Temecula Wine Country Travel Guide | California Travel Tips
California travel expert Veronica Hill shares her Temecula Wine Country Travel Guide and the top Temecula wineries in this episode of California Travel Tips.
When you think of California wine country, Napa Valley and Sonoma likely come to mind. But did you know there's a booming wine industry right here in Southern California?
Temecula California is one of the newest California wine regions.
After years of growing pains, Temecula wineries have now come into their own with sophisticated wines, a hip clientele and growing number of elegant Temecula wine tasting rooms.
It's no wonder that Temecula has become a hot spot for destination weddings, girlfriends getaways and romantic escapes.
Roughly 60 miles between San Diego and Orange County, Temecula Valley's unique microclimate and cool ocean breezes make it a great place to grow wine grapes. And if you're here for wine tasting, you'll find almost all of the Temecula wineries along Rancho California Road and De Portola Road, just a few minutes off the busy I-15 freeway.
How many wineries are in Temecula? There are roughly 20 wineries, but by far the most well known is Thornton Winery, a rambling French Mediterranean style estate known for its sparkling wines.
Winemaker Don Reha took me on a tour through the wine caves, where he crafts Thornton's sparkling wine in the Methode Champenois style.
We followed our tour with a light lunch and wine pairing at Cafe Champagne, where we enjoyed an elegant cheese platter and Kobe burger paired with some of Don's specialty wines.
Our day in the Temecula Vineyards took us past some of the appelation's most elegant wineries, from Wilson Creek Winery, known for its sparkling almond champagne, to South Coast Winery Resort, a 38-acre luxury property with its own spa and private villas. In the tasting room, I learned that South Coast Winery won the Golden Bear award for Winery of the Year at the 2008 California State Fair.
Next up was the romantic Briar Rose Winery, located inside a storybook Snow White Cottage that was actually built by a Disneyland artisan. Briar Rose Winery is home to one of the oldest Mission olive trees in the state.
I met with owners Dorian and Les Linkogle, who explained that their boutique hand-crafted wines have reached cult status, being served everywhere from the Playboy Mansion to the White House.
I especially enjoyed their light Citronier, made with a hint of lemon, and their rich, supple 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. This upscale boutique winery is open by reservation only.
After touring the beautiful grounds, Les showed off his barrel room — a definite man space decked out with some of his son Larry's famous motocross bikes.
Here, I was among the first to try his trademarked Wine Lager, a fresh, fruit and bubbling beverage that was simply amazing.
Next, we traveled to Keyways Winery, the only woman-owned winery in Temecula. And this early California-style tasting room definitely has a woman's touch, from the cozy couches and fireplace to the elegant dining room.
If you're in the mood to picnic, Keyways sells a variety of meats, cheeses and wines that you can enjoy outside, sometimes with a live band to entertain you.
I caught up with owner Terri Pebley for a private tour and tasting of her award-winning wines.
We ended our day in Temecula with a stop at Ponte Winery, a country-style tasting room known for its cool Smokehouse restaurant and a really fun crowd. After enjoying a barbecue in the vineyards, I couldn't resist taking part in their annual Grape Stomp, reliving that famous I Love Lucy Episode.
Owner Claudio Ponte gave me a few tips before I got to stomping, and the heat began.
I didn't win, but I came in second, which isn't too bad.
After that workout, it was time to wind down — and a sunset tractor ride through the vineyards was just the ticket.
I promise if you visit Temecula Wine Country, you're going to have a great time. And if you visit during the fall crush — maybe you can stomp a few grapes yourself!
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When you think of California wine country, Napa Valley and Sonoma likely come to mind. But did you know there's a booming wine industry right here in Southern California?
Temecula California is one of the newest California wine regions.
After years of growing pains, Temecula wineries have now come into their own with sophisticated wines, a hip clientele and growing number of elegant Temecula wine tasting rooms.
It's no wonder that Temecula has become a hot spot for destination weddings, girlfriends getaways and romantic escapes.
Roughly 60 miles between San Diego and Orange County, Temecula Valley's unique microclimate and cool ocean breezes make it a great place to grow wine grapes. And if you're here for wine tasting, you'll find almost all of the Temecula wineries along Rancho California Road and De Portola Road, just a few minutes off the busy I-15 freeway.
How many wineries are in Temecula? There are roughly 20 wineries, but by far the most well known is Thornton Winery, a rambling French Mediterranean style estate known for its sparkling wines.
Winemaker Don Reha took me on a tour through the wine caves, where he crafts Thornton's sparkling wine in the Methode Champenois style.
