This Underrated California Wine Country Will Transport You Straight to Europe

I cheekily open one eye to peer around during shavasana as I lay on my yoga mat between the vines’ full summer foliage at Akash Winery. I’m in Southern California, but the cypress trees and stucco homes suggest an amalgamation of a Tuscan-Provencal hilltop town. I return to darkness for my final deep breaths, grateful for the movement, before another day of wine tasting—which would begin less than five minutes after rolling up my mat and strolling to the tasting room for a breakfast sip of sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.

This isn’t the first unique sparkler I’ve encountered within my first 30 hours of tasting my way through Temecula Wine Country, about an hour north of San Diego and 90 minutes south of Los Angeles. Considered an emerging wine destination within the U.S., Temecula’s viticultural origins date back to 1968 when the first commercial vineyard and inaugural winery were established; it was designated as an official AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1984. Today, the region of 33,000 planted acres and 47 wineries has earned a spot on the world wine map for its success with Mediterranean varieties that are less typical of its American counterparts—like Italy’s Barbera and Falanghina grapes or Rhône-style Grenache-Syrah blends—and it’s also using its “emerging” title for experimentation with sparkling wines. This is evident as I’m still thinking about last night’s bubbly Gewürztraminer from South Coast Winery when I sip the second effervescent pour during my post-yoga tasting at Akash: a sparkling rosé of Zinfandel.

“Most areas have a signature varietal, but I don’t think we need to pigeonhole ourselves into a certain one,” says Justin Knight, winemaker at Danza Del Sol Winery, as we sip through a delicate yet fruity Albariño, native to Spain’s northwestern Rías Baixas region before switching gears to southern France for a subtly floral Viognier with a delightfully mineral finish.

I’m intrigued by this mindset and also at the integration of wine into daily life here, from my morning omms between the vines to horseback rides, poolside flights and pre-lunch paddling on the lake that can all be part of a trip here if you so desire. After all, life is about balance—and nothing quite captures that more than a morning shavasana before a breakfast Sauvignon Blanc.

For a true taste of Europe-meets-Southern California, check in to one of the Bolero Casitas at Europa Village, a centrally located resort sectioned into French, Italian, and Spanish destinations. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture here is omnipresent with tile mosaics, interior courtyards and textured stucco that nod to the old-world charm of rustic hamlets across Provence, Tuscany, and Andalusia. The 10 private casitas are each 367 square feet, allowing plenty of space for decompression in between tastings with oversized showers and your own outdoor area for lounging in the SoCal sun. Spread over 300 acres, Europa also crafts its own wine according to its themed destinations with an Italian mercato, a Spanish hotspot serving up paella and tapas, as well as a French haute cuisine eatery on the way.

A collection of villas and suites comprises this 132-key resort and winery’s accommodations tucked into their estate vineyards. The family-owned retreat offers a tailored home base for first-timers, embodying the wine-meets-lifestyle mentality throughout the valley. Guests can respectively wine, dine, and unwind here, with their onsite tasting room for various flights produced from their 60 acres of vines, the Vineyard Rose restaurant that offers a French-laced menu, and Grapeseed Spa complete with a sauna, jacuzzi, and cabana-lined pool. Upper room categories include gas fireplaces, private patios, and marble baths.

Hovering atop 20 acres off Calle Contento, Akash Winery invites guests in with a sprawling patio overlooking its 180-degree view. Even if you’re not partaking in their regularly planned vineyard yoga, it’s a vista that makes you exhale and brings you into the moment. Their Sauvignon Blanc is a bestseller with a newly released Pinot Gris that’s not far behind. When it comes to darker shades, their Spanish-style Parlez-Vous Rosé is thirst-quenching yet full of character, while Three’s Company is their signature red—a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Sirah that is as satiating with some chill on it during a summer day as it would be curled up by a crackling fire come winter. The winery’s hospitality-first ethos is clear here, as aside from wellness classes, they host regular events from food trucks to live music and their tasting room also includes flights of their proprietary brews.

This longstanding operation specializes in Italian varieties ranging from customer-established whites like Pinot Grigio and reds like Sangiovese to emerging varieties like Pecorino, Arneis and unique blends like Syrah-Sangiovese. With about 80 different SKUs, Wiens Cellars also crafts elegant expressions of French favorites, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and their Grand Rouge Bordeaux Blend; the silky tannins and exclusive large format production have earned it a cult following. The ever-rotating winemaker-curated tasting menus, served within their mahogany-clad interior, depict Wiens’s ability to be a master of many crafts.

