Temecula Valley is a popular wine-tasting destination in Southern California, boasting nearly 40 wineries concentrated along Rancho California and De Portola Roads.
With cool coastal breezes making their way up from the Pacific Ocean in nearby San Diego, Temecula provides the optimal climate for outdoor adventure and grape growing. As a result, Temecula Valley has become southern California’s version of Napa Valley.
Old Town Temecula
Old Town Temecula is an excellent choice to start your wine county day trip. Old Town is a refreshing blend of the past and present that features antique dealers, alfresco restaurants, and unique shops that offer just about anything your heart desires.
If you plan to explore wine country alone, visit the Temecula Visitors Center at 28690 Mercedes Street. Here, you can obtain brochures, free winery maps, and discount coupons for wine tasting.
Temecula Wine Country
From Old Town, you must travel several miles along Rancho California Road to the wineries. While passing rows of tract homes, you will wonder where the wineries are. Finally, you break through suburbia and enter the Temecula wine country.
With so many wineries, there is no way to visit them all in one day. It may seem like there is a winery on every corner, and it can be a bit overwhelming as to which winery to visit.
Most of the wineries have tasting rooms. Some are simple, while others are elaborate, with restaurants, gift shops, and boutique hotels. You can be sure that each family-owned winery produces some of Southern California’s most distinctive and high-quality wines.
The wine-tasting experience in Temecula Valley is an extraordinary, personal one, with wines reflecting the exceptional diversity of the region. Temecula Valley is one of the few remaining California wine regions where visitors will likely run into the owner, winemaker, or tasting room.
Maurice Car’rie Winery
Maurice Car’rie Winery was founded in 1986 in a large Victorian-style farmhouse. The winery is nestled among some of the first vineyards planted in the region nearly 25 years ago. It offers one of the most inviting and warm Wine Country atmospheres amidst the rolling hills of the beautiful Temecula Valley.
You can enjoy fresh baked Brie in sourdough bread on Saturdays and Sundays. Each loaf can serve 2 to 4 people. If you visit on weekdays, you can buy a bread bowl to take home and bake. In addition, visitors can purchase handmade wares like jewelry, paintings, and ceramics as souvenirs. Maurice Car’rie Winery 34225 Rancho California Rd Temecula, California. Website.
South Coast Winery Resort
Enjoy a fabulous romantic weekend getaway in one of the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa’s 76 luxurious villas while sampling some of the wines that have earned the winery the honors of Best California State Winery of the Year for several years. One of the vineyards surrounds the villas, and you can eat grapes off the vine from your patio.
After a long day of wine tasting, guests can enjoy a delicious dinner at the Vineyard Rose. Local favorites include tropical scallops, shrimp ceviche, and lobster ravioli, which are generously portioned and perfect for sharing. South Coast Winery Resort and Spa 34843 Rancho California Road Temecula, CA 92591. website.
Falkner Winery Temecula
Falkner Winery is built on the peak of a 1,500-foot hill and offers visitors striking views of the Temecula Valley from its pastoral front porch and rolling grassy lawn. One of Falkner’s signature events is free jazz on Sundays, a popular event in Temecula Valley. When visiting the winery, check out the wine appreciation class schedule.
The wood-sided, vine-covered building houses a different tasting room with wooden beams, a long tasting counter, and a gift shop. In contrast, the picturesque grounds with sculptures, picnic areas, and an outside tasting bar feature the Pinnacle Restaurant, reception and banquet facilities, and an art gallery. Falkner Winery 40620 Calle Contento Temecula, CA 92591. website.
Thornton Winery Temecula
Thornton Winery offers the charm and ambiance of an authentic French château, with picturesque views of the Temecula Valley vineyards.
Established in 1988, the winery uses the Methode Champenoise process for producing its award-winning quality wines and sparkling champagnes. You also choose a flight with a fixed set of wines rather than randomly picking them from a list. Each wine comes with its glass, and all four are delivered at once, with the order to drink them indicated. Thornton Winery 32575 Rancho California Rd Temecula, California. Website.
Wilson Creek
Founded in 1998, Wilson Creek Winery is one of the most famous wineries in the Temecula region, with its award-winning wines having reached international fame with their “Almond Champagne. Located in the heart of wine country, Wilson Creek Winery offers breathtaking views from vineyards and Tuscan-inspired gardens, an open-air pavilion, a spacious lawn for weddings and concerts, a scenic picnic area, and a new Creekside Grille restaurant, where guests can dine alongside the vines.
The Winery is also known as the “unofficial official winery” of many U.S. Navy ships, including eight aircraft carriers! Guests can participate in many activities at the Winery, including enjoying tasting and tours and learning about the wines, labeling, and the winemaking business. Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard Inc. 35960 Rancho California Road Temecula, California. Website
Miramonte Winery Temecula
Founded by entrepreneur Cane Vanderhoof in 2000, Miramonte is a house converted into a winery. Still, the beige-colored, red-tile-roofed winery’s spacious tasting room with a lovely outdoor patio and scenic grounds is a must-stop along the Rancho California wine trail.
Vanderhoof’s vision and strong desire have pushed Miramonte to the head of Temecula Valley wineries. In 2008, Miramonte purchased a neighboring piece of undeveloped Rancho California Road, extending the estate vineyard to 44 acres. The boutique winery produces 5,000 cases yearly, focusing primarily on Rhone varietal wines and blends. Miramonte Winery 33410 Rancho California Rd Temecula, California. Website.
Palumbo Family Vineyards Temecula
Founded in 1998 and located in the heart of Temecula Valley Wine Country, Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery may be small. Still, the wines echo many of their larger counterparts’ perfect blend of depth and elegance.
Only producing 2,500 cases per year, the family-run estate is truly a boutique winery. Committed to producing handcrafted wines, owners Nicholas and Cindy Palumbo are passionate about creating only from varieties harvested on the property, focusing on sophistication with their small-scale production. Palumbo Family Vineyards is located at 40150 Barksdale Circle, Temecula, California. Website.
Vindemia Estate Temecula
In addition to the five acres of grapes, the property has 100 olive trees. The olives are harvested, and olive oil is produced on-site and can be sampled along with the estate’s wines. At the top of each hour, visitors are invited to learn more about winemaking by exploring the vineyards, oak sampling, or taking a tour with the wine masters.
California Dreamin’s large European balloon baskets allow passengers comfort and safety. Champagne and sparkling cider are served with birthdays and anniversaries celebrated after the flight. Upon landing, your flight crew will present you with an Official Flight Certificate featuring photos of you and your guests. Vindemia Vineyards and Winery 33133 Vista Del Monte Temecula, California. Website.
Temecula Valley Wine Tours
For first-time visitors, a guided wine tour may be your best option. Several local vendors offer guided wine country tours. Most wine country tours depart from the old town. There are even a couple of vendors that provide wine-tasting tours by horseback. California Dreaming offers sightseeing balloon rides over the Temecula Valley for the ultimate wine-country adventure.
Temecula Events
If you’re looking for a specific reason to visit Temecula, there are several events throughout the year. Classic car shows, a Street Painting Festival, a Bluegrass Music Festival, and the Temecula Valley Balloon Festival.
Getting There
Temecula Valley is Southern California’s Wine Country, located 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, 60 miles north of San Diego, and 22 miles from the California coast.
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