The petitioners originally proposed to establish a viticultural area in Riverside County to be named "Temecula," "Murrieta," and "Rancho California" but the ATF did not adopt it.

The petition stated the name change would provide a more accurate description of the Temecula geography and greater clarity as to its location for wine consumers and the public.

County guidelines strictly enforce the number of acres needed to build a winery, lodging and other limited housing and commercial ventures.

This word may be roughly translated as “place where the sun breaks through the white mist.” The original Temecula petition stated that this description applied to the entire viticultural area, which is in a valley characterized by bright sun and misty marine air that flows inland from the Pacific Ocean.

The 1984 decision noted that it is this marine air, which enters the Temecula Valley through gaps in the Santa Ana Mountains, that allows grape growing in this area.

[5] Vincenzo and Audry Cilurzo established the first modern commercial vineyard in the Temecula Valley in 1968.

The Callaway Vineyard and Winery began farming grapes in 1969 and opened the first public tasting room in 1974.

The Temecula Valley is located more than 300 miles (500 km) south of Napa, resulting in a slightly higher angle to the sun and greater solar intensity.

[12] Extensive research has shown that the Temecula Valley is ideal for growing high-quality wine grapes as mist often lingers until mid-morning on the 1,400-foot (430 m) plateau, located below the peaks of the local mountain ranges.

As the sun warms the inland valleys east of Temecula, the air rises, forming a low-pressure area.

The colder, heavier air from the Pacific Ocean, 22 miles (35 km) from Temecula, is then drawn inland.

The Temecula Valley's warmer climate is particularly well-suited to Rhône varieties, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

Many are also wedding destination venues, host live music performances in the summer, and offer lodging such as bed and breakfast and resort accommodations, as well as vineyard tours, sunset barbecues and hot air balloon rides.