There are over 50 wineries in Temecula. Which is the best one? Well, that depends. If you’re really just looking for the prettiest wineries, check out this page. A lovely winery lunch? Go here. But if you’re here for the wine, this list highlights the best of the best, and includes wines to try and the type of experience each winery offers. Wines change as the seasons change, of course, so this list will be always be evolving.
At a glance:
There are more white and rosé wine recommendations on this page.
See our directory of all Temecula wineries and tasting rooms from A to Z.
Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery
What they pour
French varieties and blends, plus Zinfandel and Malbec.
Wines to try
- Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Estate Syrah Cuvee
- 2020 Reserve French Twist (Petit Verdot blend)
- 2020 Estate Merlot
The experience
Lorenzi’s winery is in a patio garden at the center of their vineyard. They have a small indoor tasting room, but where you want to be is outside, overlooking the vineyard for a seated tasting. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends. 21 and over. 36095 Monte De Oro Road, Temecula, California 92592
Our review | www.lorenziestatewines.com
Bottaia Winery
What they pour
All Italian varieties: Montepulciano, Vermentino, Sangiovese, Aglianico, and more.
Wines to try
- 2023 Pecorino
- 2023 Vermentino
- 2023 Blush
- 2022 Montepulciano
- 2018 Cartuccia Red (a Sangiovese-Barbera blend)
- 2019 Aglianico
The experience
The inspiration for the design of Bottaia is an Italian-style resort. There’s a chic lounge inside, and a pool with an adjacent cafe sits in the vineyard out back. The winery offers a variety of experiences including a charcuterie and wine pairing, a wine blending lab where guests blend their own bottle to take home, and a barrel room tasting. But for first-time visitors, I recommend reserving a table outside on the deck. There, you can order a flight of five wines and other light bites and relax in front of the expansive vineyard view. Reservations strongly recommended for the outdoor deck and required for any of the experiences. 35601 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Our review | www.bottaiawinery.com
Chapin Family Vineyards
What they pour
French, Spanish, and Italian varieties, plus Tannat and Zinfandel.
Wines to try
- 2021 Petit Sirah
- 2022 Estate Syrah
- 2022 Chardonnay
- 2023 Viognier
- Both the Summit and Eclipse Red Blends.
The tasting experience
Chapin Winery holds seated tastings on its palm tree-lined veranda, where music plays and views stretch for miles. Winemaker Steve Chapin is often around, he might even stop by for a chat. There’s a small indoor tasting bar to purchase snacks and a separate area in the vineyard where guests can picnic. Chapin doesn’t require a reservation, but I recommend them on weekends, especially holiday weekends. Dogs and kids are welcome. 36084 Summitville Street, Temecula Valley, CA 92592
Our review | www.chapinfamilyvineyards.com
Uys Garagiste Winery
What they pour
Natural, unfiltered wine with zero additives made from mostly French varieties, plus Riesling, Barbera, and Zinfandel.
Wines to try
- 2023 Pet Nat Riesling
- 2021 Grenache Blanc
- 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
- 2020 Zinfandel
- 2020 Estate Syrah
The tasting experience
Uys’s tastings are held either on the back patio of the winemaker’s home or in their small barn, which serves as a tasting room, barrel room, and production room. Guests can choose from two experiences led by the husband and wife team Dirk and Michelle: a seated tasting or a tour of the vineyard with a tasting at the end. Both are by appointment only. 21 and over. 33605 Madera De Playa Dr, Temecula, CA, 92592
Raúl Ramirez Bodegas Y Viñedos
What they pour
Spanish varieties and blends, plus Petite Sirah.
Wines to try
- 2016 Estate Gran Reserva Brut Cava Style Sparkling Wine
- 2023 Estate Verdejo
- Estate Gran Reserva Don Porfirio Tempranillo from multiple estate lots.
The experience
The tasting room at Raúl Ramirez is a bright, modern clubhouse with equestrian motifs, where guests can book a seated tasting in a few different locations: The great room, which is styled like a living room, the adjacent VIP room, or outside on the deck. The tasting menu changes with each visit, making for a fun experience—something new to discover each time. The winery is also home to an Andalusian horse farm, and they host performances by the dancing horses a few times yearly. Tastings are by appointment, but walk-ins are welcome if there is availability. 32950 Marius Way, Winchester, CA 92596
Our review | www.raulramirezwinery.com
Gershon Bachus Vintners
What they pour
French varieties plus Malbec, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese.
Wines to try
- 2018 Grenache
- 2018 Aquilo Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2017 Tempranillo
- 2018 Syrah
The tasting experience
Gerson Bachus Winery is a chateau-style home at the top of a hill, with private rooms above and a barrel room below. The barrel room is dark and unadorned, so visit on a nice day for a seated tasting outside, where there are gorgeous views of neighboring vineyards and other beautiful homes. Their servers are friendly and well-educated in the wines, and the seated experience is casual, with bags of chips dropped at your table to enjoy with your wine. No appointments are necessary. Dog and family-friendly. 37750 De Portola Road, Temecula, 92592
Our review | www.gershonbachus.com
Callaway Winery
What they pour
Mostly French and Spanish varieties.
