Is there anything better than an entire weekend sipping bubbly, dining at the area’s best restaurants, and taking in the vineyard views? I’ve discovered a lot of terrific sparkling wine in Temecula in the last year, and this itinerary is designed to show it off— and give you a few options. From traditional method sparkling wine and Cava to effervescent Pet Nat to Prosecco straight from the Treviso DOC in Italy, this valley has something for everyone. 

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Friday Afternoon Itinerary

Prosecco and Lunch at Europa Village’s Vienza

Kick off your weekend with a casual lunch and bubbly at Europa Village. It’s a grand estate that’s home to three tasting rooms, each inspired by a different part of Europe. Make your way up the stairs to the Tuscan-style Vienza tasting room and ask for a glass or bottle of their NV Prosecco, imported straight from the DOC area in Treviso, Italy. Directly below the tasting room is a delightful Italian market where you can enjoy made-to-order brick oven pizza and other Italian goodies for lunch. 41150 Via Europa, Temecula, CA 92591

If you’re after a winery with a more modern look with a gorgeous view, make a reservation for the outdoor deck at Bottaia Winery to sip their Spumante and share a delicious plate of charcuterie and cheese or other shareable on their small bites menu.

Dinner in at Two Travelers Wine Bar

In the evening, head into Old Town Temecula for dinner and drinks at Two Travelers Wine Bar. They have a rotating list of wines by the glass and bottles from up and down the coast and across Europe. Some rare finds too. The chef’s focaccia “slabs” are a perennial favorite, as is the chips and dip starter that’s topped with caviar, but there are always new and interesting raw fish and seasonal items to try too. Don’t miss the house-made s’mores bar for dessert. 41911 5th St #100, Temecula, CA 92590

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Saturday Itinerary

Stop 1: Sparkling Wine Tasting at Carter Estate Winery and Resort

Start your wine tasting adventure with the Méthode Champenoise flight at Carter Estate Winery. You’ll taste 5 quality sparkling wines made from estate-grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris grapes. These are seated tastings but no reservations are required. Find your preferred spot at a table or the bar. 34450 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591

Stop 2: Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Thornton Winery

For lunch, head down the road to Thornton Winery to dine al fresco at their restaurant Café Champagne. They have terrific sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, plus more elevated chef’s specials to accompany your Méthode Champenoise flight. Purists should not be put off by the flavored options on the menu. The NV Brut, NV Brut Reserve, NV Brut Rose, and NV Cuvée Rouge are the real deal. Thornton’s winemakers diligently hand-turn bottles on riddling racks straight from Ste. LeBan in Epernay, France every single day. 32575 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591

Stop 3: Uys Wines or VOUX Wines

If you’re up for a third tasting, make an appointment at Uys Garagiste Winery to try their softly sparkling Pet Nat and other excellent natural wines, or Voux Wines to sit poolside at their private clubhouse and sip traditional method Chardonnay sparkling wine and other organic wines. There are lovely wines at both, and at either one, you’ll taste with the winemaker and get an up-close look at their winery operations.

Dinner at Corbeaux Wine & Tea House in Old Town Temecula

For dinner, make a reservation at Corbeaux Wine & Tea House in Old Town. Chef Gimeno creates some of the best, if not the best, food in the valley. His creative and mouthwatering Filipino-French fusion dishes are inspired by his upbringing, and his skills come from his background at the Michelin-starred Orchard City Kitchen in San Jose. I recommend their pairing dinner, but each dish can be ordered a la carte. Corbeaux owner Regan Schneider is the winemaker at Matin Du Bois Vintners. The wine list offers her own effervescent natural Mourvèdre Piquette and Tempranillo Pét Nat as well as sparkling imports from Champagne and Alsace, among others. 41923 2nd St suite 105, Temecula, CA 92590

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Sunday Brunch

Brunch at Bouquet Restaurant at Ponte Vineyard Inn

An al fresco brunch feels right after this weekend of indulging, so reserve an outdoor table at Bouquet Restaurant at the Ponte Vineyard Inn. They have everything from Benedicts to avocado toast to bagels to French toast. A little something for everyone, in other words. It’s a beautiful setting on the edge of their courtyard with views of their vineyard, a small pond, and a windmill. Inside of Ponte Vineyard Inn, 35001 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591

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