Four Points Bulletin

Views of Temecula Wine Country never get old, and neither do the options of incredible wineries to visit. Each winery has something different to offer, and a visit can be justified with any occasion (an anniversary, a sunny spring day, a baby sitter, a Saturday, or any combination of situations/excuses mentioned). I happen to prefer the mellow, unpretentious wineries that recognize that they are not located in Napa. It seems this is becoming harder to find these days. Growing up in Temecula, and watching the wine country evolve into what it is today, I just can’t help but miss casual, inexpensive wine tastings, dressed in your favorite cowboy boots.

South Coast sits on 400 acres of vineyards planted in 1981. It has been awarded over 2,500 medals for its wine. It also has a large, award winning restaurant famous for banana fosters pancakes.

Doffo Winery houses a neat collection of over a 100 rare and vintage motorcycles and scooters. Appealing to bikers, their closest parking spots are reserved for motorcycles/motorcycle wine tours. We weren’t impressed with the beer we were convinced by the brewer was good, but I would return to look at the museum. And I would probably get a mediocre beer again versus spending $50 on a tasting.

Bottaia is a newer winery, it’s name means wine cellar in Italian. With its large white buildings, it shows well from Rancho California Road. Although we didn’t make a reservation ahead of time, they were able to squeeze us in since it was still early. (The doorman told us we should try anyway.) Our vista was accompanied by a bottle of bubbly and fun conversations about camping with a nearby table.

Temecula wine country has so much more to explore. Arrivederci per adesso.