Maurice Car’rie Winery Review

Address: 34225 Rancho California Rd. Temecula,California 92591.
Phone Number: 951-676-1711
Tasting Hours: 10:00-5:00

Region: South Coast and S. California, Temecula Valley AVA, California
Reviewer: Tara Torres
Review Date: 7/27/2012
Reviewer: Tara Torres
Rating: 3

The Review

One of the original wineries in Temecula, with grapes dating back to 1968, Maurice Car’rie sits comfortably as one of the staple wineries to visit while wine tasting in Temecula. Named for Maurice Van Roekel, who founded Maurice Car’rie Winery and Van Roekel Winery along with her husband, Bud Van Roekel, the winery’s casual atmosphere, low prices, and good wine create an appealing destination.

The Place: &nbspVeering away from the typical architectural styles in Temecula, the tasting room resides in a large Victorian-inspired farmhouse which also houses Maurice’s Kitchen. On the day I went, a craft fair, consisting of a few tents selling dresses and women’s accessories, was set up on the winery’s manicured lawn. A front porch wrapped around the house, where people with their dogs sat enjoying their favorite bottles. Inside the tasting room, bottles of wine are stacked among wine gifts, such as funny t-shirts, cork holders, and wine glasses. A large wooden bar welcomes would-be wine tasters.

The Experience: &nbspWe joined a handful of others at the bar and were provided souvenir wine glass and the wine menu. Although our servers were very friendly and explained the wines well, there was significant lag time between our pours as our server seemed to forget about us several times. Oddly enough, as it got busier the service got better. Unlike some wineries which can be Gestapo-like about tracking your tastes, Maurice Car’rie was much more relaxed about it. In fact we actually had more than the five tastes we purchased, which gave us the opportunity to try more of their large wine list. The casual approach to wine tasting seemed to flow throughout the entire winery, where people were enjoying the nice weather and relaxing with their favorite bottle of wine.

The Wines:   Maurice Car’rie admits they are better known for their white wines and sparkling white wines, than their reds. Of the white wines, my favorite was Heather’s Mist which was fresh with the perfect level of sweetness. I was ambiguous about the popular Cody’s Crush, which is a chilled red wine I sensed was popular among people who don’t like dry red wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon was a smooth gem. When moving on to the Champagnes we opted to try their most popular, the Pineapple Champagne. It offered just enough pineapple taste without being overwhelming and immediately inspired thoughts of brunch.

Insider’s Tip: &nbspAsk about the dual pass, which allows five tastes at both Maurice Car’rie and Van Roekel wineries for $18. Fans of Maurice Car’rie wines can join the wine club, which offers three options; a white wine only, a red only, or a combo. Stop by Maurice’s Kitchen for their freshly baked brie in sourdough bread for a snack to enjoy with your favorite bottle.