A Temecula Wine Tasting

A Temecula Wine Tasting – Episode #573

November 7, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes 3 wines from the emerging Temecula region of Southern California.

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Comments on this episode(145) Leave a comment ›

“We’ve lived in Temecula since 1996 and moved to Temecula Wine Country …” by Kirk from Temecula
“Just came back from my second trip to Temecula today, so I dialed this…” by G
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Keyways Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Hart Family Meritage
2005 Thorton Estate Syrah

145 Responses

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November 5, 2009

Kirk from Temecula
We’ve lived in Temecula since 1996 and moved to Temecula Wine Country in 2005. We just had our first harvest of our 2 acres of Cinsault. It got barrelled yesterday. It’s gone from a dozen or so wineries to a very touristy 30 or so. I agree that most of the wineries, larger ones especially, either cater to or just attract (mostly female) people more interested in copping a buzz than tasting. We’ve been sticking to the smaller, family run wineries lately. The larger ones have a circus feel to them.

As sar as the quality goes, you have to be choosy. Now I’m no wine expert. I just started taking wine seriously about six months ago. I’m in the early stages of my journey. To me, the stand outs are Briar Rose, a very small outfit; South Coast, one of the biggest; Doffo, another small one with an Argentinian ex-patriate owner of Italian descent.

I’m afraid that the emphasis on tourism is going to keep the Temecula Valley from achieving it’s potential. Also, it seems odd, considering all the money made from the tourism end of things that the wines are priced as high as they are. Maybe the fact that we’re close to Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego convinces that higher prices equates to higher quality.
September 27, 2009

G
Just came back from my second trip to Temecula today, so I dialed this up. A year ago, Keyways was the only winery I liked. Tried 4 more today and was mostly puzzled. Miramonte had a couple drinkable reds that seemed to be priced about right. Baily was mostly a pass. Weins did alright, but I’d read a label, take a sniff and shake my head. The cab came across as a zin on the nose. Just odd. Then made Wilson Creek where the Legacy was drinkable and they offered that in the 05 and 06 versions. 06 worked better for me. But what an odd area this is, ‘very touristy’ is dead on. Comments next to me ranged from “Why do you do that swirly thing” to “Don’t they have any sweet wines?” Was thinking this was the Wal-Mart shoppers AVA, but Wal-mart shoppers have a good sense of value and there were few value plays here. So this is the AVA for people who don’t have the taste and sense to shop wal-mart.

Didn’t try any whites, but the reds were more often than not just puzzling. I was drinking Gigondas the prior week back in DC. While they are much different than northern CA wines that I’m more accustomed to, those wines made sense. Across the board these wines were just puzzling as to where they were going. At times it seemed they had to make a concerted effort to make the grape on the label and the flavor in the bottle unrelated.
January 26, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
QOTD1: Steelers pound Cardinals in Super Bowl, Arizona falls apart next season.
QOTD2: Dont know anything except what youve talked about. Will look into more.
December 19, 2008

yowens
QOTD: Steelers in Superbowl. QOTD2: Hadnt heard of it.
December 19, 2008

Mike
If you have a chance to check out Temecula try what they call the backside on De Portorla Rd. There is 7 smaller winerys that have a variery of wiens. Cougr has an Aglenaico, Cortese, Arnies, and a few other Itilain varitals.
November 28, 2008

CarinaG
I’ve lived in Temecula for over 5 years now. Check out Palumbo Family. Best reds in the valley.
November 23, 2008

JayZee
Interesting show, but I wasn’t impressed with the wines as you described them. I mean, if Temecula wants to play with the Cali Big Boys, they are going to have to bring some thunder, right? I didn’t get that sense. As for Temecula as a region, I think I’ve had something from Thornton in the past, but I cannot recall what type of wine it was. Apparently it wasn’t that memorable.
November 20, 2008

Kristen
I was very surprised you liked the Sauvignon blanc! This must be a first!

