Temecula California Wineries

We will be visiting several Temecula California wineries this summer and giving you our reviews.

Prior to this year, our last visit to the Temecula region was about 10 years ago. At that time, there were just a handful of established wineries, with several up and coming.

Things have changed significantly. There are now more than 25 wineries in Temecula.

If you are a wine lover and are planning a visit to Southern California, be sure to take a day or two to explore some Temecula California wineries. You'll find a winery map here.

If you are visiting in June, check on the date of the 2009 Temecula Wine Festival. This would be the perfect time to visit.

Leonesse Cellars



Leonesse wines were the best we tasted on this trip. That is not to say they’re the best in the region, but it’s a winery you won't want to miss.

We have been back again this year (2009) and were just as pleased. To our taste, they are one of the few Temecula wineries with exceptional reds. Leonesse also has a brand new barrel room opening for wine club member tastings. You won't be disappointed.

Robert Renzoni Vineyards



Renzoni opened its doors in 2008 and their wines are impressive so far. The Renzoni family has been making wine in Italy since the late 1800s. They're continuing this tradition in Temecula with many Italian style grape varietals.

Their new tasting room will be opening within the next year. In the meantime, you'll taste their delicious, unique wines in the barrel room (pictured here). Personally, we love this wine tasting atmosphere where the cool climate and rows of casks surround you.

Mindy, our hostess, also offered ½ price tasting coupons for other wineries nearby.

We liked both Oak Mountain and Cougar.

Oak Mountain also sells their Temecula Hills wines from this location so there were a few too many to taste. It felt a bit overwhelming, but some we tasted were good.

Cougar is also new and growing several Italian varietals. Jennifer, one of the owners, helped us personally, surrounded by wine casks in their temporary tasting room. It was a very pleasant visit with their two dogs, Sandie and Diego, welcoming us warmly. We enjoyed several of their wines and their prices are reasonable. We think Cougar is one to watch in the future.

We don’t recommend Keeways or Frangipani.

Keeways is under new ownership and seemed overpriced. So far, all grapes are imported and we weren’t impressed with many of their wines.

Frangipani was WARM. Perhaps their A/C wasn’t working properly, but to taste wine too warm will guarantee you won’t return or make any purchases. The grounds also seemed unkept.

Don’t forget to taste wine responsibly. Please share tastings, spit and/or dump, or designate a driver.

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