Temecula

Wine with Western Charm

Since its early beginning, the Temecula Valley was home of the Temecula Indians, the first residents of the area. Ancestors of the Temecula Indians were in this area as early as 900 A.D. The native people from here to the coast who shared the same language and culture became commonly known as the Luiseños, because many of their villages were once under the influence of Mission San Luis Rey (in what is now Oceanside, California).

The name Temecula comes from the Luiseño Indian word “Temecunga” – “temet” meaning “sun” and “-ngna” which means “place of”. The Spanish interpreted and spelled the word as “Temecula” translated to mean “Where the sun breaks through the mist”.

Temecula’s journey to becoming Southern California’s wine country started in the 1960’s with Richard Break, an experienced farm manager and broker from Fresno, who was interested in buying Vail Cattle Ranch. After reviewing temperature records for the Temecula area and evaluating soil samples, Break’s original plan of growing citrus in the area was replaced by a plan to grow wine grapes.

Over the next few years, the efforts attracted the attention of investors including then California Governor Ronald Reagan, who purchased a large portion of the Santa Rosa Plateau, and Vincenzo and Audrey Cilurzo, who purchased 40 acres of property on what is now Rancho California Road. The Cilurzos established the first modern commercial vineyard in the Temecula Valley in 1968.

In 1974, the founding of Callaway Winery by golf magnate Ely Callaway marked the beginning of large production winemaking in the Temecula Valley. John Poole opened Mount Palomar Winery in 1975, and in 1978 the Cilurzos opened another Temecula winery at their new site. Their original vineyard, Temecula’s oldest, is now owned by Maurice Carrie Winery. And the rest is history. Today, there are over 40 wineries in the Temecula Valley.

For many people (including us), wine tasting in Temecula meant driving from winery to winery on the east side of Highway 15, enjoying the rural scenery and hoping to find something you like. We’re older and wiser now, and we’re the Urban Wine Walkers after all, not the Rural Wine Drivers (wow, that sounds really bad when you say it out loud), so we enjoy the sights and flavors of Old Town Temecula just west of the highway. Our walk takes you straight through the heart of the town on Old Town Front Street, past historic buildings with antique dealers, unique shopping, and restaurants, up to Mercedes Street, past City Hall and some of the “fancier” establishments, and back again. And you will probably get to see a hot rod or two along the way!