The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
TRAVELERS’ CHECKS
more than 40 licensed wineries, producing more than 500,000 cases — of California’s 279 million — annually.
Despite its growth, the area is still tiny when compared with wine regions such as Sonoma Valley (250 wineries) or Napa Valley (400 wineries). For perspective, the entire state of Ohio has 265-plus wineries producing about 6 million cases annually.
We stopped by Cougar Vineyard & Winery to sample wines made from estategrown Italian grape varietals. Among those grown on the winery’s 17 acres are Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Aglianico, Montepulciano and Vermentino. The winemaker coaxes complex layers from them.
Given their limited production, few wineries have broad distribution reaching as far as Ohio, but they can ship to those joining their wine club to receive regular shipments by mail. A visit is the best way to taste Temecula, and harvest season, which runs through mid-September, is an active time.
On winery tours, you
visittemeculavalley.com or call 888-363-2852.
39870 De Portola Road, Temecula 951-491-0825, cougarvineyards.com
29095 Old Town Front St., Temecula 951-587-2537, Garagebrewpizza.com
45000 Pechanga Parkway. Temecula, 888-PECHANGA, Pechanga.com
may see grapes arriving or being processed. And, while vineyards are visually stark in winter the warm, sunny weather makes the destination more than adequately attractive to those facing a Northeast Ohio winter.
In addition to wineries, you can visit breweries, try your luck at Pechanga Resort and Casino and shop Old Town boutiques and galleries.
We parked our RV at the casino in one of 206 wellmanicured sites. A recent $300 million renovation makes 1,090 rooms or suites available here, as well. Naturally, we had to check out the casino, which boasts the largest floor, 200,000 square feet, in California.
Because we had been on the road for six weeks, I took advantage of the luxury Spa Pechanga for hair maintenance.
I highly advise salon/spa visits on long trips as an opportunity to chat with locals about interesting activities. My hair technician shared her favorite wine picks and why.
On the way to Old Town, we stopped at Garage Brewing Co., a former automotive service center converted into a casual restaurant serving design-it-yourself, fast-fired pizza. If the restaurant’s clever theme décor doesn’t make you smile, the IPA will.
Finally, we took a stroll down the boardwalks of Historic Old Town for boutique and gallery shopping. Among my favorites was Temecula Lavender Co., which sells bath and body products using the fragrant herb.
Both wine the city’s youthful vigor and historic charm make it worth a side trip from San Diego or Los Angeles or, better yet, as a destination itself.