Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash
A year ago, I was looking up “what are the best wineries proposal” on my browser and Temecula popped up on my screen with a list of the best Temecula dog-friendly wineries. I was beyond excited because I wanted my four-legged friend to be part of one of the most important days of my life. A few clicks later, I had a full itinerary to visit the best wineries in Temecula and I’m glad to say, it was worth the trip!
Temecula is well known for being one of the top-rated wine countries in Southern California. If you’re a wine lover, you’ve probably already heard laurels about Napa and Sonoma, but if you’re looking for an excellent alternative to take your pet with you on an adventure, Temecula is the way to go.
This is a paradise wine country for wine and dog lovers alike because you can have a wonderful time sipping on some of the most exclusive wines while also having a jolly time with your furry friends.
In this article, I will be listing some of the pet-friendly wineries in Temecula I have visited. If you are on the lookout for fun California things to do with kids or you like visiting places that are dog friendly, these 7 best wineries in Temecula, CA, are your go-to, according to my experience.
One of the most fun things to do in Temecula is going on a wine-tasting tour. And what could make this experience better than having your furry friend tag along?
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Below are 7 of the best pet-friendly wineries in Temecula, CA:
Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Location: 34450 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA
Cost: You will have to pay $25 for 5 different wines to taste.
If you look up hotels in Temecula winery, the Carter Estate Resort is a sure result as one of the most luxurious hotels in the country; the Carter Estate winery is a must-visit for those looking for a great experience.
They are an award-winning winery run by the Carter family since 1995. From the moment you enter the estate, you’ll be blown away by the beauty of all the bungalows and premier suites with private balconies and swimming pools. It comes as no shock that this is a one of the popular wedding venues in Temecula.
You might even run into some photoshoots for fall or spring if you plan to visit during this time of year. The best part about this winery is that they allow pets on the property, and all their rooms overlook the beautiful vineyards that adorn the entire estate.
This way, you and your pet can enjoy breathtaking views no matter what room you pick in the resort for your stay. They have private wine tasting rooms so you can enjoy your pick of wines in comfort. The wines are hand-selected to give all customers the best experience they can ask for.
The unique selling point of this winery is that they make their sparkling wine despite popular opinion that it can only be produced in France. The only sparkling wine in the valley is produced in the Méthode Champenoise at the Carter Estate.
Once you check into the resort, you’ll be convinced that the staff and the experience are something you and your furry friends can enjoy. They make sure that your every need and accommodation are met.
Baily Winery and Vineyard
Location: 3344, La Serena Way, Temecula, CA
Cost: 6 different 1 Oz wines of your choice at only $20
“We stopped by with our dog to enjoy a tasting on a Saturday. No reservation is needed for the tasting room but arrive before 4 pm. There’s plenty of free parking….Well-behaved, on-leash dogs are allowed to accompany you. There’s a nice little grassy area with tables to hang out in.” (Jackie)
With a fantastic staff and an even more spectacular wine selection, Baily Vineyards & Winery is the best regarding value for money. Since they are a pet-friendly vineyard, you’ll see they have a lot of room for outdoor sitting with a fantastic view of the entire estate.
It’s one of the best photo locations for a birthday photoshoot, engagement photos, or even a bachelorette party. You can let your pet run around in the courtyard while you sit and sip on different specialty wines.
If you’re uncomfortable with sitting outside, you can also take a seat inside their stone buildings, which are much more relaxed and have a rustic feel. They have a straightforward and convenient method for their wine tasting session, making it even more appealing for first-time visitors to recommend the place to others.
You get 6 different tokens or chips for the 6 wines you can taste for $20. You can cash in one of your chips for every wine taste, so you don’t have to sit inside and drink all at once. You can walk around and explore the estate and go back to the bar for another drink when you feel like it.
Churon Winery
Address: 33233 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA
Cost: You can taste four different wines that come in 2 oz. There are different rates for each type: You will pay $22 for Sweet or White Flight and $25 for Red Flight.
“Girls day in Temecula wine country was great. This was the second stop for us but it was a top-notch experience. We had a Groupon and it was 100% worth it. The wine was really great and so was the service. The bar area was roomy so not terribly crowded. There was a sitting area which was nice and plenty of staff to provide service. LOVED their Mango Sparkling Wine that was out of this world! Can’t wait to go back.” (Moni G)
As a vineyard winery, the Churon Winery is also one of the go-to places for many wine lovers. It was established in 2001, extended over 12 acres, and is owned by Judy and Ron Thomas.
If I have to choose a downside, you don’t have a wide selection of wines to taste even though you get more ounces to drink. Unlike other wineries I have visited, Churon Winery only had three wine flight options which were red, white, and sweet.
