Callaway was Temecula’s first winery to open to the public, and has long been a favorite of locals and visitors to wine country. With an excellent wine list, on-site restaurant, live music on the weekends, and a welcoming patio to take in the vineyard views, it’s easy to see why. Eager to stay relevant as more and more new wineries open in the valley, Callaway has brought in a talented new winemaker and his influence can already be seen in some of their newer white wine vintages. They’ve also introduced an additional wine and food pairing designed to showcase the quality of their impressive wines and connect with guests on a more personal level.
First, a Very Brief History
Winery founder Ely Callaway Jr. purchased his Temecula vineyard in 1969 upon the advice of local viticulturist John Moramarco, and in 1974, he opened the first public tasting room in the valley. Just a few years after that, he sold the business and went on to create the number one golf company in the world with the success of his “Big Bertha” golf club. Today, Callaway Vineyard and Winery is owned by the Lin family of San Diego, and produces over 30 estate wines. Callaway wines have been served at a state dinner for Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 and at the America’s Cup in 1992.
Callaway’s Wine
Callaway’s winemaker, Giovani Verdejo, or “Gio” as he prefers to be called, joined Callaway two years ago. He comes to Temecula from Foley Family Wines in Napa Valley, where was part of their Foley Johnson, Merus, Langtry, and Guenoc winery teams over the span of 22 years. He studied enology at both Napa Valley College and UC Davis and has specialized in French-style wines. His influences can already be seen in some 2022 reds like the Special Selection Tempranillo which he fermented at a lower temperature to preserve fruitiness, and the current release white wines. If you see a man in work clothes with two miniature sheepdogs trailing after him, it’s likely you’ve spotted Gio.
Visitors to the main tasting room should, splurge for the Library Wine Tasting. It’s a tasting of four of the Owner’s Private Reserve (OPR) wines. All are outstanding, especially the 2022 OPR White, a blend of Roussanne and Viognier, and the 2015 OPR Red, a Cabernet Sauvignon. If you opt instead for a standard tasting, and aren’t sure what to try on the very long list, I have a few recommendations for your six pours:
- 2024 Wild Yeast Viognier, floral with the perception of being sweet without being sweet.
- 2024 Special Selection Sauvignon Blanc which spent 2 months in neutral oak balancing the bold citrus notes.
- 2022 Special Selection Tempranillo, fruity and smoky
- 2022 Special Selection Zinfandel, flavors of blueberry, chocolate, and a hint of vanilla
- 2019 Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, flavors of dark fruit and chocolate
- 2022 Harmonique, a sweet but not cloying blend of Roussanne and Chardonnay
Celebrating the Art of Pairing Food and Wine
Wine bar tastings and daily tours have been the standard for years at Callaway, but in late 2025, the winery began a new curated food and wine pairing experience for small groups. This isn’t a typical cheese and charcuterie pairing. A Callaway host will guide guests through a specially selected set of Callaway wines that have been intentionally matched with chef-made bites, each designed to bring out a wine’s distinct flavors. Think in-house smoked salmon mousse paired with a lightly floral Pinot Gris or thinly sliced Jamón Ibérico and black garlic Manchego cheese balancing a smoky Tempranillo. Reservations for this experience are on Tock.
Meritage at Callaway
Callway’s restaurant, Meritage, has been undergoing some menu upgrades as well. A new tapas section has been added, with items designed for sharing. Like the new food and wine tasting, these too are designed to pair with specific Callaway wines. Seasonal items include a lighter take on arancini with roasted corn and zucchini, a slightly spicy Shrimp al Burro e Aglio accompanied by toasted crostini, heirloom tomato and buratta with a balsamic drizzle served with warmed crostini.
The restaurant has also started offering a limited menu out on the vineyard patio where visitors can dine with a more expansive vineyard view, and on Friday evenings there is a prix fixe Prime Rib dinner starting at 5 pm.
The Callaway tasting room is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm. The tasting room takes walk-in guests, book ahead for the seated food and wine pairing. Meritage is open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, and dinner Friday through Sunday. Reservations are available on their web site.
