Temecula Wine Tasting

We just got back from our first wine tasting trip to Temecula.  The place kind of reminds me of how Disney would create a wine tasting area.  It was really cool but in a manufactured sort of way.  Most of the tasting rooms were stunning.  A lot more opulence then you would see in Paso or Santa Barbara. The reason for this the fact that one of the main economic drivers for the area is attracting people that want to have weddings in "wine country".  So it is as important for them to create the "wine country" wedding experience as it is is that as import as it is to create wine.  They have to make sure that what they offer matches the  vision that the bride and groom have when they thinking about "wine country".  Because it is so competitive if they don't have it they have to manufacture it thus all the magnificent tasting rooms.  The wedding operations are also why many of the wineries also operate restaurants. Now that we got that out of the way lest get back to the wine experience:

  We visited several wineries and out general impression is that:

• The wine was better then expected especially the reds.  The Syrah was particularly good. 
• Did not like the whites
• The prices are a good bit higher both for the tastings and the wine are a good bit higher then you would expect to pay in Paso or Santa Barbara.
• The facilities and services are more modern and more developed then you find in Paso of Santa Barbara.  It is a more urban and less rural  experience (see opening paragraph)..
• There are some great dining opportunities at the wineries that you don't find in other regions. 

We tasted at the following wineries:

• Chapin Family Vineyards
• Danza  del Sol Winery
• Doffo Winery
• Lorimar Winery
• Palumbo Family vineyard & Winery
• Wiens Family Cellers

We had lunch/brunch at:

• Ponte Family Estate
• Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards

Chapin Family Vineyards
http://chapinfamilyvineyards.com/

Small Operation beautifully landscaped grounds.  Very friendly and knowledgeable tasting room staff. Tasting fee of $15.  Loved the Reds. A bit overpriced but typical for the area. Unlike other tasting rooms you would expect to find in other wine regions.  8 out of 10.

Danza del Sol Winery
http://www.danzadelsolwinery.com/

Very hip and happening tasting experience. Modern tasting room.  A bit overpriced but typical for the area. Enjoyed all of their reds a great deal. 8 out of 10.

Doffo Winery
http://www.doffowines.com/

Owner is a bit of a renaissance man.  In addition to owning the winery he owns an auto repair shop and has his collection of motorcycles displayed throughout the grounds.  Worth a visit just to see the motorcycles.  The owner is from Argentina so they specialize in South American varietals. For $20 you get to taste 7 wines on their list as well as a couple they throw in.  Really good stuff.  Problem is the wine is crazy expensive.  Their signature malbec is $100 and it is an outstanding $40 wine.  The rest of their wines are good but not worth it at their price points.  7 out of 10.

Lorimar Winery
http://www.doffowines.com/

Beautiful tasting room. They have music every afternoon, we got their before it had started.  Did not like the wine at all.  It was overly acidic and not very good.  Tasting room staff was not attentive at all.  Our least favorite stop.  4 out of 10.

Palumbo Family vineyard & Winery
http://www.palumbowines.com/

Reds were good.  Absolutely no pressure to buy or join their club.   Least fancy of all of the tasting rooms we visited.  Staff was preoccupied with things other then us.  7 out of 10.

Wiens Family Cellers
http://www.wienscellars.com/

Our favorite stop.  Beautiful tasting room.  Great reasonably priced wine. Knowledgeable engaged staff this place has it all.  10 out of 10.

Ponte Family Estate
http://www.pontewinery.com/

Beautiful Grounds. Outstanding lunch. Had a bottle of "The Angry Wife" white wine and it was the least bad of all the whites we tasted during our visit.  Had a Verde Pizza and a beet salad.  Looking forward to doing it again.

Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards
http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/

The grounds are incredible.  Went for Sunday Brunch.  Tried to walk in but had to wait 90 minutes to be seated (we made a second trip to Wiens during the wait).  Burch was really really good.  Do not care much for their flavored sparkling wines, but their sangria was OK.  Would do it again.

Bottom Line 

If you are looking at a traditional wine country experience you are better off going to Paso, Santa Barbara or Sonoma (Nappa is a zoo IMHO).  But since Temecula is within 6 hours of 22 million people and you are one of those people and you want a convenient wine experience it is worth it.