California has plenty assets that lure tourists to its sunny land all year round. One of the most exciting and memorable experiences you can enjoy here are the wine tasting tours. This attraction is not only a delight for thirsty palates, but also for eyes that long for beauty and for souls that need peace of mind. Too much can’t be said about the splendid wineries of San Diego and Temecula Valley and the exquisite wine varieties that are produced here. So, I am going to keep it short and summarize everything I would like to say about these tours by answering two simple questions.
What Should You Know?
· the local climate favors the cultivation of different wine types which account for an astonishing diversity
· the impact of this industry on the local economy reaches the significant percentage of $30.4 million and it generates almost 700 jobs
· wine tasting tours are in higher demand year by year, registering an increase of more than 80% from 2015 till nowadays
· there are more than 100 wineries in the county and they spread on a vast area from the North County to the border with Mexico
Where Should You Go?
There are far too many great wineries that deserve to be mentioned, so I ‘ve come up with this short list based on the last locations in San Diego and Temecula Valley I’ve visited and the ones I regularly and happily turn back to.
· Koi Zen Cellars Urban Winery
This winery prides itself on the fact that it sources its grapes from world-class vineyards. The exquisite wines at Koi Zen Cellars Urban Winery are all handcrafted and produced in small lots. The winery is also involved in creating a community of people who share a passion for wine and they organize various events in order to gather and educate that community.
· Doffo Winery
Doffo Winery is a family winery located in a picturesque area on the northeastern border of Temecula Valley. The wines produced here are carefully handcrafted with patience and passion. This winery spreads across 15 beautiful acres of rolling vineyards where you can delight your eyes and your palate of course. The friendly and professional staff at Doffo Winery and their fine selection of red wines are two of the main reasons why I always come back here.
· Vesper Vineyards
Vesper Vineyards is a charming winery managed by a lovely couple. Their aim is to set the standard in San Diego wine tastings higher. Their wines are made of organic grapes, one of the main things I like about them. Some of the best varieties I recommend open-heartedly are Rancho Guejito Rosé and Highland Hills Vineyard Alacalá. The tasting offer comprises 5 fine varieties.
· Vinavanti Urban Winery
The trademark of this winery is their excellent natural wines. They are very proud of their varieties which are unoaked, unfiltered and non-sulfited. Some of their highly praised varieties are the Zinfandel, Malbec, Petit Verdot. The Vinavanti Urban Winery is open 7 days a week and their service is impeccable.
· Bel Vino
Bel Vino is a charming boutique winery where you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of an authentic winery. Bel Vino is proud of being an old-fashioned winery and one of the best ways of proving their adhesion to the past is using the Old World winemaking techniques. Tours and wine tasting are available 7 days a week here and you can also book this venue for a special event. They have a great bistro where you can enjoy tasty American dishes while live music runs in the background.
· Orfila Vineyards and Winery
This is an award-winning boutique that is best known for its Rhone wines. It lies in the beautiful Pasqual Valley. The Orfila Vineyards and Winery has a wide territory of 70-acre where they cultivate some of the best wines in California. Their offer comprises 6 dazzling tastings and an exciting 25-minutes tour around their winery. The winery is also a famous events venue, so do keep it in mind for your next special occasion.
· Keyways Vineyard & Winery
The Keyways Vineyard & Winery has been producing top quality wines for almost 30 years. This was one of the first wineries of Temecula’s famous trail De Portola Wine. The charming and welcoming atmosphere of this winery will make you want to turn back for more. The setting of this winery seems a testimony of the past. Its rustic ambiance with long bistro table and horses grazing in the nearby will help you relax and forget about the hurdles of modern life. The winery’s biggest attraction is the Winemaking Tasting Tour, a fascinating 2 hours and a half journey into the secrets of the winemaking process.
San Diego and Temecula Valley are full of hidden gems you would love to unveil. You’ve just learned something about my top suggestions in terms of wine tastings, but there are countless other spectacular places I’m sure you can discover on your own. I’m glad to be able to share these ideas of mine with other fellow travelers and wine lovers out there. If you subscribe to one of these categories, take the wine tours of San Diego and Temecula Valley into account when you plan your next holiday.
