Temecula highlight
Temecula Valley wine country
Temecula Valley is an American Viticultural Area with approximately 50 wineries and 30 wine varietals, established in 1984 on 33,000 acres in southwestern Riverside County.
Temecula Valley was officially established as an American Viticultural Area on October 23, 1984, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The 33,000-acre region encompasses distinct microclimatic conditions created as Pacific marine air flows inland through gaps in the Santa Ana Mountains, reaching the valley at around 1,400 feet elevation. This natural ventilation brings cool nights and warm days, conditions that allow wine grapes to mature while retaining acidity and complexity.
The first modern commercial vineyards were planted in 1968 by Vincenzo and Audry Cilurzo, marking the beginning of Temecula's winemaking era. Mount Palomar Winery opened in 1969, followed by the Callaway Vineyard and Winery, which opened the region's first public tasting room in 1974. Today, Temecula Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel and 25 additional varietals from approximately 500 planted acres.
For families in wine country, the region's attractions—tasting rooms, weekend gatherings, vineyard events—are places where you build memories with people who depend on you. A term life policy protecting your income during the years of peak responsibility ensures that the traditions and security you're building today continue if something changes.