Situated in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego lies Temecula Valley — the home of Southern California’s Wine Country. Temecula boasts 50+ wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms that span over 33,000 miles… and more and more wineries are popping up on Rancho California Road and De Portola Road!
I’ve been to Temecula four or five times over the past few years, so I have had time to explore my fair share of the wineries in Temecula Valley. While there are still several wineries I would love to explore, I’ve rounded up a pretty solid list of the best wineries in Temecula that I have visited at least once (if not more!) and would visit again and again.
Below, you’ll find a list of local wineries in Temecula that each have a unique vibe… from cozy, family-owned spots to expansive resort-like estates. Regardless of your taste in wine (or wineries!)… I know you’ll find a place to love on this list of the top wineries in Temecula!
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Best Wineries in Temecula, California
1. Wilson Creek Winery
- Address: 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591
- Hours: Monday to Thursday (11 AM – 6 PM), Friday (11 AM – 8:30 PM), Saturday and Sunday (10 AM – 6 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $30 per person
Listen — if you only have time to check out one winery in Temecula, it needs to be Wilson Creek Winery. This family-owned winery is one of the most popular in Temecula, renowned for its warm, welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, as well as its sparkling wines, which are available in stores across the West Coast.
Wilson Creek is always busy, especially on weekends, but there are plenty of places to spread out and relax. The property features an expansive tasting room, a full-service restaurant, a picnic area, and numerous outdoor spaces to spread out and relax. You can also take a walk in the vineyards, which are particularly gorgeous in the summer when the vines are in full bloom.
I recommend trying one of the sparkling wines or participating in a tasting, which includes six very generous pours. The Almond Sparkling Wine is the best seller, but the Peach Bellini is my personal favorite. And on a hot summer day… the wine slushies never disappoint!
Insider Tip: The family that owns this winery also owns several golden retrievers, so try to spot them walking around the property. They’re super friendly (and adorable, of course!).
2. Akash Winery
- Address: 39730 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday (12 PM – 6 PM), Tuesday (12 PM – 8 PM), Friday (11 AM – 6 PM), Saturday (11 AM – 8 PM), Sunday (11 AM – 7 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $30 per person
If you’re searching for a trendy winery in Temecula with delicious wine and fantastic views, be sure to visit Akash Winery.
The highlight? The views from the open-air patio are insane — we visited in March before the vineyards were lush, but I can only imagine how breathtaking they will be in the summer. I’ll definitely be back to see them when they’re in full bloom!
Akash Winery has way more to offer than gorgeous views — they also have a beautiful tasting room and fantastic wine. I had a glass of red wine, and it was great. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Akash, as are children (except on Saturdays, which are for 21+). And if you have beer lovers in your group… Akash serves a selection of brews from Akash Brewing!
Insider Tip: Outside food and drinks are not permitted at Akash, but the winery features at least one pop-up restaurant per day serving delicious food, like pizza or tacos.
3. Vitagliano Vineyards & Winery
- Address: 36101 Glen Oaks Rd D, Temecula, CA 92592
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (2 PM – 7 PM), Tuesday (Closed), Friday (12 PM – 9 PM), Saturday (11 AM – 9 PM), Sunday (12 PM – 7 PM)
- Tasting Fee: N/A
Vitagliano Vineyards & Winery is a hidden gem when it comes to the best wineries in Temecula.
First of all, this property is stunning and reminiscent of a villa in the Italian countryside — it features a beautiful pond surrounded by flowers, old-world buildings covered in bougainvillea vines, and a spacious patio with bubbling streams, bridges, and casual seating areas. And aside from the beauty… this winery has one of the most laid-back vibes of any of the wineries I have visited in Temecula (even when it’s busy!).
Vitagliano Vineyards & Winery only offers wines by the glass and bottle, so this isn’t the place to go if you’d like to do a tasting. However, their wines are fabulous… crafted in the Tuscan style and designed to be paired with Italian food. The reds include Primitivo, Miscela, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Sangiovese (my top pick!), while the whites feature Muscat, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. They also serve white and red sangria!
