Winegrowers are excited about this year’s harvest in the Temecula Valley.
“It’s been truly beautiful,” said Olivia Bue, co-owner of Truffle Pig Winery & Vineyards, one of many grape-growing properties and resorts on or near Rancho California Road in Temecula Valley Wine Country.
“The yields are a little bit low, but the quality is some of the best I’ve seen.”
Although winter started out warm and dry, mild temperatures and rainfall eventually prevailed, according to experts.
Wine country rolls out the red carpet for tourists in late summer and early fall with grape stomps, food festivals and other special events.
“September is one of our best months,” said Matt Rice, director of winery operations at nearby Europa Village. “People come out here to see the harvest. It’s one of those wonderful, beautiful times when it’s warm, but not too warm. The weather is starting to cool down for the fall.”
Grape harvest is underway at Europa Village in Temecula. (Photo courtesy of Europa Village)Visitors will find some changes this year. Truffle Pig is one of two new wineries. It used to be Avensole Winery, which shut down last October and went into bankruptcy. The new owners recreated it, literally from the ground up. Bue said they took out the old vines, repaired the soil and planted new ones. It is currently getting fruit from Galleano Winery in Mira Loma and Temecula Valley vineyards.
Truffle Pig Winery & Vineyards has opened in Temecula Valley Wine Country. (Photos by Temecula Life, courtesy of Truffle Pig Winery & Vineyards)A couple of miles away, Jordan Parker Winery opened a few months ago and is holding special events such as paint and sip sessions and vin yin yoga classes.
Like Truffle Pig, Baily Family Vineyards is starting over as well. It was opened by Phil and Carol Baily in 1986 and is now a multigenerational family business. The couple will doing “major replanting” of its vineyards, moving their tasting room to its original location and “getting out of the restaurant business,” Phil Baily said in a phone interview. Carol’s, the restaurant on the property, will close on Sept. 21.
Baily’s Old Town, however, will remain open, he said. It’s run by second and third generation family members.
“The key thing to take away is that it’s restructuring. We’re totally committed to the future of wine country.”
Vineyards are lush and green as growers figure out the best times to harvest the fruit.
There’s a science to it. Bue said it includes taste tests, checking seeds for maturity and chemical analysis of the grapes. Bue said growers can schedule picking about a week in advance but have to be flexible.
A month or so after harvest, leaves will begin to die and turn fall colors.
“Into October, that’s when you really start to see those vine leaf colors change from these vibrant, beautiful bright and dark greens into more of your fall colors: your yellows, your reds, your purples,” said Rice.
Europa Village won a Golden Bear award as Golden State Winery of the Year in the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition last spring. Rice said it’s a credit to all of Temecula Valley Wine Country, which has about 50 wineries and vineyards.
Europa Village displays the Golden Bear award it won as Golden State Winery of the Year in the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition earlier this year. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)“It just proves that this beautiful little valley in Southern California wine country deserves to be right up there on the front page with the top names of the greatest wine countries in the world.”
Here are upcoming events in wine country.
Bella Vista Winery: Grape stomp includes music, a costume contest and giveaways. 41220 Calle Contento, Temecula. 3-6 p.m., Sept. 20. $135 per couple. bellavistawinery.com
Callaway Vineyard & Winery: Sip, Stomp & Play takes place Saturday, Sept. 13. Check-in is at 6:30 p.m. 32720 Rancho California Road. $125 for the general public, $100 for wine club members and $70 for children. callawaywinery.com
Crush 2025: Walk-about tasting of foods and wines from throughout Temecula Valley. 7:30-10 p.m. Sept. 27 at Monte de Oro Winery, 35820 Rancho California Road, Temecula. $138. temeculawines.org
Europa Village: The annual Great Taste of Europa Wine & Food Festival will feature cuisine from Spain, Italy, France, Norway and Portugal. This event is for people age 21 and older. It takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at 41150 Via Europa. europavillage.com
Ponte Winery: Grape stomp with buffet, music and dancing takes place 4-9 p.m. Sept. 28. 35053 Rancho California Road, pontewinery.com
Harvest is a busy time at South Coast Winery in Temecula. (Photo courtesy of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa)South Coast Winery Resort & Spa: A free Harvest Festival with fun activities for kids takes place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 followed by grape stomp with dinner for adults only, 12:30-8 p.m. 34843 Rancho California Road. Tickets are $130. There will also be a six-course winemakers dinner 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19. Tickets are $170. This event is also for adults age 21 and older. southcoastwinery.com
Tacos & Tequila Festival: Attendees will get to vote on the best tacos created by chefs at Pechanga Resort Casino. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. This event is for people age 21 and older. 45000 Pechanga Parkway. 1 p.m. Sept. 20. General admission $120. pechanga.com
Temecula Life Harvest Festival 2025: Food event with area restaurants and chef at the Ranch, Temecula Olive Oil Company. 1-4 p.m. Nov. 2., 46780 Highway 371, Aguanga, $295 for VIP tickets and early access. temeculalife.tv
Temecula Olive Oil Company: Guided tour of Olive View Ranch with complimentary tastings of olive oils and vinegars. 10 a.m. Sept. 27. 46780 Highway 371, Aguanga. $30. temeculaoliveoil.com
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