Those in the know go! It shouldn’t be a secret but in the rolling hills of Southern California, well east of the coast, Temecula wineries are making a scene. Private wine clubs, live music, restaurants, villas, spas and abundant tastings are uncorked throughout the growing region. I’ve visited several times over the past few years and always return home impressed and a bit buzzed by the beauty (and yes, the tippling.)
There are two Temecula wineries that stunned me recently – Mount Palomar and Europa Village. Over one slowly paced day, I joined a small group of foodies to sip and eat, walk and marvel at all that’s been created and is on the drawing boards.
Mount Palomar Winery
Since 1969 the Mount Palomar winery has been garnering awards. The public vineyards are full of trails. We sauntered through the gates, past stone fountains and flower beds to a large building open to views of the countryside. Inside Anata Bistro and Bar, an open and appealing space, the chef offers a rotating, seasonal menu. In late fall, two cocktails with ingredients from the garden as well as the vine made it to our tables. The Pomegranate Martini was slightly sweet above a flourish of the signature red seeds. The Ginger Crush was muddled with a basil garnish and vanilla bean simple syrup.
Lunch was inspired by Meditteranean cuisine as we were feted with appetizer plates full of hummus, marinated olives, and crostini. Steak and fries, lamb and beef kebabs, salads and various flatbreads soon covered the table. No one was going hungry and I can’t wait to return with family.
Prepping our tummies with food was a good strategy as we next stepped into the barrel room to meet the vintner, James Rutherford. He tapped tall, stainless casks with flair and then swept us out to the Solara where Sherry casks were aging in the open sun! The cream sherry process at Mount Palomar is based on Moroccan, then Spanish traditions before it was brought to California in the days of the Conquistadors. Stepped rows of wooden casks cook for five years in the sun before being bottled! It was a surprising set up for this wine fan!
Europa Village
Inside the gates of the Europa Village Winery is a gracious world. Taking cues from Old World wineries, there are inviting gardens with shaded sitting areas, a comfortable patio, tasting room and gift store adjacent to a long Pergola, sheltering tables reserved for wine club members and events. Beyond all that grapevines flick their broad leaves in the sun.
Europa Village is becoming even more idyllic as the John Goldsmith, the General Manager, described the vineyard’s future. A grand villa is already open for guests but, over the coming years, a true village has been laid out. Soon luxury accommodations and three wineries featuring grapes and wine-making styles from France, Spain and Italy will be complete. Europa Village is a destination already but the future developments will have wine tasting fans flocking to the Temecula wineries to stay for days.
It takes a community
Over the last century, the region has had its challenges. Wineries have changed hands with the fluxuating economy. They’ve closed and then opened in new configurations. Infestations once decimatdecades-old vines. Today growers work together to alert each other of any signs of blight. Developers have attempted re-zoning the relatively affordable acerage. A passionate association of residents, winery owners, vineyard owners and affiliated businesses has grown to form the Protect Temecula Wine Country Association. They are actively working to preserve the wine making and rural atmosphere of the area for the future.
My day visiting Temecula wineries ended too swiftly but knowing how close to Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego the region is. It won’t be long before I’ll return with friends. How lovely it is to taste and meander amongst the relaxing and beautiful Temecula wineries.
If you go wine tasting at the Temecula wineries:
- Taste the Palomar Mountain wines, have lunch, enjoy live music or dinner theater in the Mount Palomar, Anata Bistro and Bar.
- Stroll through the gardens, attend performances, shop, and sip in Europa Village
- Arrange tours, transportation and explore all there is to do in the Temecula wine country with help from the Visitor’s Center.
My wine tour and lunch were arranged and hosted through my membership the IFWTWA.
I am not a wine drinker but I would still love to go on one of these tours as I like the behind-the-scenes bit as well as the snacks that accompany wine tasting! It looked like a fabulous day!
It was such a treat, Rosemarie, for all the reasons you mention. Snacks and Dona Esthela’s cooking, the camaraderie and the beauty of the Valle/Ensenada region. All wonderful to experience with or without wine.
I wish I loved wine as much as I love beer. This place looks so awesome. The drink in the third picture looks more like a cocktail. Cocktails I love. Lol. Great post.
Yes, those were two seasonal cocktails served at the Mount Palomar restaurant. They surprised me as well and included fruit and herbs from the property. All delicious.
Besides the wine, love those cocktails. it is nice to see the wineries banding together in a community to help.
Sometimes it takes a community to survive and this wine region, Temecula, has played (and worked) well together for decades.
I can’t believe I still haven’t been to California’s wine country. It looks so picturesque (and also they have wine!) Maybe 2017 will be my year. Your photos are making me jealous.
Mags, that’s just sad that you haven’t been to the wine country here – in Northern or Southern California. You’ll find that we have several regions worth visiting and playing in.
I’ve always enjoyed wine tasting tours. I think I would love to spend more than a day here.
