I will be in the area soon and would like to visit some tasting rooms. I recently saw some (not too kind) mention of the region elsewhere, and a lot of people here seem to live in S. CA, so I figured I might as well ask. Are there certain wineries that I should really try to get to or avoid? I know it’s tempting to tell me to drive up to Santa Barbara, but I don’t think I’ll have time to make it worthwhile. Thanks in advance.
With the caveat that I haven’t been in years, Mt. Palomar and Maurice Car’rie were always good for skipping. Hart and Cilurzo were interesting, though Cilurzo has been sold. Thornton is fun for the fizz and the restaurant used to be quite good. Looking on the Interwebz, it appears there are a bunch of newcomers, so I’m not much help there, am I?
Hell, roll the dice.
I haven’t visited wineries in Temecula in at least 10 years. Having said that, I have heard from staff, that if you do go to Temecula for wine tasting, to visit Stuart Cellars, Palumbo and Falkner. Good luck and wherever you visit, report back!
Avoid Wilson Creek, especially their Almond Sparkling wine.
Seriously, if you can, make some time to head up to Santa Barbara County instead.
Will you be in the Temecula area?
I know, I know. I will be in the Carlsbad/La Jolla area visiting family and I don’t think I can convince them to drive to Santa Barbara (through LA) to taste wines. I will try, though.
That Almond Sparkling wine is nasty…
You might want to visit Orfila in Escondido. Don’t know how it is these days, but they did have a good winemaker in the past and bring in fruit from other areas of California.
+1. I like Orfilla, try their Merlot Ambassador’s Reserve. I also like their Muscat. Well, the others are good too. IMO Orfilla will be better than anything in Temecula.
In Temecula, make sure that you have lunch at Thorton Winery’s Cafe Champagne. Try a salad with raspberry dressing and a glass of their Rouge Sparkling Wine.
Also in Temecula I enjoyed a P Syrah at Miramonte Winery.
You’re far better off with some of the locals (cough) taking you into their home(s) and drinking with them than exposing yourself to Temecula.
Chris is right. Will you have time and/or the opportunity to have a dinner? We could set up a little offline since you’ll be in the neighborhood.
Hart makes/made a nice Grenache and Leonesse makes a decent Meritage and a Viogner. All in all though, Temecula is over-priced for the quality, but what do you expect for a SC theme park?
Figured it might be time to resurrect this thread on tasting in Temecula.
http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?t=19100
I’m sure things have changed.
My brother in San Diego thinks Stuart cellars are doing good things. Hart makes nice wines but the tasting room experieice was blah!
Doug, when I saw where you will be staying, I want to suggest this place below. Open link.
http://www.thearmeniancafe.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have been eating here for over 10 years and still for me the best greek/mediterranean food I have had. Right across from the beach and the garlic dip will fry you in a good way. Go there.
Thank you all for the input. Unfortunately I will only be out there for a few days, and I see these relatives less than once a year, so I won’t want to spend an evening without them. I do appreciate the idea of an offline, though, and I hope to be able to take part in such events in the future. Are these wineries really that bad or are you all just spoiled because you live in California? Here in the Northeast the nearest wine regions are Long Island and the Finger Lakes; neither is too exciting (not that there aren’t some good wines to be found) or close to me.