is clone FPS02 on rootstock 110R.
PRIMITIVO
Apulia
PREE-MIH-TEE-VOE
Dark fruit and spicy, peppery notes.
Pairs with lamb and sausage dishes.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Primitivo, Rosa del Vignato, Port, Bella Rosso
Cougar’s Primitivo clone is FPS03 and the rootstock is 110R.
SAGRANTINO ~ Rare Italian Varietal
Umbria
SA-GRAHN-TEE-NOH
Fresh raspberries with a dry finish.
Pairs with filet or prime rib.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Sagrantino
NEGROAMARO
Apulia
NEGR-AH-MAH-RO
Spicy notes, red fruit, coffee and blackberry.
Pairs with spicy food.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Negroamaro
Cougar’s Negro Amaro clone is FPS01 and the rootstock is 110R.
LAMBRUSCA DI ALESSANDRIA ~ Rare Italian Varietal
Piedmont
lahm-BROO-skah dee ah-less-AHN-dree-ah
Full bodied wine like no other.
Pairs with red sauced pasta dishes.
Cougar wine made from: Estate Lambrusca di Alessandria
Cougar’s Lambrusca di Alessandria is on rootstock 110R. Cougar is one of the few commercial wine growers of this grape in the United States.  Cougar got this grape recognized by the TTB in the United States.
RARE HIGHLIGHTS
FALANGHINA — a rare Campanian white that Cougar helped gain recognition for in the United States.
CILIEGIOLO — an uncommon Tuscan red related to Sangiovese.
LAMBRUSCA DI ALESSANDRIA — an exceptionally unusual Italian varietal.
SAGRANTINO — a deeply colored Umbrian grape known for powerful tannins.
TEROLDEGO — a distinctive northern Italian red from Trentino.
AGLIANICO — an ancient southern Italian grape with structure and aging potential.
WHY ESTATE-GROWN MATTERS
Estate-grown means we don’t simply put our name on someone else’s grapes. We farm our vineyards, make the wine, and bottle it right here at Cougar Vineyard & Winery.
From Our Vines
Growing our own grapes gives us a direct connection to every vintage. We follow each varietal through the seasons and make vineyard decisions based on what the vines need—not what is easiest to source.
Made on the Property
From harvest and fermentation through aging and bottling, our wines are produced on-site. The people pouring your wine are only steps away from where it was grown and made.
A Taste of This Place
Our Italian varietals are rooted in centuries of tradition, but they express the warm days, cool evenings, and distinctive character of Temecula Wine Country.
Winemaking at Cougar
With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, we grow and produce our wines right here at Cougar. Traditional Italian varietals, Temecula character and a willingness to keep learning shape every vintage.