Calle Contento Wine Trail
Truly 'off the beaten road', the wineries located along this less busy trail just off of Rancho California Road are well worth the turn.
Briar Rose Winery
41720 Calle Cabrillo, Temecula, CA 92592; (951) 308-1098 open daily, 11am-5pm by appointment only; briarrosewinery.com
This idyllic cottage-style winery boasts some of the area’s finest boutique wines available for tasting. Enjoy their wine and cheese pairing parties to educate the mind and stimulate the palate.
On the tasting menu: Gewurztraminer, Zinfandel Barbara, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot; $15 for 6 standard tastes; $25 for 6 premium tastes
Falkner Winery
40620 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591; (951) 676-8231; open daily 10am-5pm; Pinnacle Restaurant hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am-3:30pm, Sat & Sun 11:30am-2:30pm; falknerwinery.com
Specializing in multiple award-winning Super Tuscan and Meritage blends, the rustic tasting room offers a wide variety of varietals for tasting. Pinnacle Restaurant offers a spectacular 360° vineyard view.
On the tasting menu: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot; $10 for 4 tastes, $15 for 7 tastes with logo glass
Longshadow Ranch Winery
39847 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591; (877) 80-RANCH; open Mon-Fri, 12pm-5pm, Sat & Sun, 10am-5pm; longshadowranchwinery.com
This family-friendly, ranch-style winery is complete with hay barrels, horses and a rustically beautiful and welcoming ambiance. The tasting room features a wide variety of Estate bottled wines made the old fashioned way.
On the tasting menu: Tempranillo, Cinsault, Ponderosa Port, Outlaw Red; $15 for 5 tastes with logo glass
Lumiere
Opening Soon
Villa di Calabro
41955 Main Street, Old Town Temecula, CA 92590; (951) 695-4525; open daily 11am-6pm
Although the Madera de Playa winery is open by appointment only, stop by the "little yellow house" on Main Street in Old Town for wine, olive oil and vinegar tastings daily.
On the tasting menu: Sangiovese, Estate Cabernet; open daily 10am-6pm; $10 for 6 tastes
Vindemia Winery
Vindemia Vineyard, 33133 Vista Del Monte, Temecula, California 92591; (800) 373-3359;
vindemia.com
Beautifully nestled on a hillside, visitors who venture through the valley less-traveled on Calle Contento find an estate with a spectacular view, masterful gardens and a comfortable setting to enjoy extraordinary hand-crafted wines.
On the tasting menu: Syrah, Commonwealth; open Friday through Sunday from 11am-5pm; $15 for 6 tastes including cheese, bread and olive oil
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