Falkner Winery in Temecula, CA

Relaxed after "Hot Lips"

Rating: You Should Go

Falkner is one of the many wineries in Temecula's "wine country", but one to which I had never been before.  I went with a group of friends for a wine tasting birthday party.  The winery is on the top of a hill, making it a beautiful overlook in the spring and summer, I'm sure.  We went in January so the vineyards were brown all around us.  The wine tasting area has two long bars inside, a small bar outside, and a large outside patio
with artificial grass and a large number of covered picnic benches.  It's nice that they offer a place to sit as many smaller wineries don't.  Tastings are $10 for 4 or $15 for 7 (and the latter includes a signature glass to keep).  Falkner has a large list of wines to choose your tastings from (although not a lot of white wines).  Each is labeled with a rating Silver to Platinum (or no rating at all), so you can try the more popular ones if you're not sure what you like.  The best thing they have has to be reserved for your last tasting.  It's called Hot Lips (and it's best served hot), which is like a hot apple cider made of wine.  On a chilly January morning, this drink was AMAZING.  It made me feel warm but without a strong alcohol taste.  You're only allowed 1 tasting of this drink per hour, though, so save it for last and savor it.  The view, seating, and selection (but most of all the Hot Lips) make this a place I'll definitely return to.

The Patio at Falkner

Photos Courtesy of Sandy Pereira (since I forgot my camera).