Leoness Cellars, a Temecula winery already known for its award-winning restaurant, recently started a new al fresco brunch buffet on Sundays. The idyllic scenery alone might be reason enough to bring your favorite people; Leoness has one of the best views in the valley. But the culinary team there understands good food, and they’ve created a menu designed to impress.
First things first. Sunday brunch is out by the vineyard, not inside the restaurant. On our recent visit, a host greeted us at the top of the patio steps, then led us down along the vineyard walkway to the tables on the lower patio. It’s a casually elegant setting. Striped cloth napkins decorate the tables, and a mix of iron, wood, and wicker seating make up the outdoor dining room. There’s a generous cover overhead and fans blowing to keep everyone cool. It’s upscale enough to host your special occasions, but still easygoing and friendly.
The highlight of the setting is the stunning view of row upon row of grapevines, layers of rolling hills, and the picturesque Morgan Estate perched on a hilltop in the distance. Our server poured our wine selection, then told us we were free to head back up the stairs to explore the buffet. (We henceforth dubbed this experience “cardio brunch.” It’s not that many steps, really, but choose your brunch shoes wisely.)
The buffet is set up in the outdoor space between the tasting room and the restaurant. On one side, there is a gorgeous display with fresh berries, melons, and slices of pineapple, trays brimming with chilled shrimp and cocktail sauce, sausage and bacon, breakfast potatoes, and golden buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy. A couple of hearty salads, too. Friendly servers are in attendance to dish out your selections, and keep the food trays covered and tidy. But the star of Leoness’s brunch is the row of made-to-order brunch stations. There, chefs are busy grilling up banana bread French toast, carving slices of juicy prime rib, plating paella, and whipping up chilaquiles and omelettes on the spot. It’s a captivating culinary show.
For my first visit to the buffet — there were a few — I chose the paella, chilled shrimp, and fresh fruit; my husband the chilaquiles and breakfast potatoes. Leoness is not shying away from big flavor on their buffet. The paella, brimming with mussels, scallops, shrimp, and sausage, had deep, earthy notes of saffron and paprika, and the salsa verde on the chilaquiles a bold, mouthwatering tang. All seriously delicious. It was a reminder why their main restaurant consistently earns local awards. I might start lobbying to include the paella on their regular menu. Please join me.
Our second plates were filled with fluffy biscuits and gravy, crips bacon, and decadent French toast made with banana bread that caramelized on the grill. The French toast is plenty sweet and very tender. No syrup seemed necessary, but it’s available, along with powdered sugar if your sweet tooth is greater than mine.
Speaking of sweets, let’s talk about dessert, because there’s a tempting display stand in the middle of all of this that I would have missed if it weren’t for my husband chattering excitedly about it while we dined below. It’s filled with adorable miniature versions of everyone’s favorite confections: adorable tiny donuts, bite-size macarons, éclairs, cupcakes, and more. Perfect little treats for that “I couldn’t possibly have another bite” moment when brunch draws to a close. Those raspberry-glazed donuts, by the way, also packed a big fruity punch and were so fresh, with a very satisfying sink-your-teeth-into chew.
Leoness Cellars’ French-style wine is available by the glass, flight, or bottle. Coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks are also available. We ordered the sparkling brut, it’s easy drinking, lightly fruity, but not sweet. Excellent with brunch. Their 2024 Melange d’Ete, a white blend, would also be a lovely accompaniment to the buffet fare, as would the 2020 CS Grenache, if you prefer red wine.
This was a lovely relaxed experienced. We were leisurely as we made our buffet selections and filled our plates. We lingered over our wine and were encouraged to revisit the buffet. It’s an experience and a setting that feels romantic, but is also perfect for a girls day out or family celebration.
___
The menu is new, and likely to evolve, especially with the change of seasons. Brunch is offered every Sunday, from 10 am to 2 pm, reservations are recommended.
