It seems everywhere you turn, from social media to the news, Italy is the place to be. It’s where Dua Lipa, Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebrities regularly lounge on yachts and sip Aperol Spritz on the coast in tiny swimsuits while splashing lemon juice on fresh fish, as the golden sun sets on the European gem.
So it’s no surprise that — if you’ve been paying attention at all — there’s a strong marketing push to dub Temecula as California’s “Italian wine country.”
But other than the very similar Mediterranean climate — with its long, dry, hot summers, wet and mild winters, and penchant for growing grapes — does Temecula wine country really compare to the Italian countryside?
I decided to see for myself. No passport or plane ticket was required, so why not?
Situated on the southwestern side of Riverside County, Temecula lies roughly 50 miles inland from downtown San Diego, and about 85 miles from downtown Los Angeles. So just about anywhere you’re coming from in Southern California puts you less than three hours away by car. A leg up on the European country already.
For the weekend, I booked a room at the Temecula Creek Inn — self-described as “Temecula Valley’s Most Charming Hotel.” Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Margarita Mountains, the 300-acre, 130-room resort is minutes from Old Town Temecula, Pechanga Resort Casino, and is situated near 40 wineries in the Temecula Valley. It’s also home to Temecula Creek Golf Club.
“Charming” is the exact word I would use to describe the hotel. It has a chic, sleepaway camp feel (as in, “This is where we summer,” not “Who ate the last s’more?”). I pulled up and parked in front of the lobby under the covered carport, then headed in. If you are expecting valet or bell service to help with your bags, this is not the place. You check in, then drive your car to the building where your room is. If you don’t have a car, staff will drive you and your luggage to your room in a golf cart. Which, admittedly, is very charming.
The grounds are scenic and walkable, with a notable walkway (albeit a short one) under rows of magnolia trees that felt rather dreamy. The resort grounds instantly reminded me of the Kellerman’s Mountain House from the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.” I half expected to see Mambo lessons and kids carrying watermelons. Distinctly American, I thought.
However, like in the film, the casual, carefree and serene nature of the resort lent itself to a quiet romance that floated through the air everywhere you roamed. There is a felt sense that you are removed from the outside world, and that’s a good thing.
The resort’s marketing manager, Ciarán, explained that the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians acquired the resort and has brought it into their trust. With this acquisition comes an influx of investment to renovate. A huge resort-wide renovation is set to begin soon, with major transformations planned for the pool and surrounding areas, room block renovations, as well as a new outdoor space with open-fire cooking at the restaurant, Corkfire.
Temecula Creek Inn is one of the quietest, nearly silent, places I’ve ever been. There was a wedding, a few large multifamily groups, and fireworks shows nearby, and yet, I still felt like I was relatively alone. Never one to crinkle my nose at alone time, I was thrilled with the peace.
Out of curiosity, I asked two of the resort’s hostesses, who were in their first year of college, what they do for fun in Temecula. The young women gave each other knowing glances and shrugged.
“We go to San Diego to go out,” one braved to admit.
“I can see why,” I said.
I was set up in one of their remodeled suites, which was objectively very nice — two large patios anchored the corner room and looked out on their expansive golf course. I tucked into bed to watch a movie on their enormous television and waited for room service.
As a litmus test, whenever I stay at a hotel, I always order the burger on the first night. Every hotel has a burger, and every burger gives you a good gauge as to what to expect from the room service menu. This burger did not disappoint. It was good. The room was good. The service was good. A very solid menu, and even though room service comes from their on-site restaurant, Corkfire, the menu was distinctly different for in-room dining.
Satiated from my $25 cheeseburger, the next morning I met friends for a UTV wine tasting tour at the Danza del Sol Winery. The 40-acre winery is on the De Portola Wine Trail in the heart of Temecula Valley. A 20-minute drive from the resort, we set out early to beat the heat.
Dave, our tour guide for the morning, clad in a wine-themed button-up and rosy cheeks, greeted us with bubbly wine in hand. The Grapes & Gears UTV Tour takes you around the winery and vineyard where you learn about grapes, how they grow, the different varieties, you see the machinery used, and chat about the area’s history in winemaking. And every 15 minutes or so, you stop to try a new wine.
We learned that viticulture — the science, art and study of growing and cultivating grapevines — in Temecula can be traced back to the 1800s. To quote the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association,“Spanish missionaries first introduced grapevines to the area as part of their mission work. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that the modern wine industry in the area began to take shape as it became clear that the region’s Mediterranean-like climate and soil composition was suitable for winegrape growing.”
Indeed, there are some very satisfying, respectable wines produced there. Notable was their 2024 Orange Muscat which was one of the most delicious wines I’ve ever had, if you (like me) prefer your whites a little sweet.
As we wound through the vines heading back, we were able to say hello to the stable of horses on the property. This was truly magical. The horses were friendly and happy to see us with our carrots and easy wine-soaked demeanors.
A very lovely way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday.
The vineyard’s passion for wine and winemaking conveyed a historied and traditional approach, much like in Italy, a nod to their predecessors. Yet despite how much I wanted to pretend I was abroad, the experience felt uniquely Californian.
At the resort, classic vacation activities carried on: soaking in the pool, hydrating and late-afternoon siestas — everything necessary to prepare for dinner at the resort’s on-site restaurant, Corkfire Kitchen.
Earlier that day, I spoke to Jonathan Alcala, the head chef. New to the restaurant, chef Alcala plans to bring modern California cuisine featuring fresh ingredients, live-fire cooking, and a garden-to-table seasonal menu that is both comforting and inspired. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, and has deep roots in California and all its diverse food culture has to offer.
Although his menu was distinctly light on the pasta offerings, the emphasis on seasonal, fresh ingredients rang true to Italian cuisine — more of the spirit of Italian cooking, then literal recreations. He gave me a tour of the on-property gardens that feed his customers every day. As he ducked between towering sunflowers, butterflies floated by while he excitedly told me about the artichokes that had just bloomed.
Having had my expectations launched into the sky, I couldn’t wait for dinner. And dinner exceeded all expectations. It was spectacular.
The steak, the scallops, the asparagus, the hummus, the potatoes — it was all perfect, as in perfectly prepared and perfectly presented. A feast first for the eyes first, every dish was beautiful, beyond thoughtful and full of surprises. You could see and taste the freshness of each component. Tristin, our server, was polite and knowledgeable, lovely and attentive.
This dining experience was the absolute highlight of the entire trip, and well worth a visit whether you stay at the hotel or not. Romantic, vibrant and cozy, Corkfire was a delightful spark of life.
You’re certainly not in any danger of running into George Clooney on the lake, but maybe if you squint really hard in the exact right position with the sun in the perfect spot in the sky, maybe it can feel like you’re in the rolling wine country of Italy. It depends on how vivid your imagination is.
Temecula is missing a kind of un certo non so che that only a culture that’s been around centuries could have. Yet there is a lot to appreciate without shelling out thousands of dollars just for a flight. That alone is worth the RSVP.
If you’re looking for serenity, romance, a digital detox or a weekend away with you and your putter — one that involves a couple hours of travel all in — Temecula Valley might be exactly the place for you to try out your “Ciao bella!”