No matter what kind of wine experience you’re looking for, the Temecula Valley has got it.
That’s what growers in southwest Riverside County say as they gear up for a year-end round of parties and special events.
“There’s a winery in wine country for every person, whether they want ambiance or they’d like a festive party environment. Our location is more for a wine connoisseur that’s looking for a personal experience and a wine education,” said Dorian Linkogle, co-owner of Briar Rose Winery at 41720 Calle Cabrillo.
View of Briar Rose Winery, a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard, in Temecula on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Photographer)
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View of Briar Rose Winery, a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard, in Temecula on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Photographer)
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Briar Rose occupies a house built by a Disney Imagineer to resemble Snow White’s cottage in the 1937 animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” It appeals to a very specific niche audience, according to Linkogle: “Many, many, many adult Disney fans.”
The Temecula Valley Wine Association has 47 members, which representative Devin Parr called a nice mix of family-owned and operated wineries, such as Briar Rose, and bigger properties.
Like other real estate, Temecula Valley Wine Country is all about location.
This part of southern Riverside County is positioned
This part of southern Riverside County is positioned between the Mojave Desert and the coast, making for warm days and cool nights that allow grapes to thrive master winemaker at South Coast Winery
“Temecula has a unique positioning in its relationship to the coast and to the desert. We have the Rainbow Gap, which is part of the end of the Santa Rosas that kind of open up going toward the coast such that there’s a great drainage coming into the valley from the Pacific Ocean,” he said in a phone interview.
“Almost everything grows around here,” said Phil Baily of Baily Winery & Vineyard at 36150 Pauba Road. It was founded in 1986, and he calls it the oldest continuously owned family vineyard in the Temecula area.
The modern era of winemaking in Temecula began
The modern era of winemaking in Temecula began in 1968 when Cilurzo Vineyard planted its first grapes the city’s official tourism organization. That property at 41220 Calle Contento is now called Bella Vista Winery
Guests enjoy the view while tasting wine at Bella Vista Winery at Cilurzo Vineyard in Temecula on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Guests enjoy the view while tasting wine at Bella Vista Winery at Cilurzo Vineyard in Temecula on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Baily said it began about the same time Kaiser Aetna Development Company purchased the historic Vail Ranch and began developing it. It hired a consultant from UC Davis who concluded, “This is the perfect place for premium wine grapes. You can make great wine here,”
Callaway Vineyard & Winery, founded in 1976, put
Callaway Vineyard & Winery, founded in 1976, put Temecula wine on the map when Queen Elizabeth II was served one of its white Rieslings at a luncheon in New York.
Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga have longer winemaking histories, but Baily called the Temecula Valley the only major wine country south of Santa Barbara.
It has a unique, neighborly atmosphere where winegrowers feel free to call each other up and “borrow a cup of acid.”
We’re really tight-knit in many respects
“We’re really tight-knit in many respects. As long as I’ve been in the valley, many of the same players are here. Same guys are doing things. Yeah, there’s been new people coming on, but we’ve all known each other for a long time. One thing about our region: we are a bit detached from the rest of the state. When we do things, or figure out something or need some help, our neighbors are closer to us,” he said.
“Down here, we’ve all managed to embrace the different and try to show what we can do.”
Visitors should pace themselves when they visit wine country
“I would encourage people to resist the urge to cram a ton in one day,” she said in a phone interview.
She recommended visiting one winery in the morning,
She recommended visiting one winery in the morning, taking lunch and visiting a second in the afternoon.
Wear comfortable clothes and don’t dress to impress, said Linkogle, unless you’re going to a party and want to meet somebody. Briar Rose does big events, including Velvet Ball, “an intimate evening of live jazz,” on Dec. 12.
“Temecula Valley is so laid-back and approachable as a wine destination, so I think wine country casual absolutely works in this situation. The more important thing is comfortable shoes,” said Parr. “We’ve seen people come in high heels, and some of the driveways or parking lots are gravel, so it doesn’t make sense.”
Dress in layers in case the weather turns
Dress in layers in case the weather turns cool, and don’t forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
The association sells Sip Passports, which offer midweek savings at more than 30 wineries.
Midweek is a good time to visit the region, she said, especially if you go to a smaller, family-owned vineyard.
“If you come midweek, the chances of meeting someone from the family or having them actually conduct your tasting are really high. It’s just a nice way to get to know the winery on a deeper level.”
Smaller wineries can be more interesting, said Baily,
Smaller wineries can be more interesting, said Baily, who offers “vertical tastings,” six different vintages from different years of the same wine.
Upcoming events in wine country include a harvest celebration Sunday, Nov. 8, at wineries along the De Portola Wine Trail, as well as Thanksgiving buffets, Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve parties.
Barrel tasting, with new wines at dozens of wineries, will take place Feb. 6-7, followed by a slew of Valentine’s Day parties.
“I love the winter to visit Temecula Valley,” said Parr. “It tends to be a little bit quieter.”
