Wine Tasting In the Inland Empire
If you are new to the Inland Empire, just passing thru, or been a resident for years you may want to consider enjoying one of the numerous winery tours and tasting sessions offered by our local wineries. Extremely popular, informative, and a lot of fun for Foodies and Non-Foodies alike; it makes for a perfect mini-vacation without a long drive.
The warm days and the sunny sloping valleys of the Inland Empire's wine country provide ideal growing conditions for the distinctive grapes that make the Inland Empire’s regional wines. The Inland Empire is home to California's oldest vineyards, in Rancho Cucamonga, and its newest vineyards, in beautiful Temecula. The region's varietal wines are proving themselves noteworthy additions to California's viticulture and becoming popular in local restaurants and with wine enthusiasts. Here, you can sip some of the vintners' art while overlooking the vineyards on a leisurely afternoon, or spend an entire week exploring all the region's wineries... and here is when and where to go.
NOTE: If you only have a short time, or wish to make a weekend stay centered around wine tasting, please allow Ed Wright "The Wright Gourmet" to suggest you spend the time in the growing Temecula Vineyard area... The vineyards are all fairly close together, the area is absolutely beautiful, and the winery staff(s) are both knowledgeable and friendly. You do not need to be a "Wine Snob" to be welcome at all of these wineries; they welcome novices and wine aficionados alike so you can feel free asking questions. A huge plus is the incredible selection of hotels and dining spots, catering to all budgets, in the greater Temecula area. Very Important: We believe in enjoying wine responsibly; If You Drink, Please Do Not Drive.
WEST END REGION
Rancho Cucamonga Area
J. Filippi Vintage Co. (3 Wineries)
Cucamonga Valley winegrowers since 1922. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1) 11211 Etiwanda Avenue, Fontana. (909) 428-8630
2) 2803A East Guasti Road, Guasti. (909) 390-6998
3) 12467 Base Line, Rancho Cucamonga. (909) 899-5755
San Antonio Winery Center (909) 947-3995
2802 South Milliken Avenue, Ontario.
You can sample some of California's finest wines at the wine tasting room while also visiting their gift shop for a fine selection of gift baskets.
Galleano Winery (909) 685-5376
4231 Wineville Road, Mira Loma.
Wine tasting available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Historic winery tours 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.
Rancho De Philo (909) 987-4208
10050 Wilson Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga.
Annual sale of select vintages the second Saturday of November. Call for additional information.
The Wine Tailor (909) 481-5050
8916 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga
Complimentary wine tasting. Located in California’s oldest winery.
SOUTHWEST REGION
(All of these wineries listed below are located in Temecula)
Baily Vineyard & Winery (909) 676-9463
33440 La Serena, Temecula
Tasting room, restaurant, banquets. Tasting fee. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Established in 1986 by Carol and Phil Baily.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery (909) 472-2377
32720 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting room, daily tours, banquets, picnic area. Tasting fee. Peggy Evans.
Churon Winery (909) 694-9070
33233 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, bed & breakfast, picnic area, wedding facilities, deli and special events area, tasting fee. 10:30 a.m. - 4:40 p.m. Chuck Johnson.
Cilurzo Vineyard & Winery (909) 676-5250
41220 Calle Contento., Temecula
Tasting room, picnics, banquets. Distinctive wines rich in Temecula's regional character, tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group tours by reservation. Vince and Audrey Cilurzo.
Falkner Winery (909) 676-8231
40620 Calle Contento., Temecula
Tasting room, gift shop, wine tasting classes, picnic area, banquets, wedding facilities, special events, seasonal free jazz concerts (featuring local artists), tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ray and Loretta Falkner.
Filsinger Vineyards & Winery (909) 302-6363
39050 De Portola Road., Temecula
Tasting room, picnic area, groups by reservation. Taste award-winning wines and hand-crafted champagne. Tasting fee. Friday 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dr. Bill Filsinger and Kathy Filsinger.
Hart Winery (909) 676-6300
41300 Avenida Biona., Temecula
Tasting room and picnic area. Specializing in hand-crafted, barrel-aged red wines and dry, full-bodied white wines with an emphasis on Mediterranean varietals. Tasting fee. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Joe Hart.
Keyways Vineyard & Winery (909) 302-7888
37338 De Portola Road., Temecula
Tasting room, picnic area, winemaker dinner, casual wedding facilities, equestrian facilities. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exceptional wines sold exclusively at the winery.
Don Frangipani. Maurice Carrie Winery (909) 676-1711
34225 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, picnic facilities, gift shop. Producer of 17 different varietals. Complimentary tasting. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bud and Maurice Van Roekel.
Miramonte Winery (909) 506-5500
33410 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, Friday evening after hour events, winemaker dinners, movie events, tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Specializing in custom etched bottles. Cane Vanderhoof.
Mount Palomar Winery (909) 676-5047
33820 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, cellar tastings, special events, panoramic views from picnic area. Hand-crafted wines from first class and Mediterranean varietals. Tasting fee.10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Peter Poole, owner, Denise Sutterfield, marketing coordinator.
Palumbo Winer (909) 676-7900
40150 Barksdale Circle., Temecula
Tasting room, winemaker dinners. Tasting fee. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nicholas Palumbo.
Ponte Winery (909) 694-8855
35053 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, special events, banquets, cooking classes, wedding facilities, restaurant. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Roberto Pante.
South Coast Winery (909) 587-9463
34843 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, restaurant, hotel, conference center, special events, wedding facilities. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jim Carter.
Stuart Cellars (909) 676-6414
33515 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, picnic area, winemaker dinners, banquets, special events, chef on staff. Premium selection of white and Rhone style wines. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Spectacular panoramic views from picnic area. Marshall Stuart.
Thornton Winery (909) 699-0099
32575 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting rooms, weekend tours, jazz concerts (featuring top-name artists), banquets, restaurant, wedding facilities. Tasting fee. John and Steven Thornton. Tonya Wake.
Van Roekel Vineyards & Winery (909) 699-6961
34567 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, deli and picnic area. Premium award-winning wines. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bud and Maurice Van Roekel.
Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard (909) 693-9463
35960 Rancho California Road., Temecula
Tasting room, picnic area, tours, banquets, wedding facilities, special events. Founded and operated by the Wilson family. Carries a broad selection of premium wines. Tasting fee. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bill or Mick Wilson.
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