Wiens Cellars has a devoted following. It’s the kind of place where multiple generations of the same family gather on the weekends, all Wiens wine club members. It’s not because the winery offers a grand sweeping view of the valley like other wineries, though it does have a lovely vineyard and citrus tree enclosed space. It’s the consistent quality wine, team of friendly servers, and robust event calendar that keeps its fans coming back year after year.
The winery’s story starts with Doug Wiens, whose early curiosity about viticulture eventually turned into a plan to grow and sell grapes, while making a little wine for his family to enjoy. He wanted a business that his family of 9 children could build together. His venture originated in Lodi, California. But, as his wine inventory grew and he decided that it made sense to start selling the wine, he and son Jeff Wiens, relocated the business to Temecula in 2003 in order to have a more easily discoverable tasting room. They opened Wiens Family Cellars to the public in 2006.
Wiens changed ownership in 2022 when the Steinhafels, another father-and-son team, acquired the winery and renamed it Wiens Cellars. They describe their purchase as an extension of the winery’s legacy, building on the foundation the Wiens family established. Another of Doug’s children, Joe Wiens remained in the winemaking role. He had already taken over from Doug, and has been shaping the winery’s style since 2010. Today, he is the Director of Winemaking and, together with winemaker Brian Marquez, he focuses on crafting wines that are both expressive of Temecula and friendly to a wide range of palates.
Wine Tasting at Wiens Cellars
At your wine tasting, expect lots of options. It’s a big menu. Wine tastings are held either inside at the tasting bar, or outside on the dog-friendly patio for a seated tasting. The tasting price and menus are the same and walk-ins are welcome. For a more in-depth experience, make a reservation for the Cellar Room tasting. It includes a private tasting of reserve and limited production red wines and optional cheese and charcuterie pairings. They may even pour you one or two barrel samples. Pro tip: If you sign up for their mailing list on their website, you’ll receive a $5 coupon off of a tasting.
There is no restaurant at Wiens, but Friday through Sundays there will almost always be a food truck or vendor on site and you can bring your food to your table.
Wiens has always made some of the best wines in Temecula. For years, a sign at the entrance proclaimed, “Big Reds” below the winery name, but these days it reads “Big Reds and Crisp Whites.” And, like much of Temecula, they do have an eclectic collection of wines. They pour whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, and Vermentino alongside Spanish, Bordeaux, and Rhône-style reds. Their shop and tasting lists rotate, but you’re almost sure to find their popular Red Crowded, a unique, easy-drinking blend of 9 red varieties, and a personal favorite their Dualis, a bold blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
More Popular Wiens Wines
Amour de L’Orange Sparkling — a fun, semi-sweet sparkling wine infused with natural orange essence. A local favorite and perfect way to end your tasting on a celebratory note.
2023 Albariño
A bright, citrusy white that wakes up your palate. Notes of lime zest, white peach, and green apple — perfect for Temecula’s sunny afternoons.
2023 Vermentino
Slightly fuller than the Albariño, with herbal and floral layers. It bridges the transition from light whites to richer varietals beautifully.
2021 Merrytage
Wiens’ signature red blend (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc). Smooth, medium-bodied, and a great introduction to their red lineup.
2020 Refugio Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic Wiens favorite — dark cherry, cassis, and a hint of toasted oak. Structured but approachable, this showcases their estate fruit beautifully.
2020 Reserve Syrah
Rich, velvety, and full of dark berry and pepper notes. A standout for fans of bold reds — one of Wiens’ most expressive reserve wines.
The winery calendar typically includes extended hour events and themed evenings — like Latin Soul Thursdays that run late, regular weekday happy hours, and rotating food trucks and specialty vendors on busier days like Thursday through Sunday. Live music on the outdoor stage and a seasonal concert series are also a big part of the schedule. Check their listings before you head over to see what’s happening the day of your visit. Wiens Cellars is also on our itinerary of walkable wineries.
