Temecula wine country advice needed!

January 9, 2010 6:38 PM

My wife and I are heading for a weekend in the Temecula, CA, wine region. Looking for recommendations.

We are staying in Temecula next Friday (Jan. 15) and plan on visiting wineries that day and the next. We're looking for wineries that have tastings - though I would assume they all do. But we're also looking for someone who has been there before and has enjoyed what they found.

If you've been there before, what did you like or dislike? What was the atmosphere like? Were the proprietors warm and inviting, or did it seem like the people were a little snooty?

Assume we like all types of wines. And thanks!

posted by doh ray mii to Travel & Transportation around Temecula, CA (3 answers total)

Call over to Longshadow Ranch Winery and see if they are having a party at the ranch. They often have a band on Saturday evenings. There's not one on the calendar, but that doesn't mean they're not having something. You can bring your own picnic foods and buy glasses or bottles of wine. Hang out and enjoy the evening. Get a seat by the fire if you can.
posted by 26.2 at 7:40 PM on January 9, 2010

My school just took a tour up there and did a few tastings. I liked the wine at Leonesse a lot. Wilson Creek is big and has nice gardeny areas. Everywhere we went, the people were really friendly - that's kind of a selling point, I think - they know they're not Napa.

Also, about 30-40 minutes south in Escondido is Stone Brewing Co. - if you get tired of wine (or even if you don't - Stone serves wine too), Stone makes amazing beer and their beer garden is worth seeing. Free beer if you take the tour.
posted by rjacobs at 8:47 AM on January 10, 2010

I went about two months ago and Wiens Cellars had a large variety to taste from. Try their tempranillo and their orange sparkling wine, it's really delicious.

6 tastes for $10 is pretty standard for all the area wineries.
posted by slow graffiti at 10:45 AM on January 10, 2010