Photo: Courtesy of Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story I cheekily open one eye to peer around during shavasana as I lay on my yoga mat between the vines’ full summer foliage at Akash Winery . I’m in Southern California, but the cypress trees and stucco homes suggest an amalgamation of a Tuscan-Provencal hilltop town. I return to darkness for my final deep breaths, grateful for the movement, before another day of wine tasting—which would begin less than five minutes after rolling up my mat and strolling to the tasting room for a breakfast sip of sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.
This isn’t the first unique sparkler I’ve encountered within my first 30 hours of tasting my way through Temecula Wine Country, about an hour north of San Diego and 90 minutes south of Los Angeles. Considered an emerging wine destination within the U.S., Temecula’s viticultural origins date back to 1968 when the first commercial vineyard and inaugural winery were established; it was designated as an official AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1984. Today, the region of 33,000 planted acres and 47 wineries has earned a spot on the world wine map for its success with Mediterranean varieties that are less typical of its American counterparts—like Italy’s Barbera and Falanghina grapes or Rhône-style Grenache-Syrah blends—and it’s also using its “emerging” title for experimentation with sparkling wines. This is evident as I’m still thinking about last night’s bubbly Gewürztraminer from South Coast Winery when I sip the second effervescent pour during my post-yoga tasting at Akash: a sparkling rosé of Zinfandel.
“Most areas have a signature varietal, but I don’t think we need to pigeonhole ourselves into a certain one,” says Justin Knight, winemaker at Danza Del Sol Winery , as we sip through a delicate yet fruity Albariño, native to Spain’s northwestern Rías Baixas region before switching gears to southern France for a subtly floral Viognier with a delightfully mineral finish.
Photo: Courtesy of Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association I’m intrigued by this mindset and also at the integration of wine into daily life here, from my morning omms between the vines to horseback rides, poolside flights and pre-lunch paddling on the lake that can all be part of a trip here if you so desire. After all, life is about balance—and nothing quite captures that more than a morning shavasana before a breakfast Sauvignon Blanc.
For a true taste of Europe-meets-Southern California, check in to one of the Bolero Casitas at Europa Village , a centrally located resort sectioned into French, Italian, and Spanish destinations. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture here is omnipresent with tile mosaics, interior courtyards and textured stucco that nod to the old-world charm of rustic hamlets across Provence, Tuscany, and Andalusia. The 10 private casitas are each 367 square feet, allowing plenty of space for decompression in between tastings with oversized showers and your own outdoor area for lounging in the SoCal sun. Spread over 300 acres, Europa also crafts its own wine according to its themed destinations with an Italian mercato, a Spanish hotspot serving up paella and tapas, as well as a French haute cuisine eatery on the way.
A collection of villas and suites comprises this 132-key resort and winery’s accommodations tucked into their estate vineyards. The family-owned retreat offers a tailored home base for first-timers, embod…