TEMECULA, CA — The new entry to wine country project is at last a reality. The archway sign, located just east of Butterfield Stage Road on Rancho California Road, is meant to serve as a welcome to the wine region, and has been a long time coming.
Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus shared on social media. The sign, in process for over a year, was funded by Riverside County and named “Temecula Valley Wine Country Archway.”
The archway was lifted into place overnight, Monday and Tuesday.
“We’re excited to share that the new Temecula Valley Wine Country archway sign was successfully installed on Tuesday night, November 25—right on schedule and just in time for Thanksgiving,” a spokesperson for Riverside County Transportation Department said. “We’re proud to help bring this beautiful new landmark to the community!”
Photo: Riverside County Transportation Department
The all-metal archway consists of steel pipe columns and reinforced concrete pile foundations, spans 75 feet, and displays a “welcome” sign with the words Temecula Valley Wine Country. The sign itself has been under discussion since 2022 and had an estimated budget expense of $623,000. But what is the branding of the entry to Temecula Valley Wine Country worth? A spokesperson from the Department of Transportation discussed the project during the board’s meeting agenda item.
“The Temecula Valley Wine Country and its many award-winning wineries is a major tourism draw for the county,” they wrote. “The installation of the archway monument across Rancho California Road will create an improved and inviting gateway to the Temecula Valley Wine Country.”
Officials submitted final plans and specifications to the board for consideration in April of 2024.
Wine Country encompasses roughly 33,000 acres, though only about 9,000 acres are home to vintners, who number just over 50.
A special assessment district was established three years ago to support the Wine Country tourism district. However, funds for the monument’s construction will be drawn from the Unincorporated Communities Initiative Fund and another county sub-account, separate from the General Fund.
The board set aside $10 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year budget for the Unincorporated Communities Fund, established in 2020 to provide revenue streams for projects specifically benefiting “disadvantaged unincorporated communities.”
The fund’s money is designated for equal distribution among the five supervisorial districts. Wine Country is in the third supervisorial district.
The archway sign previously established at Rancho California and Butterfield Stage roads was torn down during an infrastructure improvement project. The new monument sign will be set up a block away, at Rancho California and Avenida Biona.
A rendering presented by the county shows the completed sign will have stone pilasters on either side, and vines wrapping around the posts. It was not immediately clear when those finishing touches would be put into place.
Image: County of Riverside Transportation Department.
Officials said the project included installing a new concrete dike, various curb-and-gutter improvements, and the monument.
“Temecula Valley Wine County is a beautiful destination and can be considered the heart of California’s South Coast wine region,” the statement from the Department of Transportation said. “The archway monument will welcome people entering the Region via Rancho California Road.”
On social media, Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus shared the new archway, noting that this was a county-funded project.
Commenters weighed in.
One commenter suggested the vacant space on either side “makes her OCD kick in!”
“Love it- but by looking at the photo, wondering if it is tall enough for a Semi Truck or a large Fire Truck with ladders to drive under,” a commenter said. “It’s the main route to Lake Skinner Campground for RVs.”
Another replied, “It looks a bit short but you would think they had to get permits and they would require it to be tall enough.”
One Murrieta resident loved the design, saying: “That’s a long time coming and looks great.”
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