Temecula Winery Recs

[lwoerther]

Hello! I'm a chowhound from Kansas City and will be visiting California in late February, starting a night in San Diego (downtown, at the new Hard Rock Hotel- don't have a dinner picked out yet, but that's another story) and driving to Palm Desert/Rancho Mirage for a weekend wedding.

It looks like our drive has us going through Temecula, so I was wondering if there are any wineries that you would recommend or if we should just continue on our way! Thanks!

[glazebrookgirl]

I enjoyed Thornton last time I was down there. I don't think I bought anything, but the tasting was nice. They do a good syrah and some sparkling wines there. They also have a good restaurant, Cafe Champagne (iirc). It was very nice to sit out on the patio and enjoy a good Sunday brunch and then go into the winery for a tasting.

[kare_raisu]

Lyonesse or Ponte are the only ones worth the stop

[SteveTimko]

I've never been to Temecula, but it's reputation in the wine world is that it is a wine waste land.
THe only one I've heard people recommend is Hart.
Wes Hagen is a winemaker who judged Temecula wine in a competition. Here's what he has to say:
http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/s...
Post. No. 5 has the winners.

[lwoerther]

Wow that was helpful- it does seem that if people have to choose, they prefer Hart. I'll keep that in mind. We might just keep going if there's really nothing outstanding. Thanks!

[juantanamera]

I second Orfila. I have had some pretty good wines from Falkner in Temecula. I wish I could reccomend more, but most Temecula wineries have dissappointed me.

[cstr]

I would suggest, on your way to Temecula, stop in Escondido at Orfila Vineyards, Leon, the wine maker, knows how to make great wines. Some good juice there.