Temecula Valley Balloon Festival, Inland Empire
Perhaps one of the state’s nicest surprises is Temecula Valley, California’s southernmost wine country, 60 miles northeast of San Diego. Astute wine lovers already know it well, but for the rest of the world the Temecula Valley remains something of a mystery, despite its top-notch wineries and idyllic rolling vineyards. Tucked alongside Temecula, a small city better known as a bedroom community for San Diego and Orange County commuters, the valley’s ideal soils and cool nights produce wine with a zesty fresh fruit character: award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. And perhaps because they are California’s new kid on the wine block, Temecula wineries continue to add spice to the mix. Of late, they’ve begun producing Mediterranean varietals: Viognier, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc.
From a Luiseno Indian name, Temecula means "where the sun shines through the mist"; this interpretation may have helped vintners identify the valley’s grape-growing potential. Cooling mists, drawn in from the Pacific Ocean 25 miles away, often linger in the valley until midmorning, and then things on the 1,500-foot plateau begin to heat up. Combine this with cool night temperatures, courtesy of the surrounding mountains, and presto—a perfect nurturing grape-growing combination. And the local granitic soils drain quickly, making for particularly pure varietal flavors without the herbaceous flavors that wetter soils can induce.
If you’re a fan of small and informal, this is your place. Within the valley proper, only about 1,300 acres are currently given to growing grapes commercially. Temecula’s small size is part of its charm; most of the wineries are comfortably clustered along Rancho California Road, about 4 miles east of Interstate 15. Another part of that charm is its lack of pretentiousness. Pop into the vineyards and tasting rooms at wineries like Mount Palomar, South Coast, and Baily, and you’ll see that an additional Southern California climate presides—plain fun and casual. A wine-tasting tour of the valley is more like a visit with friends than a haughty lecture on what you’ll never know about wine. And because Temecula does not get the attention of its wine cousins to the north, it houses genuine surprises and innovations like the ahi avocado napoleon at Café Champagne, the jazz concert series at Thornton Winery, the chance to pair wine tasting with yoga, eight championship golf courses and more on the way, and, admittedly less of a secret, the chance to see world-class entertainment or try your luck at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Who doesn’t like a pleasant surprise?
Glimpse, and taste Temecula’s rich history. One of Temecula’s oldest wineries–it’s been in the valley since 1969—Mount Palomar Winery has a tradition of classic Bordeaux-style blends; the winery produces an excellent Sangiovese and an award-winning Cortese. Inside Tip: When you slip up to the tasting bar, know that they also make a delicious port and Solera Cream Sherry.
Sample wine with a (yoga) twist. As its name implies, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is a combination resort (private villas and spa tucked within the vineyard) and working winery. Its wines have won over 400 awards, not bad considering the first bottling was in 2003. The Zinfandel is especially good. Inside Tip: This may be the only winery that combines wine tasting and yoga—make your advance reservations for the "Wine and Unwind" experience.
Bask in Bourdeaux. Baily Vineyard & Winery specializes in Bourdeaux varieties. Its grapes are grown on four different vineyards scattered about the valley, producing an intriguing variety. Taste the Riesling, with a classic apricot flavor brought to a peak by grapes of high natural acidity, plus the meritage and Muscat Blanc. Inside Tip: Carol’s Restaurant, on the premises, serves delicious salads and sandwiches, with music from an acoustic guitarist every Sunday afternoon.
Wine and dine. Thornton Winery makes an enjoyable Brut Reserve and Cabernet-Merlot blend, plus there are lots of other activities going on here. The on-site restaurant— Café Champagne—is a six-time Southern California Restaurant Writers Association Gold Medal winner serving California cuisine. Inside Tip: Don’t miss the Champagne Jazz Concert Series on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Take a tour. The Grapeline wine country shuttle offers tours in Temecula, seven days a week. The Vineyard Picnic Tour includes visits to four wineries, a gourmet picnic lunch, and—these come in handy—a wine-tasting lesson or a winemaking tour. The shuttle picks up at locations around Temecula, or you can book a private shuttle and itinerary. Inside Tip: The Value Passport helps save on everything from wine buys to tasting fees.
Luck be a lady. Pechanga Resort & Casino is home to California’s largest casino, and it has everything you’d expect—slots, poker, blackjack, craps—on a 188,000-square-foot gaming floor. The 1,200-seat theater has seen the likes of B.B. King, Rob Thomas, Kelly Clarkson, and Jerry Seinfeld. Inside Tip: Wine lovers never miss an opportunity—the Great Oak Steakhouse offers more than 400 wine selections.
Up, up, and away. Temecula has several hot-air balloon companies, but Sunrise Balloons has been around since 1975 and offers a wide variety of packages. The balloons generally take off and land within a 10-mile radius; between ascent and descent there is plenty of ethereal lollygagging, drifting with the wind over gently rolling vineyards. Inside Tip: A special package pairs your balloon ride with a stay at the Temecula Creek Inn, home to a 27-hole championship golf course.
Sample divine liquid of a different sort. The Temecula Olive Oil Company makes good use of the same Mediterranean climate the vintners use, in this case to grow delectable olives. Don’t miss a stop at this Old Town Temecula shop and tasting room, where you can sample handmade olive-oil varietals. Inside Tip: Seek out the Sevillano olives stuffed with blue cheese.
The Inside Scoop
Featured Videos
