California's Hidden Gem Wine Region Offers A Festive Winter Getaway

When we think of California wine country, Napa Valley usually comes to mind, and for good reason. This region just north of the Bay Area produces grapes of such quality that a trip there can feel like visiting Tuscany without having to take a transatlantic flight. That said, Napa is hardly the Golden State's only place that's known for top-notch vino. There are plenty of other great and underrated California wine regions, including the Temecula Valley.

Situated in Southern California amongst the hills between Los Angeles and California's oldest city, San Diego, Temecula has only been producing premium wines since 1968. Before then, the area was home to a 100,000-acre cattle ranch. Now, you'll find vineyards, estates, and world-class wineries, along with the inland city that shares the valley's name.

One reason wine grapes thrive in Temecula is because of its arid, Mediterranean climate. The region enjoys around 276 sunny days a year, with an average high temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Given its overall hot weather and lack of precipitation, it may surprise some to learn that Temecula also hosts one of California's most festive Christmas celebrations. For a few weeks each December, part of the town is transformed into a glimmering winter wonderland.

Celebrated across three neighborhoods — Old Town, Wine Country, and the Pechanga Resort Casino — "Temecula Chilled" is the official name of the local holiday celebrations. During this time, you'll find these districts lit up with colorful lights that are the twinkling embodiment of Yuletide cheer. The local restaurants, shops, boutiques, hotels, and resorts also get in on the act, with plenty of cheery decorations, Christmas trees, and other expressions of the holiday spirit.

In addition to the enchanting world of lights, there are also two seasonal skating rinks where you can lace up and hit the ice. In addition, Temecula Chilled features live performances, kids' events, fireworks, horse-drawn carriage rides, as well as Santa's Electric Light Parade, an illuminated nighttime procession guaranteed to spark a fire in the heart of even the biggest Scrooge. 

There is a Christmas tree lighting on December 1st at the Temecula Duck Pond, and you can also meet Santa himself. He arrives at his cottage in Old Town on the day after Thanksgiving and stays for most of December. The celebrations culminate on New Year's Eve with the annual Grape Drop, which also features live music, food stalls, and plenty of entertainment for the kids.

While the dazzling lights of Temecula's holiday festival may be enough to justify your visit, this is wine country after all, and no trip to the area would be complete without sampling the wares. The rolling hills and valleys of Temecula are home to nearly 50 wineries, with grapes that run the gamut from pinot noir, to chardonnay, to cab sauv, and more.

Europa Village Winery and Resorts transports you to Old World Spain, France, and Italy, with accommodations, tours, live music, and Bolero Restaurante, one of Temucula's top restaurants for Spanish cuisine. The resort goes all-out with the lights come Christmastime, making it a must-visit during the holiday season. Peltzer Winery is a 25-acre property with a well-known tasting room and holiday ice rink, while Vitagliano specializes in Super Tuscan varietals grown to be paired with Italian food. Oak Mountain Winery boasts a 104-foot-deep subterranean wine cave as well as its own distillery, along with an intimate, speakeasy-like bar serving up craft spirits. 

Temecula is just an hour's drive from San Diego International Airport (SAN), or 90 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — without traffic, of course. For more grape goodness, be sure to visit Lodi, California's largest wine region that somehow still remains one of the state's best-kept secrets.