February 7, 2019

Europa Village, Temecula, California

I know, I missed a week.  I had the best of intentions to do a blog while I was on a business trip to California.  But then life happened, time vanished, and suddenly it was Friday.  Sorry.

To mess up your world even more, I’m not blogging on a wine today.  I’m blogging on a winery: Europa Village located in Temecula, California.

On Saturday afternoon, as I am frantically trying to get in touch with “my people,” I was hoping I could find a winery in Southern California somewhere between Anaheim (where I was Saturday) and San Diego (where I needed to be Sunday evening).  Thankfully, Amy came through and I found a valley called Temecula.

If you pull up a map of California wine country, it’s all in the north.  Except for this one little valley about halfway (and a little east) between Anaheim and San Diego.  I figured, what the heck, lets go.  (Seriously, I’m a wine blogger.  I can’t NOT go to a winery while I’m in California for a whole week.)

First stop, Europa.  The winery has a neat concept.  They import some Italian, Spanish, and French wine.  The rest of what they serve is made locally using the same techniques and styles of above-mentioned wine makers.

First off, the place is gorgeous (and in the beginning phases of a pretty incredible development to bring a bit of Europe to California).  The staff is very friendly, welcoming, and will talk all day about the wine and the winery, especially if you happen to mention you’re a blogger from Atlanta.

I took the “Premium” tasting.  It offered 5 “standard” wines and 3 “premium” wines.  Maybe not the best choice for our first stop at 10:30 in the morning, but that’s a story for another blog. 

I accidentally started with a Prosecco from Italy.  It was good, but I wanted to taste local.  I had a Vermintino that was okay and a Viognier that I really liked.  Then onto the reds.  Cinsaut, amazing.    Passione, fabulous.  Cabernet Sauvignon, divine.  Private Reserve Barbera, at this point I’m pretty sure I’ve died and gone to wine heaven.  At $60/bottle it’s out of the price range of this blog but I don’t care.  Private Reserve Syrah.  Okay, but not as good as they Barbera.

And then an extra pour – Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  Unbelievable.  Incredible.  Worth the plane ticket just to go back.  (Maybe not that good, but you get the idea.)

Southern California wines you say?  Absolutely.  If you’re anywhere near Temecula, head over to Europa Village.   I even brought home a wine glass for my collection of winery wine glasses.  If I’m back out in that part of California, I’ll be doing a return visit.  And maybe this time I’ll remember to bring home a bottle of that Barbera and Cab.