Temecula Valley wine country runs along Rancho California and De Portola Roads, beginning a few miles east of Old Town. Around forty wineries occupy a band of rolling hills at 1,400 feet, where afternoon breezes off the Pacific funnel through the Rainbow Gap and drop the temperature ten degrees below the surrounding valley.
The style ranges from large production estates (South Coast, Wilson Creek) to small artisan operations. Tastings cost twenty to thirty dollars; most wineries waive the fee with a bottle purchase. Mediterranean varietals — viognier, syrah, grenache, tempranillo — generally do better here than cabernet or chardonnay. Designated drivers and pre-arranged shuttles are essential.