Temecula Valley Barrel Tasting is set for Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7, 2027. Once a year, more than 30 wineries across Temecula Valley wine country pour wines that are not in tasting rooms yet, some straight from the barrel, each with a small food pairing and a look at how the wine gets made.
The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association presents it, and tickets are already on sale at an early rate that runs through November 30, 2026. It is a self-guided, drive-between-wineries kind of weekend, so a little planning goes a long way.
The quick version
| When | Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7, 2027. Check-in 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tasting 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Where | Participating wineries across Temecula Valley wine country. Check-in Saturday at Thornton Winery, Sunday at Cougar Vineyard and Winery. |
| Highlights | Unreleased and barrel wines, a food pairing at each stop, cellar access |
| Ages | 21 and over only, no exceptions |
| Tickets | $89 plus a $3 fee per day (Winery Pass) or $46 plus a $3 fee (Designated Driver Pass), through November 30, 2026 |
| Weather | Rain or shine |
| Official site | temeculawines.org |
What’s in the glass
The Association describes it as a chance to taste never-before-released wines: some poured straight from the barrel, others debuting just before release, reds, whites, and more. At each winery you get a barrel sample, a pairing bite, and a cellar experience. Some wineries may offer extra tastings for purchase, and many offer event-only specials or early access to future releases if you want to take bottles home.
Who’s pouring, by day
Tickets are sold one day at a time, and not every winery pours both days. Here are the 24 wineries listed so far as of September 28, 2026. The Association says more than 30 will take part, and the lineup and menus can change.
| Day | Wineries |
|---|---|
| Both days | Akash Winery, Baily Family Vineyards, Chapin Family Vineyards, Cougar Vineyard and Winery, Frangipani Estate Winery, Julie’s Dream Winery |
| Saturday only | Bel Vino Winery, Carter Estate Winery, Churon Winery, Doffo Winery, Foot Path Winery, Miramonte Winery, Raul Ramirez Bodegas y Viñedos, Thornton Winery |
| Sunday only | Falkner Winery, Leoness Cellars, Lorenzi Estate Wines, Monte De Oro Winery, Oak Mountain Winery, Robert Renzoni Vineyards and Winery, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, Ultimate Vineyards at Maurice Car’rie Winery, Wiens Cellars, Wilson Creek Winery |
Only one pairing has been posted so far: charcuterie cups at Raul Ramirez Bodegas y Viñedos on Saturday.
Tickets
Tickets are sold through the Association’s TicketSpice page, as single-day passes. Prices listed on September 28, 2026, good through November 30, 2026:
| Pass | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday Winery Pass | $89 plus a $3 fee ($92) | Wine samples and food pairings at participating wineries, plus a Temecula Wines logo glass |
| Saturday or Sunday Designated Driver Pass | $46 plus a $3 fee ($49) | Food pairings only, no wine |
- Both days? Buy a separate pass for each day. If you have both, you can pick up all your passes on Saturday.
- One visit per winery. Each ticket covers a one-time visit to each participating winery.
- No refunds. All sales are final, but tickets are transferable. Lost or stolen tickets are not replaced.
- The designated driver pass does not come with a driver. You bring your own, and they need this pass to eat the pairings.
- Everyone needs a ticket, and tickets cannot be shared.
How the day works
- Check in between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday check-in is at Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road. Sunday check-in is at Cougar Vineyard and Winery, 39870 De Portola Road.
- Tasting runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. No reservations are needed at individual wineries. It is drop-in, first come, first served.
- Pick your wineries ahead of time. The Association asks you to select the wineries you plan to visit so they can prepare, but you can change your route as you go.
- Plan for four to six stops. That is how many most guests comfortably visit in a day, according to the Association.
Getting there
This is not a walkable event and there is no single venue. The wineries are spread across wine country, and you will drive or ride between them. Transportation is not included in the ticket. The Association says an optional tasting shuttle will be available to book, with details still to come. Otherwise, bring a designated driver or use rideshare.
What to bring
- Your ID. The event is 21 and over, no exceptions.
- Comfortable shoes.
- A fully charged phone.
- A ride plan, whether that is a designated driver, rideshare, or the shuttle.
- A layer and a rain plan. It is February, and the event runs rain or shine.
Family notes and accessibility
This one is adults only: every guest must be 21 or older. Accessibility varies by winery, and no event-wide accessibility information has been posted. Questions go to the Association at info@temeculawines.org or (800) 801-9463.
Still to come
As of September 28, 2026: the rest of the winery lineup, the wine and food pairings, shuttle details, and prices after November 30. The 824 Journal will update this guide as the Association fills them in.
Sources
- Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association: Barrel Tasting 2027 (dates, format, participating wineries, FAQ)
- Barrel Tasting 2027 tickets on TicketSpice (prices, check-in locations, terms)
Featured photo: Liam Hughes via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
