Desto3 greetings from Temecula California or as Southern Californians call it, the “other wine country”.
In the U.S. THE wine country is and always will be the Napa Valley, (Napa/Sonoma). That’s a given. Okay, yeah, yeah, everybody here saw “Sideways” and ever since that movie came out Santa Barbara and Paso Robles think they are all that and a bag of chips, but, Jeez Louise, you guys have the majestic Pacific Ocean for cryin’ out loud…can you give the little inland town of Temecula a break? And, some vine love? Rise above, Central Coast. Be nice. Share the love. (Of the vino.)
Sure, I too had my Sideways-Santa Barbara period. (Just say NO! to merlot.) And, further north, Pablo and I have shared more than a few decent reds and a few decent bike rides amongst the noble vineyards in the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo. But, I have to say this: I am currently a little bit in love with Temecula, and here’s why. It’s trying so hard. You have to love a town that knows it’s not Hertz, it’s not Avis, it isn’t even Enterprise. Temecula, if you let me extend this sketchy metaphor, is Europcar. And by that I mean it isn’t Napa. Or, the Central Coast. Or even Livermore, which has a happening little wine-town revival going on. It’s kind of like “wine country for beginners”. It’s down south for starters, almost to the Mexican border, and who thinks of wine when you say San Diego? See? But, swear to the gods of enology, rumor has it they are bottling some half way decent wines down there. Who knew? Well, now we do and so you do too.
And, here’s another thing about little Temecula, California: it’s charming. The downtown of the old town area is bustling with quaint shops, eateries and pubs. It has a nice little Rue du Crapola, if that’s your thing. Oddly, I actually like it quite a bit better than San Diego’s Old Town area even though it lacks the whole “Old California Mission vibe”. What’s lacking in authenticity in terms of an “Old World Spanish” flair however is more than compensated for by the winery folks (and there are dozens now) who display an obvious penchant for anything faux French. So, if you are hankering for a teensy little taste of something with a European flavor without actually having to get a passport, spend a night or two in Temecula. I highly recommend the Inn at Europa Village (out of town about 4 miles) that gives you a killer view of the surrounding cultivated hillsides and the misty mountains in the distance. You could be in France. (Bordeaux.) Or Italy. (Tuscany). Or Spain. (Basque country). Chef Dean does the brekkie and it is spectacular. If you don’t take the crack of dawn balloon ride, you can still watch them take off from your private balcony. But, we took the ride with D & D Ballooning so you could see this photo. (My motto: No Child Left A Dime.) (Sorry kids.)
Another opportunity for a bit of Europa without leaving home is the Shamrock Irish Pub just up the road in Murietta. Oh, what a fine time you’ll have. Two nice limey-boyos own the pub and they’ll provide real pints of fine brew and live music that’ll have you off your feet and dancin’ a jig before you know what hit ya’. Surely now, one of God’s finest miracles is the corned beef and cabbage…delicious and truly authentic. You’ll swear your Irish gran cooked it up special for your Sunday supper. But, if you prefer, order the fish and chips. Best F&C this side of the Atlantic, don’t you know. And, trust your server for a wine rec. ‘Tis the wine country, boyo, and these servers know their stuff. All in all if you can’t go to Europe this summer, do yourself the next best. Temecula for a taste of France. And the Shamrock for an Irish/English pub experience. But check the live music schedule and make sure the gypsy band Quel Bordel is playing and the wee Irish dancers are kicking up their heels for ya’. Slainte!
