If you’re reading this, I think you’ll agree that visiting wine country is about more than a great glass of wine. Whether on a girls getaway, romantic date, or bachelorette weekend, we’re here because we want experience the beauty of Temecula, and of course, take insta-worthy pictures along the way. This guide will help you plan a day (or weekend) in wine country visiting the loveliest restaurants, tasting rooms, and outdoor spaces in the valley. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that you’ll find a fabulous glass of wine at each one.
Leoness Cellars
Leoness Cellars is not obviously a beauty from the road, but pass through the small tasting room and step out onto the patio, and you’re surrounded by tiered terraces that leads down into the vineyard. It’s a well-designed space that makes the most of its beautiful views of the valley’s hills. There’s even a vintage tractor perched at the top of the terrace pathway, perfect for an Instagrammable moment. Leoness has a casually chic restaurant that constantly wins awards for the best restaurant in wine country. You’ll find entrée salads, diver scallops, Chilean seabass, and lamb shank on the menu.
Reservations are recommended for the restaurant. Walk-in for tastings.
38311 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Bottaia Winery
Bottaia Winery was designed to evoke an Italian resort and it’s hard not to feel a little glamorous while you’re there. The modern barn exterior opens to reveal a stylish indoor tasting room (reserved for members) that guests walk through on their way out to the gorgeous outdoor deck. In the fall and winter, reserve a spot on the deck to enjoy a flight, some charcuterie, and take in a view that goes on for miles. In late spring and summer, you might want to book a lounge chair or cabana by their Riviera-inspired pool, or at the pool café where you can sip wine or a cocktail and enjoy a light lunch.
Reservations strongly recommended for tastings, pool, and pool café.
35601 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Ponte Winery
Just down the road from Bottaia is Ponte Winery. They have a beautiful barn-style indoor tasting room where you’re surrounded by tempting winery gift items, and a garden adjacent to the vineyard with pathways to stroll in or bring a glass of wine to sit and relax. There are tall cypress trees, flowering bushes, and a large fountain where a few frogs have made a happy home. The garden is also home to Ponte’s wonderful al fresco restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Reservations recommended for the restaurant. Walk-in for tastings. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
35053 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Voux Wines
Voux Wines is a small boutique winery with a private clubhouse and pool that looks out on a vineyard and citrus orchard. Owner and winemaker Chad Hughes took inspiration from Bottaia when he was conceiving his winery, and it does create that same feeling of relaxed elegance. Book the white linen tasting to sit out by the pool and let Mr. Hughes guide you through his wines. It’s perfect for a date or a small group looking for a high-end experience. The wines are beautiful but young, so I recommend opting into the charcuterie pairing to taste the wines at their best.
Tastings at Voux are by appointment only.
Briar Rose Winery
Briar Rose Winery is the most charming little winery. It was built by a former Disney craftsman to look just like Snow White’s cottage. The property is surrounded by tall hedges that keep the outside world away, so once you step through the entrance, you’re immediately transported. The grounds are dotted with whimsical stone creatures and seating nooks that look straight out of a fairy tale. Briar Rose is open for reserved seated tastings Friday through Sundays, but what they do best is themed picnics like their Bridgerton-inspired tea party or movie-themed events like the Mean Girls Galentine’s Day picnic that I attended with a few friends. If you want to feel like a princess for the day, this is the place to be.
41720 Calle Cabrillo, Temecula, CA 92592
Vienza Winery at Europa Village
Europa Village excels at creating a transportive experience. At Vienza, you really do feel like you’re visiting an Italian resort in the countryside. The patio in front of their Italian market is an ideal setting for sipping on a spritz or sharing a wood-fired pizza; the back garden has a curved colonnade, fountains, and bistro tables where you can bring your glass. Even the outdoor corridors have been thoughtfully designed with lovely archways and Roman columns. On Sunday afternoons, they host a “family BBQ.” It’s lively and feels like a party, but it can become very crowded, so visit on a Thursday or Friday if you prefer to avoid a crowd.
No reservations are required.
41150 Via Europa Temecula, CA 92591
Altisima Winery
Perched high up on a hill, looking out on the south side of the valley, the beauty of Altisima Winery could almost be overlooked because of the view. But the winery is a stunner, with sky-high ceilings and Spanish and equestrian-style influences. The outdoor views are amazing though, and Altisima makes the most of them. There’s plentiful outdoor seating, an outdoor wine bar on weekends, and of course, their fabulous restaurant, Gaspar’s, where you can enjoy a wonderful winery lunch with a view.
37440 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Lorimar Winery
Lorimar Winery’s exterior is why it makes our list. (Truthfully, the inside is not much to look at.) The building is reminiscent of an old stone estate that you might find in Tuscany. In front, there are tables and chairs near a large, bubbling fountain, and out back there’s a lounge area just for gazing off at the mountain views. There’s even a cute life-size picture frame to pose at in front of the vines. The outdoor patio restaurant may be less picturesque, but it’s incredibly fun with live music every day, and a crowd-pleasing menu of flatbreads, salads, and sandwiches.
Reservations recommended for the restaurant. Walk-in for tastings.