Wines to try
If you’re able, splurge for the Library Wine Tasting. These wines are worth your time. All were exceptional, especially the 2022 Owners Private Reserve (OPR) White, a blend of Roussanne and Viognier, and the 2015 OPR Red, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux clone #8.
If you opt for a standard tasting, be sure to try these:
- 2022 Harmonique, a blend of Roussanne and Chardonnay
- 2024 Wild Yeast Viognier
- 2022 Special Selection Tempranillo
- 2022 Special Selection Zinfandel
- 2019 Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
The tasting experience
The first commercial winery in Temecula, Callaway has a traditional tasting room bar lined with windows so you can appreciate the view while you taste. You’ll purchase a tasting card in the gift shop and take it to a server at the bar to begin your tasting.
Our review | www.callawaywinery.com
Wiens Cellars
What they pour
Wines from over 30 French and Spanish varieties.
Wines to try
- Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Rosé Sparkling
- 2024 Albariño
- 2021 Four Fold (a GSM plus a little Petite Sirah)
- 2021 Bare Knuckle Petite Sirah
- 2022 Reserve Syrah
- 2022 Reserve Merlot
The experience
A few elevated tasting options can be booked online in advance, but walk-ins are always welcome—it’s a casual spot. You’ll taste either inside at the tasting bar or outside for a seated experience on the covered patio. Thursday through Sunday there are food trucks on site, and guests are welcome to enjoy that food with their tasting. A regular tasting starts at $20. Wiens is family and dog-friendly. 35055 Via Del Ponte, Temecula, CA 92592
Our review | www.wienscellars.com
Doffo Winery
What they pour
Mostly French varieties, Malbec, Zinfandel, and Vermentino.
Wines to try
- Paulina Sparkling
- 2023 Vermentino
- 2017 Syrah Reserve
- 2020 Salute
- 2022 Zinfandel
The experience
Doffo Winery’s sprawling grounds are decorated with founder Marcelo’s Doffo’s vintage European motorcyle collection. There are several indoor and manicured outdoor seating areas. The tasting room is small but attractive, with tile walls and stamped ceiling. But the star of the show (other than the wine) is the Moto Barrel Room, a large barn where the majority of the motorcyle collection is displayed. Walk-ins are welcome, but book a tour if you’d like to see the motorcycles. Dog and family friendly. Brunch is available on the weekends. 36083 Summitville St. Temecula, CA 92592
Our review | www.doffowines.com
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery
What they pour
Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
Wines to try
- 2018 Tre Fratelli (A Bordeaux-style red blend)
- 2020 Estate Merlot
- Estate Sangiovese, they age it for five years in the style of Brunello di Montalcino.
The experience
Palumbo Family Vineyard’s tiny tasting room sits high up on a hill next to the family home. They focus on red wines, and tastings are poured by a family member or a knowledgeable neighbor who convinced them to hire her as a pourer a few years ago. Guests enjoy tastings at the indoor bar or on the patio (above) overlooking their lovely view. Tastings are walk-in. Tours can be booked in advance. 40150 Barksdale Circle, Temecula, CA 92592
Danza del Sol Winery
What they pour
They have an emphasis on Spanish-style wine, but also pour a few French and Italian varietals.
Wines to try
- 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
- 2023 Viognier
- 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc
- 2021 Petite Sirah
The experience
Danza del Sol holds tastings on a walk-in basis in their cheerful tasting room. Inside, you’ll find a tasting bar and long, high tables with stools to bring your glass while you sip, but there’s also a lovely outdoor patio where you can bring a glass. The tasting room can get crowded, so if you prefer the full attention of a server, I’d recommend visiting early in the day or mid-week when crowds are smaller. At the time of writing, they have a two for one coupon on the tasting page of their website. 39050 De Portola Rd Temecula CA 92592
Our review | www.danzadelsolwinery.com
Robert Renzoni Vineyards
What they pour
A mix of Italian, French, and Spanish varieties and Zinfandel.
Wines to try
- 2021 Petite Sirah
- 2019 Montepulciano Reserve
- 2018 Big Fred’s Red
- 2022 Sonata (A blend of Brunello and Cabernet Sauvignon)
The experience
Tastings at Robert Renzoni take place at a long standing bar that wraps around three sides of the winery’s large Tuscan style tasting room. Walk-in guests are welcome, but a reservation is never a bad idea on a weekend. Definitely make a reservation for Mama Rosa’s Trattoria, Renzoni’s casual outdoor Italian restaurant that serves brick oven pizza, pasta, and other Italian fare. 37350 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Our review | www.robertrenzonivineyards.com
More Places to Know
Marshall Stuart Wines, located at Vail Headquarters, is high on my list but I decided to limit this post to wine country locations. Keep their tasting room on your list as well and try Stuart’s Contra Costa County Zinfandel while you’re there.
Finally, Voux Wines’ private clubhouse in wine country is relatively new, and a terrific, intimate experience if you’re interested in tasting the next great thing.