There’s no better way to appreciate Temecula’s terroir than hopping in a UTV for a drive through the vines up to a lookout complete with a tasting table. That’s what Danza Del Sol offers on their personalized, 90-minute Grapes and Gears tour, immersing curious imbibers in their rows of Syrah, Viognier, and parcel of Sauvignon Blanc grapes planted in 1972, one of the oldest in Southern California. Their 40 acres of estate vines also produce a varietally correct Gewürztraminer, Tempranillo, and Orange Muscat that you shouldn’t knock until you try it.

Motorcycle and Malbec enthusiasts unite! This unique destination on the northern cusp of Temecula is a family success story that dates back to its founding in 1997. The second generation continues to evolve the micro-boutique winery on the former plot of a historic landmark schoolhouse, continuing the legacy of its Motto reputation inspired by their father’s collection of 200 vintage motorcycles with award-winning wines, philanthropy efforts, and a seasonally updated, bespoke merchandise line. Taste their signature, juicy Concreto Malbec surrounded by a selection of Vespas and Ducatis or plant yourself on the patio among the hills of estate vines that portray the family’s Argentinean-Italian heritage.

A brick and stone villa facade you might find on a Montalcino hillside framed by a rose- and palm-lined terrace transports visitors to Tuscany with vines following the undulating landscape of eastern Temecula’s countryside. Renowned for their softer expressions of some of Italy’s bold red varieties like Brunello and Barbera, Robert Renzoni has earned its mark as an Italian stalwart of the region. Most recently, they replaced Cabernet Sauvignon vines with Montepulciano to further their Italian footprint. As luscious as their red varieties are, the lighter sips are just as satiating, including refreshing Pinot Grigio, limited edition rosé, and Vermentino.

Farmers since 1972, the founders of Leoness show a deep respect for the land as they transitioned citrus orchards to vineyards that now supply their portfolio of world-class wine. Their onsite restaurant offers a platform for visitors to not only sample their wines but to pair them with seasonally-driven fare and elevated comfort dishes like shrimp scampi, burgers, and their famed duck fat fries. If you’re strapped for time or can’t snag a reservation, a wine tasting experience is still a must here sans food, as their Grenache Blanc and Syrah are showstoppers. Ask about their small-batch, cold-pressed olive oil produced from their estate trees for a singular souvenir worth checking a bag for.

Located at Europa Village, Bolero Restaurant celebrates Spanish food from north to south, including Valencian sea bass, Andalusian tapas like croquetas, and seafood paella. Other regional ingredients dot the menu, including Marcona almonds, saffron, Manchego cheese, Guindilla pepper, and Iberico ham, so that it really feels like an authentic trip overseas.

Attached to Robert Renzoni Vineyards, this Italian eatery evokes the best of the family-owned Tuscan counterparts it’s styled after. Burrata and soppressata are flown in from Italy regularly, as is the flour they use for their daily-prepared dough that’s zapped in the brick-oven pizza for a crispy crust and fluffy interior. They’re also praised for their sandwiches, like the fan-favorite Muffuletta that’s stacked with homemade olive and pepper tapenade and a quartet of meats as well as the marinara-smothered That’s a Spicy Meat-a-Ball roll-up.

If you’re craving charcuterie under a pergola, Wilson Creek Winery’s Creekside Grille is the place for you. Surrounded by its regeneratively farmed vines, the grill offers a casual, courtyard atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re snacking in your best friend’s backyard. If you’re looking for a more substantial bite, the menu promises a bite for every style of wine they produce, like their preserved lemon branzino with a glass of Roussanne or the beef short rib in a gochujang sauce with their Petit Sirah.

When you’re not all-in on the wine flights, reserve time to appreciate Southern California’s al fresco beauty. Old Town Temecula is darling with historic storefronts and boutique bakeshops. Pedal board on Harveston Lake. Saddle up for a trail ride on horseback. Float above the vines in a hot air balloon. Swing for par at one of the six golf courses across Temecula. Or simply take your tasting poolside at Bottaia Winery.