Wine country is all about being surrounded by beautiful scenery with a terrific glass of wine in your hand. Temecula Valley has no shortage of stunning views—the wineries are almost all designed to make the most of the beautiful Southern California landscape. The vistas may evolve as the seasons change, but it’s always a good time of year to visit Temecula for a beautiful view. Our list of the best 10 wineries with gorgeous views is below.
(Also check out our favorite wineries for lunch with a view. Several of them are on the list.)
Leoness Cellars
(View is also pictured at the top of the page.) When Leoness Cellars expanded their property, they added a pathway that leads down into the vineyard and lots of patio seating—all designed to take in the views of the vineyard and rolling valley hills. There’s a small church at the top of a nearby hill, and it paints such a pretty picture. On weekends, there’s a wine bar to visit down on the vineyard patio and live music as well; on weekdays, guests can either stop in the tasting room first for a glass, then make their way down or, better yet, have lunch on the exclusive member patio when it’s open to the public Monday through Thursday.
Reservations are recommended for the restaurant. Walk-in for tastings.
38311 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
Falkner Winery
Perched high on a hilltop, Falkner Winery offers a few options for taking in the magnificent views. There’s an outdoor deck with seating behind the new tasting room, and a family-friendly lawn where you’ll often find live music on weekends. Both areas look out over Calle Content Road and off to the hills behind it. The indoor restaurant across the parking lot, Pinnacle, has almost 180° views of the neighboring hills. It’s perfect when the temperatures go up or it starts to rain, but you still dream of lunch with a view. Falkner and Pinnacle are family-friendly with crowd-pleasing menus.
Reservations are recommended for the restaurant. Walk-in for tastings.
40620 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
Chapin Family Vineyards
Chapin Family Vineyards is positioned directly in front of an expansive view of vineyards and low rolling hills. They hold seated tastings for all guests out on a large veranda, so all you need to do is find a table outside and let the staff take it from there. Chapin has a separate part of the property (also out front) for picnickers, so if you’ve brought your lunch, buy a bottle (or glass) in the tasting room and have them point you toward the designated area. Doffo Winery, just steps away from Chapin, has a similar view, but on weekends the viewing area is limited to members. It’s a fun place to visit though, with excellent wine, you could make an amazing afternoon visiting both. Chapin and Doffo both make our list for the best wine in Temecula.
Reservations are available, but are not required.
36084 Summitville Street, Temecula Valley, CA 92592
Miramonte Winery
If you’re ready for lunch, Miramonte Winery’s sky-high bistro is the place to be to take in the scenery. Their dining area is made up of tiered patios positioned to make the most of the views. Another unique way to absorb the scenery is in one of Miramonte’s recently added cabanas that are available for rent on the back side of the property. Each cabana boasts panoramic views and overlooks the vineyard. If you have a group looking for a place to spend the afternoon, you might book one and enjoy a dedicated server. It seems like a good way to spend the day to me. The price might look high, but the cost of booking is put toward food and wine for your group.
Reservations are recommended for the bistro. Walk-in for tastings.
33410 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Halter Ranch
Halter Ranch has one of the tiniest tasting rooms in the valley, but they are very popular for both the wine and the vineyard views. It’s a relaxed scene, with table-side service, where they pour wine from Temecula as well as their famous Paso Robles location. (Red wine fans should try their “Ancestor” blend. It’s the Halter Ranch signature wine.) Visit early on the weekends to secure your spot at the edge of the vineyard. It’s the best place to take it all in.
Walk-in for tastings.
www.halterranch.com | 41300 Ave Biona, Temecula, CA 92591
Altisima Winery
Altisima Winery is one of the newer kids on the block but won an almost immediate following because of its setting. They’re high up on De Portola Trail overlooking Robert Renzoni Winery and Fazelli Cellars. The view also looks out on vineyards, a horse farm, and mountains. They have a large lawn with plenty of lounge chairs, and on weekends there’s a wine bar and live music making it feel like a resort party. Gaspar’s, Altisima’s mostly outdoor Spanish-inspired restaurant, is also a terrific option for taking in the views. They’ve recently added Sunday brunch to the menu, a great way to start the day in wine country.
Walk-in for tastings and the restaurant.
37440 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Cougar Winery
Cougar Vineyard and Winery is just a bit farther up the De Portola Trail from Altisima. They’ve created special viewing areas outside with clusters of Adirondack chairs all pointing at the vineyard. On a nice day, order a glass and food from their Italian deli with sandwiches and pizza, which the team will deliver to your chair. On rainy or very hot days, the tasting room has large picture windows designed to maximize viewing.
Walk-in for tastings and the deli.
39870 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Bottaia Winery
Bottaia Winery has created several seasonal options for taking in their breathtaking views. Year-round, guests can book a spot on the outdoor deck where the rows of vines seem to go on forever. There’s also an indoor option of a wine and charcuterie pairing, and the dedicated charcuterie tasting room has sky-high windows. Spring through early fall, Bottaia turns into something of a winery day resort, opening an outdoor pool and pool café adjacent to the vineyard. There are lounge chairs and cabanas for rent, and private change rooms you can book for a half day, full day, or even become a seasonal member. The one experience that doesn’t present a view is the standard tasting. The experience at Bottaia is more serene than most because they don’t allow tour or party buses.
Reservations are required for pool and charcuterie experiences, and strongly recommended for the deck.
35601 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Akash Winery
Akash Winery is just down the road from Falkner and also high up on the hill—the tasting room is even called the “Sky Lounge.” The view at Akash overlooks the vineyards and out at neighboring wineries and hillside homes. The tiered outdoor deck has plentiful seating and has a resort-like feeling not dissimilar to Bottaia, but with more of a party vibe than a serene one. On the weekends, you’ll find food trucks and live music, and outdoor bars serving wine and Akash beer.
Walk-in for tastings.
39730 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
Monte de Oro Winery
Finally, family-friendly Monte de Oro has two-story windows in the tasting room, and a gorgeous piazza outside with a large fountain to take in the views of Bottaia Winery, Jordan Parker Winery, and valley hills across the way. They too have a casual bistro that’s open Wednesday through Friday, that serves pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, which you can also enjoy outside.
Walk-in for tastings and the bistro.
35820 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Ponte Vineyard Inn
Ponte Winery has an incredible view, but the areas to best see it is reserved for wine club members. You can, however, stroll next door to Ponte Vineyard Inn for one of my favorite views in the valley of a small pond, windmill, and vineyard.
