If you're looking to take a weekend to go wine tasting, why not make it an adventure by staying local?
Southern California isn't known for its vintners the way that the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are up farther north, but you can get an experience drinking wines here at vineyards and tasting rooms that don't try to be so European.
They don't even try to be Californian. They just try to be interesting and delicious and to keep people coming back.
I don't expect that anyone would travel very far from anywhere else in the state - or beyond - to do the wine country here. But if you're up for exploring, or you want to introduce some out-of-town visitors to Southern California wine, here are five great nearby and under-appreciated wine regions. These off-the-beaten-path stops are a great way to meet locals, be they the winemakers themselves or the regulars who come to drink their favorites.
Temecula
It may not occur to you to go south - much less, inland - to go wine tasting, but Temecula doesn't get its due credit. First and foremost, it is really fun. And there are so many wineries in Temecula - along two different major trails - that you can try something new with each visit, and never really have to repeat yourself. Situated halfway between L.A. and San Diego, it's easy to get to, even for just a day trip. But the pros know that the way to do Temecula is to drink all day, crash early and spend the night, and then get up before dawn to take a sunrise balloon ride. If you're still thirsty, your pilot will pour you some celebratory champagne upon landing.
Malibu
Don't be ashamed if you didn't know that we have our own wine country here in L.A. County. It's one of our many secrets, guarded so closely so we can keep it all to ourselves. But you'd never know that if you visited the Malibu Wines outdoor tasting room on a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, because every place you can drink wine in Malibu is so good, and there aren't that many places, they can get a little crowded. For a more intimate experience, drink Malibu wine at one of their other tasting rooms - like in Westlake Village, on The Queen Mary, or at Angeles National Golf Club. For a truly unique experience while you're drinking great wine from locally-grown grapes, book a Malibu Wine Safari (or a hike!) at Saddlerock Ranch, across the way. And while there are other tasting rooms to try (venturing also into Agoura Hills and down to the PCH), the truly authentic experience is to actually visit where the wine is created. Rosenthal conducts occasional guided tours of their Malibu estate - with wine and cheese, of course - by advance ticket purchase, if you're not a member of the wine club. But with such great wine so close, just join the wine club.
San Diego County
You could start your wine tasting trip at the theme park-like Bernardo Winery within San Diego city limits, but then just spend the rest of it in the greater Ramona Valley. It's been exploding over the last five or so years, particularly along Highway 78 between Ramona and the quaint hamlet of Julian. San Diego's wine offerings are actually more far-reaching than that, so head north of Julian along Highway 79 to hit a couple of spots in Warner Springs, a charming town along an old stagecoach route that the Pacific Crest Trail cuts right through. Or, head south for The Wineries on Highway 94, an incredibly scenic route that dips down towards and then follows the Mexican border eastwards. Stop at the railroad museum in Campo, and maybe even take a historic train ride.
Valle de Guadalupe, Baja, Mexico
Mexico has a wine region? Yes it does - in Baja, California! While it's a relatively easy drive from San Diego or even L.A., you might feel a little more at ease with your adventure south of the border with a guided tour that also provides transportation. Turista Libre tends to cater to a younger American crowd, and Club Tengo Hambre can bring you to all the authentic Baja foodie spots to keep your stomach full while you're wetting your whistle (with wine, beer, tequila, or whatever you like). Aside from upstart vineyards intent on making varietals and blends that taste distinctly Mexican, you can also get great wine with your dinner at any of the restaurants that have been exploding onto the scene that have been taking full advantage of all of Baja's local flavors. If you're spending the night, just go glamping at Cuatro Cuatros. They've got their own tasting room with an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. There's really nothing else like it.
Highway 14, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys
Wherever you're going while you're headed north up the 14 freeway, you may never get there if you discover how many wineries there are along the way. They're all pretty unique - even if just for their location, tucked in the valley with Angeles National Forest to the south and the San Andreas Fault crossing their paths. Hike Vasquez Rocks and then drink wine. Pick cherries in Leona Valley and then drink wine. Go look at the poppies and then drink wine. And don't dismiss Antelope Valley Winery, just because it's within Lancaster city limits. Both the reds and the whites are good enough to bring a bottle (or two) home with you - and they sell a variety of other gifts and goods to carry out, like exotic meats.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
05/05/2026
SVG is proud to announce Warner Bros. Discovery's Techwood Studios in Atlant...
05/05/2026
With no operator required, AutoMic workflow automates talent identification on U...
05/05/2026
A crash in 2015 set the industry back, but this winter proved that drones are he...
05/05/2026
Another year, and more proof that Asia continues to shape some of the world's most exciting new sounds. This year's RADAR artists draw from deep local r...
05/05/2026
The Austin City Limits Music Fest 2026 lineup just dropped, and this year, Spoti...
05/05/2026
New drum machine book campaign incoming
Bjooks have announced that during Superbooth 2026, they will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the product...
05/05/2026
Flagship all-in-one production bundle updated
The latest version of Native Instruments' flagship virtual instrument and plug-in bundle has just been ann...
05/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host RF Testing Innovations Forum 2026, helping design engine...
05/05/2026
L3Harris provides communications, electronic warfare, sensors and mission systems that enable Virginia-class submarine crews to operate with confidence in conte...
05/05/2026
The company grew by 7.6% in net revenue and 16.3% in EBITDA, achieving a 33% inc...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
If you're looking to take a weekend to go wine tasting, why not make it an adventure by staying local?
