YOUR WINE TOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Temecula Wine Country celebrated its 50th birthday in 2018. In an earlier blog (see my fascinating post from February 12, 2018, titled "50 YEARS OF TEMECULA WINE COUNTRY"), I shared the story of the Cilurzos, who planted the first commercial wine grapes in Temecula back in 1968. And also, the story of Ely Callaway, who began planting in 1969, and in 1971 became the first winery in Temecula Valley. However, like most California wine regions, the area's first wine producers were not commercial ventures, but rather the missionaries, who planted and harvested the so-called mission grape varietal throughout California in the 1800's to produce sacramental wine.
One of my favorite stories about Temecula wine is also a story about the Royal Family of Great Britain. At a hoity-toity luncheon in 1976 at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, attended by Queen Elizabeth II and his Royal Highness, the Prince Duke of Edinburgh, the menu included Callaway's estate bottled 1974 White Riesling. Her majesty, who was known to be a modest imbiber, caused some raised eyebrows when she requested a second glass. Now if I were the queen, I can assure you that it would cause a stir if I did not request a second glass. In any case, the incident shone a favorable international spotlight - if only for a moment - on the wines of the fledgling wine country in Southern California.
Temecula Valley is separated by a mountain range from the Pacific Ocean, 22 miles away. Most evenings, cool, moist coastal air flows through the Rainbow Gap and creates a microclimate in the Temecula Valley that gives this region a unique opportunity to excel in wine production. Cool, damp evenings fuel vineyard growth, while warm, dry afternoons promote ripening - ideal conditions for wine grapes.
Back in 1968, Temecula wasn’t exactly the place you’d think of for a wine tour. That all changed when a few brave souls decided to stick grapevines in the ground and see what happened. Spoiler alert: It worked. One of the first to take the plunge was Ely Callaway (yes, that Callaway). By 1974, Callaway Vineyard & Winery was officially up and running, proving that Temecula had what it took to make some seriously good wine.
Turns out, Temecula’s sunny days, cool nights, and ocean breezes weren’t just great for getting a tan—they were ideal for grape-growing. So much so that other wine pioneers quickly joined the fun.
John Poole of Mount Palomar Winery also had his eyes on the prize, planting vineyards in the late 60s. By the 1980s, Temecula was starting to look a little less like farmland and a lot more like wine country. A few more wineries popped up, and suddenly, people were whispering, “Hey, Temecula's kinda...cool.”
Just when Temecula was really hitting its stride, the 1990s threw a wrench in the works. Enter Pierce’s Disease, the bacterial villain of the vineyard world. This nasty bug started wreaking havoc on the vines, and things were looking dicey for a minute. But Temecula’s winemakers weren’t about to let some pesky bacteria ruin their party. With grit, science, and maybe a few prayers to the wine gods, they fought back and saved the vines.
Fast forward to today, and Temecula is basically one of the best wine regions. This valley is turning out everything from full-bodied reds to crisp whites, with a side of bubbles for good measure. It's not just about the wine, though—Temecula is now a full-blown wine experience. Think vineyard tours, wine tastings, fancy events, and weddings with views that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.
Temecula is now home to over 40 wineries, and counting! Yep, this once-sleepy valley has blossomed into a full-on vino wonderland. From boutique operations to sprawling estates, there’s no shortage of places to sip, swirl, and savor. Whether you’re into bold reds, crisp whites, or something with a bit of sparkle, Temecula’s got a winery for every taste. And…the number of wineries offering tours in Temecula varies, with many offering vineyard and winery tours as part of their services. Popular wineries like Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Wilson Creek Winery, and Ponte Winery are known for offering guided tours, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process.
That honor goes to Cilurzo Winery, founded way back in 1968 by Vince and Audrey Cilurzo. These two trailblazers were the first to stick vines in the ground and say, “Yep, Temecula’s got what it takes!” And they were right. Their little vineyard kickstarted the whole wine scene in the valley. While the Cilurzos may have hung up their wine hats, their legacy is still swirling around every glass poured in Temecula today.
The biggest player in Temecula’s wine game is Wilson Creek Winery. It’s basically the Disneyland of Temecula Wine Country—minus the mouse ears, but with way more bubbles. Known for its famous Almond Sparkling Wine (because why not make wine extra fun?), Wilson Creek has sprawling grounds, perfect for everything from wine tastings to weddings.
Oh, just a little bit of everything! It’s all about rolling hills, golden sunsets, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Apart from all the amazing vineyards, you’ve got hot air balloon rides that’ll have you floating above the vines like a boss, charming Old Town with its wild west meets boutique chic vibes, and a food scene that’ll keep your taste buds dancing. Oh, and did we mention it’s close to the beach and mountains? Yep, Temecula’s a “have-it-all” kinda place. Whether you’re here for the wine, the views, or just to feel like a VIP for the day, Temecula’s got that special sauce.
The Temecula Valley is an officially recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) comprising more than 33,000 acres. Within that area, only about 2,460 acres are currently dedicated to wine grape cultivation, making Temecula Wine Country a very small contributor to California's total vineyard production. Temecula, which had only about 200 inhabitants in 1970 as wine country was beginning, grew to about 4,100 in 1980; 30,617 in 2000; and now is home to more than 114,000.
The Valley has become a major tourism destination, supported by three pillars: wine country, Pechanga Resort and Casino (which completed a $300 million expansion), and the historic and vibrant Old Town Temecula. All wine countries share some similarities, but Temecula has some attributes that make it truly unique among California wine regions. First, the ordinances that preserve Temecula Wine Country vary significantly from most other wine regions in that they allow restaurants, lodging, and live events at wineries. As a result, Temecula now has at least 20 restaurants and delis located at a winery, and seven inns and hotels. Plus live music on weekends abounds, and many wineries have robust concert series. The result is a more immersive wine country. Rather than dipping your toe in - from 11am to 5pm during tasting hours - you can fully dive into wine country and spend an entire day - or two or three or four - sampling wines, dining, attending live music events, and then crashing for the evening in luxurious lodging among the vineyards.
Temecula Wine Country has experienced remarkable growth during its first half century, and as visitation continues to increase and a multitude of impressive new wineries continue to raise the bar, all signs are that Temecula Wine Country will become an internationally-known wine tasting destination during the next half century.
~ Kay Syrah
Wine Country Guru Gal
