Grape Connections

Hiking and wine tasting in Temecula

Stroll, sip, and swirl, in whatever order you please. Temecula’s wineries are best explored by foot in the fall, when temperatures are warm but not sizzling and autumn paints the landscape golden. Start your walk at Wilson Creek Winery, where the delicious GSM blend is a smoky combination of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Wander the vineyards and grounds, decorated in giant wine bottles and finessed by the fall colors glowing on the vines. Head south on the dirt path along Rancho California Road, passing Monte de Oro Winery and groves of citrus trees. Your next stop is Wiens Family Cellars, a comfortable winery widely known as the home of big reds.

Shortly down the path is the Ponte Winery, offering perhaps the most beautiful grounds to meander through with a glass of Beverino sweet red. The gardens are impeccably manicured, and the vineyards are labeled so you can inspect your grape favorites. Just across the street is your final destination, South Coast Winery, consistently awarded California State Fair winery of the year (including in 2016). Sample the popular Ruby Cuvée and their reserve collection, including the outstanding Carter Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Wander the vineyards, home to chirping local finches and juncos. Before heading back to your car (or continuing south on Rancho California for endless wineries), admire Palomar Mountain to the southeast as soaring red-tailed hawks soar across Temecula skies. Cheers.

BONUS: If you need a place to stay, Ponte offers a luxury hotel experience, and South Coast is famous for being an incredibly relaxing spa resort.

To get to the Wilson Creek Winery, take the I-15 and exit Rancho California Rd. Head east for 7.5 miles, and the signed parking lot will be on your left. Dog-friendly in outdoor areas!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View