Temecula Valley's Wine Country
"Where the Sun Shines Through the Mist"

A Brief Background
Over 200 years ago, winemaking made its debut in California at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The first winemakers were the mission padres. The tradition of winemaking still exists only 18 miles east in Temecula, where mission vineyards were established in 1820.

Extensive research showed that the Temecula Valley was ideal for growing high quality wine grapes. Mist often lingers until mid-morning on this 1,400 foot plateau, located below the peaks of the local mountain range. The word "Temecula" is from the Luiseno Indian language meaning "where the sun shines through the mist."

Since 1966, premium quality wine grapes have been grown. Over 21 wineries have located in the Temecula appellation. In addition to growing award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, more recently the wineries produce Mediterranean varietals like Viognier, Syrah and Pinot Gris. The remarkable success of these varietals has produced many awards and medals of excellence in domestic and international competitions.

The ATF established the "Temecula" viticultural area in the Federal Register on October 23, 1984. The TTB renamed the same viticultural area "Temecula Valley" effective June 18, 2004. The Federal Register lists the official acreage for the Temecula Valley AVA at 33,000 acres. Approximately 1,300 acres are currently planted in commercial vineyards.  Within the appellation there are 5,000 acres located in a "protected" area referred to as the Citrus/Vineyard Zone.  This area is generally located in and around the Rancho California Road area within the County of Riverside. County guidelines strictly enforce number of acres needed to build a winery, lodging and other limited housing and commercial ventures.

Temecula Valley - a unique micro-climate
Temecula Valley is the classic example of a unique micro-climate. Several remarkable factors make it an ideal locale for growing the highest quality grapes.

Temecula is located 500 miles south of San Francisco, creating a slightly higher angle to the sun and greater solar intensity. A look at the native chaparral shows that Temecula is a low rainfall region. These two factors create an early growing season that generally runs from March through September. The harvest season, however is rarely interrupted by rains - a very important factor in wine quality.

Any impression that Temecula has a desert climate is a false one. The vineyards are irrigated from huge underground aquifers. Perhaps more important are significant cooling factors that effect the flavor development of the grapes. As the sun warms the inland valleys east of Temecula, the air rises, forming a low pressure area. The colder, much heavier air from the Pacific Ocean, just 22 miles from Temecula, is then drawn inland. The Coastal Mountain Range allows the colder air to pass inland only through a few gaps and low spots. The Rainbow Gap and the Santa Margarita Gap are two of these low places in the mountains - and just beyond them lies Temecula Valley. The cool air flowing inland moderates the daytime temperatures and helps to create a pattern of warm, sunny days and cool nights, ideal conditions for the best wine grapes.

The Lapse-effect - cool air.
The second meteorological factor effecting the Valley's climate is the "lapse rate." It involves the altitude of the vineyard land and the height of the surrounding mountains. The "Mountain Vineyards" of Temecula are located 1,400 feet to 1,600 feet above sea level. The surrounding mountains average 2,000 to 3,000 feet elevation. These high elevations mean cooler air - a temperature drop of 3 for every 1,000 feet of altitude gain.

The heavy, cold air that collects between the high peaks during the night, drains off the heights much like water, joining cold moist air from the Santa Margarita River channel to meander through the Temecula Valley, creating a double cooling effect. As a result, nighttime lows in and around Temecula are very cool. The cool nighttime temperatures are critical in developing high quality grapes - it affects the wine's flavor, color, and aroma.

All these factors create a unique combination that can include morning mists, intense midday sun, cooling ocean breezes, and cold nights. This gives Temecula a very favorable climate that is unique in the world of viticulture.

Ideal soils - granite and well drained
The Temecula Valley soils are another significant influence on the wine quality. The soils are created from decomposing granitic materials and are excellent for growing high quality wine grapes. Grapevines require well-drained soils; they don't like their roots to be constantly wet. The granitic soils permit the water to drain through quite easily. Granite soils are a light, sandy loam. These soils contribute to clean, pure varietal flavors without odd or herbaceous flavors that wetter soils cause. Vineyard pests - often at the root of vineyard problems The Temecula wine region is relatively free of vineyard pests, including the deadly root louse, Phylloxera. Most of the vines in the region are planted on their own vinifera roots, an option unavailable in most California wine regions. While some feel that truer quality derives from vinifera root vines, Temecula growers who plant on rootstock do so purely as a viticultural choice rather than being forced to do so to combat the attack of pests.

Other vineyard pests have generally been controlled with a natural balance of beneficial insects which prey upon the pests. Temecula Valley agriculture is very low impact in nature.

Wines of distinctive quality
Temecula wineries and grape growers have learned to take advantage of their unique growing conditions. The granitic soils and cool nights help produce many wines with remarkably fresh fruit character and true varietal flavor. This especially favors aromatic grape varieties. While most wineries employ small barrel aging, the regional style tends to showcase Temecula fruit and avoid the overt "woodiness" that is common in other California regions.

Wine quality, mirrored by high awards in major wine competitions, shows that Temecula has become one the the preeminent wine grape growing areas in California.