Wine Country     Wine aficionados and novices alike appreciate the opportunity to swirl, sniff and taste the wines of vintners on-site at their wineries. Exceptional ambiance and the purveyors' personal knowledge and insight make for a true wine-country experience. Southern California's Ontario is "The Gateway" to enjoying just that year round - in

greater Ontario's own Cucamonga Valley. Nestled here, the local wineries and tasting rooms are truly a living testament to the California wine industry. Local viniculture and wine production, widely recognized as the oldest in the state, began here in the late 1850's. At one time, more than 35,000 acres of vineyards (greater even than the Napa Valley today) stretched throughout the east-west valley where more than five-dozen wineries thrived. Today, still family-owned establishments offer tastings of their award-winning wines with exceptional hospitality. • Joseph Filippi Winery Joseph Filippi Winery is synonymous with quality winemaking in the Cucamonga-Guasti-Ontario region. Recent vintage releases - - Mourvedre, Rochelle, Cabernet Franc and the winery's original Fondante Ciello chocolate-essenced Port - - have earned numerous awards for winemaking excellence. Cucamonga winegrowers since 1922, the Filippi family winemaking tradition continues under fourth-generation vintners. Joseph Filippi Winery tasting rooms and gift shops are located in historic Guasti Plaza and in Rancho Cucamonga where a history museum, art gallery and guided winery tours are featured. • Galleano Winery Domenico Galleano established Galleano Winery in 1933; his vision has endured five generations. Produced from select grapes grown in the Cucamonga Valley, Galleano wines are distinct, carefully crafted and affordable. Among the winery's popular wines, are a number of multi-award winning dessert wines, including Three Friends Port, Nino's Solera Sherry and Sherry Crema. Wine tastings are available daily and tours of the historic winery are offered on weekends and by appointment. The Galleano complex has been recognized as a California State Point of Historical Interest and includes picnic grounds. • San Antonio Winery The San Antonio Winery was founded in 1917 in Los Angeles and is owned and operated by the original Riboli family. San Antonio produces wines under multiple brands/labels: San Antonio (table wines and dessert wines), Maddalena Vineyard (premium quality, varietal wines) and San Simeon (the reserve wines of Maddalena Vineyard). Ontario's tasting room of the San Antonio Winery offers tastings of their award-winning wines daily, and features personalized wine labels and an array of gift baskets. • Grape Harvest Festival California's oldest Grape Harvest Festival is that of the Cucamonga Valley vintners. The event dates back to 1939 and the first local Wine and Grape Festival, a celebration that soon became a local tradition. One of the few festivals that still offers a traditional grape stomp, the event is held each year in October and features wines from the inland valley, arts, crafts, food and entertainment. • Temecula Valley There is also more Southern California wine country an easy drive south (45 minutes) from Ontario in the Temecula Valley. Since 1966, over 3,000 acres of vineyards and 14 wineries have been established in Temecula. Growing and producing 28 excellent varietals, the remarkable success of the Temecula Valley vintners has resulted in many awards and medals of excellence in domestic and international competitions. The Temecula Valley wineries include: Bailey Vineyard & Winery, Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Churon Winery, Cilurzo Vineyard & Winery, Falkner Winery, Filsinger Vineyards & Winery, Hart Winery, Keyways Vineyard & Winery, Maurice Car'rie Winery, Miramonte Winery, Mount Palomar Winery, Stuart Cellars, Thornton Winery, Van Roekel Vineyards & Winery, and Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard. All welcome visitors and offer wine tastings daily throughout the year. Many have delicatessens, full-service restaurants and delightful gift shops. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association offers a free brochure and a calendar of events showcasing Temecula's award-winning wines and beautiful wine country. • Balloon & Wine Festival Temecula is also home to the annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. Held each year in June, the festival features more than fifty hot air balloons in spectacular sunrise ascensions and magnificent evening balloon glows, wine tasting with award-winning regional wineries, arts, crafts, food and entertainment. • Champagne Jazz At Temecula's French-Mediterranean styled Thornton Winery, the annual Champagne Jazz concert series is acclaimed for its top name musicians. Unique patio and terrace seating is an enjoyable element in experiencing the exceptional performances.