Insider Tip: Visit on Friday nights for line dancing lessons with a live DJ from 5 PM – 8 PM! This was such a fun, family-friendly event… be sure to wear your cowboy boots!
4. Wiens Cellars
- Address: 35055 Via Del Ponte, Temecula, CA 92592
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday (11 AM – 6 PM), Friday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $30 per person
Out of all the wineries I’ve been to in Temecula… Wiens Cellars takes the top spot for the best wines. During my visit to Wiens Cellars, I did a standard tasting of six wines and was impressed by the extensive and diverse selection available. There are approximately 30 wines on the tasting menu at any given time, including white, red, sparkling, and dessert wines!
In addition to the standard wine tasting, Wiens Cellars offers wines by the glass and bottle, as well as cellar room tastings and winery tours, which can be booked for an additional fee. Wiens is also family-friendly — children and dogs are welcome, and outside food is permitted on the patio, lawn, or in the lounge. Additionally, food trucks and vendors are available on weekends.
In my opinion, Wiens Cellars has it all — fantastic wine, a beautiful property, and a welcoming atmosphere. This is definitely one of my top three wineries in Temecula (if not the best!).
5. Ponte Winery
- Address: 35053 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (11 AM – 6 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $30 per person
Ponte Winery is one of the most popular wineries in Temecula and offers a restaurant, tasting room, and hotel. It is also one of the largest wineries in Temecula… Ponte Winery farms 21 varieties of red and white wine on nearly 300 acres, which you can admire just outside the tasting room and beside the restaurant!
The charming barn-themed tasting room at Ponte is 21+, but you can grab a glass of wine to enjoy from the garden with kids (this is what we did with our daughter… the gardens are lovely and great for kids to run around!). I would love to get reservations at the al fresco restaurant next time as well… it looked beautiful (and delicious!).
Insider Tip: Ponte Vineyard Inn, the property’s 90-room boutique hotel, offers a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and breathtaking vineyard views. Out of all the properties I have explored in Temecula, this would be my top pick for where to stay in Temecula’s Wine Country!
6. Leoness Cellars
- Address: 38311 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
- Hours: Monday to Thursday (11:30 AM – 5 PM), Friday (11:30 AM – 6 PM), Saturday (11 AM – 6 PM), Sunday (11 AM – 5 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $22–30 per person
Leoness Cellars is a stunning winery in Temecula, offering exceptional wines and breathtaking views of the vineyards and surrounding mountains. We visited in the spring, before the vines were blooming, but I can only imagine how lovely the views must be in the summer!
Leoness Cellars offers an impressive selection of wines, along with a range of activities and experiences, including wine tastings, guided tours, an award-winning restaurant, and live music. In addition to a general tasting experience, this winery also offers private hosted wine tastings, a vineyard tour, an artisan cheese and wine pairing, a wine education tour and tasting, a proposal package, and more!
7. Cougar Winery & Vineyards
- Address: 39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, 92592
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday (11 AM – 6 PM), Friday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $22 per person
Cougar Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned, boutique winery in Temecula with sweeping vineyard views from the shaded patio. The wine (and the views!) are reminiscent of the Italian countryside in Tuscany.
Cougar Vineyards & Winery is a hidden gem that is tucked away from some of the more “touristy” wineries in Temecula, so if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds while doing a tasting or sipping on a glass of wine — this is a perfect spot for you!
If you like sweet wines, I recommend trying Sangio’s Sparkling Peach Sangria. This was such a refreshing wine on a hot summer day! Cougar Vineyards & Winery also features a deli that serves a fantastic selection of seasonal salads, handcrafted pizzas, and hearty sandwiches, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch on your wine-tasting tour in Temecula.
