Artisan Eats And Drinks In Temecula
(credit: Vendemia Winery)
If you're looking to get away, escape the city for a weekend of artisan eating and drinking in the wine country of Temecula, just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles. The city is developing an expansive list of local, boutique wineries and restaurants, in addition to the already established major players. From small batch wines to locally produced and housemade menu items, these Temecula eateries and wineries are an absolute win for a weekend getaway.
(credit: Briar Rose Winery)
Briar Rose Winery
41720 Calle Cabrillo
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 308-1098
www.briarrosewinery.com
Visit the fairy tale-esque cottage at Briar Rose Winery for their award winning, handcrafted, small-lot, premium Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area wines. Their intensely flavored grapes plucked from the lush vineyard provide the right flavors for varietals including a Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Viognier, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay, as well as a Super Tuscan, a Citronier (Viognier with Meyer lemon zest), and the bubbly wine lager Talking Frog (made with Viognier and lager Hefeweizen). Advance reservations are required for this table-service tasting.
(credit: Cougar Vineyard and Winery)
Cougar Vineyard and Winery
39870 De Portola Rd.
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 491-0825
www.cougarvineyards.com
Offering a tasting room which overlooks the stunning Temecula Valley, the Cougar Vineyard & Winery features Italian wine varietals rarely found in the United States including Brachetto, Lambrusca di Alessandria, Falangini, and Nero Amaro, as well as more widely recognized varietals such as Sangiovese, Aglianico, Primitivo, Montepulciano, Vermentino, and Pinot Grigio. By advance reservations, you can enjoy a tour of the production facility to learn about the winemaking process.
(credit:Temecula Olive Oil Company)
Temecula Olive Oil Company
28653 Old Town Front St.
Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 693-0607
www.temeculaoliveoil.com
A visit to Temecula Olive Oil Company will yield some of the best 100% extra virgin olive oil around. Located in Temecula's quaint Old Town, the retail shop boasts both an area to buy products as well as a tasting room. In addition, an olive oil tasting can feature numerous varieties of limited edition, seasonal olive oils including Caprice de Nature, White Truffle, Hickory Smoked, Fajita Frezy, Picante Pepper, Fresh Basil, Luscious Lemon, and Citrus Reserve olive oils as well as numerous balsamic vinegar blends including Pomegranate, Hatch Chili, Vanilla & Fig, and Honey Balsamic. Complimentary oil and vinegar tastings are offered daily.
(credit: Thinkstock)
Vindemia Vineyard and Winery
33133 Vista Del Monte Rd.
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 699-3341
www.vindemia.com
Showcasing some of the best handcrafted varietals in the Temecula Valley AVA, Vindemia Vineyard and Winery boasts Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, a gold medal winner in the Sunset International Wine Competition. Enjoy a wine tasting experience at Vindemia in their casual, valley-view gardens with a hospitable and knowledgeable staff on hand. Looking to see more of the vineyards? The winery also operates California Dreamin' hot air balloon flights over the Temecula Valley.
(credit: EAT Marketplace & Eatery)
EAT Marketplace and Eatery
28410 Old Town Front St.
Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 694-3663
www.eatmarketplace.com
Newly relocated by the Old Town Temecula gateway arch, EAT Marketplace and Eatery, a supporter of both local farmers and the Slow Food movement, is a hip, artisan restaurant serving up breakfast, lunch, coffee, and to-go picnic feasts. Their fresh, seasonal menu is regionally sourced with sustainable ingredients. Wraps and sandwiches, tree hugger & paleo bowls, and a slow bar featuring organic, sustainable, and beyond fair-trade coffee drinks highlight their impressive menu.
(credit: Doffo Winery)
Doffo Winery
36083 Summitville St.
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 676-6989
www.doffowines.com
Small lot wines are the norm at Doffo Winery, where a unique blend of Argentine and Italian heritage comes together to make intensely flavored, structured, and textured wine varietals. Make an advance reservation to experience Doffo Wineries Sip-and-Tour experience, a wine tasting adventure through the estate on board their eco-friendly mini-bus. Not only will you sample the varietals, you will learn about the grapes and even discover why Doffo plays classical music throughout the vineyard.
(credit: Palumbo)
Palumbo's Ristorante
41925 5th St.
Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 699-7925
www.palumbosristorante.com
Traditional Italian cuisine, coupled with excellent service, is served up nightly at Palumbo's Ristorante. Located in Old Town Temecula with both indoor and outdoor patio seating, Palumbo's utilizes family recipes and fresh ingredients to make their own housemade sauces, soups, sausage, meatballs, ravioli, gnocchi, focaccia, bruschetta bread, tiramisu, and cannoli. Fresh, seasonal salads include locally grown organic greens, and the spaghetti carbonara and manicotti florentine are house specialties. Pair your meal with wine selections from Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery.
Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
