Temecula wineries: how to choose
There are more than 40 wineries in Temecula Valley, which is great until you have to pick three. Here's how locals narrow it down.
The short version
- Pick 3, maybe 4 wineries for a day. More than that and you'll rush, overspend and stop tasting anything.
- Group them by road. Most wineries sit along Rancho California Road or De Portola Road. Stick to one road per day to cut driving.
- Plan lunch at a winery with a restaurant in the middle of the day, not after your last tasting.
- Book ahead on weekends, especially for groups, and check each winery's current hours and tasting fees on its own website.
- Don't drive yourself if you plan to taste much. A tour or driver costs less than you think, split across a group.
Wineries by the kind of day you want
These groupings come from member wineries of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, which lists 45+ members. It's a starting point, not a ranking.
Big, classic estates
The names most visitors know, with large tasting rooms, restaurants and lots of room for groups.
- Callaway Vineyard & Winery
- Thornton Winery
- Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard
- Ponte Winery
- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
- Maurice Car'rie Vineyard & Winery
Wineries you can stay at
Book a room and walk to the tasting room. See the winery resorts comparison.
- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
- Carter Estate Winery and Resort
- Europa Village Wineries & Resort
- Churon Inn Winery
- Ponte (Ponte Vineyard Inn)
Something different
Wineries with a theme or a twist worth planning around.
- Longshadow Ranch (Old West theme, draft horses)
- Doffo Vineyard & Winery (motorcycle collection)
- Julie's Dream Winery Vineyards & Distillery (wine and spirits)
- Raul Ramirez Bodegas y Viñedos
- Masia de la Vinya Winery (Spanish-style)
Smaller and family-run
Quieter tasting rooms where you're more likely to meet the people who make the wine.
- Peltzer Family Cellars
- Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery
- Chapin Family Vineyards
- Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery
- Fazeli Cellars
Rancho California Road vs. De Portola Road
Rancho California Road is the main wine road heading east from I-15. It has many of the biggest, busiest wineries and most of the winery restaurants, so it's the easy choice for a first visit.
De Portola Road, to the south, has a more spread-out, rural feel with smaller wineries. It's a good second-day road or a quieter weekday drive.
Make it easy
Want to taste at several wineries without a designated driver? A shared or private tour handles the route and the driving.
Or stay right in the vineyards:
Compare winery resortsKeep planning
Common questions
How many wineries are in Temecula?
The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association lists more than 45 member wineries, and there are additional tasting rooms in Old Town and nearby. Most are east of I-15 along Rancho California Road and De Portola Road.
How many wineries can you visit in one day?
Three or four is the sweet spot. That leaves time for a relaxed lunch and gives you a chance to actually enjoy each tasting.
Do Temecula wineries require reservations?
Policies vary. Many wineries accept walk-ins on weekdays but ask for reservations on weekends, for groups or for specific experiences. Check each winery's website before you go.
Are Temecula wineries kid- or dog-friendly?
Some are and some aren't, and policies change. Look up each winery's current rules on its website before bringing kids or pets.