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By Clare Mendez, Resident The beauty of living in Hemet is our proximity to Temecula Valley, where there are scenic vineyards, the chance to take hot-air balloon rides, and where some of the freshest, tastiest olive oil is produced locally. Cruising through the back roads, you'll see more than 50 wineries that dot our nearby hillsides. The most common type of wine grape grown in Temecula is Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine produced with this varietal is said to be bold in flavor with aging potential. Also particularly well-suited for growing in this area are a variety of Italian, Spanish, and French grapes such as Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier, and Syrah. More than two dozen grape varietals thrive in this region. I suggest you try them all. You could take a winery tour every weekend of the year and visit each one, or you can do a quick Google search for the top wineries in Temecula and just check out a few of the best. According to TripAdvisor, Wilson Creek Winery tops the charts because they host various events making it a fun place to spend an afternoon. They are famous for their almond-flavored champagne; Leoness Cellars Winery is known for their excellent tours; and Ponte Winery for its picturesque setting and high-quality wines. If it's an adventure you're looking for, you may want to try out a hot air balloon ride over the Temecula Valley. Most rides last about two to three hours and a tour will take you over the vineyards, Lake Skinner, and maybe even Pechanga Casino and Solera Diamond Valley, where you can point out your house. Some say they can land you back to where you started. I personally have not tried this, so I don't have a recommendation, but from the ground, they look like a lot of fun. It's something on my bucket list. The Temecula Olive Oil Company is owned by my friends Thom and Nancy Curry. They have a store on Front Street in Old Town Temecula where you can purchase olive oil, vinegar, spreads and dipping sauces, sea salts, olive oil soaps and lip balm. If you'd like to see how they grow, harvest, and freshly squeeze their olive oil, you'll have to go out of town to their ranch located on CA-371 in Aguanga (about 20 minutes from town). While on a guided tour, you'll learn about the process involved in Kai-Zen farming, hand-harvesting, and cold pressing fresh-squeezed extra virgin olive oil. You'll need a reservation to take the tour, so plan ahead. You're not rushed and you can take your time chatting with the employees, tasting some olive oil and vinegar pairings, or strolling around the grounds. SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JUNE 2026 11 Spring Brunch Temecula Valley