We followed our tour with a light lunch and wine pairing at Cafe Champagne, where we enjoyed an elegant cheese platter and Kobe burger paired with some of Don's specialty wines.
Our day in the Temecula Vineyards took us past some of the appelation's most elegant wineries, from Wilson Creek Winery, known for its sparkling almond champagne, to South Coast Winery Resort, a 38-acre luxury property with its own spa and private villas. In the tasting room, I learned that South Coast Winery won the Golden Bear award for Winery of the Year at the 2008 California State Fair.
Next up was the romantic Briar Rose Winery, located inside a storybook Snow White Cottage that was actually built by a Disneyland artisan. Briar Rose Winery is home to one of the oldest Mission olive trees in the state.
I met with owners Dorian and Les Linkogle, who explained that their boutique hand-crafted wines have reached cult status, being served everywhere from the Playboy Mansion to the White House.
I especially enjoyed their light Citronier, made with a hint of lemon, and their rich, supple 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. This upscale boutique winery is open by reservation only.
After touring the beautiful grounds, Les showed off his barrel room — a definite man space decked out with some of his son Larry's famous motocross bikes.
Here, I was among the first to try his trademarked Wine Lager, a fresh, fruit and bubbling beverage that was simply amazing.
Next, we traveled to Keyways Winery, the only woman-owned winery in Temecula. And this early California-style tasting room definitely has a woman's touch, from the cozy couches and fireplace to the elegant dining room.
If you're in the mood to picnic, Keyways sells a variety of meats, cheeses and wines that you can enjoy outside, sometimes with a live band to entertain you.
I caught up with owner Terri Pebley for a private tour and tasting of her award-winning wines.
We ended our day in Temecula with a stop at Ponte Winery, a country-style tasting room known for its cool Smokehouse restaurant and a really fun crowd. After enjoying a barbecue in the vineyards, I couldn't resist taking part in their annual Grape Stomp, reliving that famous I Love Lucy Episode.
Owner Claudio Ponte gave me a few tips before I got to stomping, and the heat began.
I didn't win, but I came in second, which isn't too bad.
After that workout, it was time to wind down — and a sunset tractor ride through the vineyards was just the ticket.
I promise if you visit Temecula Wine Country, you're going to have a great time. And if you visit during the fall crush — maybe you can stomp a few grapes yourself!
Click here to see me working my biz in Turks and Caicos
Temecula Wine Country De Portola Wine Trail from above
Temecula Wine Country is home to some amazing wineries. This is an aerial look at the 10 wineries that reside on, what is known as, the De Portola Wine Trail in Temecula, CA.
Subscribe, as I will be covering the rest of the Temecula Valley wineries as well.
Gershon Bachus Vintners - 37750 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Robert Renzoni - 37350 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Fazeli - 37320 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Keyways - 37338 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Oak Mountain - 36522 Vía Verde, Temecula, CA 92592
Leoness Cellars - 38311 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Danza Del Sol - 39050 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Cougar Vineyard & Winery - 39870 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Frangipani Estate - 39750 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Masia de la Vinya - 39788 Camino Arroyo Seco, Temecula, CA 92592
Keyways Winery Wedding Venue
Address: 37338 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
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Weddings at Keyways
For your wedding, and the lifelong memories, the welcoming staff at Keyways invites you to celebrate your dream day inside our private haven nestled amongst our rolling vineyards in beautiful Temecula Wine Country. Imagine, celebrating your most magical day in relaxed and classical elegance almost never to be found in Southern California.
It would be our honor to be part of making your dream day come true.
Offering a full range of services in a variety of locations, with impeccable attention to every detail, we promise to make this day unforgettable and stress free. Providing excellent wine, and outstanding service for your day of celebration, you can be assured that your selection of our unique venue is a great step in your future together.
A Keyways wedding is a magical beginning to a new life as husband and wife. Our staff becomes an extension of your family as we listen to your every wish and desire and create a day you could only imagine!!!
Wedding Ceremony
The breathtaking surroundings created by lush gardens, beautiful grounds and the natural beauty of the tranquil hillsides enveloping Keyways, combine to create many unbelievable possibilities for your wedding.
Offering numerous indoor and outdoor venues, Keyways can accommodate parties for friends and families up to 200 people. For smaller gatherings of 10 to 75, many couples opt to entertain their guests in our Fireside and Cork Rooms. Our Encore Couples often find this to be their perfect venue.
Keyways offers unsurpassed catering options with heart-felt menu selections. While we offer traditional menu possibilities, our staff is pleased to tailor any selections to your desires. Whether it is a plated gourmet meal or BBQ fare, Keyways will create the ambiance and the memory you are seeking.
