Baily Vineyard & Winery

By the 1969 Caddy team · Updated November 7, 2026

Before Temecula had resort wineries, spas and concert series, it had families like the Bailys — people who moved to the valley because they believed it could make wine worthy of California’s best. Baily Vineyard & Winery is one of those foundational stories, and a visit offers something increasingly rare in modern wine country: wines made by the founders themselves, in a deliberate, classic style.

The story of Baily Vineyard & Winery

After a fifteen-year career as a consulting actuary, Phil Baily, his wife Carol and their two young sons sold their home in San Marino, in suburban Los Angeles, and moved to the country — specifically, to Temecula. In 1986 they opened a small winery with a clear goal: to produce wines that could stand alongside the best in California. Over the following years they acquired or planted 25 acres of vineyard land and built a larger, modern winemaking facility.

Phil and Carol Baily are still listed as both owners and winemakers, with production of around 4,000 cases a year. That scale, and that continuity, are what give Baily its character: the people tasting you through the wines are part of a story that spans most of Temecula’s modern wine history.

What to taste at Baily

Baily specializes in the traditional Bordeaux varieties, above all Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. What sets the wines apart is their style. Phil aims for what the winery describes as an Old World profile: restrained alcohol and higher acidity, emphasizing elegance and finesse over sheer power. Grapes are picked at moderate sugar levels, and the wines spend longer in barrel, producing more complex, less fruit-forward aromas and more integrated tannins.

The winery also manages its inventory so that wines are released with some age on them — a rarity in a region where many reds are poured young. If you enjoy Bordeaux or simply want to see how Temecula Cabernet evolves with time, Baily is one of the most instructive tastings in the valley. Pair the Cabernet with the Merlot to compare structure, and start with the Sauvignon Blanc for a crisp opener.

The Baily experience

Baily is refreshingly low-key. There is no restaurant, but picnics are welcome, and the winery is both dog friendly and family friendly. It is the kind of stop where a bottle, a blanket and a slow hour feel exactly right. The winery asks that limousines and buses call ahead for its current policy — something we take care of when planning your route.

Who will love Baily

One useful way to approach a Baily tasting is to think of it as a vertical lesson in patience. Many Temecula wineries release their reds young and fruit-forward, which suits a sunny patio. Baily’s longer barrel aging and later releases show the other side of the valley: savory notes, softer tannins and wines that keep changing in the glass. Ask which vintages are open, take your time between pours, and consider buying a bottle to cellar — these are wines built to reward a few more years.

Serious wine lovers, Bordeaux fans and anyone curious about Temecula’s pioneer era will find Baily rewarding. It also suits couples and small groups looking for a calm, conversational tasting away from the busiest stretches of Rancho California Road. Arriving in a 1969 Cadillac feels fitting here: a classic car for a classic-style winery, founded by a family that bet on Temecula early and stayed.

The grapes behind Baily Vineyard & Winery’s wines

A quick guide to the varieties on Baily Vineyard & Winery’s list, and how they tend to show in Temecula:

• Cabernet Sauvignon — the king of Bordeaux grapes; in Temecula’s warm days and cool nights it ripens to dark cherry and cassis with firm, age-worthy tannins.
• Merlot — a softer, rounder Bordeaux variety with plum and chocolate notes — an easy, food-friendly red and a key blending partner.
• Sauvignon Blanc — a zesty white with citrus and herbal notes — a refreshing start to a warm-day tasting.

Baily Vineyard & Winery fact sheet

Details from the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association directory. Hours, menus and policies change, so confirm on the winery’s website before visiting.

Arriving at Baily Vineyard & Winery in a 1969 Cadillac

This winery sits off the main wine trails, which is part of its charm: fewer crowds, a more personal welcome and a short drive through quiet side roads to get there. It is an easy addition to a chauffeured day in the '69 Cadillac — your driver knows the turns, and the detour becomes one of the most relaxed parts of the route.

Baily Vineyard & Winery is at 36150 Pauba Road. We plan the route, confirm any reservation or group policy with the winery, and time the drive so you arrive relaxed — and leave without anyone in your party needing to drive after tasting. Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum; most guests pair Baily Vineyard & Winery with two or three nearby wineries in a four- to five-hour booking.

Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare

Wineries near Baily Vineyard & Winery

Pair your visit with these neighbors on the nearby side roads:

• Foot Path Winery — 36650 Glenoaks Road
• Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery — 40150 Barksdale Circle
• Raul Ramirez Bodegas y Viñedos — 32950 Marius Way
• The Cave at Oak Mountain Winery — 36522 Via Verde

See all 45 Temecula wineries →

Frequently asked questions