Visiting Cucamonga Valley wine country for the first time: where to start, what to expect and the mistakes to skip.
Galleano first for the unbroken 1927 thread, then d'Ellena at the restored Filippi landmark: two doors, the whole history
Expect old-vine Zinfandel and heritage field varieties from century-old own-rooted vines in deep sandy soils, poured mostly by people close to the winemaking.
Tastings at the valley's surviving houses remain some of Southern California's most affordable, with heritage bottlings priced for drinking.
The region sits in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles, with Route 66 crossing the appellation; plan the driving and every stop gets better.
Don't overpack the itinerary: three stops with time to talk beats six drive-bys anywhere, and doubly so here. And check hours before every stop; small family rooms adjust schedules seasonally.
Every winery we track in the region, each with its own page.
See the full Cucamonga Valley guide → · Browse all wineries →