Feeling thirsty for adventure? Ready to cool off for the summer, or looking forward to exploring flavors in the fall?
If so, we’re eager to welcome you to Varietal Valley—our collection of regional vineyards and breweries, where you can tap into the taste of local wine and beer as well as enjoy breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and architecture.
Situated in beautiful Riverside County, both Murrieta and nearby Temecula are home to acres of vineyards and cellars from which delicious California-made wines are produced. Whether you’re into Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Sangiovese, surely there’s something here for you… and we’re here to help you find it.
Break out your stemmed glasses, Explorers. We’re headed to Murrieta Wine Country.
Hearkening back to the days of the wild west, Wine Ranch Grill & Cellars taps into a rebelliously rustic cowboy aesthetic and a family-friendly atmosphere to offer its visitors hearty meals and award-winning wines.
Owned and operated by vintners Doug and Debbie Wiens, two vintners who started their winery journey with a big dream and a whole lot of love, Wine Ranch Grill & Cellars offers delicious dining and draughts of wine made from Murrieta grown-grapes that appeal to every tastebud—and are built on a foundation of love.
Described as one of the area’s finest “focal point bars”, guests can enjoy Murrieta-made wine tastings throughout the week as well as a menu chock-full of simple-yet-flavorful American-style fare, like hamburgers, bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts, field greens and good ol’ fashioned apple pie.
Come for the wine, but stay for the feeling of familial closeness in a cozy, back-in-time setting.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Soak in the splendor of a faraway land from the comfort of California at the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, where you can luxuriate in style beneath the auspices of Italianate architecture while sipping award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons, Zinfandels, Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and more.
While you’re on-site, you can enjoy a stroll along the beautiful grounds, enjoy nightly tastings from the winery’s broad selection of beautifully composed wines, and, perhaps best of all, unwind poolside at the Grapeseed Spa (note: due to the present COVID-19 pandemic, Grapeseed Spa and its associated amenities are temporarily unavailable). You can also enjoy a number of special experiences not found at wineries elsewhere, including carriage rides, wellness courses, meditation walks and more.
When you’re done sipping, strolling, and soaking, book one of the resort’s stately accommodations complete with wi-fi, hot tubs and more.
Europa Village
As you step through the gates at Europa Village, you might just feel like you’ve stepped into another world. They’ll be charmed by the cozy inn which rests as the crown jewel within 40 acres of lush greenery, and experience excitement of a new kind as they make their way through the florid gardens and wine cave.
As the name implies, Europa is meant to evoke the sensation of a European village—bringing the distinctive appeal of modest hamlets throughout France, Italy and Spain to American shores. The unique styles of each of these village types is reflected across the property’s three wineries, including the Vienza, Bolera and C’est La Vie.
While on site, guests can enjoy premium wine tastings and enjoy breakfast, dinner and brunch at the estate restaurant. After you’ve dined and sipped your fill, Europa Village offers both its inn and a series of casitas for you to drift joyfully into sleep.
For those hearing wedding bells in their future, Europa Village is also available for nuptial ceremonies.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards
With a family legacy going back to 1886, Robert Renzoni Vineyards invites visitors to taste history in the bouquets of their myriad Italian-style wines. The Temecula-based vintner brings forward in time—while continuing to innovate new vintages—across 12 lush acres that produce Cabernets, Pinot Grigios, Bordeaux, Sangiovese and other delightful varietals.
Nestled at the heart of Temecula Valley, whose climate and ecology is said to be especially conducive to producing excellent wines, the sprawling Renzoni estate is a sight to behold with its rolling hills, swathes of grape crops, and the beautiful mountains which picturesquely frame the palatial property.
As visitors experience the enchantment of this unusually beautiful and otherworldly landscape, they’re invited to indulge in private or group tastings of the Renzoni family’s signature wines, to dine on classic Italian specialties at Mama Rosa’s Trattoria, and to stage the perfect gathering on the upper estate area’s rustic picnic grounds.
Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards
The brainchild of a former financial advisor and a television cooking show host, Wilson Creek Winery is a gorgeous family affair steeped in love and Cabernet.
Landing in Temecula in 1996, this winery focuses on cultivating a warm and inviting atmosphere made possible by members of the Wilson family, who actively operate the site each day. Their personalized, friendly service is a cornerstone of this successful winery’s approach. That they produce over 75,000 cases of innovative, delicious wines each year and host over 1,500 visitors annually is testament to the quality of their enterprise—which has earned them awards year after year.
When visiting Wilson Creek Winery, guests can expect to be impressed by over 90 acres of wine-producing land, fast-casual dining at the property’s Creekside Grille, and truly opulent accommodations for those wishing to stay overnight at the Wilson Creek Manor.
The vast square footage and thoughtful amenities of this vineyard make it perfect for events like weddings and mid-sized business conferences. Interested parties are encouraged to visit Temecula Vacation Rentals to inquire after bookings.
Vitagliano Vineyards and Winery
Vitagliano Vineyards and Winery offers visitors the opportunity to experience all of the fineries of Italy’s Tuscany region from the comfort of the California coast.
This particular vintner focuses on producing “Super Tuscan” varietals, including Dolcetto, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, and Muscat. Each wine is handcrafted with love, and cultivated over ten gorgeous acres as masterminded by founding winemaker Guy Vitigliana and his rising star apprentice, Erick Erno.
With three generations of wine-making experience focused exclusively on the Tuscany style, Vitagliano Wineyards offers the perfect tasting experience for those looking to enchant their palates with the perfect dinner imbibement. When you’re not busy marveling at the craftsmanship of Guy Vitigliano’s viticultural genius, you’ll likely find yourself marveling at the sprawling water features and sweeping hills of the Vitigliano estate. This is not one to be missed.
Explorations Beyond the Vine
Outside of Murrieta’s vineyards, there are a number of breweries and restaurants with farm-to-pint and farm-to-fork selections to indulge. We recommend checking out our dining and drinking directory to learn more—and plan an itinerary that will keep your belly and heart plenty full.
Murrieta is a gorgeous gem of a town off of California’s beaten path, and the perfect place to plan your weekend road trip, business leisure extension or annual trip. We invite you to read more about some of the amazing experiences you can have with us, and then book your stay today.
