Did you know there is a distillery in heart of Temecula Wine Country? Next to the cave at Oak Mountain Winery sits a speakeasy style bar serving up craft cocktails and shareable food. In the summer, The Distillery is a great way to get out of the sun, and in the winter, a cozy spot for a warming drink. The interior is a simple, large room, but with dark walls, low sofas, a stocked bar, and a perfectly polished distiller, the room evokes the feeling of an old-school speakeasy. The vest and shirtsleeve-clad bartenders add to the effect. Incongruously, there are TVs and a tree strung with green lights off in the corner, but somehow, it all works together and the overall feel is inviting.
While the host delivers a list of classic mixed drinks, Oak Mountain’s skilled bartenders can also craft a custom cocktail to suit your preferences and seem to genuinely enjoy doing so. On a warm summer evening, I told ours that I like a balanced, not too sweet, gin drink. A few minutes later, he delivered a delightful pink concoction made with Oak Mountain’s own gin and a blend of pomegranate, lemon, and lime juices. Later in the evening, as we sat and listened to Stephanie Salhaz performing standards on her solo microphone, I sipped a “Black Manhattan”, made with amaro rather than vermouth, per our bartender’s suggestion. It was very nice and smooth, though I think in the future, I’ll stick with the classic.
For dining, The Distillery offers the full menu from Oak Mountain’s Cave Cafe. We shared the Wagyu Sliders and a crisp flatbread topped with fresh baby heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, garlic, and basil. The sliders were nothing to look at but were juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. These items seemed more venue-appropriate than the Lemon Caper Branzino or $115 Prime 27 oz Porterhouse also on the menu.
Just before closing, as guests were starting to depart, our bartender stopped by with a snifter of Oak Mountain’s cask strength Brandy for us to taste. The barrel had forgotten, and subsequently aged for more than twice as long as it typically would. The heat from 95 proof alcohol was powerful and reminded me of some Grappa that my husband and I bought on our honeymoon in Italy, but thanks to the Brandy’s dark fruit finish, it went down smoothly.
The custom cocktails run $22 – $25 a piece, but it’s a unique experience in wine country, and the personal attention we received from the bartender was worth the indulgence alone. They also offer a flight of any four of their spirits for $30. They make their own agave style spirit, bourbon, gin, rum, single malt whiskey and vodka – you can bet that flight is on my list for my next visit.
Reservations are available on their website.
36522 Vía Verde, Temecula, CA 92592
www.oakmountainwinery.com
