Wine Tasting at
Temecula Wineries

This guide to the Temecula wineries will help you plan your wine tasting tour in sunny Southern California. Situated about an hour's drive north of San Diego on the I-15 freeway, the Temecula Valley has sprouted several wineries in recent decades. Many of the vineyards are quite young.

The wine country here is spread out over rolling hills, meandering east from the town and the I-15. Most of the Temecula wineries lie along Rancho California Road, with a few along De Portola Road to the south.

Click here for special deals in Temecula

This part of Riverside County can be very hot in the summer, but the cooling breezes that funnel in from the coast between the mountains help the grapes to thrive.

See a video sample of a self guided Temecula wine tour around the valley.

Old Town Temecula is definitely worth visiting, especially if you love antiques, as there are over 600 antique stores. A wooden boardwalk, art galleries and shops add to the town's appeal.

In June, the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival up at Lake Skinner is a huge draw, with music, wine tasting, hot air balloons and more.

To be driven around by a chauffer in a limo, seeTemecula wine tours, or a list of Temecula limousine companies.

The following list will help you choose three or four Temecula wineries to stop at and enjoy. If you've got the time, (and you really should try and make time), pick one or two that offer on-site Temecula winery tours of their operations and/or vineyards. These usually include wine tasting.

TASTING ROOM HOURS AND LOCATIONS

Alex's Red Barn Winery
39820 Calle Contento
951-693-3201
Weekends and holidays 10-5:30
Picnic patio.

Baily Vineyard & Winery
33440 La Serena Way
909-676-9463
Daily 11-5, Saturdays 10-5
Tasting fee $5 includes wine glass with logo.

Bella Vista Cilurzo Vineyard & Winery
41220 Calle Contento
951-676-5250
Daily 10-5
Tasting fee $6

Callaway Vineyard & Winery
32720 Rancho California Road
951-676-4001
Daily 10-5, except holidays
Tasting fee $10 includes wine glass with logo.
Tours Mon-Fri 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00, weekends 11-4 every hour.

Churon Winery
33233 Rancho California Road
951-694-9071
Daily 10-5
Also a bed and breakfast.

Falkner Winery
40620 Calle Contento
909-676-8231
Daily 10-5
Tasting fee $6 includes wine glass. Reserve wines extra.
Picnic area. Tours on weekends 11:00 and 2:00 for $3.

Filsinger Vineyards & Winery
39050 De Portola Road
909-302-6363
Fri 11-4, Sat-Sun 10-5
Picnic area. Tours by appointment.

Hart Winery
41300 Avenida Biona
951-676-6300
Daily 9-4:30

Keyways Winery & Vineyard
37338 De Portola Road
909-302-7888
Daily 10-5

Leonesse Cellars
38311 DePortola Rd.
951-302-7601
Daily 10-5

Maurice Car'rie Winery
34225 Rancho California Road
909-676-1711
Daily 10-5
No tasting fee. Picnic area. Group tours by appointment.

Miramonte Winery
33410 Rancho California Road
909-506-5500
Daily 10-5

Mount Palomar Winery
33820 Rancho California Road
909-676-5047
Daily 10-5
Gourmet deli and picnic areas.

Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery
40150 Barksdale Circle
951-676-7900
Fri 12-5, Sat-Sun 10-5
Tours by appointment.

Ponte Family Estate Winery
35053 Rancho California Road
951-694-8855
Daily 10-5
Tasting fee $10 includes wine glass.
Tours available. Restaurant on site. Landscaped gardens.

Santa Margarita Winery
33490 Madera de Playa
909-676-4431
Weekends 11-4:30

South Coast Winery
34843 Rancho California Road
951-587-9463
Daily 10-6
Resort and spa.

Stuart Cellars
33515 Rancho California Road
909-676-6414
Daily 10-5

Thornton Winery
32575 Rancho California Road
909-699-0099
Daily 10-5
Sit down tasting service for $9-15 includes bread and goat cheese spread.
Tours on weekends at 10:00, 12:30, 2:00 and 4:00.
French style chateau. Herb gardens.
Educational wine tastings offered on weekends for $10, including wine glass.

Van Roekel Vineyard & Winery
34567 Rancho California Road
909-699-6961
Daily 10-5
Gourmet deli. Tours by appointment.

Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard
35960 Rancho California Road
951-699-9463
Daily 10-5
Tasting fee $10.
Flower gardens, stream and picnic area.

Touring some of the Temecula wineries can be done on a pleasurable day trip from San Diego, or you can stay overnight at one of the local hotels or resorts.



Find out more info on Temecula at www.best-temecula-guide.com

Find a place to stay on the Temecula hotel page.