Founded in 2007 by Marika and Mark Matson, Temecula Carriage Company is a passion project that combines the couple’s love for horses, wine country, and hospitality. Brides seeking a stunning entrance, couples planning a romantic getaway, and families with horse-loving little ones can all plan a unique and memorable wine country adventure with them.
A herd of approximately 10 horses, including magnificent Clydesdales and Belgians, spend leisure time in the couple’s pasture and sleep in a “wind-tight” barn that the couple hand-built themselves. Surrounded by eucalyptus trees, the Matson’s farm also houses goats, chickens, pigs, a duck or two, and a few hounds who keep a watchful eye over the entire menagerie.
Private Carriage Rides
The core experience is a one-hour, private, horse-drawn carriage ride that begins and ends at their wine country farm. Rides with hotel pickups can also be arranged through their partnerships with Ponte Vineyard Inn and South Coast Winery Resort and Spa.
There are a surprising number of carriage styles available, including luxurious ones with multiple two rows and vis-a-vis seating and a beautiful Cinderella-inspired carriage with a pumpkin-shaped frame. Each one is painted in white, and fitted with a deep blush-colored velvet seating. The gorgeous sleigh-like carriage that my husband and I rode in had surprisingly comfortable plush seats, even when the ride became a little bumpy out in the vineyard. Temecula Carriages also offers wagons and a trolley for larger groups.
Each carriage is expertly driven by an experienced driver in a vest and hat, who skillfully guides the horse and carriage through neighboring vineyards. On our most recent ride, a short Valentine’s Day ride (more on that below), we rode through the picturesque vineyard behind Lorimar Winery, and enjoyed views of snow-capped mountains and citrus groves. To enhance the experience, small upgrades can be arranged, such as picnics, bouquets, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Proposal packages are also available. At the time of writing, private rides begin at $195 per couple.
Seasonal Themed Rides
The Matsons also organize several 20-minute themed rides throughout the year. It’s a little theme park-like, where groups wait their turn for the experience. Except unlike theme parks, you have a reservation and there are maybe two or three other groups waiting with you. During these events, they bring in a vendor who sells coffee, hot-chocolate, and other themed treats in an outdoor lounge area where guests wait for their rides.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, they have a family-friendly haunted ride that’s designed for families, but fun for all, and the farm is decked out in creepy decor. It’s a group ride where children are given foam swords (actually foam pool noodles) to fend off a headless horseman who appears at various points in the ride, brandishing a sword and lasso. There are also Valentine’s Day rides that are shorter versions of the private one-hour rides, and 20-minute Santa rides that take families through a barn that’s been dressed up like Santa’s workshop.
All rides are leisurely paced. There’s no racing through the vines, especially once the carriages move off-road into a vineyard. Private rides are available daily, and must be booked in advance.
