Top Big Bear Wine Tours: A Detailed Review
Big Bear, frequently that place associated with skiing and snowboarding, actually has something else kinda surprising to offer: it’s got some very nice wine tours and tastings. So, that idea of sipping local flavors surrounded by pine trees is very appealing, right? So, this article, it’ll walk you through, very meticulously, five spots in the area where you can enjoy local wines, each spot really providing a unique experience that is memorable, very memorable at that. So, pack your bags to discover your new very cool favorite!
1. Boulder Creek Wines: The Pioneer Spirit
So, starting things off, Boulder Creek Wines that are in the nearby Yucaipa area is kinda like that really rustic gem, right? That is to say, it’s very popular to tourists! Anyway, founded way back when in 2010, Boulder Creek that almost quickly made a name for itself, is known for its warm, family-run atmosphere and also, very tasty wines. So, imagine arriving and right away feeling like you are kinda a part of the family that is, after getting greeted very warmly by the owners, you know? The tasting room is just a little charming, often a bit crowded, and it gives off a very genuine feeling of the high-country atmosphere.
The wine itself then is mostly crafted from very carefully selected grapes grown from other places, really, but it’s made with the family’s very strong, really strong commitment to quality. That cabernet sauvignon that is quite popular there, is known to be quite bold, too, is a thing of beauty with all those flavors of dark cherry, or even vanilla which is pretty fantastic, right? That chardonnay, you know, crisp and ever-so-slightly buttery with notes of apple is also worth that try! Basically, they are pretty good wines that one should go for.
To spice things up a bit, Boulder Creek then does kinda have like those regular events with local musicians and food vendors, is that something else, yeah? On some certain days that might be holidays even, that’s pretty cool though, right? So, is that something one might be interested to experience while tasting wine? Yes, quite sure of it! The owners there often do little tours to share, mostly about their process in wine-making and also very good conversations, usually quite a lot of laughs.
Read our full review: Boulder Creek Wines Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Boulder Creek Wines)
2. Temecula Valley Wine Country: A Day Trip Delight
Temecula Valley, alright then, so its location might just be that “just a bit” of a drive, yeah? Even if that’s the case, that’s actually close to about an hour and a half, usually worth the trip and that is saying something because it’s Temecula. That place can offer that kinda change that the traveler craves, which can also be an excuse to go somewhere completely else. You might just find over 40 wineries scattered all through the rolling hills which is quite spectacular to experience firsthand, really. Basically, there are places that give tours and tasting, you see. So, that will provide you a view, really quite pretty, which is unique compared to what you have over at Big Bear, actually. The Temecula Valley Wine Country it’s really something, to be honest. Don’t you think?
This spot then is pretty much very well known for those varietals from warm regions, really. They do grow a pretty good variety there! Those include the Tempranillo, Zinfandel, and even Syrah wines that happen to do fairly well over there! Loads of tasting rooms tend to give both the very standard tastings or that slightly elevated pairing, usually the ones with cheese and chocolates which makes the overall experience “elevated”, arguably, is that a bad thing? I don’t think so!
So, that additional perk that might happen when you plan, could also be a little hot air balloon that can make its presence known, which makes everything more scenic. Pretty sure that many local companies exist! Very experienced at the activity of taking one, it tends to happen early in the morning or in the late evening when they are above those grape vines that surround you which would be the absolute perfect time, right? Otherwise, the very picturesque spots are plenty, in my opinion.
Read our full review: Temecula Valley Wine Country Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Temecula Valley Wine Country)
3. San Antonio Winery: Urban Oasis
If perhaps going that far kinda doesn’t strike that fancy to you or doesn’t tickle those bones, or both, well, here’s an option, you might not have guessed that exists! How about going to visit a winery that kinda exists inside Los Angeles itself, or near there? The San Antonio Winery, that actually is family owned! It boasts holding the kinda crown, right, the title to be like that only one that remains from way back when, inside LA, and then they started the year 1917!
When getting there, its kind of cool, and almost instantly noticeable because, for something inside of the city of LA, or even nearby, it’s just that historic place, that tends to give little educational visits with tastings! Then they pair some a la carte bites. So, that is something to write about and experience. They’ve received awards also, usually coming from those internationally acclaimed wine competitions!
I am serious. Some really do happen almost daily, that some visits happen that provide a tour that are historically thematic and the kind in-depth that describe. So, it makes for that experience rather enriching, a bit enriching even to the head but hey, that is actually pretty cool right? So, there you’re at the center with California’s kinda the oldest, with a good wine at that which is made for a fun type of trip, yeah?
Read our full review: San Antonio Winery Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (San Antonio Winery)
4. Oak Glen: Apple Wine and Country Charm
So, you ever hear about the small Oak Glen community? Anyway, to all the people that haven’t, it’s not so far at that from Big Bear. That is just so quaint that it has that vibe from those rural spots to escape from it all, like your stresses. Oak Glen kinda shines mostly around when apples are being harvested and that has these little orchards where many can come over and then can handpick them, and they boast making wine, right? That is mostly made of apple!
Apple wine? Really? Exactly. Even if that does make for a slight diversion from wine made the common way from the grapes that you probably know and are fairly familiar with, but those apple wines will usually taste sweet, crisp, basically is what happens, but don’t ever doubt. It’s kinda different that tastes great! Lots of places here like the Oak Glen Cider Company that gives flights to those that want to taste lots of them.
Basically, beyond only just the wines that come from apples. That specific place comes paired by lots of bakeries, stores from way back when, including those views that make your photos become instantly scenic so remember to pose, is that right? What is usually kinda amazing from Glen’s environment which is located in the heart of the hills that go to San Bernardino can provide for the change that can contrast much more than Big Bear actually!
Read our full review: Oak Glen Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Oak Glen)
5. Idyllwild: Boutique Wineries with a View
Okay then, how about heading slightly downwards Southern? To the very tiny Idyllwild town? It is very well regarded to all of those, pretty much to every single rock climber, artists and other people looking for that slightly remote little mountain to get isolated and relax in the town, as well. A few micro-wineries, too, have sprung up nearby too. It’s just quite ideal because those have great views.
Is that the same that applies with big places to craft wines that have much area and capacity, even bigger, usually? That’s totally, like completely another topic, it goes very well at that for all looking for smaller places and tastes to taste wines in an intimately warm way? I guess this is really so because one may see the passion, to craft very small collections and this one may engage and participate in a conversation that provides so much more information.
Do think about visiting places that don’t happen in the center, and if you wish to travel through and that town to support for an extended period for what to do around, mostly it will just have tasting opportunities when planning. So, therefore just think and know where it stands!
Read our full review: Idyllwild Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Idyllwild)
In short, if a wine weekend you want around Big Bear, variety there is. Options abound from those quite family places which is more common such as the Boulder Creek toward tours located out from Temecula all for different types in each setting.
- Boulder Creek: Has vibes when it is rural family-owned wine in it’s greatest moments with events always happening in the locale.
- Temecula Valley: Gives dozens of vineyards very closely located next from the warm area region where is grown really different from anything out near where Big Bear occurs.
- San Antonio Winery: Does not always happen only being the biggest nor out there. But if happens inside where big things like Los Angeles there exist for someone out of state to tour through California it then becomes a pretty awesome thing when something pops up to surprise the tourist.
- Oak Glen: Switch what the typical thought exists when wanting of what normal vineyards happen by and by in exchange use and visit apple trees.
- Idyllwild: Places located way down that go far which give mountains in those isolated town like spots and tasting will almost come to have something special.
