Refuge from the Heat, we explored The Wine Tailor

While in Barstow, CA off I-15 & Hwy Route 66 getting gas headed toward Los Angeles from Las Vegas, our group decided to google our options for the closest winery that would be kid friendly. A "mom blog" came up in our search, with a post on family friendly winery locations in Southern California. On that list was a bunch of locations throughout San Diego & Temecula, but the closest spot was called ‘The Wine Tailor.’ The winery was about ½ the distance to Temecula from our current location, and teh temp outside was climbing rapidy. I gave them a call to double-check that they allowed children and verify their hours. We now had a specific destination to head to.

While on the drive I did some research, and found out that they operate & make their wine inside California’s Oldest Winery Location, The Thomas Winery in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. This peaked my interest, as I always love looking at 'old school' ways of farming & winemaking.

When our group arrived, the hostess greeted us from the bar indicating that we could sit wherever & she would be over as soon as she finished with her current customer. We picked a table in the corner and set up shop. I took the opportunity to go give myself a self-guided tour of the bottling area & bottle display. It was fun to see some current equipment with antiques used to do the same thing hanging on the wall.

When the hostess arrived, she was carrying 4 empty wine bottles without labels, on a tray. She handed one to every adult and then passed out wine-glass markers. She explained that each tasting came with 5 samples, the menu on the table listed what they were currently pouring in the tasting room, & inquired after a beverage for the children. As she was leaving she offered a menu for snacks and left to give us time to discuss & choose.

When she came back, my bottle was blank. She gathered up the bottles from the others at the table and when she got to me, asked if I needed more time. I said, “No, I’m ready.” She took it in stride and picked up the empty bottle and asked if I wanted a soda. I replied that in fact I did, a cream soda for the kids & 2 wine tastings for me. Now that got her attention, with quizzically raised eyebrows she scanned the table to a few smirks & a grin. I told her that I would take 1 of everything but the Peach fruit wine. She went to say something, then got a thinking look to her face. I imagine that she was counting her current offerings, as I had done while she was away, then without missing a step continued and asked if we wanted a snack. We declined and she went to prepare our wines.

While she was away we reconsidered our decision, and ordered a cheese & cracker package from the bar while we waited. It was great, went well with a lot of the wines we tried & I will be on the lookout to get more in the future. My mother even remarked about getting some for Xmas gifts. I included an image, Seriously great stuff. Our wine arrived shortly after we got the kids settled with lunch. It took the hostess 2 trips to the bar to get all of our samples, but It was an impressive display when it was all lined up.

I had ordered my 10 wine tasting selections with the knowledge that the other 3 people at my table all selected the Peach fruit wine that I had not chosen. I was confident I could get my wife to share her glass, so I would be able to try all 11 wine options today. So it began, one wine after another, I went through the different pours from the little glass decanters. I was taking notes & logging them in my Vivino app, while discussing with my family their thoughts about the wines we just drank. We had a very mixed experience level sitting at the table, and I wanted to hear their opinions on what they were tasting. As always, I was surprised as the wide spectrum of what they experienced in the glass. That is why I find I always enjoy exploring.wine.