In his early thirties, and without a doubt, probably one of the youngest and most energetic of the valley's newest wine makers, and an accountant by trade, is the owner/proprietor of Lumiere Winery, Andrew Kliener. Though the creation of his family's winery is only recent, within this past year (2006/7), the nearly 22 acres of vines he oversees are not recent at all. His vineyards have been in his family since 1987, and most of the vines were planted prior to his family's involvement with the land, dating back to as early as 1980. Located on mostly easterly facing slopes, in the small north/south  sub valley of Calle Contento, Lumiere Winery is located several hundred yards north of Longshadow Ranch. Andrew tells of his fond memories of working in the vineyards with his late father: "I have very special memories, as a kid, of coming out to these vineyards, to work them with my dad. My dad was a physician, and was gone a lot, so the time we spent out here together on the land meant a lot to me." The acreage was originally exclusively Sauvignon Blanc, which fits with what was once in vogue in Temecula, the planting of all white varietals. In the early nineties, his family leased out vineyard operations and production to one of the high volume wineries of the valley, which lasted almost a whole decade. "They really didn't treat the land and the vines like they should have", says Andrew… although during this time, around 2000, nearly five acres were grafted over to Merlot. In the early part of this millennium, after returning from going away to college, Andrew convinced his father that they should take back control of the land, due to its decline in condition. Unfortunately,  by this time, his father's health was now in decline as well…. but together they oversaw new grafting of 1.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, and another 1.5 acres of Petit Verdot. After loosing his father to health struggles in 2006, Andrew decided it was time to take the family's legacy with the land a step further, and begin producing their own wines.

Over this past year and a half, he built a new wine production facility, has been mentoring with the likes of Don Frangipani, Stephen Andrews, and other great winemakers of the valley, then also wrestled with the county over development permits, and has grafted over another two acres to "Chenin Blanc and Muscat", says Andrew, "because they're my mom's favorites!"  His new little tasting room is slated to open probably near the first part of 2009, which will initially be by appointment only, "and we will open possibly sooner, if things go right". Ready for release right now, within the fall of 2008, is his 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, which is "slightly sweeter, floral, and very fruity". In tasting previews, we have found it to be reminiscent of Don Fragipani's classic 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, that so many in the valley loved and bought up. Also being readied for a near future release is a Merlot, still in the aging process. Additionally, Andrew has just finished crushing and fermenting a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, "which I'm very satisfied with…. lots of good fruit" and a 2007 Petit Verdot, "that so far is very inky and big!" We here at STW feel Lumiere's  future, indeed seems bright, and will make a great addition to the growing tradition of family, and quality, that has become Temecula Wine Country. So, look him up! And, like always, when you call Andrew to make a wine tasting appointment, tell him Le Roy and Phyllis at ShopTemeculaWines.com sent you!