Has anyone visited any of the wineries in Temecula (outside San Diego)? Are there any you'd recommend? My understanding is that most of the wineries are all within 5 miles of each other on the same road.

Lawrence,
We visited the Temecula wineries a few years ago. They are pretty close. I understand that they have more now than when we went. We visited Callaway (great Pino Gris), Thornton (Champagne), Miramont and Palomar. You can also visit this website: temeculawines.org. They have 2 for 1 tasting "coupons" for many of the wineries.

In addition, the Temecula area has some nice golf courses and one of the largest "Indian Gaming Casinos" - Pechanga (sp?)

Miriam

You won't like those wines............trust me.........
go North my friend!

Sure, it's not Napa or Sonoma or even the Santa Ynez valley - it's Temecula.

Ditto the "above"! GO NORTH!!!!! - Michele

whatever it it's awful.. if you must go a bit more south and sample Tequilla..same

Lawrence,
I haven't been to Temecula, but, I understand that it's like Napa for those who think 2 Buck Chuck is gourmet.

Better to go to Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/Solvang or Napa/Sonoma/Mendecino areas

Lawrence - how about you head east (WAAYY east) and do a second round in Bordeaux. Let's see .. if we want to have a statistically sound result, we need at least 30 tests. :pass:

Cheers, Anne

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been to Napa/Sonoma so many times over the years that I need new experiences. Lately, I've been interested in very small production wines using uncommon grapes (like cortese or standard varietals grown in radically different terroir) that can't be purchased here in NJ.

What about the Santa Cruz Mountain area? I know you are VERY familiar with Ridge, but there are lots of others (David Bruce, Byington, Kathryn Kennedy, etc). AND one of my favorites is Bonny Doon. Randal Graham, the Rhone Ranger, is hysterical, and makes some very interesting stuff. If you're a member of DEWN (Distintive Esoteric Wine Network) you get sent some stuff not available in stores. Uh oh, is NJ one of those states where we can't ship wine (at least right now)? Love their website too Bonny Doon . Check out the Doontoons (Vive le Screwcap, I think Suzette is in the final scene).

Anyway, can't help regarding Temecula other than it will be hot. If you are up here you know who to call.

Lawrence

From my BIL's daughter (Lisa) who lives in San Diego.

Talked to Lisa, she said it had been on their list for a year but have not gone there yet. BUT, many of their friends go once a month and have a good time. Can take tours, sample and get smashed and always return. Lisa said she has had wine from 2 of the wineries and they were excellent. One of the wineries is supposed to be better and larger than the rest- don't know name though

Be sure and take a cab, Lawrence.

Lawrence,

In today's mail someone I know sent me a list of all the Temecula Wineries (There are 17 on the list). There is a Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association - Phone 800-801-wine.

I'm happy to send you the postcard if you want to email me off board.

Thanks for the heads up Kathy. My friend in San Diego actually has already put together an "itinerary" of Temecula wineries. It's so convenient how they're all located next to each other.

Lawrence; The last time I was up there was in 1966 and the only thing there was Navy survival school. Not a pleasant experience! Nothing there but a few rattle snakes. We even caught one and ate it. How things change! Guess it must be a thriving area now.

Hi Doug, I'll have to watch out for the rattlesnakes! I wonder how they go with wine??? ;)

they are the wine!

but seriously..
if you like the Cal Italian varitals.. then your best bet ( may be one of the only is near Buellton ( Santa Maria area) at Mosby Vineyards. They play with all that.
a bit of history on Bill:

Wine maker Bill Mosby purchased the historic Rancho de la Vega and planted vineyards there more than 30 years ago, first producing wines under the "Vega" label, switching to his own name on the label in the middle 1980s.

Never one to follow the more traveled road, Mosby generally shuns the popular grapes (although he does make a bit of Chardonnay), instead staking his claim on Italian varieties. There's Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese, of course, but Mosby goes beyond the obvious to a roster of Italian regional grapes that you'll rarely see growing in California vineyards: Lagrein, Cortese, even the oddball Teroldego of Alto Adige ... not to mention a handful of fiery Italian-style distillates including a Traminer grappa and a wild-plum brandy.

also Andrew Murray vineyards, he does some very nice Viogniers and great Syrahs - also Santa Ynez
area