# @thrillist on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C7ryJz2OAg-
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18392329-thrillist-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/29f0d48be8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-06-01T19:03:21.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** thrillist (@Thrillist) — https://gondola.cc/Thrillist

## Caption

While wine lovers typically flock to Napa Valley or Sonoma for an elite wine tasting experience, there’s another destination worth checking out that boosts a more rustic, casual vibe and is only a few hours drive from LA and San Diego. Have you ever visited Temecula Valley? The underrated wine region has almost 50 active wineries fueled by a variety of grapes and some of the state’s best weather. If you want to plan a laid-back weekend getaway in Southern California, here are some of the best spots to add to your list. ⁠
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Somerset Vineyard & Winery, which specializes in Spanish varieties, is open much later than most Temecula tasting rooms (you can visit until 9pm) so it’s perfect for those that have a late-night craving and want to enjoy live music. And while most of the wineries offer charcuterie boards or pop-up eateries, if you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, visit Leoness Cellars which is known for its signature cabernet sauvignons and on-site namasake restaurant. Want to go deeper? Book a tour of SoCal’s only mined subterranean wine cave at Oak Mountain Winery where you’ll travel 104 feet underground to the 10,000-square-foot cave to learn more about the winery and enjoy a pairing of cheese and charcuterie with estate wines. Just be sure not to leave without trying their famous bubbly wines. If spirits are more your style, they also run The Cave Distillery, a speakeasy-style distillery and lounge with their own bourbon, single-malt whiskey, vodkas (both grape and corn-based), gin, rum, and agave spirits. And, if you really want the full package, head to Bottaia Winery, an Italian-inspired destination winery that has four luxurious wine tasting options, a cafe, a cocktail bar, a pool (yes, you heard that right), and a wine blending lab where you can become a winemaker for the day.⁠
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Feeling thirsty? Head to our link in bio for a full list of all the best wineries in Temecula to find one that’s perfect for your taste. ⁠
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✍️: benmesirow⁠
📸:⁠
1. The Image Party/Shutterstock⁠
2. Flickr/Mary Beth Abate⁠
3. leonesscellars⁠
4. Flickr/Mary Beth Abate⁠
5. bottaiawinery⁠
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#wine #winery #temecula #temeculavalley #california #wineregion

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## Tags

temecula, temeculavalley, california, wineregion, winery, wine

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