Great idea – a long weekend and no worries about DUI!
Very informative post, Elaine. I love wine tasting and Temecula sounds like a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing the 2 for 1 wine testing coupon.
Thanks, Anda. I hope you get a chance to see it for yourself.
I didn’t usually go to wineries but I somehow still enjoyed the wineries tour experience – with the food, drinks, and nice environment.
Thanks for the introduction and hopefully I will go there ~ 🙂 @ knycx.journeying
It’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours…or days!
I’ll have the Ginger Crush please! 🙂 I didn’t realize there were wineries in that area so I am so glad you wrote about it. I like that you included their future plans and how the community works together. Europa Village sounds lovely – wine, food, gardens – what more could you want on a wine adventure? #TheWeeklyPostcard
The entire region is dotted with little and large wineries to explore. I hope you do one day.
Pass me a bowl of olives please. Wow, what a gorgeous way to spend a day. I am currently living on a tropical island in North Queensland, wineries dont factor in my world like they used too. One thing I miss about a slightly cooler climate is vineyards. Thanks for sharing your experience, I’d like to stay in the villa.
I’m with you and hoping to spend a night in the villa too. It’s perched on a hill overlooking the vineyards and the breakfast chef lives there too!
I have never visited the Temecula region of California, didn’t even know about it to be honest. Sounds like a reason to get down there!
Annie, I think you’d love the region and recommend taking the time to wander off to some of the smaller wineries as well.
while I was reading your post, I had to pause when I reached this part “Steak and fries, lamb and beef kebabs, salads and various flatbreads”. They are all my favs 🙂 apart from the food, wine tasting is appealing too 🙂
Ha Ha about that being your cuisine too! It rotates seasonally so I’ll just have to return to see what they cook up next.
Aw now you’ve made me miss home! My favorite is South Coast Winery! #WeekendWanderlust
South Coast winery is now on my radar too. Thanks, Lolo.
I love discovering new wines and wine regions. I’ve never heard of Temecula, and really didn’t know there was a presence in Southern California. Thanks so much for the education.
You’re welcome, Leah. Hope it has your taste buds kindled!
I was sold at wineries from the get go. The vineyards photos are really nice, I like the Arial shots, reminds me of my grandparents who had Arial photos of their farm. The snacks also, yum Kalamata olives my favorite!
Aren’t wineries lovely places to visit? Sounds like your grandparents farm was lovely too.
Well, I think you are helping me to make plans for next year. I have not visited these places and I haven’t been to Temecula in a long time. I have signed for some of the area’s newsletters, so, I have an idea of their extensive offerings. I hope to visit soon! #TheWeeklyPostcard
You’ll find lots to explore in the Temecula area, Ruth.
This is quite a comprehensive post on Temecula wineries. I very much enjoyed reading about it. The photo of the cocktails is so refreshing, that made me thirsty and I made myself a drink sitting here 1000s of miles away 🙂 I hope the wineries survive the economic vagaries .
With the popularity of wine from California, I think the Temecula wineries will continue flourishing. Glad to hear the post inspired a sip of your own!
I love doing wine tasting/tours! I had not even heard of Temecula. I am going to put this on the list for my next trip to Southern California. Thanks so much for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Now you know! Who’s your designated driver?!
Obviously I love wine and this is something interesting to know. Really helpful! cheers. xx
You might enjoy one of the party buses that roll through the wine region if you get in the area, Trisha.
I should share this with my friends in San Diego 🙂 We briefly visited Napa and Sonoma during our visit to California but this sounds like a lovely getaway too! Bookmarking this for our visit to Southern California sometime!
Temecula is earning wonderful praise for the wines and the beautiful locations. I hope you do visit one day.
What a great day. Love the food and cocktails that Mount Palomar offers. Will have to start there on my next trip to Temecula.
I think a stop or a few days in Temecula would be just perfect for you!
I’ve been to Napa and Sonoma Valleys but have never heard of Temecula and its wineries. The area looks like it has a lot to offer with more to come. You can really sense the Mediterranean vibe with Europa village and the authentic food/wine/cocktail scene. I also love the commitment to preserving the rural wine-making heritage of the region. It’s a great investment for the future for sure!
Hope you can make it out our way before too long and see the region for yourself, Jackie.
The Mediterranean food looks so delicious and a great pairing with the European style reds to be sure
All delicious and beautiful destinations to enjoy them.
I visited Temecula Valley wineries back in March, and I was really impressed with the quality of wines being produced there. One of the winemakers explained to us that the soil there is similar to that of Tuscany, so a lot of Italian-style varietals do well there. It looks like you found a couple wineries worth visiting there, too! As you pointed out, the region has its challenges. But that community has really come together, and I’d love to go back in a couple years to see how the community has grown. #WeekendWanderlust
I wish I were more of a wine connoisseur but do have a fondness for mellow, flavorful reds. The Temecula region is overflowing with them!