Tehachapi – A Hidden Wine Region in the Upper Mojave Desert

California is known for its stellar wine regions like Napa, Sonoma, Mendicino, the Central Coast, and Temecula. However, there is another much smaller but charming enclave with wineries in Tehachapi that many people do not know about.

I only found out about it because my son, who is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, lives there. It’s a quiet community dotted with Joshua trees and herds of mule deer who graze in the area. There are just a handful of wineries, but all are charming, and the wine, although not quite Napa-rated, is quite good.

Tehachapi is nestled next to the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County. It is between the San Joaquin Valley and the Mojave Desert at 3,970 feet. The area is known for the Tehachapi Loop and the Pacific Crest Trail. It is also a popular location for fans of gliding.

You will pass by huge wind turbines as you drive there from L.A. Tehachapi is 45 minutes from Bakersfield and the Palmdale/Lancaster area.

You can see the California Correctional Institution off the main road. It is a supermax prison located near town.

Tehachapi Wineries

I’ve been to Tehachapi several times and we enjoy going to its charming wineries. The wines do not rival Napa but the friendly relaxed atmosphere and generous pours make up for it. Tehachapi’s elevation is similar to Argentina, parts of Italy, and the Spanish Canary Islands. The soil is unique in that it contains Triassic granite.

Dorner Family Vineyard

Dorner Family Vineyard has a large open patio used during the warm months. Wine fans can enjoy food truck fare and music along with wine tastings. It’s a casual environment where you can bring your dog and all the kids.

Inside is a fabulous gift shop that tempted me to buy everything I saw. You don’t need a reservation to visit like you do in other California wine regions. We enjoyed a smooth bottle of Syrah.

It’s a family-owned vineyard that is a popular site for weddings and other events such as Cinco de Mayo and a German Christmas Market.

Tehachapi Winery

Tehachapi Winery is housed in a large warehouse. The outside of it looks like an industrial building but it is inviting inside with a large room that is perfect for holding events. It also has a large barrel room. Some of the wine vats are visible in the tasting room.

The winery has eighteen acres of vineyards and is the largest-producing establishment in the area. It is owned by Mike Chan, who recently partnered with Jason Carroll. Both work at the winery daily.

Triassic Vineyards

As you enter Triassic Vineyards tasting room it’s almost like you’re walking into a tent. A dinosaur greets you at the entrance. You can enjoy a magnificent view of the mountains when you sit under the covered (during the cold months) patio. A friendly cat hung out with us as we sipped a lovely bottle of Tempranillo.  

It’s an award-winning winery owned by Jim and Sally Arnold, known for its reds, and is named after the Triassic rocks.

Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Company

Set in a Spanish-style building with open patios, Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Company exudes cowboy big time. It was the first vineyard and tasting room to serve the Tehachapi region.  Visitors can listen to music, party, and indulge themselves in bowls of chili, tri-tip sandwiches, and other goodies while sipping its full-bodied wines.

It is also a family-owned winery with a friendly, fun atmosphere and adorable gifts. The winery hosts summer concerts and events like a Murder Mystery and dinner.

Los Viajeros Vineyard

To try a good Malbec, visit Los Viajeros Vineyard in Tehachapi. It is owned by Argentinian Ilda Vaja who founded the vineyard with her late husband Emilio. We also tasted a Tempranillo and Rose. Ilda is so personable and gave us a little cheese plate to try with our tastings. It’s an adorable little place complete with a vintage slot machine.

Would you rather have a Brewski?

I have not yet visited the breweries in Tehachapi but that’s next on my list when I visit again. The town has its share of craft beer establishments including Local Craft Beer, Westland Brewing, Old West Brewing, and Tehachapi Mountain Brewing.

Other things to see in Tehachapi

I’m still exploring the area and hope to have future visits there with my son and his wife. I’m sure I’ll be adding a few other places of interest in the future.

K-Dubs

We had a yummy lunch at K-Dubs, a pub that hosts a bowling alley and arcade. It also has a long bar and pool tables The food was amazing. I gulped down pastrami and pickle sliders that were to die for.  It is also a popular venue for weddings and events.

BeeKay Theatre

A friend performed his one-man show at the BeeKay Theatre in Tehachapi not long ago and told me all about it. The theater is housed in an old structure built in 1936 that was once used as a movie theatre. It was destroyed by a fire in 1994 and has since been rebuilt as a community theatre with a restored facade.

Kohnen’s Country Bakery

This cozy bakery has a German motif with tantalizing baked goods. You can also order yummy sandwiches, coffee, and other yummy items to savor. Everything is made from scratch and you will feel like you’ve stepped into Bavaria from the Upper Desert.

Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum

This is the site of the original depot from 1874-1876. It burned down when a steam engine caught fire. The station was rebuilt in 1904 by the Southern Pacific Railroad. There are only six of these depots left. It was again rebuilt in 2010 due to a fire and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is now a museum.

And more. . .

Other things to do include hiking, horseback riding, golfing, ballooning, and the Tehachapi Rodeo. Art happenings abound in galleries and colorful outdoor murals that decorate the old section of town. Restaurants, cafes, and coffeehouses offer a diverse menu to please any palate.

Find things to do in Tehachapi here.