8. Fazeli Cellars Winery
- Address: 37320 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92590
- Hours: Daily (10 AM – 5 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $25 per person
Fazeli Cellars Winery is one of the most unique wineries in Temecula. The building, which resembles a majestic castle, is situated on the side of a hill and features two spiral staircases leading to the tasting room, as well as a stunning shaded patio that overlooks the wine country. The beautiful architecture of this building alone makes it worth a visit — it’s spectacular!
Fazeli Cellars Winery is Persian-owned, so the wines and cuisine at the restaurant reflect the ancient traditions of Persia with a modern California twist. You do a wine tasting at Fazeli Cellars for $25 per person, grab a glass to sip on from the patio, or go on a guided tour of the winery, vineyards, and production facilities on the weekends for $75 per person.
9. Somerset Vineyard & Winery
- Address: 39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, 92592
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday (11 AM – 6 PM), Friday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $17–22 per person
Somerset Vineyard & Winery started as a business venture between a group of friends who grew up on a street called Somerset in Orange County. The winery’s name was chosen to evoke memories of their tight-knit neighborhood… with block parties, neighborhood potlucks, and lawn games, serving as the core inspiration.
You’ll definitely feel the friendly neighborhood atmosphere when you step foot in Somerset Vineyard & Winery. The property is relaxed and welcoming, featuring a spacious outdoor setting that is perfect for families and dogs, as well as live music on weekends. Somerset offers a selection of Rhône and Spanish varietals, as well as winery tours for wine enthusiasts.
Insider Tip: On select weekends, Somerset offers jars of homemade sangria, featuring flavors such as Pineapple Coconut Lime, Strawberry Peach, Blood Orange, and Mango Jalapeño. If you’re at Somerset on a sangria day… order a jar. You won’t regret it!
10. Altisma Winery
- Address: 37440 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday (11 AM – 5 PM), Friday to Saturday (11 AM – 7 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $30 per person
Altisma Winery is a stunning, modern winery in Temecula, situated on the side of a mountain and offering breathtaking views of the Temecula Wine Country. This winery celebrates the heritage of Temecula, one of California’s oldest wine regions, and the Spanish captain who memorialized the region with world-class Spanish wines, including Tempranillo and Grenache.
While the chic atmosphere and excellent wines at Altisma Winery are enough of a reason to visit, the on-site restaurant — Gaspar’s Restaurant — is one of the most popular in Temecula’s wine country and offers patio dining, live music, and modern cuisine with Spanish flair. Since this restaurant is so popular, I recommend grabbing reservations online if you’d like to dine here!
11. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
- Address: 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California
- Hours: Sunday to Wednesday (11 AM – 6 PM), Thursday to Saturday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $15–20 per person
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is one of the top wineries in Temecula that also doubles as one of the best places to stay in Temecula — this property is home to a tasting room, a stunning four-star hotel with villas, suites, a swimming pool, and a spa, and an sophisticated restaurant with lovely patio seating — The Vineyard Rose Restaurant.
South Coast Winery offers wine tasting in its tasting room, educational tours, and a wine blending class, allowing you to create a custom bottle of wine to take home.
Map of the Best Wineries in Temecula
Other Incredible Wineries in Temecula
Although I haven’t personally visited the following wineries in Temecula (yet!), they are on my list to visit during my next trip to Southern California’s Wine Country:
- Robert Renzoni Vineyards — Robert Renzoni Vineyards is a 12-acre Italian-style vineyard founded by fourth-generation Italian winemaker Robert Renzoni, specializing in the production of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, and Sangiovese.
- Carter Estate Winery — Carter Estate Winery is a luxury Mediterranean-style winery situated on 109 acres of land. The winery is also a resort and offers an upscale Food & Wine Pairing in addition to the traditional wine tasting experience.
- Europa Village Wineries & Resort — Europa Village Wineries & Resort is one property in Temecula that encompasses three distinct wineries: Bolero, specializing in Spanish wines, Vienza, featuring Italian wines, and C’est la Vie, dedicated to French wines.
