Temecula: Cable Car Wine Tour with Tastings & Barrel Room

Summary

Vintage cable car rides through Temecula vineyards with tastings

You’ll ride an authentic 1914 cable car through Temecula’s vineyards, taste wines poured by local makers—including straight from barrels—and hear stories from guides who know every twist in the road. Expect laughter, new friends, and maybe even some pizza at the end if you choose Black Market Brewery as your pickup spot.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the clang of the old cable car bell echoing off the parking lot — that sound really does something to your nerves, in a good way. We climbed up into this bright red 1914 cable car (I kept touching the woodwork, half-expecting splinters but it’s smooth), and our guide, Sarah, grinned like she’d been waiting all week for this. I sat by the open window; you get this mix of warm valley air and the faintest whiff of engine oil. Not unpleasant, just… real.

Our first stop was a boutique winery tucked behind rows of vines, where the winemaker himself poured us Viognier straight from a barrel. He explained how the barrels give it that creamy edge—I tried to nod like I understood but honestly, I was mostly distracted by the coolness of the cellar and how everyone’s voices dropped to a hush down there. Sarah told us about Temecula’s history between sips. She’s got this way of making you care about things you didn’t expect to care about. At one point she laughed when I tried to pronounce “Roussanne” (I still don’t think I got it right).

Somewhere around our second or third tasting—I lost track—we ended up outside again, looking out over the valley while someone’s dog wandered between our legs. The sun came out hard and bright on the hills but there was this breeze that kept everything comfortable. There’s something about drinking Syrah with your shoes off in grass that makes time feel weirdly slow.

We finished back at Black Market Brewery for pizza (which is included if you pick that spot for drop-off). Honestly, after all that wine, pizza tasted like magic. I keep thinking about how everyone on board felt like friends by then—even though we’d only met hours before—and how riding through Temecula on a cable car feels both totally normal and completely surreal at the same time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tasting at Temecula wineries

• Board authentic 1914 Cable Car
• Visit boutique winery and taste wines
• Explore Barrel Tasting Room
• Visit classic Temecula winery with valley views
• Tour Somerset Vineyard and taste wines

Top questions

How long does the Temecula cable car wine tour last?

The tour lasts five hours from start to finish.

Are wine tasting fees included in the tour price?

Yes, all wine tasting fees are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided during the cable car wine tour?

No lunch is included, but there is a free post-tour pizza happy hour if you choose Black Market Brewery for pickup.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is offered; you meet at designated locations such as Black Market Brewery.

What types of wines will we taste on this Temecula wine tour?

You’ll taste varietals like Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, and Syrah—sometimes straight from barrels or tanks.

Is there a guide on board during the entire tour?

Yes, your host stays with you all day to share stories and explain wines and history.

Can people with limited mobility join this wine tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but involves getting on/off a vintage cable car.

What happens if winery stops change last minute?

The itinerary can change based on availability; final stops are decided a day in advance.

What’s included

Your day includes all wine tasting fees at each stop along Temecula’s route plus guidance from hosts who know their stuff—if you choose Black Market Brewery as your pickup location Sunday through Friday, you’ll also get free post-tour pizza happy hour before heading home satisfied (and maybe slightly sun-kissed).