Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery
Sienna Spencer
Only an hour and a half outside of Palm Springs, Temecula Valley wine country is home to more than 35 wineries and vineyards. Don’t visit SoCal without taking a day trip to this exploding region where there’s plenty for a snowbird to taste and see!
Begin your touring & tasting experience on Rancho California Road with a first stop to Europa Village. One of the newest wineries in the valley, Europa offers a fun atmosphere and romantic take on wine from around the world. The folks at Europa also offer plenty of special workshops, vineyard tours, and winemakers dinners, so be sure to visit the events page on TemeculaWines.org for the latest happenings prior to your trip.
Next stop is Miramonte Winery, which has just been renovated - and owner Cane Vanderhoof can’t wait to show off his gorgeous entertainment patio to every wine-loving visitor. Miramonte offers complimentary live music in the afternoons and affordable tastings.
Hungry for lunch? There’s plenty of picturesque spots to choose from. See sidebar for restaurant info. (Plus, many wineries offer a cold section in their tasting room, packed with cheese and charcuterie for a mid-afternoon snack.)
Wiens Family Cellars is an award-winning winery with a modern country atmosphere. Be sure to savor their popular reds and check out the charming wine trinkets for sale. New to the Wiens property is a handsome outdoor entertainment venue and picnic areas overlooking their acres of vineyards.
Swing around to the De Portola Trail to stop by a couple wineries on the other side of the wine country loop.
If you happen to catch owner & winemaker Robert Renzoni pouring at his winery, he’ll tell you about the exciting expansion plans he has for next year. Construction is underway for a Tuscan Villa-style estate serving up wood-fired pizzas and Italian hospitality. Coming summer 2013.
Briar Rose Winery is perfect for a romantic wine-filled rendezvous. Made in the style of a Disney-esque fairy-tale, this winery makes for a unique and enjoyable excursion. You may need to make an appointment, as the owners Dorian and Link prefer to give folks one-on-one attention during their visit.
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery is the perfect last stop on your Temecula Valley tour. Palumbo offers a truly authentic wine country experience - family-owned and operated, complete with winery dogs and happy farm animals; however premium wine is the hallmark of this great operation. Topping the wine list are the Viognier and the “60/40” (Shiraz & Cab combo.)
Be sure to dine in wine country before you head back to homebase. For an upscale dining experience accompanied by sunset views of the vineyards, we recommend The Restaurant at Ponte, Meritage at Callaway, or The Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, among many others wine country restaurants.
*Sidebar
Temecula Valley now offers more than a dozen eateries in wine country - that’s more than many Northern California wine regions have to offer.
Wine Country Dining (be sure to check operating hours)
- Ponte Family Estate: The Restaurant at Ponte, The Cellar Lounge, and Bouquet
- The Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
- Carol's Restaurant at Baily
- Meritage at Callaway
- The Pinnacle at Falkner
- The Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek
- Cafe Champagne at Thornton
- MDO Wine Bar & Bistro at Monte de Oro (open Fri/Sat/Sun, light fare during the week)
- Shorty's at Mount Palomar (open Fri/Sat/Sun)
- The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars (open Fri/Sat/Sun)