Temecula Wine Country celebrates naming to Top 10 Wine Getaways list

Members of Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association and Visit Temecula Valley met Tuesday, Jan. 8, on the balcony at Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards to celebrate making the list of Top 10 Wine Getaways by Wine Enthusiast magazine in its February travel issue.

Joined by Temecula Valley on the list were wine regions such as Seattle; Maipo Valley, Chile; Bangkok; Lake Garda, Italy; Tasmania, Australia; Beaujolais, France; Thessaloniki, Greece; Lisboa, Portugal, and Lavaux, Switzerland.

The story featured a short introduction by author Matt Kettmann with a touch of the history of the wine region, mentioning pioneers like Jon Moramarco and Ely Callaway, and the “Rainbow Gap” that allows the Pacific Ocean breezes to cool the vines.

Kettmann mentioned about a dozen places visitors should go to taste wine and even mentions Galway Spirits and Thompson & Twain Prospecting Co. as places outside of wine country to stop for a cocktail.

The feature also mentions popular activities such as hot air ballooning, golfing and hiking at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

Kettmann gave dining suggestions at winery restaurants as well as sharing Old Town Temecula’s plethora of dining options, including Espadin Mezcal and Cocina and E.A.T. Marketplace.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this award and to us, it means that people are paying attention to what Temecula has to offer,” Annette Brown, director of public relations for Visit Temecula Valley, said. “Visit Temecula Valley has been an organization for coming on up on 15 years now, and it’s taken a while for people to find out that there’s a wine country in Southern California and that we make quality wines here and that we provide amazing experiences. So we’re excited that now, maybe people that haven’t heard about us, are going to find out and they’re going to check this out and come and stay.”

As winery owners, winemakers and stakeholders clinked glasses filled with bubbly juice, they reflected on what it took to get to this point.

“I’ve been in the valley for over 30 years, so for me it’s kind of like finally we’ve kind of broken through the glass ceiling of, ‘Yeah, they are OK, they do all right, the wines are decent,’” Jon McPherson, master winemaker at South Coast Winery, said. “But now we’ve got everything going along with the wine, I think as far as being a destination. So yeah, it’s a great recognition and I think as an honor and goes, it’s something that we should be proud of.”

“I think it’s a true honor to be named as one of the Top 10 winery destinations in the world,” Danny Martin, board president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, said. “As president, of course, I’m totally biased, but I think we’re No. 1.”

Devin Parr, brand marketing partner for Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, has been working toward achieving recognition like this for the valley for quite a while.

“I think this accolade is a testament to the fact that Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country is making world-class wine, and I think it speaks to the passion and dedication that our winemakers and our stakeholders show every day and making those world-class wines,” Parr said. “The wine quality is there and on top of that, we have world-class amenities like lodging and restaurants and activities. That’s a whole other side.

“It’s like every wine travelers’ dream to come here and experience wine country, but then have all the amenities to support it. When I started we were working on being thought of as a hidden gem or emerging wine region and, and three years later, here we are as a Top 10 wine destination in the world. It's so incredibly exciting. Again, it speaks to the hard work that goes in every day,” Parr said.

For newer wineries in the valley like Akash Winery, the recognition really hit home.

“For us, it’s huge because not only we’re the new kids on the block, it’s also we’re falling into this time period where Temecula is already booming so we get to ride the wave,” Akash Patel, owner of Akash Winery, said. “But also work hard to make an amazing establishment to keep up with everybody else’s pace.”

The inclusion on the list is expected to draw even more people the region in the coming year. That’s great, but these winery stakeholders are eager to make sure those new faces have a great experience and continue to return.

“I think a big thing for us, what we take from this, is actually getting the recognition of what we’ve been doing,” Mike James, general manager at Miramonte Winery, said. “I think it puts a little more ownership on us to make sure we come through every time, but for now it’s just great to actually be recognized for it and have the opportunity to put our best foot forward.”

“We’re doing things every day (to keep improving) and make things better and keep getting better and better at what we do, ” Jeff Wiens, owner of Wiens Family Cellars, said. “The experience when you come here is second to none, and the improvements and things in the last, I’d say 15 years, has been amazing. Guests come here and have a great time, and we just need to keep going with that in mind.”

Now that the toasts have been made and Temecula Valley has been propped up as a world-class wine destination, Brown is confident the best is yet to come.

“I believe Temecula Valley is ready for an increase in tourism because we have been training our frontline staff, and we actually have a program where we take the frontline staff on a tour of Temecula, so they’re educated on all the different activities and experiences that people can have when they come to visit,” she said. “We have been focusing on quality service and quality product through the years through different training programs that we have. So I believe that we are at a point where we are able to provide exceptional service to the people that come to make them want to come again and to tell their friends.”

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].