San Antonio Cardinale Red

San Antonio Cardinale Red is a sweet California red blend bottled at 11.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Introduced in 1967 by the Riboli family at San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, this proprietary blend has earned over 40 gold medals in national wine competitions since winning its first medal in 1968.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Sweet Red Blend  |  Winery: San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles

Production & Heritage

San Antonio Winery, founded in Los Angeles, remains a family-owned operation under the Riboli family. Cardinale was created in 1967 as a proprietary sweet red blend made from 100% natural grapes and naturally fermented — a formula the family has maintained for over five decades. The wine was conceived during the American cultural shift of the late 1960s, designed specifically as an accessible, fruit-forward red for casual social drinking, making it one of the earliest American sweet red blends developed for that purpose.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe Concord grape leads the nose, followed by layers of mixed berries and a subtle sweetness. The bouquet is generous and immediately inviting, with a dark fruit character that signals the wine's bold, juicy profile.

Taste: The entry is soft and full, with vibrant blackberry jam and candied plum hitting the mid-palate. A robust grape sweetness ties the berry flavors together, delivering a rich, juicy mouthfeel that stays fruit-driven throughout without becoming cloying.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering notes of dark berry and a gentle grape sweetness. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a pleasant fruit impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Cardinale Red

Serve chilled or slightly below room temperature to accentuate the berry freshness — a brief 15-minute stint in the refrigerator does wonders. This wine also works well in fruit-forward cocktails: try it in a Red Wine Sangria with sliced citrus and berries, where its natural sweetness reduces the need for added sugar; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice), where the berry richness pairs naturally with the cola's caramel notes; or a Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime, which lightens the body for warm-weather sipping.

Best For

• Introducing wine newcomers to red blends without tannin intimidation
• Backyard barbecues and casual outdoor gatherings
• Pairing with dessert courses at dinner parties
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable crowd-pleasing red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cardinale Red taste like? Cardinale Red delivers a juicy, fruit-driven palate dominated by blackberry jam, candied plum, and ripe Concord grape flavors. It is a distinctly sweet red wine with a full, robust body and a refreshing berry finish.

How does Cardinale Red compare to San Antonio Granada? Both wines belong to the San Antonio specialty family, but Cardinale is the original 1967 recipe focused on dark berry sweetness in a red blend, while Granada offers a different flavor profile within the same sweet wine tradition. Cardinale's 50-plus-year track record and 40-plus gold medals make it the flagship of the two.

Is Cardinale Red good for beginners? Cardinale Red is an excellent entry point for those new to red wine because its natural grape sweetness and soft berry flavors present none of the dry tannin structure that can be off-putting to developing palates. The 11.5% ABV also keeps the alcohol presence gentle.

Where is Cardinale Red made? Cardinale Red is produced at San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, California, one of the few remaining urban wineries in the city. The wine uses California-sourced grapes and has been produced by the Riboli family since 1967.

What foods pair well with Cardinale Red? Grilled sausages and peppers complement the wine's berry sweetness with savory char. Margherita pizza works well because the tomato sauce echoes the wine's fruit acidity. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the candied plum notes. Mild aged cheeses like Gouda provide a creamy counterpoint. Fruit tarts with berry compote create a harmonious, fruit-on-fruit pairing.

What sizes does Cardinale Red come in? San Antonio Cardinale Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, which is the most common format found at retailers.

Is Cardinale Red worth the price? Cardinale Red positions as a value-tier sweet red blend, delivering strong consumer satisfaction — reflected in consistently high user ratings — and a medal-winning pedigree uncommon at its price point. For a wine with over 40 gold medals and more than 50 years of continuous production, it represents notable value within the sweet red category.

Why Cardinale Red?

Few sweet red blends on the American market carry a competition record as deep as Cardinale's 40-plus gold medals spanning more than five decades. The Riboli family's proprietary recipe has remained consistent since 1967, giving this wine a heritage most competitors in the sweet red segment simply cannot match. Its naturally fermented, 100% natural grape composition appeals to drinkers who want straightforward winemaking without unnecessary additives. In a category crowded with recent arrivals, Cardinale Red stands as the original — a sweet California red built for everyday enjoyment that has outlasted trends and earned its loyal following through sheer consistency.