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.

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.

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.

QOTD: Steelers in Superbowl. QOTD2: Hadnt heard of it.

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.

I've lived in Temecula for over 5 years now. Check out Palumbo Family. Best reds in the valley.

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.

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.

Haven't had any Temecula yet, and a little late on the predictions, but it worked out for the Jets!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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...

Sometimes 'The Ladies' aren't wild about sweet alcoholic fruit bombs either :-)
QOTD: Right, Jets already beat Rams, so...
Pats 27, Jets 21

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!!!

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.

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

GV - a 2 part QOTD, that is like giving homework assignments.
OK show, I don't know much about the Temecula region. I do not like the sugar bombs, although my wife does.

QOTD 1 - football prediction - Jets in a romp! (note date of comment)
QOTD 2 - as said above, don't know the region

Nice show from a completely unknown region in California. To be honest, I didn't know they existed!

QOTD: Well, since it's monday, I guess I'll have to pick tonight's game: SF-20, AZ-27

Thanks for the Temecula post! I live about an hour away, but because I know nothing of these wines (or the region), I never ventured out there. The sauvignon blanc is a nice surprise. Maybe a road trip is in order.

it's very worthy of you to spend attention to less known wine regions...if I see some of the comments (same line as your remarks during the video), I feared for the worst. I visited a number of smaller wineries in California years ago and they all seemed more proud of the parties they had organized on the premises (even between the barrels, wonderful for the temperature control!) than of their wines...in comparison to wineries of similar scale in Europe, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand (when on holidays, I always try to visit a couple of wineries), as far as I can tell, the Californean lacked behind in "seriousness" about their products...it's only positive if this is changing now.

Man where's my props for getting these wines to Gary!!! btw I agree that TV wines are over priced. But as everyone has mentioned they tend to stay local...doing alot of tours wedding etc so they can charge that much I guess.

How about Grenache? There was a label Grenache Village a while back - OUTSTANDING (aka yum *#!@! yum)

great video! Hope this inspired Temecula to revamp their brand.

Gary, I was glad to see you take a look at some of the wines in this forgotten region. This area is a short drive from my home areas of Orange County and San Diego.

With many wineries focussing on day-tripping tourism and hosting weddings as the primary revenue stream, I think Temecula has gotten itself into an unfortunate self-perpetuating cycle: the wines get less care and attention, so the wineries focus ever more on tourism to make money, and the cycle repeats.

That said, I there are still some good wines made there. A good bet to find them is to focus on the wineries that dont tout wedding hostring on theier web sites ;-). Leonesse Cellars and Stuart Cellars come to mind.

score prediction: Nathan 37 NYJ 3

NOT COOL! I didn't mind if your Jets beat my Rams, but that was not necessary at all. You guys are mean! :(

I still think you're hot, GaryVee!!!!!

I have a bad taste in my mouth for Temecula in general, because a slimy competitor of mine is based there. But, wine is wine. And I'll certainly give it a shot.
QOTD: Even though it's Monday now, I would've picked my Vikings to beat the Packers anyway. Thankfully they eeked out a win due to "All Day" AP.

Frankly - Temecula wines suck! Overpriced, bad and for some reason they try to produce every varietal known to man ? ? ? I went to a wedding at South Coast Winery one recent weekend and they were charging 14 $ a glass to the bride and groom for VINEGAR. That region needs some focus but that is just my opinion.

Thanks for the interesting episode; especially as I just returned from a west coast trip where I spent a few midweek days in Temecula. It was a nice place to relax and taste a few wines. I agree with most of the comments that there are some good wines to be found, but substantially overpriced. That being said it does have potential to improve but will take a real effort from the wineries to initiate change.

A Temecula show! Great! I was visiting Temecula last summer while on vacation in the US. We visited one of the local wineries there. Our impressions were quite similiar to yours on the show, very fruity wines, but often with high residual sugar. Too much sugar for my taste. But then we only visited a single winery, so I can't say if that's a common thing for Temecula wines.

Gary, when will you have a Sauvignon Blanc from Austria (Styria) on the show? Time to present some alternatives to the SBs from California and New Zealand.

Gary,

My poor Rams yesterday :(

I haven't been this embarrassed since....well you get the idea.

Keep bring the damn thunder.

(whoops on my last comment, typed in someone incorrectly!)

Gary, I HAVE to say CONGRATULATIONS to the BIGGEST JET FAN ever!!!!!!! What a blowout!!!! :)