Editor’s Picks: Spend the Weekend at Our Favorite Temecula Wineries
Updated:
Follow @twodaysintemecula
Every winery featured on the main Wine Tasting page is technically an Editor’s Pick, because I’m only recommending places that I genuinely enjoy. Still, I do have my favorites. On this itinerary, you’ll sample everything that makes Temecula special. Visit a favorite date-night wine bar in Old Town Temecula, wine taste and lunch at top spots in wine country, and brunch with a golf course view.
Seasons change, and wine lists and restaurant menus change with them, so I’m sure this list will evolve over time. Be sure to check back to discover our current favorite spots.
(Top photo by Jenna Joseph)
EDITOR’S PICKS
at a Glance
Dining
Domenico’s Italian Chophouse
Two Travelers Wine Bar
Bouquet at Ponte Vineyard Inn
Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
Corkfire Kitchen
Wine Tasting
Truffle Pig Winery
Uys Garagiste Winery
Raúl Ramirez
Doffo Winery
Chapin Winery
Friday Afternoon
Lunch at Domenico’s Italian Chophouse
Begin your getaway with an al fresco lunch at Domenico’s at Truffle Pig Winery. It’s the newest restaurant in wine country with a mix of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads, plus some Italian-inspired entrees like Forest Risotto, Pork Milanese, and Seabass al Limone. When you’re finished with lunch, take a stroll down the pathway to the tasting room to try their Chenin Blanc and Grenache.
Wine Tasting at Uys Garagiste Winery
Make an appointment to taste with Dirk Uys of Uys Garagiste Winery in the late afternoon. Dirk makes minimal intervention French-style wines that are some of the best in Temecula. He offers guided tastings or vineyard tours and tastings in the wine production shed that he built next to his home. It’s a delightful, intimate (and not intimidating) experience for true wine lovers.
Dinner in Old Town at Two Travelers Wine Bar
End your evening with a light meal and glass of wine at Two Travelers Wine Bar and Merchant. Offering crisp salads, charcuterie, focaccia “slabs,” and seafood selections, the chef’s menu is always seasonal and inventive. The interior is dark and cozy, with a library nook and a few booths carved out for intimate conversation. They have a sommelier-curated wine list that is always evolving; ask your server for suggestions or a small taste before you commit to a glass. If you prefer a more substantial meal, Small Barn is another favorite with entrees like melt-in-your-mouth short rib and perfectly cooked Branzino.
Saturday in Wine Country
10 am — Brunch at Ponte Vineyard Inn
For a leisurely morning in wine country, brunch at Bouquet Restaurant at Ponte Vineyard Inn. The menu has options for light or heartier entrees, and the lovely courtyard setting looks out on a small pond and the vineyard. Reservations recommended.
12 pm — Spanish Wine at Raúl Ramirez
A beautiful drive through the valley hills takes you to Raúl Ramirez Bodegas Y Viñedos. It sits high above the owner’s Andalusian horse farm, and you might even see one of them practicing their dance moves in the circle at the top of the driveway. Inside their modern tasting room, the team pours Spanish-style wines, including smooth Tempranillo, that are worth the scenic drive. Raúl Ramirez also boasts some of the best whites in the region, including their own Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. 32950 Marius Way, Winchester, CA 92596
2 pm — Rev Your Engines at Doffo Winery
Thanks to founder Marcelo Doffo’s passion for European motorcycles, Doffo Winery is decorated with his vintage collection, and his showpieces line the walls of their large barrel room. You’ll also find a small, attractive tasting room and outdoor lounge areas to sit with a glass of some of the best reds in the region. To finish, try their port-style wine, then walk across the road to Chapin Family Vineyards. 36083 Summitville ST. Temecula, CA 92592
3:30 pm — Lounge on the Veranda at Chapin Family Vineyards
Strolling down the lush, palm tree-lined entry, it’s hard not to be immediately charmed by Chapin Family Vineyards. Reserve a table outside on the covered deck where you can take in the view, and a server will come to you and pour a selection of any six of their wines. Red wine lovers should try the Summit Blend and Reserve Cabernet if available. Chapin is a wonderful place to watch the sky turn pink as the sun sets. 36084 Summitville St, Temecula, CA 92592
Dinner at Corbeaux Wine and Tea House
Take some time to unwind from your day, then rideshare in to Old Town to dine at Corbeaux Wine & Tea House. Their seasonal and absolutely delicious French-Asian fusion plates are always artfully plated and with unique flavor pairings like duck with a peanut sauce and filet with a raspberry-coffee rub. They also happen to have the freshest fish and seafood and an interesting, sommelier selected wine and wine cocktail list. The dining room has a boho feminine flare, that is simultaneously upscale and casual. Reservations recommended. 41923 2nd St suite 105, Temecula, CA 92590
Sunday Brunch
Sunday Brunch at Corkfire Kitchen
For Sunday brunch, visit Temecula Creek Inn’s award-winning Corkfire Kitchen. It boasts floor to ceiling windows looking out over their stunning golf course. If you need a little “hair of the dog,” the bartenders make a mean Bloody Mary, but if this is your morning to get back on track, try the Garden Herb & Burrata Cheese Omelet with herbs from Corkfire’s on-site herb garden. 44501 Rainbow Canyon Road
Temecula, CA 92592
Places to Stay
When you book through the “Reserve online” paid links below, Two Days in Temecula receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions on this page are entirely our own.
Ponte Vineyard Inn
The Ponte property, which encompasses the winery and the inn, is featured on multiple stops in this itinerary. It has a beautiful pool, two restaurants, and is centrally located on Rancho California Road.
The Vine House Bed & Breakfast
A gorgeous, newly remodeled bed and breakfast right along the De Portola Wine Trail. There’s an on-site tennis and pickleball court, and two of Temecula’s most popular wineries are within walking distance.
Domaine Chardonnay
This beautiful, French-chateaux style bed and breakfast is right in the middle of wine country. Each of the three suites has a private entrance, and a gourmet breakfast is delivered every morning
