A perfectly appointed luxury suite. A homemade gourmet breakfast waiting at your doorstep. Hot air balloons soaring overhead. If these things sounds like your dream getaway, consider Domaine Chardonnay for your next visit to Temecula. Voted the number one “Choice to Stay” by Fodors Travel, the French chateau-style bed and breakfast is meant to evoke the romance of the Loire Valley wine region in France — and it does. The estate is surrounded by 5 acres of forty year old Chardonnay vines and offers spectacular views of rolling hills that seem to never end. A circular drive with a bubbling fountain greets you beyond the gate, and award-winning, estate-exclusive wines await you in your room.
Each of Domaine Chardonnay’s three perfectly appointed suites has a private entrance and outdoor seating area. Guests looking for luxury, quiet, and privacy choose to stay here, as do brides getting ready for their wedding day and newlyweds on their wedding night. I was immediately smitten when I drove through the front gate. Can you imagine a more picturesque setting for a bridal photo shoot?
Domaine Chardonnay was conceived and designed by husband and wife team Laura Stearn and Michael Wieters, who purchased the land in 2016. The chateau is a passion project and labor of love for the couple. Michael — a landscape architect who designed water features for places like Wynn Las Vegas and the San Diego Zoo — designed Domaine Chardonnay and oversaw its construction. Laura, a former fashion designer with training in Paris and Milan — meticulously crafted the look of each suite’s uniquely designed interiors. On our visit to Domaine Chardonnay, Laura told me that she intends the rooms to feel “elegant, but like home,” a place where she, herself, would want to stay. The bed and breakfast is, in fact, their home, where Laura oversees the day-to-day operations and even prepares guests breakfasts herself mid-week. A professional chef takes over the kitchen on weekends.
The Rooms
Each of the three spacious suites has an en-suite lounge, luxurious bathroom, and its own outdoor seating area. The Chapel Suite at the edge of the chateau is the largest, with only one shared wall and a private lawn boasting expansive views of the vineyard. With feminine touches like fluffy pillows, tufted softa, gold accents, and fuzzy throws, it’s clear why brides choose this romantic suite for their special day.
The Vineyard Suite also faces the vines and has more of a classic, wine-country style in tones inspired by nature. A green velvet sofa and dark wood bar define the seating area, and a wine bottle ceiling fixture hangs above. Wood vanities, large sand tiles, and stone sinks give the bathroom a warm and inviting feel. The Barrel Room (below), the smallest of the three, is beautifully appointed in neutral tones. It has a private lawn like the others, but know that the room faces the front drive, so there are no vineyard views.
Laura believes in 5-star service and offers enhancements for guests to purchase ahead of their stay, such as in-room massages, hot-air balloon rides, scenic horseback riding, and e-bike rentals.
Food and Wine
Breakfast is included with your stay and prepared fresh each morning, with ingredients from on-site organic fruit trees and herb garden. Beautiful “grazing trays” are set on the doorstep of each suite and are filled with both healthful and decadent treats like crepes, quiche, avocado toast, and croissant egg sandwiches.
Domaine Chardonnay is also a working winery, and Michael Wieter is the winemaker — I’m convinced this couple never sleeps. After purchasing the property, he repaired and improved the vineyard and now bottles 14 different award-winning varietals. His wine label, DeCoupage, is exclusively available to chateau guests and wine club members to purchase. If guests fall in love with the wine, they have the opportunity to join the Domaine Chardonnay Estate wine club, which includes private events at the main house.
Location
Located in the heart of Temecula Wine Country less than one mile from the next winery, Domaine Chardonnay is the perfect point to plan a weekend of wine tasting around, and the secluded estate makes for an ideal place to unwind at the end of the day. You can feel good about staying there, too, as the property is 100% solar-powered and uses organic farming methods.
If you’re looking for an upscale experience for your next visit to Temecula, put this lovely bed and breakfast high on your list. We saw a sneak peek of Laura and Michael’s plans for an expansion, which will include a shared space for guests to mingle — one room will even have a second-story jacuzzi bath with a view of the vineyards. I can’t imagine a lovelier place to spend two days in Temecula.
Rooms start at $350 per night—book at least a few weeks in advance, as weekends sell out quickly. 33810 Madera De Playa Dr, Temecula, CA 92592
