Temecula Valley, within an hour’s drive from San Diego, Palm Springs, or Orange County, bills itself as Southern California’s Wine Country. Though it got a later start than its better-known northern California counterparts–pioneers like Mount Palomar and Callaway set up shop in the late 1960s–the Temecula Valley today is home to nearly 40 wineries. There’s also a vibrant “wine country” scene here with restaurants, resort tours, and other activities that are geared towards wine tourism. The scenic beauty alone is an attraction featuring rolling mountains and snow-capped mountains. Many Temecula wineries use warm, grape-loving days and cool nighttime temperatures (many are located at high altitudes and are influenced by Pacific Ocean fogs and breezes) to create a wide range of diverse wines. There’s sure to be something to please everyone’s palate.
Baily Vineyard and Winery
The Baily family was part of Temecula’s early generation of winemakers who planted their first vine in 1982. The winemaker and founder Phil Baily concentrates on Bordeaux-derived grapes and offers the reds up to 30 years in barrel for additional smoothness. There are many options to sample the Baily wines: The main tasting area is in the Baily Visitor Center. Baily Visitor Center, ich you can visit to taste a $15 selection of the latest releases. You can also dine at the Baily’s Restaurant, Carol’s. It has live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays (and the menu for dogs every Sunday). There’s also a reservation-based tasting of the older wines at the facility where they produce their wines, priced between $20 and $30. If you’re visiting the area, Phil Baily’s son, Chris, owns the Baily Wine Country Cafe in Old Town Temecula.
Briar Rose Winery
This isn’t something you’ll find in every winery: a winery with models of the cottages that Snow White occupied from the 1937 Disney cartoon. Briar Rose’s founding father was an ex-Disney employee who constructed the houses some time back in honor of his wife. It is now under the control of the Linkogle family (son Larry is a famous Motocross racer). The property started bottling its wine in 2007. While it’s self-described as a “micro-winery” (topping at around 3,500 cases), Briar Rose produces many wines, including the unique Talking Frog bubbly, a blend of lager beer and Viognier. Two important things to remember about the fairytale Reservations are required, and no one younger than 21 can enter the property.
Callaway Vineyard and Winery
The first winery to be established in Temecula’s modern time, Callaway opened its doors in 1969. The pioneer of the time was Ely Callaway, better known for his golf equipment empire; however, the winery went through corporate hands before Lin’s family members took it over. Lin Family, who still own it until today. Small according to California standards, Callaway’s 25,000 cases make Callaway one of the largest businesses in Temecula. The company produces various wines from different regions, including Zinfandels and Syrahs. It’s also a top wine tourism spot, featuring the most significant, beautiful tasting room and a gift shop. There are also numerous tours and drop-in tastings, including the $25 time of the cellar that allows tasting samples from tanks and barrels. The Meritage restaurant serves various locavore dishes that incorporate many of the ingredients grown on the property and a wide selection of events.
Churon Winery
Churon advertises itself as a little bit of France located in Temecula and boasts an impressive chateau to demonstrate that. It’s a hotel in the middle of the vineyards (rooms start at about $180) and boasts an impressive lobby and views of the Californian green hills surrounding it. The winery’s tasting area in the hall is a great place to sample five wines for just $12 of winemaker Benny Rodriguez’s wide selection that spans from red wines to dessert wines and bubblies. Prices for non-club members typically fall in the range of $25-$35, which includes the world’s largest selection of reds, including Zinfandel and Malbec, to a rare Ruby Cabernet.
Cougar Vineyards & Winery
Rick Buffington and Jennifer Buffington spent years as home winemakers before purchasing their first Temecula winery in 2005. They followed their passions by focusing their operation on their estate grapes to make Italian wine grapes. Certain are well-known, such as Sangiovese, which is is the foundation of the Chianti blend, while others are less well-known, such as Arneis, the gorgeous white grape from Piemonte. There are instances where this is the case, such as Falanghina and Brachetto–Cougar claims it to be the sole U.S. winery producing the grape variety. Tastings are priced at $12 for six tastings. You can also enhance your experience with paninis pizza, salads, and pizza from Sangio’s Deli. On Friday nights and Sundays, there’s live entertainment.
Doffo
That classical music that you hear? That’s how the Doffo family plays it to calm the vines. Of course, the family’s Argentine-born head, Marcelo, is also a thumper to more tame-sounding sounds. He is an avid vintage motorcycle racer and collector whose MotoDoffo museum inside the barrel room is home to over 100 motorbikes and scooters (including an entire collection of Ducatis). The small-lot reds in this region are primarily blends of Bordeaux, and Syrah and Zinfandel are priced at stiff price tags, which are often three figures, and some are offered in unusual bottles, like the hand-crafted jug of Zinfandel Reserve. There are a variety of special bottlings, such as Grappa and Muscat brandy. Prices start at $15. However, you must reserve a spot for different winery tours. The collection of motorcycles is free.
Europa Village
A must-see area In Temecula wine country This ambitious, yet-to-be-completed project will include a luxurious, Spanish-style hotel with ten rooms (prices start at $150) and a winery run by a well-known expert, George Bursick. The project, set to begin construction in 2017, will add additional elements to the project, which is expected to be three wineries with resorts in the style typical of France, Italy, and Spain. The current lineup of wines appears to have all geographic bases covered. More than 30 wines are available in the store, from dark reds and sparkling wines to dessert, with heritages that harken back to the three nations and more. Tastings start at $15 for six samples.