Temecula is considered “Southern California wine country,” a counterpart to Napa and Sonoma several hours north.
Many of Oregon’s vineyards are tucked into the Willamette Valley, where the altitude and weather pattern make for perfect conditions for grapes, as extra sunlight leads to long ripening, and cool nights help the grapes retain acidity. And outside of the Willamette Valley, there are still plenty of wineries to explore.