- Bailey Vineyard & Winery — Baily Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned and operated winery that has been producing wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and other traditional Bordeaux varieties since the 1980s.
- Briar Rose Winery — Briar Rose Winery is a family-owned winery that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale… because it is! The charming cottage was built in the 1970s by one of the designers who created Fantasyland and Toontown in Disneyland, as a replica of the cottage from Snow White, as a gift for his wife.
- Monte De Oro Winery — Monte De Oro Winery is a beautiful family-owned winery in Temecula with a massive patio that overlooks the vineyards. Many of their wines have won awards, making this one of the top-quality wineries to visit in the Temecula Valley!
- Doffo Winery — If a boutique-style wine tasting experience is more your style, you’ll love Doffo Winery. The tastings feature small-batch, handcrafted new releases, dessert wines, and reserve wines, including Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel.
- Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery — Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery is one of the most highly rated wineries in the Temecula Valley, renowned for its exceptional wines. This family-owned winery offers a variety of tasting experiences on its 16-acre estate.
- Peltzer Farm & Winery — Peltzer Farm & Winery is a stunning 25-acre property that offers a charming and rustic farm atmosphere, complemented by a sophisticated winery experience. If you visit in the fall, be sure to visit the farm for its fall festival and pumpkin picking, in addition to sipping a glass of wine!
Top Temecula Wine Tours to Explore the Best Wineries in Temecula
Want to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving? These all-inclusive wine tours in Temecula include round-trip transportation from Old Town Temecula or your hotel for a safe and stress-free day of wine tasting in the Temecula Valley:
- Temecula Valley Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch — This five-hour tour includes a wine tasting at four wineries in Temecula, a picnic lunch, round-trip transportation from your hotel in Temecula, and much more! This tour offers a fantastic value for all that is included and is a great way to experience some of the best wineries in Temecula without needing to designate a driver.
- Temecula’s Premier Wine Tasting Tour — This wine-tasting tour in Temecula includes a little bit of everything… you’ll stop at a boutique winery for a tasting, then head to a larger winery for a glass of wine with lunch, before ending the day with a wine production tour at another winery. Somerset Vineyard & Winery and South Coast Winery are frequent spots on this tour!
- Authentic Cable Car Wine Tour — Ride in style in an open-air cable car from the early 1900s on this five-hour wine tasting tour that stops at three wineries. Somerset Vineyard & Winery and Akash Winery (two of my favorite wineries in Temecula!) are frequent spots on this tour.
Best Places to Stay During a Wine-Tasting Trip to Temecula
If you’d like to stay in the heart of Temecula’s Wine Country during a wine-tasting trip to Temecula, consider a stay at one of the following properties:
- Carter Estate Winery and Resort — Carter Estate Winery and Resort is arguably the most luxurious hotel in Temecula Valley. Stay in a cozy suite or bungalow that overlooks the lush vineyards and enjoy fantastic in-room amenities, like gas fireplaces, wet bars, wine refrigerators, and deep soaking tubs for a high-end stay in wine country.
- South Coast Winery Resort & Spa — South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is another stunning property in wine country, offering villas and suites with vineyard views and high-end amenities, like soaking tubs and gas fireplaces. This property also has a spa and a swimming pool, making it the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway in Temecula.
- Best Western Plus Temecula Wine Country — Planning on joining a wine tour that departs from Old Town Temecula, and want to be near all the dining and shopping in this cute western town? Choose this clean, affordable hotel in town with free parking and breakfast that is less than a mile from Old Town Temecula.
Have a “Winederful” Time at These Fabulous Wineries in Temecula
There you have it — the best wineries in Temecula! Whether you like white wines, red wines, sparkling wines, or even sangria, you’re sure to find something that will please you at one of these fantastic wineries in Southern California’s Wine Country. Have a wonderful trip!
Save These Best Wineries in Temecula for Your Trip to Southern California’s Wine Country
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