QOTD: no football predictions, sorry. But I did see Temecula spotlighted in a Cooking Light article on wine regions across America to visit.
November 18, 2008

MattUD
Haven’t had any Temecula yet, and a little late on the predictions, but it worked out for the Jets!
November 15, 2008

CraigG
I used to support a branch office in Temecula where I used to work. Damn, I didn’t think they made wine there back in the day. Prediction = Rams will lose, whoever they play.
November 13, 2008

dan
I live in san diego and I’ve been up to Temecula for some tastings – I would say that the day I went up the Thornton 2005 Cab was by far the best wine we tasted all day. Their wines are crazy expensive for the quality- but in a $10 flight with cheese platter the combo of their cab with some goat cheese was absolutely one of my favorite culinary experiences ever. The property up there is beautiful, but it’s a little snobbed out. ah well. i guess it’s better that they produce than not produce at all… even if it is overpriced.
cheers
November 13, 2008

Matt
Growing up in Northern California and now living in San Diego, I completely agree with you on this. Temecula wines are overpriced and there are very few bottles that are worth their price tag out there. With all of the great competition from Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, Hollister, etc., they only survive by catering to tourists who “hop” from winery to winery to get blacked out. All of the places mentioned above make much better wines at or below the prices Temecula charges.
November 13, 2008

Dan
My wife and I discovered Temecula several years ago (we live in LA) and our favorite out there is Mount Palomar Winery. Their dessert wines including their Riesling, Sherry, and Port, and especially their Muscato di Amore are all fabulous. I have to say I think Temecula is better for dessert wines than your big bold reds or whites with any finesse. However, Mount Palomar’s Cloudbreak and Best of Vintage Syrah both grab my attention as well, despite their high price point. In the normal price ranges, they do make a pretty fabulous Sangiovese and their Travoto mock super-Tuscan isn’t too bad either. Just my 2 cents.
November 12, 2008

Grapedigger
Cool Show GV…Never heard of Temecula wines before! Thanks.. One thing for sure, they need to reconsider their pricing..Cheers
November 12, 2008

karenp
We visited Temeculah a few years ago and thought the wines sucked. Price and quality just didn’t match … and the wineries were so proud of their properties. A Napa wannabe…
November 11, 2008

Sharon
Sometimes ‘The Ladies’ aren’t wild about sweet alcoholic fruit bombs either
QOTD: Right, Jets already beat Rams, so…
Pats 27, Jets 21
November 11, 2008

Ben Daniel
I grew up in Mendocino, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by wine from Temecula as well as from Escondido, a little bit to the south.
November 11, 2008

Jolie Elman
Temecula is a place for groups of female 20-somethings to grab a party limo or party bus and go winery hopping for the camaraderie and for the buzz. It’s difficult to take Temecula wine serious. I find Temecula wine to be insipid and overpriced. I, personally, find Temecula wines to not be worthy or on par with other wines produced in California.
November 11, 2008

Jolie Elman
Temecula is a place for groups of female 20-somethings to grab a party limo or party bus and go winery hopping for the camaraderie and for the buzz. It’s difficult to take Temecula wine serious. I find Temecula wine to be insipid and overpriced. I, personally, find Temecula wines to not be worthy of other wines produced in California.
November 11, 2008

Andrew Saliga
I saw the Hart last night and almost bought it. I think the horrible label is what made it catch my eye.

It’s so true about what you were saying about 89 vs. 88 points. The fact that this didn’t make it to a 90 point (and the price) make it a pass for me.
November 11, 2008

pawncop
Have been working all weekend and am just now having the chance to see the episode so – - football prediction is out.

Have not tried Temecula but will put it on the list, maybe far down, but on the list.
November 11, 2008

Nik
Got to agree with the graphic design comment – those labels are horrible! Maybe I should move to California and my design work for wineries…

QOTD – I’m a bit late for this, but the most important football score for me was a good one… Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1!
November 11, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
Temecula – Texas. From what I’m reading, sounds about the same. Uninspiring wines. Just ok. Not really worth the price tag.

I do suggest trying Syrahs though. Compared to the cost of some Napa CABS you can find some winners.

But, Gary you have opened our minds. My brother and I picked up a $10 Primitivo from Puglia because my brother quoted you – expand your palate. It was great. Worth dbl. QPR!!!
November 10, 2008

Kirk (aka: slave2thevine)
QOTD: I’ll say that the Pats will be up by 6 six at half time…and I haven’t had much from Temecula lately…but in the past they have always been, as you said…solid wines.
November 10, 2008

Stan Vasily
Live 20 min from temecula and frankly there wines SUCK. the only decent wine I have tasted from there is HART old vine zin but the grapes are grown in Rancho Cuomonga. Perdiction is that the Radiers will lose