Tehachapi News

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The Souza Family Vineyard’s 2005 Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Company Zinfandel won a Silver Award in its category at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this month.

The competition, largest of it’s kind for American wines, drew a record 4,235 entries from 1,500 wineries across the country.

Sixty professional wine judges, included members of the media, restaurant and hospitality industry, buyers, traders and educators evaluated the wines.

“We were the only entry from a non- established wine region like Sonoma,” said Bob Souza. “We produce about 1,000 cases per year under two labels, Tehachapi Wine and Cattle Company and Quattro Stagioni, a lot less than most of the other entries.”

Bob and Patty started in 2002 and currently have about 60 acres planted. The 2005 vintage that won the silver was from their “first crush.”

The Souzas are looking toward expansion with the building of a 3,500 square foot building to house a wine tasting room for visitors, and a storage area on the first floor with a 350 square foot wine cellar and event room in the basement.