Temecula Wine Country

Temecula literally means according to Pala Indian’s, “Where the sun shines through the mist.“ and this couldn’t be more true for Temecula’s wine country. Temecula wine country all began with the Christian missionaries in the 1820’s. The missionaries traveled all around the world spreading their message and once they settled in the valley of Temecula, wine making was a large bit of the process. This wine could be used for ceremonies and even day to day drinking. The missionaries used their vineyards more for a personal use, consumer reproduction didn’t begin in Temecula until the 1960’s.
     The first recorded vineyards began in Los Angeles in the 1830’s but when population started to rapidly increase German’s began to plant in Anaheim. Once the population began increasing over in Anaheim, they began pushing the veins toward the Cucamonga area where they had survived from the 1930’s up until the 1960’s when they pretty much died out. They had then begun to grow the much desired orange groves and once again the vines were pushed further south to the valley of Temecula where they still remain and are just getting started.
     It all began in 1964 when a development known as Rancho California, who owned a ninety thousand acre land development, began trying to create a mixed residential, industrial, and agriculture community. Soon after Kaiser Development Company took over and they began to build Temecula as we know it today. Once Kaiser had taken over they had brought in agriculture experts to test the soil and came to discover that besides avocado’s; grape’s would be the best thing to grow because of the weather in the area. It was discovered the cooling coastal breeze at night and the one thousand three hundred foot elevation would provide perfect white wines, although red wines are becoming quite popular and familiar these days.
     Four years later in 1967 Vincent and Audrey Cilurzo planted the first commercial vineyard, but did not open his winery until 1978. The idea spread quickly and Callaway became the first winery in the Temecula area in 1974. Callaway launched the first eight pioneering cellars in the area. The family business brought not only money but determinism which in turn brought stability. Callaway did more than just inspire winery’s, they began to inspire the idea of a restaurant. Imagine going wine testing in a beautiful scenic area and then not wanting to leave or maybe you get hungry. Well you know have to opportunity to sit down at the restaurant have a glass of your favorite wine, and maybe an appetizer with your friends or that special someone and just hang out among the vines.
     This idea has become so popular that many wineries are so popular due to their added on restaurants that gather a lot of cliental. Callaway opened their restaurant in which they named Allie’s, here you’ll enjoy an amazing California Mediterranean cuisine. They hope you’ll enjoy some alfresco while enjoying great views and sunsets. Thornton Winery opened up their own Café Champagne in which they have earned each of their four stars with the award winning wines and champagnes that accent their chef Steve Pickell’s creative menu styling.  If you’re looking to take a group who all wants something different, Carol’s Restaurant of Baily Winery is perfect place to head over to. They have a menu serving everything from pasta, fish, and salads all perfectly combined with a very large selection of amazing wines. If you want to head down to Hawaii but can’t afford the ticket or the time off, try hitting up Maurice Car’rie’s Hawaiian inspired restaurant. They had actually placed their restaurant on a golf course in Hawaii until they chose to move it next to their amazing winery. Enjoy a bit of Hawaii in the backyard of Temecula any time of the year. If your group wants more of high class menu without the price, head over to Leonesse Cellar’s where you’ll find outdoor seating next to the vineyard and a menu from filet mignon to pasta special’s with some of the friendliest server’s willing to fetch you anything you’ll need to complete your dish, even book you a private tour if you fall in love with the scenery. The most recent undiscovered winery inspired restaurant that opened maybe three weeks ago in located at the heart of Wilson Creek Winery. This winery is mostly known for is college crowd but they are looking to gather in more mature cliental with their promising restaurant.
    What used to be known as a forgotten cowboy town for ranch hands is now a fast growing community with wine country set apart from the city so that you can drive ten minutes and step into a new world and just get away without being away. There are at this time more than four thousand acres of vines, although some wine makers do import some of their grapes for the central coast. Luckily for us in 1989 local growers set aside 7,000acres of Buck Mesa with the Citrus and Vineyard Rural Policy Area until 2025.  At that time a vote will be taken to see if barrels are more popular than bedrooms. If barrels succeed another twenty-five years will be added on to protect these landscaping hills.