By Michele E. Buttelman
Californians love wine. It’s a matter of state pride that California has some of the best wine in the United States. It’s hard to imagine there are areas of the state producing exceptional wine that have received little acclaim.
Take this road trip wine trek and discover a few of California’s hidden wine gems. Some tasting rooms require reservations. It’s always wise to call ahead and check out requirements before visiting.
From the Santa Clarita Valley it’s an hour and a half drive to your first stop on the tour, Triassic Vineyards in Tehachapi.
Tehachapi
Triassic Vineyards
24627 Cummings Valley Road,
Tehachapi, California 93561
Tasting room: 661-822-5341
Open Friday-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Tehachapi Winery
22136 Bailey Road,
Tehachapi, CA 93561
www.tehachapiwinery.com
Tasting room: 661-821-9587 to make your reservation
Open Friday-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Grapes sometimes grow where you least expect them and even many California oenophiles don’t realize that there’s quality winemaking in the high country of Tehachapi (elevation 4,193 feet).
Tehachapi has unique, rich, rocky soil dating to events in the Triassic Period (more than 200 million years ago), which has produced a distinct terroir, complex and rich in nature.
Known as the Land of Four Seasons, Tehachapi was named a new American Viticultural Area in 2020.
Triassic Vineyards is celebrated for its zinfandel and syrah. And in spring, the view of poppies blooming in the Cummings Valley is positively spectacular.
Tehachapi Winery has an extensive 42-acre property, with 18 active acres of vineyard. Tehachapi Winery remains the largest-producing winery in the area, residing at an altitude of roughly 4,000 feet.
After leaving Tehachapi it’s a little more than two hours’ drive to the Cucamonga Valley.
Cucamonga Valley
Filippi Winery & Vineyards
12467 Base Line Road,
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Store and tasting room: 909-899-5755
Open Tuesday and Thursday noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Galleano Winery
4231 Wineville Road,
Mira Loma, CA 91752
https://www.galleanowinery.com
By reservation only 951-685-5376
In the early 1900s, the Cucamonga Valley was one of California’s most important wine regions. Most of its vineyards have given way to suburban development, yet the valley’s wine tradition endures. The area is known for zinfandel and warm-weather varietals. In 1995, the federal government established the Cucamonga Valley as an approved viticulture area.
At Rancho Cucamonga’s Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards, you can take tours of this fifth-generation family operation, whose wine inspired the Grateful Dead song “Pride of Cucamonga.” The history of Filippi winemaking dates back to 1922.
Since 1994, the Filippis have revitalized the old vineyards and undertaken new vine plantings as they work to restore the historic Ellena Bros./Regina Winery with the city of Rancho Cucamonga.
In nearby Mira Loma, taste the zinfandels and Rhône varietals at historic Galleano Winery.
The Galleano Winery was founded in 1927 by Domenico Galleano. The winery complex remains largely unchanged today and is open daily for wine flights, wines by the glass and wines by the bottle.
Galleano is the oldest Prohibition-era winery in the Cucamonga Valley still owned by the family and operating at its original location.
From the Galleano Winery it’s just a short hop, less than an hour, to reach the Temecula Valley.
Temecula Valley
Robert Renzoni Vineyards
37350 De Portola Road,
Temecula, CA 92592
Tasting Room open daily 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Mama Rosa’s Trattoria open daily noon to 5 p.m.
Reservations recommended 951-302-8466, ext. 5.
Danza del Sol Winery
39050 De Portola Road,
Temecula, CA 92592
Tasting room patio open daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Make reservations on the website
While the Temecula Valley can’t claim to be “undiscovered,” it has yet to reach the renown as Napa or Paso Robles as a “must visit” wine destination, which makes it a perfect stop on your wine trek.
Head out for a spin along the Temecula Valley’s DePortola Wine Trail, which includes 10 family wineries.
If you don’t have time to visit all 10, make stops at the Robert Renzoni Vineyards, which lets you savor the flavors of Italy, thanks to its trattoria and acclaimed Montepulciano.
Nestled in a 40-acre vineyard, Danza del Sol Winery is also located on the De Portola Wine Trail. The Danza Estate Tour includes: Temecula Valley wine history, a total of six wines tasted including one taste off the reserve list, plus a sparkling greeting and a souvenir glass.
The Temecula Valley is Southern California’s largest wine region. With more than 30 wineries, including some with bed and breakfasts and luxury hotels, as well as a growing reputation for outstanding varietals, the valley earned recognition as one Wine Enthusiast’s 10 best wine travel destinations for 2019.
From Temecula it’s less than 30 minutes to your last destination, Escondido.
Escondido
Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery
3255 Summit Drive,
Escondido CA 92025
www.hungryhawkvineyards.com
Open daily noon-6 p.m.
Tasting room: 760-489-1758
Vesper Vineyards
298 Enterprise St.,
Escondido, CA 92029
Open Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment 760-749-1300.
BK Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Lounge
2225 Barham Drive, Suite D
Escondido, CA 92029
Open Wednesday-Friday: 3:30-8 p.m., Saturday: 1-8 p.m., Sunday: 1-6 p.m.
Call for reservations 760-270-9851
California wine country nearly reaches the Mexican border in San Diego County, where the proud winemaking tradition is the state’s oldest and dates to the 18th century.
Just outside Escondido, acclaimed Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery grows 15 varietals on vineyards with spectacular views of the San Pasqual Valley. Rows of grapes stretch toward boulder-strewn hills in this beautiful valley.
To discover Escondido’s urban wine scene, try the Vesper Vineyards tasting room and the BK Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Lounge.
