Monday through Thursday, most wineries in Temecula are peaceful and relaxing. On the weekends, however, many of the larger wineries fill up quickly with tours and groups celebrating special occasions. And why not? Temecula is a beautiful place for a celebration. But if you’re yearning for a quieter, more authentic wine country experience, visit one of these smaller wineries. Several of those listed below also make our list of the best wines in Temecula.
Palumbo Family Vineyards
Palumbo Family Vineyard’s tiny tasting room sits at the top of a hill, adjacent to the home of owners Cindy and Nick Palumbo. It’s surrounded by their 13-acre estate vineyard, where they practice sustainable farming and produce Viognier, Dry Rose, Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and several blends. This is a small, boutique winery, and wines sell out, so not all may be available at the time of your visit. There’s a patio with picnic tables just outside of the tasting room with a wine window where guests can request their next pour. 40150 Barksdale Circle, Temecula, CA 92592
Frangipani Estate Winery
Frangipani is perched on a plateau overlooking the De Portola Wine Trail, and has a bucolic feeling out on the patio. Winemaker Nick Molina is often behind the wine tasting bar, joking with guests and pouring wine. The Cabernet Franc is his pride (and it’s dark and delicious), and the Sangiovese is his most popular. Try a taste of one of those and maybe the sparkling, then take a glass outside to enjoy the vineyard view. 39750 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Uys Garagiste Wines
Make an appointment for a tasting at Uys Garagiste Wines and be guided through the latest releases by winemaker Dirk Uys. He crafts minimal intervention wines inside his vineyard-side production room, which is just steps away from his home. We consider his wines some of the best in the valley. Don’t miss the Cotes de Rancho; it’s Dirk’s play on a Côtes du Rhône, an estate blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Dirk and his wife, Michelle, also own Temecula Wine Country E-Bikes and are terrific guides for the area, who are more than happy to help you discover other hidden gems when you’re out wine tasting for the day. 33605 Madera De Playa Dr, Temecula, CA, 92592
Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery
Lorenzi Estate Winery is known for its rich, full-bodied red wines and an intimate, elevated tasting experience. The tasting room overlooks the rolling vineyards and offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere where guests can savor premium, small-lot wines crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Must-try wines are the bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and estate Syrah. There are different wine tasting lists to choose from, but their knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right place for you to start. Reservations are recommended. 36095 Monte De Oro Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Voux Wines
Voux Wines is a private winery conceived by owner and winemaker Chad Hughes. A Hollywood sound designer by trade, he specializes in meticulously crafted French-style wines and created an upscale experience to match. Wine tastings take place either inside his clubhouse or poolside with a vineyard view. With each new release, his wines keep getting better and better. This is a place to know. Book your wine tasting with Chad for the full experience. 36149 Meadow Ridge Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
More Tiny Wineries
There are certainly other small, family-owned wineries in Temecula, but if they aren’t on this list, they either bring in party busses on the weekends or have wine that I don’t recommend.
