Harvest Season 2025 Begins In Temecula Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country has officially welcomed Harvest 2025 with the first grapes of the season, including Pinot Noir from the high-elevation Wild Horse Peak vineyard.

Temecula Valley is often among the first regions in California to begin harvest, thanks to its warm climate and early-ripening grapes, especially those destined for sparkling wines.

"Harvest has arrived on the heels of a heat wave, and we’re especially excited about the early grapes coming in, as these are used for our sparkling wines," said Jon McPherson, master winemaker at Carter Estate Winery and South Coast Winery. "The quality is exceptional, with early picks showing excellent chemistry. Yields are about average so far and appear to be slightly lower than last year."

Brittany Mastin of Churon Winery gives another take on harvest season.

"Harvest in Temecula Valley carries a sense of intimacy and charm that sets it apart," she said. "We’re a region where visitors can truly feel part of the process — not just watching from afar, but walking through the vineyards, chatting with winemakers, and experiencing the energy of a tight-knit wine community."

Indeed, the season coincides with the arrival of California Wine Month in September, a time when Temecula Valley guests experience the local region at its most exciting.

"This is a great time of year to enjoy a glass of wine on a patio with a vineyard view," said Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley.

Sipping is one way to take it all in, but here's a quick lineup of other Wine Month activities in the Temecula Valley:

Wine Tastings and Tours: Take a look inside the winemaking process with a guided tour and tasting at one of Temecula’s wineries, or via a shared tour hosted by a professional tour company. There are a variety of options available, including private limos, open-top Mercedes convertibles, vintage VW Vans, and decked-out Semis that hold up to 35 guests. For an outdoor experience, guests can enjoy tours on horse-drawn carriages and trolleys, ATVs or jeeps. More information about Temecula Valley wine country tours can be found here.

Throughout August and September, Little Bus Tours is offering a California Wine Month special of $89 per person for four or more guests. More here.

For September, Grapeline Wine Tours is offering $25 off per person for its Vineyard Picnic Tour. Use code SWM25 at gogrape.com/temecula when booking.

Art in the Vines: Watch Southern California artists transform Temecula Valley wine country into their own masterpieces during the first week of September. For the remainder of the month, the art will be on display at Lorimar Vineyards & Winery, where the public can vote for their favorite painting. Winners will be announced at a wine reception at the end of the month.

Grape Stomps: During Wine Month, several Temecula Valley wineries will host grape stomps, a popular experience during harvest season. Guests can dress up and channel their inner Lucy Ricardo, assemble a dream team for an intense competition, or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere. More details here.

Europa Village Wineries & Resort will host a wine and food festival, Great Taste of Europa, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14. This annual event welcomes guests to explore unique European wines, regional cuisine, local artisan vendors and much more. The event also features live entertainment set against the scenic backdrop of the resort’s vineyards.

CRUSH Wine & Culinary Showcase (Sept. 27, 2025): Get ready to mingle with winemakers and fellow enthusiasts at this signature event. The evening features wines from 30+ member wineries, culinary creations from local restaurants and caterers, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with winery owners and winemakers. For tickets, go here.

Peltzer Pumpkin Farm & Harvest Festival (Sept. 21 – Oct. 31, 2025): This is the place to celebrate autumn with family-friendly fun. This festival is full of activities for kids, including a petting farm, pumpkin painting, rows and rows of pumpkins, and more. Just a few miles away, families can also conquer Southern California's largest corn maze at Big Horse Corn Maze.

Temecula Valley is known for its wine, but plenty of arts and entertainment options can be found throughout the region, including:

Live Music at Local Wineries: Many wineries feature live music throughout the week and on weekends. Check their websites for updated schedules or go to the Visit Temecula Valley events calendar for more information.

Old Town Temecula Entertainment: Step back in time and discover Temecula’s historic district for shopping, dining, boutique tasting rooms, and plenty of live entertainment. From the Old Town Temecula Community Theater to cultural celebrations and live music at various venues like The Vibe, which offers at least six live shows each week, there's always something happening. More here.

Cartoon-A Palooza! (Sept. 13): Art, anime, cartooning, and comic fans come together to represent and support their favorite fandoms at this lively event. Guests will experience a variety of art vendors, fun fandom meet-ups, and epic cosplay contests.

Tacos & Tequila Festival, Pechanga Resort Casino (Sept. 20): Ticket holders will be treated to limitless bites of gourmet tacos, grilled up by Pechanga’s award-winning chefs. Tequila and mezcal enthusiasts will encounter a multitude of distillers. Whether it’s a sophisticated blanco, a matured oak barrel reposado, or a smoky mezcal, it can be found at the Tacos and Tequila Festival. A decadent dessert bar will offer chocolate fountains, cakes, churros, cookies, and more.

Thornton Winery's Champagne Jazz Concert Series: Spend an evening under the stars with world-renowned jazz artists. Catch Jeffrey Osborne (Sept. 13), Regina Belle (Sept. 20), Will Downing (Oct. 4), and Boney James (Oct. 11). More here.

Rhythm on the Vine at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa: This concert series features award-winning musicians, singers and bands and takes place in the resort’s outdoor courtyard. Fall guests include The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band with Bobby Rush Sept. 7 and Queen Nation: Queen Re-Imagined Symphonic Rock Show Oct. 16.

Pro-Tips: Plan to visit Temecula Valley midweek to avoid weekend crowds. There is a range of lodging options in Southern California Wine Country.

For more information about Temecula Valley Wine Country and its wineries, visit www.temeculawines.org. For more information about things to do in the region, go to www.visittemeculavalley.com.