Temecula

holyguacamole79

So, H and I are headed to Temecula tomorrow for a vacation.  Has anyone been?  Any suggestions on wineries / restaurants we have to try?

sarawifenow

I haven't been but I hope you have a fun vacation!

tcnoble

Ooooo I will be following this! DH and I want to take a trip there this summer - only a few hours drive for us. You'll have to post about your trip

mrsdee15

Fun!  I love Temecula, my MOH is planning wine tasting up there as my bachelorette party.  Wilson Creek is one of my favorites - they have this drink called an Angel Kiss, it's almond champagne with port in the bottom.  It is divine.  They also have chocolate glasses for port.  

A lot of wineries up there are really nice.  I remember really enjoying Leoness Cellars  and Weins Family Cellars.  I can't find it on their website, but I think Falkner Winery sells a mulled wine kit with 2 bottles of wine and spices.  We made it once and it was amazing.  

Keep us posted!  I'd love to hear which ones you liked.

holyguacamole79

Oooh, thanks for the ideas, @mrsdee15!  I'll let y'all know!  I'm so ready to get away!

WinstonsGirl

Where is it?? I've never heard of it, and from the title, I actually thought you had some disease you were looking for advice on.  I'm glad you're going on vacation instead.  

BrandNewJ

You're going to love the wineries! We looked into having our wedding at one of them, but the alcohol policies are no bueno.

If you have the chance to take a sunrise hot balloon ride, DO IT! It was one of our favorite day outings. 

I love California. I'm never going to leave! 

holyguacamole79

BrandNewJ said:

You're going to love the wineries! We looked into having our wedding at one of them, but the alcohol policies are no bueno.

If you have the chance to take a sunrise hot balloon ride, DO IT! It was one of our favorite day outings. 

I love California. I'm never going to leave! 

DH is deathly afraid of heights (it's a miracle he'll get on a plane with me!), so this will take some serious negotiation.  

Dreamergirl8812

I'm trying to remember which winery has this amazing liqueur shot in a chocolate shot glass. So good!

Also, you may want to hit up the Wild Animal Park.

BrandNewJ

holyguacamole79 said:

BrandNewJ said:

You're going to love the wineries! We looked into having our wedding at one of them, but the alcohol policies are no bueno.

If you have the chance to take a sunrise hot balloon ride, DO IT! It was one of our favorite day outings. 

I love California. I'm never going to leave! 

DH is deathly afraid of heights (it's a miracle he'll get on a plane with me!), so this will take some serious negotiation.  

My FI is also deathly afraid of heights. He needs a lot of prep time before he gets on an airplane. He said he was so surprised that he wasn't scared. He said it moved slow enough and he could see far enough out so he felt better. Plus the champagne. He still thinks it's one of the truly awesome moments he's ever had. I hope your husband is willing to give it a go. 

photokitty

I LOVE Temecula!!! You must go to Gourmet Italia. Love that place! Best Italian food ever!

We are planning a day there, our second trip. I was thinking Renzoni, Ponte, Doffo, Monte de Oro, Wiens (our fav) and Long Shadow (my 2nd fav). Palumbo, DH really liked their bold reds.
I NEED a cinsault from Long Shadow and probably a case of this year's wiens meritage.
Not sure we cram that many into a few hours, but we'll try our best. Wish we could stay longer!

I hated south coast...cheap tasting wine and touristy. Not my fav wine, but loved the view at cougar.

If you are there weekdays, print these out. http://www.temeculawines.org/mobipref.php?return=/wineries-vineyards/coupons.php

The olive oil tasting is fun. We bought several bottles of vinegar. If you buy cases, check for free shipping on the websites of they won't waive the charge.

Have fun!!! Seriously tho, go to Gourmet Italia!!!

holyguacamole79

photokitty said:

I LOVE Temecula!!! You must go to Gourmet Italia. Love that place! Best Italian food ever!

We are planning a day there, our second trip. I was thinking Renzoni, Ponte, Doffo, Monte de Oro, Wiens (our fav) and Long Shadow (my 2nd fav). Palumbo, DH really liked their bold reds.
I NEED a cinsault from Long Shadow and probably a case of this year's wiens meritage.
Not sure we cram that many into a few hours, but we'll try our best. Wish we could stay longer!

I hated south coast...cheap tasting wine and touristy. Not my fav wine, but loved the view at cougar.

If you are there weekdays, print these out. http://www.temeculawines.org/mobipref.php?return=/wineries-vineyards/coupons.php

The olive oil tasting is fun. We bought several bottles of vinegar. If you buy cases, check for free shipping on the websites of they won't waive the charge.

Have fun!!! Seriously tho, go to Gourmet Italia!!!

