Many years ago, a friend recommended that I try a particular winery in Temecula with a snicker, saying I had to try the “Panty Dropper.” Incredulous, I wondered, what winery would serve something named like that, and why would I demean myself to order something so… basic?
I’ve been to Longshadow Ranch twice now and it is definitely my favorite winery in Temecula. The staff are so friendly, the atmosphere is super casual, and the wines are amazing. Wine enthusiasts tend to have mixed reactions about the Temecula wine growing region as a whole. More sophisticated wine drinkers tend to enjoy wine tasting in Temecula only for being close, or as a social outing, but rank the wines themselves fairly low in quality. More casual drinkers tend to really enjoy the experience and the wines both. I firmly believe that if you know what you’re looking for, you can find the right type of wine for your palette and still have a great time with friends.
I will say that in writing this post, I am only inspired by my own love of Longshadow, and have not been asked to write this post. In fact, there’s a high likelihood that if anyone associated with Longshadow saw this could ask me to take it down if they felt it misrepresented their image.
Landshadow Ranch embraces their ranch theme. Towards the front of the vistor’s entrance, several pens house horses, llamas, and other barnyard animals. Both times I’ve been here, I took some time out front checking out the animals. When I came with my family, I think a llama tried to bite one of my brothers for getting too close. The property is very different from many other wineries that cater to more sophisticated tasters.
The structure for the tasting room resembles a barn. Both times I’ve been here has been towards the end of the day, so the tasting room was fairly empty and open. I like the laid back atmosphere where you can have more one on one time with the staff, really asking questions about their wines. I love hearing about what grapes they use, what wines are their most popular, and even how they grow or process their grapes.
The first time tasting at the winery, my friends and I asked for the “Panty Dropper” and I instantly fell in love, though I was certifiably embarrassed asking for it. Turns out, it’s quite popular at the winery and the staff didn’t even bat an eye at my request. Turns out, the drink is simply a half pour each of Longshadow’s L’Orange Muscat and their White Feather Chardonnay. The mix turns out sweet, but not too sweet, and slightly amberish pink.
I enjoyed it so much, that when I came back with my family a few years later, I asked for it again. Instead of being embarrassed to ask the staff, I was more embarrassed that my mom would hear me order it! My boyfriend, now husband, and I each got tastings, and funnily enough we ended our tastings with two very different wines. As such, the staff offered me the same wine that he ended on, because obviously, we couldn’t kiss unless we ended on the same wine!
Longshadow Ranch is a wonderful venue. They offer their property for weddings and events, and moreover, it’s a fantastic venue to experience a wine tasting in Temecula.