The name Temecula comes from the Luiseño Indian word "Temecunga," meaning "where the sun shines through the mist." Because of its remote geography and hot summers, many believe the area is all desert. In fact, it's a more complex microclimate, surrounded by mountains reaching up to 11,000 feet, but like the desert, it can cool down by as much as 40 degrees overnight—and this is significant in the region's attractiveness as a viticultural area.
Temecula's modern day roots trace back to 1858, when the town became a stagecoach stop on the Butterfield Overland route. One year later, it established the first inland Southern California post office, and that is its birth-year immortalized on the inlayed steel and arches of modern day Old Town.
The first vines were planted in the late 1960s. By the mid-80s, there were a handful of wineries in the area; now there are more than 30. We visited, Calloway, Weins, Ponte, Hart, Marie Carrie, La Cereza and Keyways. We had a great day!
We had such a great time. I am gonna catch up on my blog tonight.
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