About Temecula Wines

From Arneis to Zinfandel, a veritable A-Z of grapes are grown and vinified into dozens of varietal wines and blends from dry to dessert, sparkling to sweet. Temecula Valley wines reflect the hard work and passion of their creators, regularly receiving 90+ scores and earning more than 5,000 domestic and international awards.

The majority of Temecula Valley wineries make only a small quantity of each vintage – not enough for national distribution. So, you won’t often find our wines in grocery stores or wine shops; they’re mostly available to visitors via winery tasting rooms (or websites – shipping varies by state). That means, when you buy a bottle to take home, you’re bringing back something truly unique!
 

Climate

Temecula Valley Southern Wine Country enjoys welcoming weather year-round. Our Climate is often likened to the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers, cool winters, and relatively little rainfall. Our daily weather tends to bring morning mist, warm mid-day sun, afternoon Pacific Breezes, and cool nights. This tempo of nature leads a pleasing, natural rhythm to any day's activities. 
 

Grape Varieties

Temecula Valley is particularly well-suited to growing Italian, Spanish, and French grapes such as Sangiovese, Syrah, Montepulciano, Viognier, and Zinfandel and Tempranillo. More than two dozen grape varieties thrive in the region, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Riesling, Chardonnay, and many others.
 

Soils

Different soil types have a significant influence on the quality of wines. Temecula Valley soils consist primarily of decomposing granitic material. This light sandy loam material is beneficial for grapevine roots because it provides better drainage than silty or clay soils. The sand helps ensure the soil is poor enough to produce high-quality grapes. 
 

History

The first winemaking grapes were introduced to our region by Padres from Mission San Luis Rey. Wine was essential for Padres because they used it for meals and sacramental purposes. Prior to their arrival, the only grapes native to this area were Vitis californica and Vitis girdiana. Native Americans used these grapes for food and fermented drinks, but these grapes were not ideal for winemaking,
 

As other Europeans began settling into the region, they noticed the climate here was similar to Italy and France. This inspired them to begin planting their own vines. In the late 1960s, the Cilurzos planted the first commercial vineyard in Temecula Valley. This marked the beginning of the winemaking industry.

In 1984 the region became an Americal Viticultural Area (AVA). Today, there are over 40 wineries in Temecula Valley.