Temecula wine, without the car hassle. This Sunday Special is a 3.5-hour group tour with Temecula pickup and a schedule that finishes early enough to enjoy the rest of your Sunday. I love the bus-transport convenience and the way the tastings are front-and-center, so you spend less time planning and more time tasting. One thing to note upfront: it’s built around two main winery stops, with a third stop offered as an add-on for extra cost.

Lunch is part of the deal too, with a $20 credit at Lorimar plus a winery welcome that starts with a complimentary sparkling tasting. A couple of people singled out the vibe and hospitality, including a guide nicknamed Brow Sugar and a driver named Calvin, which is exactly what you want on a wine-day where everyone is on the same clock. The only real “gotcha” I’d plan for is finding the meeting point without stress, since one guest advice was simply to allow extra time for pickup location setup.

Key things to know before you go

• A timed, early-finish Sunday plan that aims to leave you time after the last stop
• 14 ounces of tastings across two wineries, so it feels more than a quick sample
• Complimentary sparkling at the first winery stop (if your date includes Danza del Sol)
• Lorimar lunch with a $20 credit, paired with an easy menu format
• Optional third winery stop you can add later if you want more time and tastings

A Sunday tour that actually respects your afternoon

If you only have part of a day, this kind of Temecula wine experience makes a lot of sense. The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes, and the pacing is designed so you do not get stuck for the whole day. That matters in wine country, because driving between places can chew up time fast, especially on weekends when traffic and parking get unpredictable.

What I like most is that the day is structured around short, clear chunks. You get transportation, then tasting time, then a real sit-down lunch stop with your credit. It feels like a plan, not a loose suggestion.

Your main consideration is the format. This is an experience centered on “two wineries plus lunch,” not “three full wineries included.” If you want the maximum number of tastings and production viewing, you’ll likely want to add the optional third stop.

Pickup at Maurice Car’rie Vineyard and the quick wine-country ride

The tour starts and ends back at the meeting point at Maurice Car’rie Vineyard, 34225 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92592. It’s a straightforward start, but still worth planning for, because one guest described getting lost while arriving early and basically recommended giving yourself extra time to orient before the bus leaves.

Once you’re aboard, you’re not on your own for the “getting there” part. The schedule includes a scenic wine-country drive, described as about 15 minutes at the beginning, and the total driving time is roughly 30 minutes from start to finish. On a day this short, those minutes count.

A practical plus: the bus includes bottled water during transportation, and water is also provided during lunch. That is a small thing, but it helps you keep your head clear and keeps the day more comfortable when tastings start adding up.

The group size cap is up to 99 travelers, so expect a lively, social atmosphere. You should still be able to hear basic instructions and get where you need to go, but it helps to think of this as a coordinated group experience rather than a private, slow-paced tour.

Danza del Sol: the welcome sparkling tasting and six 1-ounce pours

One of the signature ways this tour gets you into wine mode is with a “start with something fun” welcome. At Danza del Sol Winery, you’re greeted with a complimentary sparkling wine tasting upon arrival. Then the plan moves into six one-ounce wine tastings.

That tasting structure is useful. Six pours is enough variety that you can compare styles and grapes, but it’s not so many that you’re guessing through the last half of the visit. One key detail: the winery is described as producing high-quality red wines, so if you’re more of a red person, this stop is likely to feel especially on target.

There is also a strong background story here, with the winery noted as the first built on De Portola Road and vines listed as over 30 years old. You do not need to be a wine expert to enjoy that, but it adds weight to why the reds get so much attention.

Time matters on a short tour, and this stop is set for about 1 hour 30 minutes. That is usually enough for tastings, questions, and looking around without feeling rushed.

If Danza del Sol is not on your exact day, the broader tour still aims for a similar experience pattern: tastings early, then a change of pace toward lunch.

Lorimar Vineyards lunch credit and the menu you can actually use

The Lorimar stop is where the tour turns from tasting to eating, and that’s why it works for so many people. You get a $20 lunch credit to choose a meal from Lorimar’s lunch menu. That “credit” approach matters because it gives you control over what you order, rather than forcing a single pre-selected plate.

Lorimar is described as being in business for over 15 years, and it’s also described as ranking among the top quality wineries in Temecula Valley wine country. Beyond the reputation, the real value for you is pairing food with what you tasted earlier, while you reset your energy for the afternoon.

