| Temecula offers visitors almost 40 wineries to | | | | Country has doubled with many new |
| visit including the small family run places as well as | | | | operations being planned. The wineries are just |
| the full fledged "destination wineries" complete | | | | off Interstate 15 with most found along Rancho |
| with music and event venues, bed & breakfast | | | | California Road and De Portola Road. The elevation |
| inns, and full service restaurants. The region is 60 | | | | here is at 1500 feet above sea level providing |
| miles north of San Diego and 90 miiles southwest | | | | cool summer nights and afternoon breezes. |
| of Los Angeles and produces award winning | | | | Besides grapes this is horse country so it is not |
| Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, as well as | | | | that unusual to find riders along the roads. A |
| Zinfandel, Viognier, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris | | | | couple wineries even offer horse back riding. |
| and sparkling and dessert wines. | | | | Temecula's light, sandy loam soil, comprised |
| Temecula" comes from the Luiseño Indian word | | | | mostly of decomposing granite, permits water to |
| "Temecunga," which means "place of sun." The | | | | drain easily. This forces the roots to grow deeper |
| Spanish interpreted and spelled that word as | | | | to find water, resulting in stronger vines and |
| "Temecula," but over the years it has been | | | | smaller grapes-- ideal for highly concentrated |
| translated into several different versions, including, | | | | flavor. Temecula Valley AVA encompasses |
| "Where the sun breaks through the mist." | | | | 33,000 acres. Approximately 1,300 acres are |
| The Temecula Valley is the premier winemaking | | | | currently planted. Vineyards are irrigated as rainfall |
| region in Southern California. Over the last decade, | | | | is frequently less than 10 inches per year. |
| the number of wineries in Temecula's Wine | | | | |