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Despite the title of this post, last Saturday I had quite a good time wine tasting in Temecula! And yes, I did step in manure. Here's how it all went down...
Baily Vineyard and Winery
(The policy differs online and from what I experienced in the past)
Weekends
$10/6 tastings
This is my favorite winery! Both times I have visited I've been extremely satisfied with my experience. On Saturday, Ricardo hooked it up! He's awesome! As opposed to the $10/6 pours, I got the $10/12 pours deal. I told him I enjoyed red mostly but was willing to try everything...so he literally let me try everything! As a result I fell in love with a white wine and my friend bought me a bottle of Reisling-Dry for Christmas.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. They really take the time to have conversations with you and explain their wines. Unfortunately this is unique, as the others aren't as personable.
(The policy differs online and from what I experienced in the past)
Weekends
$10/6 tastings
This is my favorite winery! Both times I have visited I've been extremely satisfied with my experience. On Saturday, Ricardo hooked it up! He's awesome! As opposed to the $10/6 pours, I got the $10/12 pours deal. I told him I enjoyed red mostly but was willing to try everything...so he literally let me try everything! As a result I fell in love with a white wine and my friend bought me a bottle of Reisling-Dry for Christmas.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. They really take the time to have conversations with you and explain their wines. Unfortunately this is unique, as the others aren't as personable.
Weekends
$20/6 tastings/logo wine glass
This is where it all went to shit...literally. At this stop I decided to skip tasting because they specialize in sweet and dessert wines, both of which I'm not a huge fan of. After my friends were done tasting I wanted to take pictures of the beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaved vineyards. As I walked down a path my shoe boot sunk into mud all the way to my ankle. Soon after I realized, by the nauseating stench, that I had stepped in manure. Not OK.
$20/6 tastings/logo wine glass
This is where it all went to shit...literally. At this stop I decided to skip tasting because they specialize in sweet and dessert wines, both of which I'm not a huge fan of. After my friends were done tasting I wanted to take pictures of the beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaved vineyards. As I walked down a path my shoe boot sunk into mud all the way to my ankle. Soon after I realized, by the nauseating stench, that I had stepped in manure. Not OK.
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery
Every day
$10/5 tastings/logo wine glass
After I'd cleaned myself up a bit we headed to a family winery that was small and intimate. It was a bit crowded so we waiting our turn as we watched a few pups run around on the property. Once we finally wiggled our way up to the counter we were pretty much on our own tasting. Maybe because the crowd was a bit older and we look young we weren't getting much attention? Or maybe it's because i smelled like cow dung.
Every day
$10/5 tastings/logo wine glass
After I'd cleaned myself up a bit we headed to a family winery that was small and intimate. It was a bit crowded so we waiting our turn as we watched a few pups run around on the property. Once we finally wiggled our way up to the counter we were pretty much on our own tasting. Maybe because the crowd was a bit older and we look young we weren't getting much attention? Or maybe it's because i smelled like cow dung.
Maurice Car'rie Vineyard & Winery
Every day
wine: $10/5 tastes/logo wine glass
champagne/sparkling wine: $10/4 tastes/logo champagne flute
By the time we got to this winery we were definitely a little wined up so we passed on the tasting and got a snack. They are known for their sourdough bread filled with melted cheese. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture, but believe me when I say it was amazing! At some point I'll try to recreate it at home.
Callaway Vineyard & Winery
$15/6 tastes/logo wine glass
Last time I visited Temecula I purchased wine from Callaway and had a great time touring the facility so I wanted to go back for another visit. Somehow we managed to get the same rude lady that helped us on my first visit. This time around she killed it for us. Her attitude overpowered the wine and, unfortunately, as a result I probably won't go back again.
If you live in or near Southern California, or plan on visiting anytime soon, I suggest a little wine getaway in Temecula. The city is a charming town located approximately 85 miles south of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego. There are plenty of wineries to choose from - all of which are conveniently located close together. Check out the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association site for info about all of the wineries.
WOW.......that sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE White wine! Sweeter the better.
I would love to go to a wine tasting.
Love the pictures, looks like you had a great time!
That's a lot of wine! I don't drink it, but I do like a nice tasting. We have a few vineyards up here and I've done wine pairing at a chocolate shop too. That was fun! Your poor boot! All of your pictures are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteBesides cow dung and rude winery workers, it sounds like a great day. The cheese stuffed sourdough bread would have turned everything around ;) That's great you were able to find a new wine that you like too. You also got some fantastic photos of the vineyards!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a wine tasting in years. You've got me wanting to plan a trip out to my local wineries in the spring!
Sorry they didnt all go well! I love wine tasting though, it is one of my favorite hobbies. We joined a wine club/tasting room here in Monterey and go every Friday afternoon :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! And it's pretty unfortunate but funny about the manure...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun filled day! The bread sounds fabulous!! Reisling is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteFun, fun, fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look ADORABLE and this looks like such a blast!
ReplyDeletexo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com
This post is making my thirsty ; )
ReplyDeleteI think going to a vineyards is so fun. I was at one in Germany and it was amazing..it was on a big hill overlooking the countryside
ReplyDeleteNext time I'm down there we're heading straight to Temecula, cause you know I love my wine tasting!!!
ReplyDeletemy husband and i love wine tasting in temecula! we need to do a blogger meet-up down in temecula for wine tasting. i don't think we went to ponte but now i want to
ReplyDeleteI love wine tasting in Temecula. I swear I'm living in that city one day :)
ReplyDeleteSucks about you stepping into manure...the smell must have almost killed you haha.
We usually stick to Los Olivos since it's so close {you have to go sometime! Maybe I'll coordinate a blogger meet up there...}. But I would really like to visit Temecula someday. And it's so true that the people pouring the wines really make the experience. We found a great winery that did the 12 pours {supposed to be 6} for $8 the other day too :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Joelle
wine tasting is one of my favorite hobbies fo sho. Thanks for your comment on my Home Town post on Henning Love!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog. I am disappointed that you were left on your own here at the winery. I will certainly share this with my staff. Busy is something that happens at all the wineries and we don't care for crowds here at our place but it happens. But that is no excuse for not engaging. As for your age, we love young people and I personally love when a younger couple is interested in wine. It is a great lifestyle and should be enjoyed by all, together. If you are ever in the area again and would like to visit again ask for me and I'll personally show you around the winery.
ReplyDeletelmao love the title of the post - that sucks but glad it didn't ruin your time at the winery!
ReplyDeleteMinus the poop! That seems like it was an awesome day!!
ReplyDeleteI heart Temecula! The best part is that there are so many wineries that you can go there a million times and never hit them all. Of all the wineries you mentioned, I have only been to Callaway. I agree that there service is not always great, but the food and the views at their restaurant are good. Plus their Late Harvest Cab is a pretty killer dessert wine.
ReplyDelete