Hart Winery

As you drive down Rancho California Blvd. in Temecula, Hart Winery is the first one you pass on your left, just before Callaway.  It is an interesting place, pretty much a boutique operation run by the Hart family, which opened the winery in 1980.  A few tables sit outside a rustic building in a rather nice setting, on a hill overlooking the vines.

We visited on a Thursday afternoon in December and were somewhat surprised by the number of people at the winery, particularly since they don’t serve food.  We took that as a good sign.  OK, now I have to admit that this was not a “let’s drop in and see what they offer” visit – the winery had been recommended to us by servers at another Temecula winery.  But if you want to give me credit for discovering it….
The building houses both the barrel room and a small tasting bar, shown below.  Tasting is a little less expensive than other Temecula wineries -- $15 per person.  You can buy the glass for another $5.  The tasting room is separated from the barrel room by a glass wall, probably so they can keep the tasting room at a more comfortable temperature.  This is quite unfortunate – the red wines are served at tasting room temperature.

As you can see in the tasting menus shown below, no unusual reds but one white that I’ve not seen before, Rousanne.  We particularly liked the Driveway Red blend.
They have a wine club.  Membership entails purchasing three bottles every quarter, either all red or two red and one white.  Members get a 20% discount on bottle purchases and tasting room merchandise, and free tasting for up to four people every visit.