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Temecula » Leonesse Cellars

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Nearby Recommended Wineries


Leonesse Cellars

38311 DePortola Road
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 302-7601

Tasting:   Open daily 10 to 5 pm
Tasting fee $10, with souvenir glass $12
10% off 6 to 11 bottles, 15% off case
Tours:
  Tours by Appointment
VIP Tasting $20
Amenities:
  Restaurant on site
Price Range:   $16 to $36 per bottle
Established:   2003
Production:
  10,000 cases
VIP Tasting:   Yes
Winery Dog:   Verdot

Leonesse Cellars Description

The word Leonesse means “village of dreams,” and that is what the owners of this elegant boutique winery have created on De Portola Road in the Temecula wine country. A stylish tasting room, with one of the best “tasting decks” in the region, shares the property with a lovely restaurant and a hillside full of vineyards.

The elegant tasting room is richly decorated in dark woods; it has a stone fireplace for chilly afternoons, and leather chairs for comfort. The large outside deck features great views, a second fireplace, and heaters for the winter and “misters” for the summer.

Leonesse’s dedicated winemaking staff makes Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, White Merlot, Muscat Canelli and Cinsault Port, as well as small lots of other selected varietals. Red wines as well as Chardonnay are aged in a combination of small French and American oak barrels. This treatment adds softness, oak nuances and complexity to the wines.

Monday through Friday, you can experience their VIP Tasting in the private VIP Room. (At $20.00 per person, it includes six tastes, barrel sampling, and cheese and chocolate pairing.)

Leonesse Cellars Features

Ambiance Types of Wine Amenities
Resort Like
Kid Friendly
Family Run
Casual & Relaxed
Hip & Stylish
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Italian
Tours Available
Private Tasting
Event Space
Catering
Gift Shop
Barrel Sampling
Write Your Own Review

Leonesse Cellars Reviews

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
World of wine tour
ansmom, San Diego
Very busy tasting room after WOW tasting. THey were very busy so I can understand not being as friendly as possible. Great wine and nice gifts in shop.

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
Posh Wine at the Friendliest Winery in the Valley
CSM, Springfield
This is a must visit winery when in Southern California. Being on the quiet De Portola Road side of Temecula it is a little harder to find, but is surrounded by several other worthy wineries so the extra distance isn't a time killer. Leonesse prides themselves on being the friendliest winery in Temecula. Their tasting staff has certainly earned my vote on every visit. Their well appointed tasting room is inviting and spacious as is their outside restaurant 'Block 5.' Having food service on site adds to the opportunity to spend quality time in the vineyard with good wine and food. Leonesse offers three tiers of wine with their Vineyard Select Wines being notable for sourcing grapes from a single vineyard and receiving significant maturation in new French Oak (typically 18 -24 months). Like the other wineries in Temecula Leonesse lacks the economies of scale associated with larger operations and so if you have caviar tastes and a box wine budget, your going to need an allowance increase. That being said, their wines are worth every penny in my mind. Of the entry tier wines offered for tasting I particularly recommend the 2005 Zinfandel and the Cabernet Franc. I also enjoyed their Meritage; an appellation I particularly seek when offered, as I believe it is the best evidence of that wine maker's style and skill, given freer rein than under traditional blending rules for varietals. If still available in their Library Selection, the 2004 Vineyard Select Merlot is a luscious and full bodied treat, and their 2004 Syrah has been highly rated.

Review Disclaimer

The above reviews are the subjective opinion of Winery Advisor members and not of Winery Advisor LLC.

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