Temecula Old Town Wine Walk, Temecula, California (A)

This is our first stop and begins the winetasting sip and stroll experience. This step-off point offers a variety of benefits. Free parking behind the tasting room allows you easy access to the Tesoro tasting room where you can expect to find premium red and white wines. You can also purchase The Old Town Wine & Dine Walk discount card to enjoy exclusive discounts on wine and dining in Old Town Temecula. Two affordable choices: Visitor Wine & Dine Walk -- $5.00 each and the Ultimate Wine & Dine Walk Experience -- $25.00 each. The Visitor $5.00 choice will save you around $57 and the Ultimate $25 choice boasts a whopping $157 savings and includes a souvenir wine glass. Seriously, this is a great deal.

Tesoro Winery is owned and operated by Buzz and Kimberly Olson and is the first successful winery tasting room in Old Town Temecula. Winemaker Etienne Cowper crafts exceptional wines like Chardonnay, Riesling, Tempranillo, and Super Tuscan blends. Buzz and Kimberly are knowledgeable, gracious hosts and often host special events that will engage and entice you. There is a tasting fee.

If you love the Wild Wild West, rebellious cowboys, and wine then you’ve arrived at the right place! Owner John Brodersen has created a unique tasting room on Front Street that calls to the cowboy ..or girl...in all of us. John grew up in the Big Sky Country of Montana, around horses and ranching, so no wonder his tasting room feels so authentic. The rustic storefront type saloon sits next to the Palomar Hotel and does charge for wine tasting. Be sure and try the Outlaw red and the Ponderosa Port. Extended evening entertainment hours make for a very cool experience, of course in the Old West tradition. This is a good mid-stop on your tour because in addition to wine tasting, this facility also features the family friendly Cowboy Bistro serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, cowboy coffee and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Located in the historic Palomar Hotel, you’ll find this tiny tasting room with its beautiful warm woodwork a nice place to hang out. Owner Charlie Curry is generally there offering a bright welcome and some great wines. Charlie like many other wine makers and owners turned a chef’s passion for fine foods, and premium wines into the art of crafting fine wines. Born in San Francisco, Charlie ran some of the best kitchens in some of the most preeminent restaurants on the San Francisco Peninsula and the Napa Wine Country. Spending a considerable amount of the '80's and '90's in Napa Valley he soon found himself dreaming of starting his own vineyard and winery, which he eventually did by coming to the Temecula Valley Wine Country. His agreeable nature and engaging smile allows you to relax into the small but mighty tasting of 3 to 4 wines. I think you’ll enjoy the Syrah, Cab Franc and Zin here. Expect approximately an Eight dollar tasting fee.

The Viva Vino tasting room is just around the corner on Fifth Street, on the same side of the street as the Hundred Mile Market. The focus here is on Spanish varietals. I think you’ll enjoy stepping in to the rich warm tones showcasing hardwood floors and a laid-back atmosphere. Thursday and Saturday nights feature salsa dancing lessons. Friday nights are all about lively Latin music and dancing till closing. The wines are all quite good, and include among others Garnacha, Viognier, Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Cabernet. Top your night off with a yummy glass of Viva Vino's Sangria. This tasting room also offers a tapas menu to compliment your wine tasting. Do expect to pay for the winetasting and tapas, the salsa lessons are free!

The Collective is a unique wine tasting property showcasing several rotating boutique wineries focused on small lot handcrafted wines. Passion and perfection- driven practices are part of the code of this lounge-centric tasting room. The Collective is made up of three unique lounges, one of which is open to the general public, the other is designated for special events and the third for wine club members and guests. The Main Lounge is a large open space with a cool under-lit onyx bar. In this area you sit inside the room or on the front sidewalk. If you like people watching or just want to hang out, this is the zone for you. The Library Lounge is designed as an exclusive tasting room for private tastings and small events. It seats approximately 12 guests. The Club Lounge is accessed from the staircase in the Main Lounge taking you upstairs. This unique space comes complete with sofas, loveseats, and big comfortable chair groupings. Be sure to check out the balcony offering great views and of nearby hills and up and down Front Street. The Collective also offers a small bite menu available in all the lounge areas. Expect a tasting fee.

Owners Mike and Mindy make their tasting room a special spot to relax and have fun. This wine and olive oil tasting room is located in a 1927 era yellow house just off Front Street and right at the entrance to the Temecula City complex. Expect rich red wines like their Super Tuscan and Sangiovese and some nice whites such as Pinot Grigio and Sparkling Muscat. Bring a picnic and enjoy the delightful garden area, or sit out front and do some people watching. Complimentary olive oil and flavored vinegar tasting led by Mindy is available. There is a nominal charge for wine tasting. Dog friendly. Expect great hospitality

Brother-in-laws Lawrie Lipton and Mark Manfield had a long time dream, to own a winery. The two always shared an appreciation for wine and in the early days traveled to wineries and vineyards in California where they visited tasting rooms, learned about grapes and sampled wines. They settled on Temecula Valley as their choice to fulfill their dream. Lorimar Winery’s tasting room is located at 42031 Main Street next to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater in a beautiful brick building, just a few steps off Front Street. It offers a fun and hip atmosphere with premium wine and a friendly well-trained staff. Co-owner Mark Manfield has a special invitation for everyone, “Please stop by and see how the place turned out. We are very proud of it and want to share it with everyone.” Lawrie Lipton, also a co-owner promises, “Mark and I have special signature pens on hand and are willing to sign as many bottles as you purchase.” That’s a very good thing, as the wine is amazing, the bottles are beautiful (especially the signature note bottles) and the guys are willing to spend the whole day getting to know everyone who stops by. Weekends find art, music, and an eclectic mix of special events. This is a great place to end your trip with fond memories of what Old Town Temecula winetasting is all about.