The sample menu gives you a clear sense of what the lunch feels like:

• Starter: Artisan charcuterie platter, including artisan meats and cheeses, plus olives, hummus, crostini, and crudité
• Main options: shish kabob steak and rice, or a Mediterranean medley with rice (with olives, feta, mixed greens, and cucumber yogurt)
• Dessert: baklava or chocolate cake

If you’re traveling with people who eat differently, this menu variety is a good sign. You can satisfy a meat-and-rice crowd, a vegetarian-leaning crowd, and a dessert person, all without making lunch a debate.

The tour is built as a two-winery format, so the Lorimar portion is not “just a quick bite.” You get the sit-down time that makes the day feel more complete.

The wine-tasting amount, and why the 14 ounces feels like more than a sample

Here’s the part I’d focus on when you’re judging value: how much wine do you actually get? The tour details state total tastings of 14 ounces, described as more than two glasses of wine, across two Temecula wineries named in the materials as South Coast Winery and Maurice Carrie Winery.

At the same time, the stop descriptions also highlight Danza del Sol as a key tasting stop. Since those names appear in the tour information, the most practical advice is to check your confirmation or ticket notes for the exact two wineries on your date. What matters for your day, either way, is the total tasting goal: 14 ounces.

That tasting amount is a sweet spot for many first-timers. It’s enough to learn your preferences, and it’s not so low that you feel cheated after paying for a guided day. And because the bus includes water, you can pace yourself while still enjoying the wines.

Price and logistics: what $139 really covers, plus the add-on reality

The price is $139.00 per person, and the tour duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes. That’s not a budget deal, but it is a realistic price for a guided wine day in Temecula, especially one that includes transportation and lunch credit.

What’s included is the big driver of value:

• pick-up at designated locations (with instructions on your ticket)
• driver, tour guide, transportation, and bottled water
• lunch valued at $20
• all fees and taxes
• total tastings totaling 14 ounces

Gratuity is not included, so if you tip, factor it into the real total.

Now for the part that can make or break your expectations: the tour is designed around two winery stops. There is an option to add a third winery stop, and the price mentioned for that add-on is $75 for an additional third stop, described as $25 per person in the explanation tied to the optional stop. It is also described as including a short wine and production tour plus six additional wine tastings.

If you book assuming three wineries are included automatically, you may feel surprised. If you book knowing you are paying for two wineries plus lunch, then the add-on becomes a bonus for people who want extra time.

Hospitality and the human touch, from Calvin to Brow Sugar

A wine tour is not just about wine. It’s about the flow. On this one, the strongest praise themes are hospitality and a smooth, friendly day.

Two names came up in the feedback you provided:

• Calvin, mentioned as a friendly and accommodating bus driver
• Brow Sugar, referenced as a guide who made sure the group had a great time and the vibes stayed positive

That kind of human consistency matters because a group day has built-in time pressure. When someone on the team is calm, clear, and upbeat, the whole schedule feels easier.

So when you’re deciding, think beyond the winery names. You’re also buying how the day is managed.

Who this Temecula Sunday Special fits best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• a guided wine day without driving
• a schedule that ends early enough to enjoy your Sunday
• lunch included via a $20 credit, not just a snack stop
• a tasting amount that feels substantial, with 14 ounces total

It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with a mix of wine interest levels. The structure gives you a shared activity, but lunch and menu choices help everyone feel like they’re taken care of.

It may be less ideal if you are a “three wineries minimum” person and want all of them included at no extra cost. In that case, plan on the optional third stop or consider a longer tour.

Quick decision guide: book it or pass

Book this tour if you want a relaxed, timed Temecula wine experience with transportation, water, tastings that add up to more than two glasses, and a real lunch credit at Lorimar. I’d also feel confident if you want a social atmosphere and appreciate friendly guides and drivers, based on the names highlighted in the feedback you shared.

Consider passing, or at least be very clear about your expectations, if you know you want a full three-winery day included in the base price. This one is priced and designed around two wineries plus lunch, with extra options available later if you want more.

FAQ

Is this tour only in Temecula?

Yes. The activity is located in Temecula, USA, and it starts and ends at the Temecula meeting point.

How much does the Sunday Special Wine Tour cost?

It costs $139.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

What tastings are included?

The tour details state total wine tastings of 14 ounces, described as more than two glasses of wine, at two wineries named in the provided information.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included via a $20 lunch credit at Lorimar Vineyards and Winery.

What is the lunch menu style?

The sample menu includes an artisan charcuterie platter starter, mains like shish kabob steak and rice or Mediterranean medley with rice, and desserts such as baklava or chocolate cake.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Maurice Car’rie Vineyard, 34225 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92592, USA, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is provided on the party bus during transportation, and water is also provided during lunch.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. Gratuity is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the experience may be rescheduled or refunded if canceled due to poor weather or if the minimum traveler requirement is not met.