Temecula Wine Region info needed

[ceburto2]

Hey everyone,

My wife and I are getting set for our Anaheim/San Diego trip and are planning a stop in Temecula to visit the vineyards on the way to San Diego. I visited the official wine growers association site, but would also like to hear anyone's personal experiences. Relaxed tasting rooms,likeable hosts,tours, bad experiences, etc. Thanks in advance.

-ceburto2

 

[Michelle]

My cousins live in Temecula and have done the winery thing, as have my brother and SIL. They've definitely enjoyed it! I don't have any specifics for you but I know they had a positive experience.

 

[hookedup]

Hi there,
I live near SD and have gone to Temecula many times to visit for wine tasting. It is fun - but it is not Napa Valley.
The whole Temecula area has been heavily developed over the past decade. Since affordable housing is hard to come by in Southern CA (and esp San Diego) the building boom in Temecula area has really changed the way the roads around the area are - very crowded!
10 years ago (and more) when I was in college we used to take our bikes and ride from vineyard to vineyard wine tasting. That is scary now on the heavily travelled roads.
The whole area is neat but it does get quite warm there during the summer months.
There are serveral places to visit with in a short drive - many of them do not actually grow the grapes there but produce lovely wines.
Let me know if you need any specific info.

 

[ceburto2]

In Temecula, if you could pick three or four of the many vineyards to visit, which ones would be chosen? Thanks in advance.

-ceburto2

 

[sgtdilbert]

They also launch hot air balloons in the early morning in Temecula. I went about 5 years ago, and it was a wonderful experience. Great area to go up! You might want to check into that as well. The downside is that you have to be there very early in the morning before the wind picks up.

s.