Wine snobs rejoice! There are many wine regions in California, and thanks to the popularity of "Sideways,"those areas above Santa Barbara have been having some banner years. Napa and Sonoma are always on the radar, but for those looking for new tastes, Temecula is a mere two hours away from LA.

Once the sleepy stepsister of her Napa and Sonoma siblings, Temecula is now a burgeoning force, with well over 25 wineries, food, balloon, and music festivals, with the entire area buoyed by the happening and ever expanding Pechanga Resort and Casino.

If gambling's in your blood, you'll enjoy Pechanga's 188,000 square ft. gaming floor, making it California's largest casino. Housing many notable restaurants, you can indulge your senses with the likes of The Great Oak, winner of Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence.' This is one of the best steakhouses I've sampled in California, and certainly well worth the investment. Also notable is The Seafood Grotto, immersing you in an undersea-like atmosphere. Pretend you're snorkeling as you enjoy their decor, and the many culinary offerings of this fine restaurant. There are many other dining options as well, if you want a more casual experience.

Urban night crawlers should check out Pechanga's "Silk, the Club", a progressive 28,000 square foot two-story nightclub that will vault you into the 22nd century. Wear your finery, as their dress code is strictly enforced. It's wild at night, and has that "anything goes' vibe where you can cocoon in comfort with a selection of bottle service VIP booths, a dynamite sound system, ensconced in a really progressive atmosphere.

But let's face it, if you're going to Temecula, you have to sample the wine. In this cute community, you can select from mom-and-pop wineries, where the neighborly feel is still prevalent. You can also try cutting edge places where wine combines with art and culture. Thirdly, you can select a place that provides an all-encompassing experience, combining wine with event planning, culinary options, music festivals, and an ample supply of gift selections for those wanting memorabilia.

Let's start with the more provincial experience. One example is Hart Winery, founded by Joe and Nancy Hart in the 70's. This quaint place is still reminiscent of more simplistic times, where you can get a hands-on feeling for the wine making process. Watch the bottles rushing through the machinery as they are slapped with labels. Say hello to Joe Travis Hart, whose hands have toiled the soil since the 70's when he left his position as a teacher to fulfill a lifelong dream. His face is like a Thomas Guide of history, perseverance and passion. He's a wealth of information and intrigue.

Head up the road and visit Miramonte, where you can see art and culture's impact on the winemaking process. See that etched Madonna Merlot bottle? It will easily fetch $250. Or how about those ruby lips from the Sticky Fingers album for the Stones? Another few C notes. It's all a part of the "cutting edge" of the winemaking process and the visionary role-played by Cane Vanderhoof and his relationship with the entertainment community. Come by on Friday nights for Flamenco, or Saturday for a blues bash. Art, food, music and wine all combine to create a cultural infusion.

Want a "Day in the Country"? Check out Ponte, where you can easily spend an afternoon dining, drinking or simply enjoying the grounds and gift shop. Weddings and corporate events take advantage of the spring-like setting here, a rainbow of color and sensation. Just looking for great food? Dine at their heralded Smokehouse Restaurant where chef Steve Stawinski takes a stab at the unusual with things as meat loaf, Cobb salads, and pizzas, all with an innovative twist.

Of course there's Calloway, renowned in this area for several decades, but recently has refocused to concentrate on producing more on quality than quantity. Evident is their 2003 Estate Bottled Dolcetto, soft and subtle and loaded with ripe fruit flavors of plum, black cherry and blackberry, complemented with hints of chocolate mocha and cinnamon. We took a few of these bottles home and enjoyed them repeatedly with a variety of meals. Ummmmm!

So, there you have it. Temecula awaits you. Simply go, so that you can sip and caress their many offerings. What better way to indulge the senses than by gazing at a long-legged Pinot Noir, perfumed with cherries, plums and a woodsy shot of musk?

Whatever your persuasion, there are many wineries from which to choose. This is a small sampling. As always, drink sensibly, and drive safely!

For more information:
http://www.TemeculaWines.org
http://www.pechanga.com/resort/

Mary McGrath is a freelance writer and photographer based in Culver City. Her work has appeared in many books, magazines, newspapers and on several web sites, some of which include: Newsweek, MSNBC.com, Curve, Copley Newspapers, Rangefinder Magazine and Shutterbug Magazine.
www.marymcgrathphotography.com