Temecula Wine Country

Peek beyond the bustle around Riverside to discover one of California's newest wine regions.

Barely 40 years old, the Temecula Wine Country has quickly evolved into a thriving destination with a diverse lineup of inventive, savvy, award-winning winemakers. But you have to look for it. Hop off Interstate 15, and there are little more than hints of the thriving wine country to the east as you pass through this growing suburban community. And then suddenly, Rancho California Road opens to hills contoured with row after row of vines, lush and loaded with fruit in summer, handsomely pruned in winter. Mixed in with the vineyards are horse ranches and citrus orchards. It's a sip of classic California.

Visit this largely undiscovered wine region and get a taste of the low-key lifestyle of the area winemakers, many of whom work in their vineyard's tasting rooms; most are open to visitors year-round. Ask about tours and special wine- and-food pairing events.