Crap - we are staying at South Coast.  Oh well, it looks like a good place to stay

But THANK YOU for the coupons!!!!!!!!   You rock!

photokitty

holyguacamole79 said:

photokitty said:

I LOVE Temecula!!! You must go to Gourmet Italia. Love that place! Best Italian food ever!

We are planning a day there, our second trip. I was thinking Renzoni, Ponte, Doffo, Monte de Oro, Wiens (our fav) and Long Shadow (my 2nd fav). Palumbo, DH really liked their bold reds.
I NEED a cinsault from Long Shadow and probably a case of this year's wiens meritage.
Not sure we cram that many into a few hours, but we'll try our best. Wish we could stay longer!

I hated south coast...cheap tasting wine and touristy. Not my fav wine, but loved the view at cougar.

If you are there weekdays, print these out. http://www.temeculawines.org/mobipref.php?return=/wineries-vineyards/coupons.php

The olive oil tasting is fun. We bought several bottles of vinegar. If you buy cases, check for free shipping on the websites of they won't waive the charge.

Have fun!!! Seriously tho, go to Gourmet Italia!!!

Crap - we are staying at South Coast.  Oh well, it looks like a good place to stay

But THANK YOU for the coupons!!!!!!!!   You rock!

I hear it's a great place to stay...I would just drink elsewhere Ponte is supposed to have excellent food, we didn't eat there tho.

photokitty

Advice from my friend who visits frequently...
Places to Stay:
South Coast Winery Resort and Spa - http://wineresort.com - Amazing rooms on the vineyard
Ponte Winery - http://www.pontewinery.com/ - One of the top restaurants in wine country
Hampton Inn - http://www.hilton.com/search/hp/us/ca/temecula/0/00000000000/0/0/0/0/50?wt.srch=1 - close to wine country but much lower cost (more money to spend on wine

Places to Eat:
Gourmet Italia - http://www.gourmetitaliarestaurants.com/ - Go see Alex (owner), best food ever, authentic and the place is busy (make reservations) - MUST STOP
Ponte Winery - Lunch
Wilson Creek Winery - www.wilsoncreekwinery.com - Lunch
Robert Renzoni Winery and Vineyards (Rob is a personal friend and I will hook you up with a meeting) - www.robertrenzonivineyards.com - amazing new tasting room and restaurant - Lunch
Leoness Winery - www.leonesscellars.com - Lunch
Gambling Cowboy - www.thegamblingcowboy.com - Dinner

Winery's:
Renzoni - Big Freds Red
Ponte - Moscato
Wilson Creek - Flavored Champagne
Doffo - Boutique only 3000 cases per year - very cool family vibe
Leoness
Wiens Family Cellars
Monte de Oro

General Info - http://www.temeculawines.org/

holyguacamole79

Thanks a billion, @photokitty!  I'll report back  And thanks for the coupons - H and I printed them out and are ready to put them to good use!

KatWAG

WinstonsGirl said:

Where is it?? I've never heard of it, and from the title, I actually thought you had some disease you were looking for advice on.  I'm glad you're going on vacation instead.  

Hahaha. Its in California. East of LA.

I went to college by Temecula! Have you considered a day trip to Pasadena. Avoid Palm Springs because Coachcella is happening this weekend.

holyguacamole79

@Katwag - thanks!  We are flying into Orange County and will spend the day in Laguna Beach (I LOVED it there!)  We'll head down to Temecula tonight after catching the sunset on the coast (aaahh).  

I'm so ready to land - I worked until midnight last night (ugh) and slept a bit on the plane.  I'm ready for some wine in my belly!!!!!!!!

AuroraRose41

I love Temecula! FI and I have been meaning to plan a trip there with FBIL who just moved to Riverside (it's about halfway between us and him), but we haven't gotten around to it yet. 

FI and I love the Wilson Creek White Cabernet, and we had lunch there once and it was fantastic. The Almond Champagne is a must as well. We went horseback riding through the vineyard prior to that, and I don't recommend that unless you have riding experience. The horses weren't well behaved and spooked easily. It's a good thing FI and I knew how to post.

We have also been to Ponte and Monte de Oro, which were good too. Wilson Creek is by far our fave, but we need to sample more up there when we have a DD. 

I hope you have a great time here in CA!

JennyColada

I just got back from Napa!

I've lived in SoCal all my life and have never been to Temecula.

lc07

I have stayed at South Coast in a villa and it was really lovely. I would stay there again. I didn't care for their wine as much as some of the other wineries nearby but it's a great place to stay. And I can't remember what I thought about their restaurant. Ponte is literally next door and I had an AWESOME lunch there. So be sure to check out Ponte for food. Temecula isn't very big. The wineries are all very close to each other.