So.California wines

[BojoLay]

I live about 1 hour away from Temecula Californa. Some call it "wine country". There are many wineries there. When I go there I get overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Can someone suggest, as a point of refernce, "the winery" to start with. And can you also suggest a red (I like Cab or merlot) from this region in the $10 - $20 range. And, can you suggest a good Chardonay from this region?

How do wines from this region compare to our more famous northern California wineries?

Thanks for your input
BJL

[Innkeeper]

This is from our last trip to Temecula:

"We hit three wineries in Temecula. They were the Van Roekel Vineyards and Winery, the Maurice Car'rie Vineyard and Winery, and Mount Palomar Winery. All were very nice. Mt Palomar has gone through a total transformation since I was there last in '85. They are now a full fledged Rhone Ranger and also make high value Meritages as well."

Van Roekel had a very nice unwooded chardonnay. TN is at:

http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum23/HTML/000151.html

[BojoLay]

Thanks for the advice IK. I will go there first next time in town.

btw; do you still on occasion enjoy a bottle of Murietta Cellars Old Vine Red #29? I want to try this one but I don't know where to get it near me in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. Can you help?

[Innkeeper]

If you can't find it anyplace else, I get mine from Grove Street Brokers in Healdsburg.