Temecula

I have always been slightly curious about wine tasting in Temecula and this weekend Jordi and I got the opportunity to check it out for ourselves. A good friend of mine recently graduated from her Masters program in San Diego and invited a group of friends to go wine tasting in Temecula.  I think the success of Temecula as a wine tasting region is largely based on it's proximity to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and Riverside - over 30 million California residents have only to drive about an hour to get into the pretty hills and vineyards in southwest Riverside County.

However, if you are actually "into" wine, I wouldn't suggest going to Temecula. Although it's proximity to SoCal residents and the beauty of the hills are great, wine tasting itself is a bit overdone and merchandised. On  the other hand, if you like Las Vegas or Disneyland versions of things, then maybe Temecula is for you. As I wandered around the gigantic tasting rooms looking at countryside murals on the wall, racks of retail and the hundreds of people crowded around, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was at "Paso Robles, SLO County" located on the Vegas Strip.
Where was the vintner with his stained hands from field work, pouring his latest and greatest creation to a few people packed inside the shed doubling as a tasting room?
Where were all the middle aged moms (since Tasting Room Attendants are the only jobs in that area) who have been working there for years and know the names of the field worker's kids?
Where are all the Cal Poly Viticulture majors who have memorized every type of grape in every bottled blend, and love to spout it off to you?
Or the tasting rooms which are actually (gasp) empty when you walk in?
That is what I love about wine tasting - getting out into the country, seeing a slow pace and hard work, learning to appreciate every aspect that goes into creating something to be proud of. And this is what you discover as you meet, sip and talk with the people.
It's almost sad to see wine tasting so commercialized. When you take the relationships out of it, basically it's just drinking little tastes of random so-so wine from some guy at the counter that has a million other people he's pouring for and little time to chat. Like a massive bar in the middle of the hills where everyone feels sophisticated as they pay $20 for a tasting.

Yes, we had a great time with our friends, and I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful the countryside was. Wine tasting in Temecula is a fun event if you are prepared for it - like getting pizza at "New York, New York" or BBQ shrimp from the Blue Bayou at Disneyland. Not exactly the real deal, but if you don't mind paying a wad, you get a fun time with your friends somewhere more exciting than Chili's.

Have you been to Temecula, and what did you think? Have you been wine tasting anywhere else, and what is that like?