Apart from this, this is your go-to if you are searching for romantic things to do in the area. They follow very rustic chateaux-style aesthetics, making it even more luxurious, especially considering the price you pay. Many people come here for engagement photos and summer or winter photoshoots, so you can also throw on a dress and take your pictures with a beautiful background to match.
And the best part? This place is super pet-friendly, so don’t worry about your pet being lonely while you’re out exploring the top wineries in Temecula. For an experience worth your money, Churon Winery is one of the best Temecula wineries to visit.
Gershon Bachus Vintners
Address: 37750 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA
Cost: You get to taste six different wines at $22. However, not counting the tax. The taste flights for these 6 wines can vary depending on the time of year, but there is always a selection of white and red flights.
This location is not too far from the city of San Diego, so you don’t have to worry about where to stay in Temecula if you’re visiting this winery. Make a Day trip Downtown and head to the hotel’s restaurants for lunch with wine tasting following this session.
It’s also an excellent place for your four-legged friend to run around and mingle with people and other pets. The best feature of the Gershon Bachus Vintners, in my opinion, was that the staff makes sure that the wine tasting rooms are always closely monitored with experts who will talk you through every experience.
They place a very high priority on the experience and enjoyment of the customers; hence, you’ll find that their staff is amiable and knowledgeable. The best part is that the place overlooks the ocean, so you’ll always feel a light and calming breeze running through your hair while you sip on quality wines.
They have both indoor and outdoor seating, so if you’re with your furry friend, you can choose to sit outside while keeping an eye on your pet. You can also sit in the Barrel Room, commonly used for such tasting occasions.
Oak Mountain Winery
Address: 36522 VÃa Verde, Temecula, CA
Cost: It costs $20 to taste 6 different wines, each 1 oz. You can pick your own choice of wines to taste.
The Oak Mountain winery is a fun place to visit. It is a kid-friendly space with an old town valley feel where pets are allowed, so you can sit wherever you prefer with your four-legged pooch. The unique aspect of the Oak Mountain winery is its cave which is open to visitors for tours.
However, for safety reasons, dogs are not allowed inside the cave. Like with the Baily winery, you get a slip for all your wine tastings, so you can take your time and roam around the place with your pet and come back to the bar for a drink when you want to. This freedom is one of the best parts of Oak Mountain Winery.
This place is famous, so if you visit during the weekends, it might be cramped with many visitors. However, if you’re lucky, this is a great open space for you and your dog to chill in. You can even decide to sit inside with your dog if it’s too hot to sit outside.
Callaway Vineyard and Winery
Address: 32720 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA
Cost: $20 for tasting 6 different 1 oz wines
“Callaway has breathtaking grounds that are suitable for great photo ops. The vibe and crowd are more on the high end and the wines were better in quality relative to the other stops we’ve been to….” (Sweet&Salty)
With more than 50 years in the industry, you can be sure that your search for the best wineries in Temecula is incomplete without visiting Callaway vineyard and winery. They have an extensive range of wines to taste, so you can pick which ones you would like to taste.
A significant downer of this place is that even though it is pet friendly, they don’t allow dogs to enter the wine tasting rooms. They are only allowed on the vineyard grounds. So if it’s a scorching day and you’ve visited the place with your dog, you might want to bring some extra sun protection because you won’t be able to enter the room with your dog.
This place is a literal paradise for dogs and their humans because of the scenic view and setup of the buildings and the vineyards. Despite being a little restrictive on where pets are allowed, it is truly a breathtaking place where your dog can also enjoy the view of the most beautiful scenery.
Somerset Winery and Vineyard
Address: 37338 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA
Cost: The Somerset Winery and Vineyard have different costs for different weekdays. If you visit the place during the weekdays till Thursday, you pay $20 for the tasting, whereas you have to pay $25 if you visit on Fridays through Sundays.
Out of all the wineries I visited in Temecula, this was one of the most fun experiences because of their fantastic staff, who made the stay as eventful as possible. They also allow pets to go on the wine tours, which was a first; plus, they show their whole wine-making process, which was a total behind-the-scenes learning experience.
They have a wide range of wines to taste, so you can head to the bar anytime you want and ask for a glass to be poured while you listen to the story behind the making of the wine from one of their experienced pourers.
The best part about this place is that they have a gift shop where you can buy fun souvenirs for yourself or your friends.
Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash
Conclusion
It’s not surprising that the best travel destinations with beautiful spots to see are the top-rated wineries in the world. If you have the time, you can even go for a hot air balloon ride in Temecula and fly across these beautiful wineries for the most prolific panoramic views you can imagine.
Please leave a comment below if this article was helpful for your solo traveling or wine-tasting ventures.
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