City of Temecula - Touring Temecula Winery Country
If you are interested to have that highly memorable tour that you can boast to your friends and family, booking one within Temecula Valley is the first thing you need to do. With its beautiful landscape, picturesque vineyards, and wonderful wines from different family-owned wineries, Temecula tours have long proven to be the great escape to your bustling city lif
The Wine Down - Tasting Temecula with David Vergari and Guest-Host, Wes Hagen
EPISODE SYNOPSIS:
With Sonja out of town, the host seat gets filled by the brilliant winemaker and friend of the show, Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe, who has invited David Vergari of Vergari Wines and Thornton Wine to discuss the bubbling scene in Temecula.
The talk goes into the reasons for the region's surprising excellence--from good soil to passionate growers, and we taste several varietals of David's work. Along the way, we wonder where Temecula is going with their wine, and learn about the roots of the current crop. It's a key show about a region that is coming up in the wine world. Cheers!
GUEST BIO:
David Vergari founded Vergari Wines in 2003, producing Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards that are exclusively suited to those varietals. David studied Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis, interned at Sonoma-Cutrer and The Hess Collection in Napa Valley, and worked abroad at Coldstream Hills in Australia and Covisa in Spain. Landing back in California, David worked his way up to Research Enologist at Joseph Phelps Vineyard before moving to Rutz Cellars in the Russian River Valley, where he not only became the winemaker, but honed his skills and appreciation for Pinot Noir. Then, after four years as Head Winemaker at Maddalena Vineyards, David decided to launch his own label, Vergari Wines.
In his spare time, David acts as a consulting winemaker and teaches extension wine courses at UC Irvine. David ascribes his lifelong interest in wine at least in part to his Italian ancestry. His first memory of wine goes back to when he was five years old, in his great-uncle's cellar in San Francisco tasting Dago Red - cut with water, of course! For a while in his twenties he worked as a financial analyst, but winemaking was in his blood, and inevitably he decided to change careers and follow his passion.
ADD'L LINKS:
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Welcome to the Wine Down
01:02 Introducing David Vergari of Vergari and Thornton Wines in Temecula.
02:28 David's background in wine.
07:29 Using theory to the benefit of winemaking.
11:06 Pinot Noir--If you can make it here...
14:31 The direction of Temecula and third leaf vines.
16:39 The development of the region.
18:17 What drew growers to Temecula.
21:36 Some notes on sharpshooters--enemy of growers.
23:42 Is Temecula growing the best wines for their land?
29:08 Balancing acidity to create a complete wine.
30:31 Would growers in Temecula like to produce different varietals.
35:18 Sugar, carbon dioxide and the sluttiest wine in the world.
40:37 Wes gives David the bully pulpit and sees what he'd like Temecula to embrace.
43:26 Tannins and Tartaric acid--necessary to balance with foods.
44:44 A note on the Cab/Merlot.
46:54 Wes measures the last ten years in Temecula.
47:52 The greatest advantage of Temecula: Location, location, location.
50:11 What will be the varietal of Temecula's future?
52:16 The situation between the vineyards and wine and vintners association.
55:49 Where to find David.
58:31 Wes shows us how to pour wine for an Italian, and cheers!
The Kuleto Estate HD
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Mount Palomar Temecula, California
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STEVE DOCTOR SOLO GENTLE BREEZE @ Keyways Winery, Temecula, CA
Blomidon Estate Winery - 2015 Prestige Award Winner
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Cabernet Sauvignon Temecula Wine Tasting with an Average Joe
Average Joe returns to the Temecula Wineries to review Keyway's Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. If you are an average Joe and want to find a good wine, visit to find the perfect Temecula wine.
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Live Performance - Vow Renewal, November 2017
Mike Gross, Brian Stodart, and Alayna Stodart perform - Vow Renewal at Galway Downs ( in beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country.
#GalwayDownsWeddings #WineryWeddingMusicians #WineryWeddingVenues
Tim Apple - Live at Masia de la Vinya Winery
Tim Apple performing live at Masia de la Vinya Winery in Temecula, Ca Wine Country on 4-8-17
Brian Stodart and Mike Gross - Live at Mount Palomar Winery .avi
Mike Gross and Brian Stodart (Mike and Brian) perform in Wine Country at Temecula, California's premier winery, Mount Palomar...an acoustic mix of cover songs of contemporary singer/songwriters from today, mixed with the artists of yesterday...a unique duo with piano, percussion, vocals, and some acoustic guitar, this duo performs at a high level at many events throughout the United States.
#MountPalomarEvents #WineryMusicEvents #MusicInTemecula