You might know this by now, but I love wine. Truly. Growing up in San Diego, I was lucky enough to have some of the best wineries less than an hour away. There’s a ton of wineries in the Temecula area to rave about but for the sake of length I’m going to stick with my top 5 personal favorites.

Leoness Cellars

Full disclosure – I got married at Leoness so I might be a little bit biased. But, Leoness Cellars is truly beautiful and would highly recommend visiting whether you’re having a wedding here or not! This estate vineyard offers stunning panoramic views, a delicious restaurant and wine tours and tastings. What makes Leoness stand out from almost any other winery I’ve ever been to, however, is their unbelievable barrel room that’s full of – you guessed it – wine barrels that makes for an impressive space that’s perfect for pretty much any event. In regards to their wine, f you’re a red wine drinker in particular, Leoness’ cab is delicious and my personal favorite. In all honesty though, there isn’t a bad wine that Leoness makes, and whether you love your white wine and rosé or a heavier red, they’ve got it all.

Ponte Winery

Ponte is another must-visit winery while in Temecula. Ponte’s wines are spectacular, their Doppietta being my husband and I’s personal favorite. By visiting Ponte you can take in views of their vineyards, wine taste (obviously) or dine at one their restaurants. Even better? They also have a beautiful hotel you can stay at if you want to extend your stay a little longer.

Carter Estate Winery & Resort

Think a 4-star hotel with each room equipped with its own private balcony that leads out to the vineyard. Yeah, that’s what you get when you stay at Carter Estate. Their website says it best, it truly is Temecula wine country’s hidden gem. A little off the main road, you do feel like you’re in your own little world at Carter. Not to mention they have great selection of wines and outdoor poolside dining to really make your experience there one of a kind.

Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery

I had to include Palumbo Family Vineyards on here as they are personal family friends of ours! Besides the family connection, all personal bias aside, they really do make incredible wine. Specializing in full-bodied reds, this is a local winery you have to check out – especially if you’re a red wine lover in particular.

Peltzer Winery

Peltzer is right up my alley, y’all. This adorable winery has vintage farm feels that feels both chic yet unique all at the same time. Rustic charm, if you will. In addition to its lovely decor, Peltzer also serves some seriously delicious wines, from their rosé to their Syrah, they’ve got it all.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my personal favorite wineries that the Temecula Valley has to offer. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the weekend (when it’s safe to do so of course), I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in any of the wineries listed here.

Happy drinking!

Laura

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