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Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

August 26, 2010 8:58 PM

Stuart Cellars Winery offers a diverse selection of wines. (Credit: www.sbwinery.com)

Stuart Cellars Winery offers a diverse selection of wines. (Credit: http://www.sbwinery.com)

When people think about wine in the state of California, they may have a natural tendency to think first about Napa Valley. However, there are quality wineries in other regions of the state. Specifically, Southern California provides a number of vineyards where tourists and residents can enjoy some excellent local wine. With that in mind, here are a few Southern California vineyards that provide some of the best products in the area.

011 Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

Santa Barbara Winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. (Credit: http://www.sbwinery.com)

Santa Barbara Winery

202 Anacapa St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-3633
www.sbwinery.com

This winery was opened in 1962 and specializes in Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. The winery is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

022 Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

Stuart Cellars Winery offers a diverse selection of wines. (Credit: http://www.sbwinery.com)

Stuart Cellars Winery

33515 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 676-6414
More Info

This winery is diverse, as it produces Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel. The tasting room hours are each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

The Bernardo Winery may be the oldest continually operating winery in Southern California. (Credit: http://www.bernardowinery.com)

Bernardo Winery

13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 487-1866
www.bernardowinery.com

The Bernardo Winery produces a variety of products and advertises itself as the oldest continually operating winery in Southern California. Visitors can enjoy the tasting room every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can also enjoy a cafÈ, coffee shop and shopping.

041 Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

The Thornton Winery specializes in sparkling wine/champagne. (Credit: http://www.thorntonwine.com)

Thornton Winery

32575 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92589
(951) 699-0099
More Info

The Thornton Winery specializes in sparkling wine/champagne and has been operating since 1988. Visitors can enjoy winery tours on weekends, and the tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

051 Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

The Ferrera Winery specializes in a variety of varietals and also produces dessert wines. (Credit: http://www.ferrarawinery.com)

Ferrera Winery

1120 West 15th Ave.
Escondido, CA
(760) 745-7632
www.ferrarawinery.com

The Ferrera Winery specializes in a variety of varietals and also produces dessert wines, specialty wines and juices. With the exception of Tuesday, the tasting room is open every other day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

06 Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

The Falkner Winery advertises itself as producing great blended wines. (Credit: http://www.falknerwinery.com)

Falkner Winery

40620 Calle Contento
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 676-8231
More Info

The Falkner Winery advertises itself as producing great blended wines that have won a number of prestigious awards. Visitors can enjoy the tasting room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the restaurant from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

screen shot 2010 08 26 at 7 25 23 pm Southern California Vineyards: A Guide To The Best Local Wine

San Antonio is the only winery that is still producing in Los Angeles County. (Credit: http://www.sanantoniowinery.com)

San Antonio Winery

737 Lamar St.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 223-1401
More Info

The San Antonio Winery produces a wide variety of products and is the only winery that is still producing in Los Angeles County. Tours are available Monday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Todd Pheifer