An Award-Winning Winery In California's Temecula Valley Offers A Delightful Tasting Experience

Entering Temecula Valley, the underrated wine region in California that resembles Tuscany, is like landing in the middle of Italy. The sunshine is warm, the pace of life is slow, and the main sounds you'll hear from the verdant hills are birdsong and bees. The area's history as a center for viticulture began in 1968, when the first commercial grape vines were planted. Nowadays, you'll find around 50 wineries in this idyllic Southern California getaway, which attracts over 3 million visitors annually. And one of them, the bucolic Lorenzi Estate Vineyards and Winery, is an award-winning, family-owned affair in the heart of the region.

This small-batch, artisanal business launched in 2000 in Don Lorenzi's garage before officially opening as Lorenzi Estate in 2013. Currently, the property extends across 16 acres of lush, fertile land. And expanding from the initial 20 Zinfandel vines that Don Lorenzi started with, the estate now grows 10 grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, known as the king of red wines. It's the only winery in Temecula to age all of its products in 100% French oak barrels, giving its wines subtle, complex flavors. Over the years, its premium bottles have received a number of accolades. The winery even earned a spot on California's 50 Best List 22 times, and topped out the 50 Best California Cabs list for its superb 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. And as of this writing, 205 of its red wines have been awarded 90 points or higher in national rankings.

To see what all the fuss is about, head to this unassuming winery yourself for a delightful tasting experience. The on-site tasting room, called the Lion's Den, is where you can try Lorenzi Estate's distinct products. Reserve your spot here to enjoy some of Temecula Valley's best bottles.

There are four seated table options (tastings without a tour), and one that includes a guided tour. The Discovery package, priced at $20 per person, provides guests with a trio of wines, selected monthly by the vintner. The Winemaker's Select ($35) and the VIP Experience ($55) both build on this, with five blends and varietals to try. For the latter package, all selections have been awarded 90 points or higher by national wine critics. The Art of Cabernet ($75) is for true Cabernet Sauvignon aficionados — it comes with four exceptional and rare offerings. Finally, the Vineyard Tour and Tasting, which costs $85 and requires at least two participants, is the most comprehensive. During this tour, you'll be guided through Lorenzi Estate's peaceful vineyards, learning about its products and processes from grape to glass while surrounded by quiet beauty. You'll then receive five pours, along with a charcuterie board serving up locally produced gourmet cheeses and meats, which you can enjoy alongside the spectacular Temecula Valley view.

The aforementioned tastings are available daily at different times, while the tour only runs at 11 a.m. They can all be reserved through the booking page of the winery's website. Currently, Lorenzi Estate has a 4.2 rating on Yelp and a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor. One recent visitor shared her experience on Yelp, stating: "We had a great time sipping wine, sharing laughs, and engaging in meaningful conversation. It's the kind of place where you can sit back, relax, and really connect with the wine, the people, and the moment." Indeed, wine-tasting in Temecula Valley is so highly-rated that it made the list of the 16 best things to do in all of Southern California, according to visitors — so, make sure to slot in a tasting during your trip here.

Lorenzi Estate is open every day between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and the winery does not allow children, pets, or tour buses. However, reservations can be made for small groups through their website, and you can reach out to them directly for any special visit requests. Note that, other than charcuterie boards and small snacks, food is not served here.

Lorenzi Estate is a 20-minute drive east of the town of Temecula, an underrated city with casual vibes and delicious dining, and there's on-site parking available. If you're flying, the closest airport is Southern California's Ontario International Airport (ONT), which services around 30 destinations and is about 60 miles northwest of the winery. But Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the most sleep-friendly airport in America and also one of the busiest, will provide you with more connections (they fly to 162 destinations). It is located 100 miles away from the winery, outside of downtown L.A.

While visiting Temecula Valley's exceptional wineries may be the primary purpose of your stay here, you should consider other activities in the area, too. Take an hour-long sunrise hot-air balloon flight for an extraordinary view of citrus groves, rolling vineyards, and picturesque lakes. Or go for a 90-minute sunset horseback ride through wine country for a relaxing jaunt along scenic trails. In the evening, rest your head in Temecula, which offers rooms in chain hotels such as La Quinta, Hilton, and Best Western, along with more unique options like farm stays, homey inns, and luxurious suites. Between your tastings and wine tours, be sure to check out Old Town Temecula for a wide range of dining spots, a charming historic district, and a variety of boutique shops.